B Sides and Rarities
Encyclopedia
B Sides and Rarities is a compilation album
by American pop singer Andy Williams
that was released by Collectables Records
on May 27, 2003. Although the collection starts out with two 1947 recordings by Kay Thompson
and The Williams Brothers, the rest of the material comes from his time at Columbia Records
and includes covers of contemporary hits ("Cherish
", "If You Could Read My Mind", "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
") as well as lesser-known material from the songwriters of "Can't Get Used to Losing You
", "Home Lovin' Man", and "Moon River
".
One of the rarities included here actually did reach the charts of Billboard
magazine. Released as the B-side
of the number 13 hit "Hopeless", Williams's recording of "The Peking Theme (So Little Time)" was included in the 1963 film 55 Days at Peking
and reached number 115 during the three weeks that it "bubbled under
" the Billboard Hot 100
in June of that year. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song
in early 1964, and Williams was asked and did appear to perform at the Oscar ceremony that April but not to sing that song. Instead he sang his number 100 hit from January, "Charade", as well as the song included in the title of his new album that was soon to be released, The Academy Award-Winning "Call Me Irresponsible" and Other Hit Songs from the Movies
. Harve Presnell
performed "The Peking Theme" that evening, but the winner was "Call Me Irresponsible
".
, this collection includes selections from stage and screen. "Louisiana Purchase" is the title song from Irving Berlin
's 1940 Broadway musical
. "Autumn" originated in the 1958 musical Cyrano, and "The Sound of Music
" was first performed by Mary Martin
as the title song of the 1959 Broadway musical
. "Whistling Away The Dark" was first sung by Julie Andrews
for the 1970 film Darling Lili
and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song
. "Someone Who Cares" by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition
was included in the 1970 film Fools
and had its highest chart ranking as a number four hit on Billboard
magazine's weekly list of the most popular Easy Listening songs.
Several of Williams's other selections covered here also had their best showings as Easy Listening hits. "The Last Time I Saw Her" by Glen Campbell
reached number 12 on that chart, while "Long, Long Time" by Linda Ronstadt
got as high as number 20. "Who Was It?" was a number 12 Easy Listening hit for Hurricane Smith, and Gordon Lightfoot
's "If You Could Read My Mind" went all the way to number one. "Cherish
" was initially a number one pop
hit for The Association
and later reached the top of the Easy Listening chart thanks to David Cassidy
.
Williams covers number-one hits from a variety of other charts as well. Of the five recordings of "I'll See You in My Dreams
" that made the pop charts in 1925, the most successful rendition came from Isham Jones
& the Ray Miller Orchestra, who spent seven weeks with the song at number one. Chuck Willis
took "What Am I Living For" to number one on the Billboard R&B
chart. "Help Me Make It Through the Night
" gave Sammi Smith
a number one Country
hit. And as of the time of Williams's recording of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
", The Hollies
had already peaked at number three with it in the UK, but they later reached number one there when the song was reissued.
Other selections from the more distant past are also included on this collection. One of the earliest recordings of "Here's to My Lady" was done by Perry Como
in 1951. And Richard Erikson writes in the liner notes to the collection that Williams recorded the Latin Catholic Prayer version of Franz Schubert
's "Ave Maria
" "days after the funeral of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy
as a memorial to the slain leader".
Collectables Records
Compiled by Richard Erikson
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
by American pop singer Andy Williams
Andy Williams
Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams is an American singer who has recorded 18 Gold- and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials, and owns his own theater, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri,...
that was released by Collectables Records
Collectables Records
Collectables is a reissue record label founded in 1980 by Jerry Greene. Greene was previously associated with New York City's Times Square Record Shop, Philadelphia's Record Museum retail chain, and the Lost Nite and Crimson record labels....
on May 27, 2003. Although the collection starts out with two 1947 recordings by Kay Thompson
Kay Thompson
Kay Thompson was an American author, composer, musician, actress and singer. She is best known as the creator of the Eloise children's books.-Background:Catherine Louise Fink was born in St...
and The Williams Brothers, the rest of the material comes from his time at Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
and includes covers of contemporary hits ("Cherish
Cherish (The Association song)
"Cherish" is a pop song written by Terry Kirkman and recorded by The Association. Released in 1966, the song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in September of that year and remained in the top position for three weeks. In Canada, the song also reached number one...
