Alone Again (Naturally) | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1972 | |||
Recorded | August 29, 1970 [1] 1972 [2] [3] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 37:11 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Producer | Dick Glasser [5] | |||
Andy Williams chronology | ||||
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Alternate cover | ||||
![]() The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face) (UK) |
Alone Again (Naturally) is the thirtieth studio album by American pop singer Andy Williams, released in September 1972 by Columbia Records [6] and mainly consisting of songs originated by other artists. For its release in the UK, the album was titled The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face), and three of the songs were replaced with the 7-inch single tracks "Who Was It?" and "Marmalade, Molasses & Honey" and a recording that was not released on vinyl in the U.S., "If You're Gonna Break Another Heart".
The album made its first appearance on the Top LP's & Tapes chart in the issue dated September 30, 1972, and remained there for 18 weeks, peaking at number 86. [7] it also debuted on the Cashbox albums chart in the issue dated October 21, 1972, and remained on the chart for in a total of 11 weeks, peaking at 80 [8]
The only song on the album ever released as a single by Williams was "Home Lovin' Man", which had already had its chart run on Billboard magazine's list of the 40 most popular Easy Listening songs of the week in the U.S. back in 1970, when it reached number 10. [9] The song had also reached number seven on the UK singles chart by the end of that year. [10] Coinciding with its first North American release on a Williams LP, the same recording entered the Easy Listening chart again in the November 4, 1972, issue of Billboard and made it to number 27 during its five weeks there. [11]
Alone Again (Naturally) was released on compact disc as one of two albums on one CD by Collectables Records on February 19, 2002, along with Williams's 1973 Columbia album, Solitaire . [12] Collectables included the CD in a box set entitled Classic Album Collection, Vol. 2, which contains 15 of his studio albums and two compilations, released on November 29, 2002. [13] It was again paired with Solitaire on a single CD by Sony Music Distribution in 2003. [14]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Billboard | Spotlight Pick [6] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
William Ruhlmann of AllMusic says the album proves Williams "surveyed the hit parade and mined it for his own easy listening versions of hits by America, Roberta Flack, Neil Diamond, and the Beatles". [4]
In their capsule review for retailers, Billboard magazine wrote, "Chalk up another important chart item for Williams as he takes on some strong hits of today and adds his own fine touches to them." [6] They singled out a few tracks in particular. “Along with the title tune, Williams delivers exceptional readings of 'Where Is the Love', 'Song Sung Blue', 'Amazing Grace' and 'I Need You'. His treatment of 'The Long and Winding Road' is also a gem." [6]
Cashbox wrote "The combination of the singer and the song has made Andy Williams one of the most successful performers to date". [16]
Record Mirror praised Williams for "His outstanding work-out for Day By Day. [17]
From the liner notes for the original album: [5]
Chart (1972/73) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report) [18] | 68 |
United States (Billboard 200) | 86 |
United States (Cashbox) [8] | 80 |