Emperor Of Easy: Lost Columbia Masters 1962-1972

One of the most popular and musically eclectic vocalists of his era, Andy Williams bridged the gap between the traditional pop, big band, and show tunes favored by the WWII generation and the rock and folk anthems that would come to define the boomers of the 60s and 70s. A paragon of relaxed, mid-century cardigan confidence, Williams was just as likely to cover a song from the Great American Songbook as something by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Bob Dylan, or the Beatles. It was this wide-ranging and stylistically open-minded approach that marked his two-decade-long association with Columbia Records and which informs the superb 2020 compilation Emperor of Easy: Lost Columbia Masters 1962-72. As the title implies, Williams was one of the foremost easy listening artists of his generation, earning at least 17 gold-certified albums by 1973. But rather than just offering a mix of standards (something he did excel at), Williams strong affinity for the warm, lyrical style of music in the 60s and early 70s found him exploring an array of moods, styles, and themes. These are popular songs you might have expected Williams to record, and some, including Herb Alperts This Guys in Love with You, were staples of his live set and successful TV variety show. We also get a theatrical rendition of the rarely heard Burt Bacharach-Hal David composition A Question of Love, a fairly definitive reading of Henry Mancinis theme to the 1967 film Two for the Road, and a brightly rambling take on Mel Tillis country classic Ruby, Dont Take Your Love to Town. There are also equally compelling versions of such beloved songs as Homeward Bound, Youve Lost That Lovin Feelin, and a game reworking of Creedence Clearwater Revivals Proud Mary. We even get Williams singing Spanish versions of his hits Love Story (Where Do I Begin) and Love Theme from The Godfather. Theres no reason any one of these songs couldnt have been Top Ten hits, and Emperor of Easy further exemplifies Williams superb vocal skills and broadly welcoming approach to pop. ~ Matt Collar