", "If You Could Read My Mind", "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
"He Ain't Heavy... He's My Brother" is a popular music ballad written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Originally recorded by Kelly Gordon in 1969, the song became a worldwide hit for The Hollies later that year and again for Neil Diamond in 1970....
") as well as lesser-known material from the songwriters of "Can't Get Used to Losing You
Can't Get Used to Losing You
"Can't Get Used to Losing You" is a song written by Jerome "Doc" Pomus and Mort Shuman, first made popular by Andy Williams in a 1963 record release.-Andy Williams Recording:...
", "Home Lovin' Man", and "Moon River
Moon River
"Moon River" is a song composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini in 1961, for whom it won that year's Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was originally sung in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's by Audrey Hepburn, although it has been covered by many other artists...
".
One of the rarities included here actually did reach the charts of Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine. Released as the B-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
of the number 13 hit "Hopeless", Williams's recording of "The Peking Theme (So Little Time)" was included in the 1963 film 55 Days at Peking
55 Days at Peking
55 Days at Peking is a 1963 historical epic film starring Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, and David Niven, made by Samuel Bronston Productions, and released by Allied Artists. The movie was produced by Samuel Bronston and directed by Nicholas Ray, Andrew Marton , and Guy Green...
and reached number 115 during the three weeks that it "bubbled under
Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100...
" the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in June of that year. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song
Academy Award for Best Original Song
The Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . It is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best original song written specifically for a film...
in early 1964, and Williams was asked and did appear to perform at the Oscar ceremony that April but not to sing that song. Instead he sang his number 100 hit from January, "Charade", as well as the song included in the title of his new album that was soon to be released, The Academy Award-Winning "Call Me Irresponsible" and Other Hit Songs from the Movies
The Academy Award-Winning "Call Me Irresponsible" and Other Hit Songs from the Movies
The Academy Award-Winning "Call Me Irresponsible" and Other Hit Songs from the Movies is an album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in the spring of 1964 by Columbia Records. It made its first appearance on Billboard magazine's Top LP's chart in the issue dated May 9 of that...
. Harve Presnell
Harve Presnell
Harve Presnell was an American actor and singer. He began his career in the mid 1950s as a classical baritone, singing with orchestras and opera companies throughout the United States...
performed "The Peking Theme" that evening, but the winner was "Call Me Irresponsible
Call Me Irresponsible
"Call Me Irresponsible" is a 1962 song composed by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics written by Sammy Cahn.According to the Mel Tormé book The Other Side of the Rainbow with Judy Garland on the Dawn Patrol, Van Heusen originally wrote the song for Garland to sing at a CBS dinner...
".
Track listing
- "Louisiana Purchase" by Kay ThompsonKay ThompsonKay Thompson was an American author, composer, musician, actress and singer. She is best known as the creator of the Eloise children's books.-Background:Catherine Louise Fink was born in St...
and The Williams Brothers (Irving BerlinIrving BerlinIrving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous...
) – 2:56- first released on 10-inch 78 on April 12, 1948
- "Jubilee" by Kay ThompsonKay ThompsonKay Thompson was an American author, composer, musician, actress and singer. She is best known as the creator of the Eloise children's books.-Background:Catherine Louise Fink was born in St...
and The Williams Brothers (Kay Thompson) – 3:17- first released on 10-inch 78 on February 9, 1948
- "Help Me" (Carole KingCarole KingCarole King is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. King and her former husband Gerry Goffin wrote more than two dozen chart hits for numerous artists during the 1960s, many of which have become standards. As a singer, King had an album, Tapestry, top the U.S...
, Cynthia WeilCynthia WeilCynthia Weil is a prominent American songwriter. She is famous for having written many songs together with her husband Barry Mann....
) – 2:21- B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
of "The Wonderful World of the Young" (1962)
- B-side
- "The Peking Theme (So Little Time)" (Dimitri TiomkinDimitri TiomkinDimitri Zinovievich Tiomkin was a Russian-born Hollywood film score composer and conductor. He is considered "one of the giants of Hollywood movie music." Musically trained in Russia, he is best known for his westerns, "where his expansive, muscular style had its greatest impact." Tiomkin...
