Andy Williams - Merry Christmas
1965's 'Merry
Christmas' was Andy Williams second seasonally themed LP and the
good times were showing no evidence of flagging. The album came 2
years after his first effort and while it didn't contain anything
as game changing as 'The Most Wonderful Time of The Year' this
album more than matched 'The Andy Williams Christmas Album' in
offering genuine Christmas thrills. As you expect from an Andy
Williams' Christmas album the production, by Robert Mersey, was
lush with each one of the 12 tracks laden with strings and other
orchestral devices to bolster that velvet croon of his.
Things couldn't have
gotten off to a better start than with 'Sleigh Ride', that despite
appearing on countless other albums just sounds ecstatic when given
the Andy Williams treatment. At just over 2 minutes long it whizzes
past with the efficiently of Santa Claus on his way to that first
chimney. 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' starts off with
the sounds of a wind up musical box, it's a nice touch that sets up
the rest of the song as it settles into a groove of piano tickles,
female backing cooing and that genuinely affecting Williams'
voice.
'Merry Christmas'
wasn't without its odd selections, most pertinently on 'My
Favourite Things' which was a cover taken from the Sound of Music
soundtrack. In the end and in the context of the songs that
surrounded it 'My Favourite Things' fits in perfectly. Such was its
success that it quickly became a seasonal favourite for other
artists such as the Supremes who used it to great effect on their
own Christmas album (also called 'Merry Christmas').
While it might not
match Dean Martin's original 'Let It Snow' (minus two let it
snows!) still has a heavenly glow, an elaborate swing and offers up
an excellent alternative to the definitive version. The backing
singers are worth the admission price alone and give 'Let It Snow'
a uniquely traditional feel. 'Christmas Holiday' was one of several
originals on 'Merry Christmas' and feature Williams' in
particularly ebullient form. All around him there is fantastic
array of musical devices and vocal backdrops to give the song the
feel of a brightly coloured amusement park covered in a thick layer
of lumunious snow. It proves to be a wonderful end to Side One (in
vinyl speak!).
Things go much
quieter as Side Two opens with the reflective hymn 'Some Children
See Him'. And that number signals what was to follow as the brash
excitement of the first half of 'Merry Christmas' is replaced with
thoughtful renditions of 'Do You Hear What I Hear' (which features
a little drummer boy on percussion) and 'Silver Bells'. The latter
is particularly impressive, as much for the orchestral parts as
Williams and his backing singers, offering a warm feeling that will
always find an audience at this time of the year.
The longest song on
'Merry Christmas' is also its most hushed. At almost 5 minutes
'Little Altar Boy' never outstays its welcome and affords Williams
the chance to showcase his vocals as the orchestral theatrics are
kept to a minimum. Although not that well known 'Little Altar Boy'
has been covered by plenty of well known artists including the
Carpenters, Glen Campbell and Vic Dana. 'Mary's Little Boy Child'
is certainly in keeping with the reverential mood of the second
half of the album. Again Williams version is a complete triumph of
minimalism, no special effects are needed when his voice soars
towards the heavens. 'The Bells of St. Mary' closes 'Merry
Christmas' in the best possible way as it builds to a crescendo of
voices and the natural emotive energy dispelled by a chorus of
bells.
Such was the
popularity of 'Merry Christmas' that it charted every year in the
Billboard charts from 1965 to 1970. It may have been bolstered by
the Andy Williams Christmas specials that ran on TV over those
years but listening in now, almost half a century later, it is hard
not to marvel at the wonder in these recordings. When we talk about
traditional Christmas albums, the ones that inform our impression
of what a Christmas album should sound like, 'Merry Christmas' is
up there with a handful of other classics. To date Andy Williams'
'Merry Christmas' has sold over 1 million copies in the US alone,
marking it out as one of the most popular Christmas albums of all
time.
Andy Williams - Merry Christmas Christmas Videos
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