Andy Williams UK vist October

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Andy Williams had improved on Jools Hollands programme since Strictly, but if only he had sung a different song to give us a little more idea of how he is singing now.
It was an uplifting review, and we hope most of the audience came away with the same thoughts and reaction, but depending on who wrote it, and If it was from a long time dedicated fan and stalwart that is fair enough and understandable.

[Mark Fox]

I don't think Strictly is the best place to showcase veteran performers like Andy who,judging by the review of his Albert Hall show, was superb there.
I remember watching Tony Bennett's performance from the viewing room at the BBC,a few years back-the word excruciating came to mind,and I'm a fan!
Two nights later,Tony gave a stunning performance at The Royal Festival Hall. Q.E.D.
Jools is on way past by bed-time!
Did I read somewhere Amy Winehouse is due??

[Don Cooper]

Hi Mark,

Did I read somewhere Amy Whitehouse is due??

You mean like a bus that never turns up

[Lena & Harry Smith]

And if our luck holds out.

[Mark Fox]

Just finished my review copy of Andy's'memoir''MOON RIVER AND ME'.
Now I know ALL about him!

[Marian]

We have been away, so watched a recording of Strictly with Andy Williams earlier today. Some of it was okay, but I still think as I did last time I saw Andy on tour here, that it is time for him to retire gracefully. We also thought his face has obviously had surgery, it just looked too stretched and smooth for his years.
Good review from the Royal Albert Hall though John.

[john]

I received my copy or "Moon River and Me" today, loooking forward to reading it after I have finished reading a great book about the Italian Crooners (sorry I've been so long with it Lena and Harry, I'm about half way through)

[john]

Not sure if it has been mentioned earlier but tomorrow night, Friday 9th October on BBC4 at 9pm there are three programmes associated with Andy. "Duets" is on at 9pm, followed by "Kings Of Cool" then at 10.40pm an episode of the "Andy Williams Show".
Plus "Later With Jools Holland" on BBC2, I think.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

This was a newspaper report... Andy Williams at The Royal Albert Hall.
The cuddly persona that he has cultivated for so many years obviously conceals some spiky views, and the truth is that Williams' vocals have also lost much of their smoothness which is only to be expected of a performer in his early Eighties.
Four years ago the voice of middle America gave a magical performance at this same venue and hinted that he would not be returning. He has been back since then although he has indicated that this visit co-insides with the publication of his autobiography and a Very Best Of album will be the last.
His admirers were happy to overlook the creaking notes, after all the old trouper still knows how to put on a quality show, and he can unleash one of the most substantial back catalogues in the business.
It is easy to sneer at the schmaltzy trimmings, but when you hear the hits back to back performed by a crack orchestra including our own Jazzers Andy Panayi and Alan Barnes- you realise that Williams used some of the sharpest songwriting talent of the era......

[Lena & Harry Smith]

continued...
The self deprecating patter is always stylish, Williams still gets laughs out of the cleverly re-jigged video clip in which he gets to kiss the woman in the Fiat commercial that introduced...Music To Watch Girls Go .By to a huge audience.
It took courage for a man of his years to tackle the gradiose sentiment of Macarthur Park, he cannily navigated Jimmy Webb's anthem with the assistance of the Missouri-based Warnock family The wholesome singers were also by his side for a convincingly soulful cover of the motown hit ..How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You, and they helped him to wade through the treacle on ..Doh Rae Mi.
Most singers would never recover from such an indignity, Williams
was in his element.

[john]

Did you have to have a tea break in-between the paragraphs, Lena and Harry?

[Lena & Harry Smith]

I did actually need a cup John, Harry did too. He's hoovering ...no honest . . John, thanks for the info on Fridays shows. We shall be out,... not deliberately but booked elsewhere.
No rush with the book, it is good though, plus the Italian recipes.

[Don Cooper]

That would be Crooners and Spooners then?

[michduncg]

Interesting to see the comments on Andy's recent appearances. I was in the Falklands last week with Marc, and so had thought I would miss out in SCD and X-Factor. But thanks to the British Forces Broadacasting Service, I caught on both programmes with all episodes run back to back! Brilliant!

I have to be honest that I was not too impressed with Andys opening of 'Moon River', but he surprised me with his ending to it. Its difficult to say to someone who has all that showbiz heritage that now may be a good time to stop. My Mum always used to shout 'Give it a rest' to Peggy Lee when she used to appear on TV in her later years, but I love seeing the 'old timers' - eg Bruce Forsyth, still doing there thing.

It is a bit different when its a singer spending hours on a stage trying to give renditions of songs that made them famous, in the style that we expect them to deliver them in. But having seen Whitney Houston have to pause for a whole minute (live and on stage at the Earls Court Arena in 1993) to have a glass of water before attempting her monumental high note at the end of 'I will always love you' , this is not a territory reserved for the octogenarians!

[Mark Fox]

Andy's book signings and accompanying chat are under way-last evening he was in Manchester.
Hopefully not singing,just signing!