, Paul Francis WebsterPaul Francis WebsterPaul Francis Webster was an American lyricist who won three Academy Awards for Best Song and was nominated sixteen times for the award.-Biography:...
) – 2:48- B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
of "Hopeless" (1963)
- B-side
- "Autumn" (Richard Maltby, Jr.Richard Maltby, Jr.Richard Eldridge Maltby, Jr. is an American theatre director and producer, lyricist, and screenwriter. He is also well known as a constructor of cryptic crossword puzzles. He has done this for Harper's Magazine, sometimes in collaboration with E. R...
, David ShireDavid ShireDavid Lee Shire is an American songwriter and the composer of stage musicals, film and television scores. The soundtrack to the movie The Taking of Pelham 123 and parts of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack such as Night on Disco Mountain, an adaptation of Modest Mussorgsky's Night on Bald...
) – 2:19- previously unreleased in the US
- "Here's to My Lady" (Rube BloomRube BloomReuben Bloom was a Jewish American multi-faceted entertainer, and in addition to being a songwriter, pianist, arranger, band leader, recording artist, vocalist, and writer .During his career, he worked with many well-known performers, including Bix Beiderbecke, Joe Venuti, Ruth Etting,...
, Johnny MercerJohnny MercerJohn Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
) – 2:57- first released on the 1991 compilation The Great American Composers: Johnny Mercer
- "I'll See You in My DreamsI'll See You in My Dreams (song)"I'll See You in My Dreams" is a popular song.One of the most beloved and popular songs of its day, "I'll See You in My Dreams" was written by Isham Jones, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song was published in 1924...
" (Isham JonesIsham JonesIsham Jones was a United States bandleader, saxophonist, bassist and songwriter.-Career:Jones was born in Coalton, Ohio, to a musical and mining family, and grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, where he started his first band...
, Gus KahnGus KahnGustav Gerson Kahn was a musician, songwriter and lyricist.-Biography:Kahn was born in Koblenz, Germany in 1886. The family emigrated from there to the United States and moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1890...
) – 2:39- first released on the 1969 compilation Andy and Company
- "Loved One" (Carolyn LeighCarolyn LeighCarolyn Leigh was an American lyricist for Broadway, movies, and popular songs. She is best known as the writer with partner Cy Coleman of the pop standards "Witchcraft" and "The Best Is Yet to Come."-Biography:...
, Jack SegalJack SegalJack Segal was a composer of popular American songs...
) – 2:49- B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
of "Ain't It True" (1965)
- B-side
- "The Many Faces of Love" (Jerome "Doc" PomusDoc PomusJerome Solon Felder, better known as Doc Pomus , was a twentieth-century American blues singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lyricist of many rock and roll hits. Pomus was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the category of non-performer in 1992. He was also inducted into...
, Mort ShumanMort ShumanMort Shuman was an American singer, pianist and songwriter, best known as co-writer of many 1960s rock and roll hits, including "Viva Las Vegas"...
) – 2:17- B-side of "In the Arms of LoveIn the Arms of Love"In the Arms of Love" is a song featured in the 1966 film, What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? The song's music was composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans and was performed by Andy Williams...
" (1966)
- B-side of "In the Arms of Love
- "Ave MariaEllens dritter GesangEllens dritter Gesang , in English: "Ellen's Third Song", was composed by Franz Schubert in 1825 as part of his Opus 52, a setting of seven songs from Walter Scott's popular epic poem The Lady of the Lake, loosely translated into German.It has become one of Schubert's most popular works under the...
" (Franz SchubertFranz SchubertFranz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
) – 4:55- B-side of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (1968)
- "The Sound of MusicThe Sound of Music (song)“The Sound of Music” is the title song from The Sound of Music, composed by Richard Rodgers to lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It was originally sung by Mary Martin in the 1959 stage musical of the same name. It was sung by Julie Andrews in the 1961 film, with a reprise by the Von Trapp family...
" (Oscar Hammerstein IIOscar Hammerstein IIOscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II was an American librettist, theatrical producer, and theatre director of musicals for almost forty years. Hammerstein won eight Tony Awards and was twice awarded an Academy Award for "Best Original Song". Many of his songs are standard repertoire for...
