Warm and Willing is the tenth studio album by American pop singer Andy Williams and was released in 1962 by Columbia Records. Allmusic's William Ruhlmann explained that Williams and producer Robert Mersey "followed the Sinatra concept-album formula of creating a consistent mood, in this case a romantic one, and picking material mostly from the Great American Songbook of compositions written for Broadway musicals in the 1920s and '30s by the likes of George and Ira Gershwin, then giving them slow, string-filled arrangements over which Williams could croon in his breathy, intimate tenor voice."[1]
The album made its first appearance on Billboard magazine's Top LP's chart in the issue dated October 20 of that year and remained on the album chart for 44 weeks, peaking at number 16.[5] it also debuted on the Cashbox albums chart in the issue dated October 20, of that year, and remained on the chart for 57 weeks, peaking at number 19[6]
The single from the album, "Stranger on the Shore," made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 chart four months prior, reaching number 38 during its seven-week stay.[7] It performed even better on the magazine's Easy Listening chart, peaking at number 9.[8]
The album was released on compact disc for the first time by Sony Music Distribution on December 28, 1999, as tracks 1 through 12 on a pairing of two albums on one CD with tracks 13 through 24 consisting of Williams's Columbia album from May 1966, The Shadow of Your Smile.[9] It was also released as one of two albums on one CD by Collectables Records on February 5, 2002, the other album being a 1966 compilation from Columbia entitled Andy Williams' Newest Hits.[10] Collectables included this CD in a box set entitled Classic Album Collection, Vol. 2, which contains 15 of his studio albums and two compilations and was released on November 29, 2002.[11]
Reception
Ruhlmann also thought the album "indicated that a singer who had flirted with many styles over the previous half-dozen years had settled down to something very familiar. His treatment of these standards was not definitive, by any means, but it was certainly effective, and Williams benefited from his association with such material."[1]
Billboard was effusive in its praise. "This is one of the best albums Williams has done on his new label."[12] They also wrote, "Helped muchly by the tender orchestral backing of the Bob Mersey crew, Williams turns in strong readings of each song."[12]
