Christmas w Andy Williams & The Williams Bros - 1971 TH 1st Press

ANDY WILLIAMS & THE WILLIAMS BROTHERS - CHRISTMAS WITH ANDY WILLIAMS AND THE WILLIAMS BROTHERS

This 1971 album, published by Columbia Special Products (C 10105), is a collaborative holiday records that captures the "family affair" spirit of Andy Williams' famous TV Christmas specials.  While Andy was a massive solo star, he began his career in the 1930s as the youngest member of The Williams Brothers (with Bob, Don and Dick).  This album served as a reunion of sorts, featuring the brothers' signature close-harmony vocal style.  The album was produced by Andy himself and features arrangements by Al Capps and Dick Williams.  It blends traditional religious carols with jazzy, upbeat secular standards, notably utilized vocal arrangements influenced by the Williams brothers' mentor, Kay Thompson.

There are two (2) copies of the same release available.  It is the 1971 first press of the Columbia Special Products release, catalog # C 10105, pressed at the Terre Haute, IN pressing plant.  The album features ten (10) Christmas tracks and playback is in Stereo on each copy.

Copy one (1) is graded VG / VG.  The disc plays through more like VG+ - side one plays VG+ with no issues, side two plays VG with just a bit of crackle, not very noticeable behind the music.  The visual grade on the vinyl is also VG for some light but noticable surface marks that do not have an impact on playback.  The sleeve is close to VG+ but downgrades to VG due to some weakening seams (that remain intact) and general wear to the finish/color.

Copy two (2) is graded G+/VG.  The disc plays through very well but has some instances of static/crackle on side one that play behind the music.  Side two plays better than side one but there's just a little too much static/crackle overall to maintain a VG grade.  Visually it's pretty clean but does have some light surface marks that don't seem to impact the playback.  The sleeve grades VG; it is a little better on the front than the first copy with excellent color/finish, but it has some dings along the bottom seam and some surface wear on the back cover along with a small stain on the back cover.