, Richard RodgersRichard RodgersRichard Charles Rodgers was an American composer of music for more than 900 songs and for 43 Broadway musicals. He also composed music for films and television. He is best known for his songwriting partnerships with the lyricists Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II...
) – 2:25- first released on the 1969 2-LP compilation The Andy Williams Sound of MusicThe Andy Williams Sound of MusicThe Andy Williams Sound of Music is a double compilation album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released early in 1969 by Columbia Records...
- first released on the 1969 2-LP compilation The Andy Williams Sound of Music
- "What Am I Living For" (Art Harris, Fred Jay) – 3:06
- B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
of "A Woman's Way" (1969)
- B-side
- "CherishCherish (The Association song)"Cherish" is a pop song written by Terry Kirkman and recorded by The Association. Released in 1966, the song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in September of that year and remained in the top position for three weeks. In Canada, the song also reached number one...
" (Terry KirkmanTerry KirkmanTerry Kirkman, in Salina, Kansas, U.S., is a musician and writer of the hit songs "Cherish", "Everything That Touches You", and "Six Man Band". He left the band Men in 1962 to become a founding member and sometime leader of the musical group The Association. Kirkman co-wrote some material with...
) – 3:40- recorded for (but not included on) the 1970 album The Andy Williams ShowThe Andy Williams Show (album)The Andy Williams Show is an album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in the fall of 1970 by Columbia Records. It made its first appearance on the Billboard 200 chart in the issue dated November 14, 1970, and remained on the album chart for 17 weeks, peaking at number 81. It...
- recorded for (but not included on) the 1970 album The Andy Williams Show
- "Whistling Away The Dark" (Henry ManciniHenry ManciniHenry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
, Johnny MercerJohnny MercerJohn Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
) – 3:19- B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
of "Home Lovin' Man" (1970)
- B-side
- "Free to Go" (Paul AnkaPaul AnkaPaul Albert Anka, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor.Anka first became famous as a teen idol in the late 1950s and 1960s with hit songs like "Diana'", "Lonely Boy", and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder"...
, Bert KaempfertBert KaempfertBert Kaempfert was a German orchestra leader and songwriter. He made easy listening and jazz-oriented records, and wrote the music for a number of well-known songs, such as "Strangers in the Night" and "Spanish Eyes".-Biography:He was born in Hamburg, Germany - where he received his lifelong...
) – 3:23- previously unreleased
- "Someone Who Cares" (Alex HarveyAlex HarveyAlex Harvey was a Scottish rock musician. With The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, he built a reputation as an exciting live performer during the 1970s glam rock era.-Biography:...
) – 3:15- first released in 1971 in the UK on Love StoryLove Story (Andy Williams album, U.K. version)Love Story is an album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in the UK in July 1971 by the CBS Records division of Columbia. It entered the UK album chart on July 31 of that year and reached number 11 over the course of 11 weeks....
and in the US on the 2-LP compilation The Impossible DreamThe Impossible Dream (Andy Williams album)The Impossible Dream is a double compilation album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in late 1971 by Columbia Records. Unlike his most recent compilation, Andy Williams' Greatest Hits, this 2-LP set focused exclusively on covers of songs made famous by other artists...
- first released in 1971 in the UK on Love Story
- "The Last Time I Saw Her" (Gordon LightfootGordon LightfootGordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr. is a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music, and has been credited for helping define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s...
) – 3:25- first released in 1971 in the UK on Love StoryLove Story (Andy Williams album, U.K. version)Love Story is an album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in the UK in July 1971 by the CBS Records division of Columbia. It entered the UK album chart on July 31 of that year and reached number 11 over the course of 11 weeks....
and in the US on the 2-LP compilation The Impossible DreamThe Impossible Dream (Andy Williams album)The Impossible Dream is a double compilation album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in late 1971 by Columbia Records. Unlike his most recent compilation, Andy Williams' Greatest Hits, this 2-LP set focused exclusively on covers of songs made famous by other artists...
