Thanks ever so much for shining your spotlight on this one Mr.B :upthumb
I accept that image-wise its more "hip operation" than "hip" to the younger membership here and to the wider general audience out there in Stereo-ville.. but as somebody who was just a twinkle in the milkman's eye when this was recorded, I can't hold back my enthusiasm here, I love love LOVE this album in Quad and it has absolutely been one of my biggest 'surround surprises' of the year.
Brief bit of background to the recording that I've gleaned, Andy was trying something new with a new producer and arranger and the results (although not the smash hit the label were hoping for.. he wouldn't record much more for Columbia after this, his star was definitely on the wane by '76) are just plain, simple, honest MOR beautifully executed.. there's ballads, uptempo straight pop, lilting calypso, its just all rather lovely if you find this kind of thing at all musically palatable.
Fidelity of the SQ is tremendous, the Quad mix is wonderous - more active and immersive than you might think with such material - and that music itself is just joyous. It is the most enjoyable of Andy Williams' numerous Quads by a country mile.
In addition, the musicanship on display is pretty impressive, with a backing band comprising of no less than the combined talents of Larry Carlton, Jay Graydon, Hal Blaine, Jim Keltner, Leland Sklar, Larry Brown and Kim Carnes.. on every track the various band line ups are tight and yet its all so effortlessly free-flowing. This is Andy Williams' Quad tour de force.
I urge everyone here at QQ to track this Quad down.. go into it with an open mind.. yes its easy listening but I'm sure in that context, when presented with MOR of the highest calibre, you'll be tapping your toe to every number and wishing the album was just that bit longer, I know I do its my only criticism of this smooth set of songs that its a bit too short as an album but its no less sweet for its short-ness.. a "10".