The Very Best of Andy Williams (2009 album)


The Very Best of Andy Williams is a compilation album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in the UK on October 5, 2009. A note from Williams inside the CD booklet explains that the album "was put together to coincide with my memoir Moon River and Me, published by Orion Press. It includes many of the songs that you made hits. I truly appreciate that, and I hope you enjoy the songs we selected for this CD." This compilation includes recordings that either charted in the UK but not in the US or charted much higher on the UK singles chart than they did on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. It entered the UK albums chart on October 17, 2009, and reached number 10 during its six weeks there.
On July 22, 2013, the British Phonographic Industry awarded the album with Gold certification for sales of 100,000 units.
An 18-track compilation album released in conjunction with the book publication in the US was titled Moon River: The Very Best of Andy Williams and had the same cover photo and design but had only nine of the 24 tracks on this album in common.

Track listing

  1. "Moon River" – 2:46
  2. * recorded on 1/4/62 for his album Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes
  3. "Can't Get Used to Losing You" – 2:25
  4. * rec. 12/2/62; UK singles chart: #2
  5. "Music to Watch Girls By" – 2:38
  6. * rec. 2/21/67; UK singles chart: #33
  7. "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" – 3:15
  8. * rec. 9/18/67; UK singles chart: #5
  9. "The Impossible Dream (The Quest)" from Man of La Mancha – 2:39
  10. * rec. 1968 for his album Honey
  11. "Happy Heart" – 3:15
  12. * rec. 3/8/69; UK singles chart: #19
  13. "Solitaire" – 4:22
  14. * rec. 7/73; UK singles chart: #4
  15. "Never Can Say Goodbye" – 3:33
  16. * rec. 4/22/71 for his album You've Got a Friend
  17. "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" – 3:11
  18. * rec. 2/24/70 for his album Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head
  19. "It's So Easy" – 2:29
  20. * rec. 1/14/70 & 1/16/70; UK singles chart: #13
  21. "Born Free" – 2:27
  22. * rec. 3/2/67 for his album Born Free
  23. "Up, Up and Away" – 2:36
  24. * rec. 1968 for his album Honey
  25. "Home Lovin' Man" – 3:10
  26. * rec. 8/29/70; UK singles chart: #7
  27. "Can't Help Falling in Love" – 3:15
  28. * rec. 1/14/70; UK singles chart: #3
  29. "MacArthur Park" – 5:03
  30. *rec. 1/4/71 for his album Love Theme from 'The Godfather'
  31. "We've Only Just Begun" – 3:15
  32. * rec. 12/7/70 for his album Love Story
  33. "Almost There" – 2:59
  34. * rec. 2/28/64; UK singles chart: #2
  35. "Abraham, Martin and John" – 3:43
  36. * rec. 1969 for his album Happy Heart
  37. "(Where Do I Begin) Love Story" – 3:10
  38. * rec. 12/17/70; UK singles chart: #4
  39. "Ave Maria" performed with the St. Charles Borromeo Choir – 4:55
  40. * rec. 7/17/68; B-side of "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
  41. "The Look of Love" – 2:55
  42. * rec. 1967 for his album Love, Andy
  43. "May Each Day" – 2:54
  44. * rec. 1/16/63; UK singles chart: #19
  45. "Somethin' Stupid" – 2:59
  46. * rec. 1967 for his album Love, Andy
  47. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" – 2:32
  48. * rec. 9/12/63 for ''The Andy Williams Christmas Album''

Personnel

  • Artie Butler – arranger
  • Al Capps – arranger, arranger/conductor
  • Nick DeCaro – arranger/producer
  • Ernie Freeman – arranger
  • Jerry Fuller – producer
  • Dick Glasser – producer
  • Dick Hazard – arranger
  • Eddie Karam – conductor
  • Johnny Mandel – arranger
  • Robert Mersey – arranger/conductor/producer, conductor/producer
  • Richard Perry – producer
  • The St. Charles Borromeo Choir – background vocals
  • Andy Williams – producer ; vocalist