- first released in 1971 in the UK on Love Story
- "Long, Long Time" (Gary White) – 3:37
- first released in 1971 in the UK on Love StoryLove Story (Andy Williams album, U.K. version)Love Story is an album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in the UK in July 1971 by the CBS Records division of Columbia. It entered the UK album chart on July 31 of that year and reached number 11 over the course of 11 weeks....
and in the US on the 2-LP compilation The Impossible DreamThe Impossible Dream (Andy Williams album)The Impossible Dream is a double compilation album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in late 1971 by Columbia Records. Unlike his most recent compilation, Andy Williams' Greatest Hits, this 2-LP set focused exclusively on covers of songs made famous by other artists...
- first released in 1971 in the UK on Love Story
- "If You Could Read My Mind" (Gordon LightfootGordon LightfootGordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr. is a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music, and has been credited for helping define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s...
) – 3:52- only released on the 1971 UK album Love StoryLove Story (Andy Williams album, U.K. version)Love Story is an album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in the UK in July 1971 by the CBS Records division of Columbia. It entered the UK album chart on July 31 of that year and reached number 11 over the course of 11 weeks....
- only released on the 1971 UK album Love Story
- "He Ain't Heavy, He's My BrotherHe Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"He Ain't Heavy... He's My Brother" is a popular music ballad written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Originally recorded by Kelly Gordon in 1969, the song became a worldwide hit for The Hollies later that year and again for Neil Diamond in 1970....
" (Bob RussellBob Russell (songwriter)Sidney Keith "Bob" Russell, was an American songwriter born in Passaic, New Jersey.In 1968, Russell along with songwriting partner Quincy Jones was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Original Song category...
, Bobby ScottBobby Scott (musician)Bobby Scott was an American musician, record producer, and songwriter.-Biography:He was born Robert William Scott in Mount Pleasant, New York, and became a pianist, vibraphonist, and singer, and could also play the accordion, cello, clarinet, and double bass...
) – 2:59- first released in 1971 in the UK on Love StoryLove Story (Andy Williams album, U.K. version)Love Story is an album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in the UK in July 1971 by the CBS Records division of Columbia. It entered the UK album chart on July 31 of that year and reached number 11 over the course of 11 weeks....
and in the US on the 2-LP compilation The Impossible DreamThe Impossible Dream (Andy Williams album)The Impossible Dream is a double compilation album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in late 1971 by Columbia Records. Unlike his most recent compilation, Andy Williams' Greatest Hits, this 2-LP set focused exclusively on covers of songs made famous by other artists...
- first released in 1971 in the UK on Love Story
- "Help Me Make It Through the NightHelp Me Make It Through the Night"Help Me Make It Through the Night" is a country music ballad composed by Kris Kristofferson and released on his 1970 album Kristofferson.Kristofferson said that he got the inspiration for the song from an Esquire magazine interview with Frank Sinatra...
" (Kris KristoffersonKris KristoffersonKristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
) – 2:36- first released on the quadraphonic version of the 1971 album You've Got a FriendYou've Got a Friend (Andy Williams album)You've Got a Friend is an album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in August 1971 by Columbia Records. It made its first appearance on the Billboard 200 chart in the issue dated August 28, 1971, and remained on the album chart for 12 weeks, peaking at number 54...
- first released on the quadraphonic version of the 1971 album You've Got a Friend
- "Home For Thee" (Paul T. Parrish) – 3:04
- B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
of "Speak Softly Love (Love Theme from 'The Godfather')Speak Softly Love (Love Theme From The Godfather)"Speak Softly Love " is a song written for The Godfather , the first film in the Godfather trilogy. While its instrumental version is simply known as "The Godfather Love Theme", "Speak Softly Love" is the vocal version. The words are by Larry Kusik but the music itself is by Nino Rota...
" (1972)
- B-side
- "You Chose a Fine Time" (Roger CookRoger Cook (songwriter)Roger Cook is an English songwriter who has written many hits for other recording artists. He has also had a successful recording career in his own right.-Early life:Cook was born in Fishponds, Bristol, England...
, Roger GreenawayRoger GreenawayRoger Greenaway , is a popular English songwriter, best known for his collaborations with Roger Cook.-Career:...
, Tony MacaulayTony MacaulayTony Macaulay is a British author, composer for musical theatre, and songwriter, though it was the latter that made him a household name early in his career...
) – 2:46- only released as a UK single
- "Who Was It?" (Gilbert O'SullivanGilbert O'SullivanGilbert O'Sullivan is an Irish-English singer-songwriter, best known for his early 1970s hits "Alone Again ", "Clair" and "Get Down". The music magazine, Record Mirror, voted him the No...
