Andy Williams And Company Delight 8400
Honolulu-Star Bulletin
By Ben Wood
July 4, 1968
A truly remarkable Andy Williams Show was enjoyed last night by a sell-out crowd of 8,400 in the Honolulu International Center Arena.
It would be surprising if anyone went home disappointed.
The Columbia recording star brought a highly professional cast of 50 to Honolulu, including the Peter Nero Trio, the Osmond Brothers and a 33-piece orchestra under the excellent direction of Jack Feierman.
There was also a an unexpected guest performer in Jimmy Osmond, who is all of 4 years old and who could walk under a card table without bending over.
This youngster, dressed in a white Nehru outfit like his five brothers, stole the show.
“What are you going to sing?” Andy asked Jimmy.
“I Dig Rock n Roll Music.”
“I was going to sing that later in the program. You can join me on the chorus.”
“I have a group,” said the 4-year old, pointing to his brothers.
Jimmy sang, backed by his “group” and brought the house down. For an encore he did “I Got A Woman,” a la Ray Charles. This little fellow is too much.
It would take a performer of Andy Williams’ caliber to follow Peter Nero and his fine rhythm men, Gene Cherico, bass, and drummer Joe Cusatis. Their hour on stage was outstanding.
However, Williams is the big boy and he came through in fine style with his old and new hits like Moon River, Days of Wine and Roses, Honey, Born Free, Hawaiian Wedding Song, which drew thunderous applause, and Cause You Don’t Want My Love which has several last choruses, one in Japanese.
Andy’s big songs were Danny Boy accompanied by hippie-dressed (but clean) guitarist Mike Kollander, and Somewhere from West Side Story. The orchestral backing was superb on all numbers.
The Osmond Brothers do much to complement Andy and vice versa. The boys ranging in age from 10 to 18, sing well, play guitars, drums, and organ. Their well-rehearsed dance routines were perfect.
Their Scarborough Fair with Andy was a winner, but it was surpassed by Up Up and Away. The boys sang a Samoan song, to which they did a Tahitian dance, and also did some contemporary tunes.
Peter Nero, who records for RCA Victor, is an accomplished musician who could be a concert pianist if he so desired. Instead, he chooses to play jazz and pops with classical influence.
His trio’s blending with the orchestra was smoothly done on Sound of Silence, Glory of Love, and what Pete called “A new slough of tunes from Sound of Music. The numbers on which the trio soloed were done equally as well.
There will be a repeat of the 2 ½-hour show tonight at 8. |