) - 2:50- B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
of "Marmalade, Molasses & Honey" (1972)
- B-side
- "I'll Never Be the Same" (June MillingtonJune MillingtonJune Millington is a Philippine-American guitarist, who along with her sister bassist Jean Millington, drummer Alice de Buhr, and keyboardist Nickey Barclay founded Fanny, which was signed with Warner Brothers' Reprise Records in 1969 and released five albums by 1974, including Fanny, Charity...
) – 3:41- B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
of "Last Tango in Paris"
- B-side
Recording dates
- 12/19/47 - "Jubilee", "Louisiana Purchase"
- 1/12/62 - "Help Me"
- 2/18/63 - "The Peking Theme (So Little Time)"
- 2/10/65 - "Autumn"
- 2/13/65 - "Here's to My Lady"
- 5/11/65 - "I'll See You in My Dreams"
- 6/30/65 - "Loved One"
- 6/22/66 - "The Many Faces of Love"
- 7/17/68 - "Ave Maria"
- 10/3/68 - "The Sound of Music"
- 9/17/69 - "What Am I Living For"
- 4/6/70 - "Cherish"
- 7/28/70 - "Free to Go", "Whistling Away the Dark"
- 12/17/70 - "Someone Who Cares"
- 4/22/71 - "The Last Time I Saw Her"
- 4/22/71-4/26/71 - "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother", "If You Could Read My Mind", "Long, Long Time"
- 6/10/71 - "Help Me Make It Through the Night"
- 2/19/72-2/24/72 - "Home For Thee"
- 4/14/72 - "You Chose a Fine Time"
- 9/16/72 - "Who Was It?"
- 2/19/73 - "I'll Never Be the Same"
Song information
As was typical of Williams's early albums at ColumbiaColumbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, this collection includes selections from stage and screen. "Louisiana Purchase" is the title song from Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous...
's 1940 Broadway musical
Louisiana Purchase (musical)
Louisiana Purchase is a musical theater production from 1940. It has music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and book by Morrie Ryskind based on a story by B. G. DeSylva. In 1941 it was adapted for the film Louisiana Purchase directed by Irving Cummings....
. "Autumn" originated in the 1958 musical Cyrano, and "The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music (song)
“The Sound of Music” is the title song from The Sound of Music, composed by Richard Rodgers to lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It was originally sung by Mary Martin in the 1959 stage musical of the same name. It was sung by Julie Andrews in the 1961 film, with a reprise by the Von Trapp family...
" was first performed by Mary Martin
Mary Martin
Mary Virginia Martin was an American actress and singer. She originated many roles over her career including Nellie Forbush in South Pacific and Maria in The Sound of Music. She was named a Kennedy Center Honoree in 1989...
as the title song of the 1959 Broadway musical
The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music is a musical by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers...
. "Whistling Away The Dark" was first sung by Julie Andrews
Julie Andrews
Dame Julia Elizabeth Andrews, DBE is an English film and stage actress, singer, and author. She is the recipient of Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy, BAFTA, People's Choice Award, Theatre World Award, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Award honors...
for the 1970 film Darling Lili
Darling Lili
Darling Lili is a 1970 American musical film. The screenplay was written by William Peter Blatty and Blake Edwards, who also directed. The cast included Julie Andrews, Rock Hudson, and Jeremy Kemp.-Plot:...
and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song
Academy Award for Best Original Song
The Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . It is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best original song written specifically for a film...
. "Someone Who Cares" by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition
The First Edition
The First Edition was a country music/rock band. Its stalwart members being Kenny Rogers , Mickey Jones and Terry Williams...
was included in the 1970 film Fools
Fools (film)
Fools is a 1970 drama film directed by Tom Gries. It stars Jason Robards and Katharine Ross.-Cast:*Jason Robards as Matthew South*Katharine Ross as Anais Appleton*Scott Hylands as David Appleton*Roy Jenson as Man in park*Mark Bramhall as Man in park...
and had its highest chart ranking as a number four hit on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine's weekly list of the most popular Easy Listening songs.
Several of Williams's other selections covered here also had their best showings as Easy Listening hits. "The Last Time I Saw Her" by Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell
Glen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
reached number 12 on that chart, while "Long, Long Time" by Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
got as high as number 20. "Who Was It?" was a number 12 Easy Listening hit for Hurricane Smith, and Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr. is a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music, and has been credited for helping define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s...
's "If You Could Read My Mind" went all the way to number one. "Cherish
Cherish (The Association song)
"Cherish" is a pop song written by Terry Kirkman and recorded by The Association. Released in 1966, the song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in September of that year and remained in the top position for three weeks. In Canada, the song also reached number one...
" was initially a number one pop
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
hit for The Association
The Association
The Association is a pop music band from California in the folk rock or soft rock genre. During the 1960s, they had numerous hits at or near the top of the Billboard charts and were the lead-off band at 1967's Monterey Pop Festival...
and later reached the top of the Easy Listening chart thanks to David Cassidy
David Cassidy
David Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and...
.
Williams covers number-one hits from a variety of other charts as well. Of the five recordings of "I'll See You in My Dreams
I'll See You in My Dreams (song)
"I'll See You in My Dreams" is a popular song.One of the most beloved and popular songs of its day, "I'll See You in My Dreams" was written by Isham Jones, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song was published in 1924...
" that made the pop charts in 1925, the most successful rendition came from Isham Jones
Isham Jones
Isham Jones was a United States bandleader, saxophonist, bassist and songwriter.-Career:Jones was born in Coalton, Ohio, to a musical and mining family, and grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, where he started his first band...
& the Ray Miller Orchestra, who spent seven weeks with the song at number one. Chuck Willis
Chuck Willis
Harold "Chuck" Willis was an American blues, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll singer and songwriter. His biggest hits, "C. C. Rider" and "What Am I Living For" , both reached no. 1 in the Billboard R&B chart...
took "What Am I Living For" to number one on the Billboard R&B
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart. "Help Me Make It Through the Night
Help Me Make It Through the Night
"Help Me Make It Through the Night" is a country music ballad composed by Kris Kristofferson and released on his 1970 album Kristofferson.Kristofferson said that he got the inspiration for the song from an Esquire magazine interview with Frank Sinatra...
" gave Sammi Smith
Sammi Smith
Sammi Smith was an American country music singer and songwriter. Born Jewel Faye Smith, she is best known for her 1971 country/pop crossover hit, "Help Me Make It Through the Night", which was written by Kris Kristofferson...
a number one Country
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
hit. And as of the time of Williams's recording of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
"He Ain't Heavy... He's My Brother" is a popular music ballad written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Originally recorded by Kelly Gordon in 1969, the song became a worldwide hit for The Hollies later that year and again for Neil Diamond in 1970....
", The Hollies
The Hollies
The Hollies are an English pop and rock group, formed in Manchester in the early 1960s, though most of the band members are from throughout East Lancashire. Known for their distinctive vocal harmony style, they became one of the leading British groups of the 1960s and 1970s...
had already peaked at number three with it in the UK, but they later reached number one there when the song was reissued.
Other selections from the more distant past are also included on this collection. One of the earliest recordings of "Here's to My Lady" was done by Perry Como
Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
in 1951. And Richard Erikson writes in the liner notes to the collection that Williams recorded the Latin Catholic Prayer version of Franz Schubert
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
's "Ave Maria
Ellens dritter Gesang
Ellens dritter Gesang , in English: "Ellen's Third Song", was composed by Franz Schubert in 1825 as part of his Opus 52, a setting of seven songs from Walter Scott's popular epic poem The Lady of the Lake, loosely translated into German.It has become one of Schubert's most popular works under the...
" "days after the funeral of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy
Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy , also referred to by his initials RFK, was an American politician, a Democratic senator from New York, and a noted civil rights activist. An icon of modern American liberalism and member of the Kennedy family, he was a younger brother of President John F...
as a memorial to the slain leader".
Collectables RecordsCollectables RecordsCollectables is a reissue record label founded in 1980 by Jerry Greene. Greene was previously associated with New York City's Times Square Record Shop, Philadelphia's Record Museum retail chain, and the Lost Nite and Crimson record labels....
reissue
Compiled by Richard Erikson- Dan Rivard - producer
- Ken Robertson - producer; reissue engineer
- Richard Erikson - associate producer; liner notes