Cher Album: “Cher/With Love, Cher”

What a nice slip case packaging job for this 2/1 cd.

It includes Cher, a 1966 folk rock lp (3rd) boasting a superior rendition of "Alfie"(used in the release of the motion picture).The liner notes are extensive,(they digress creatively) . However, the art work looks grainy and amateurish. On the bright side,the presentation is faithful to the original artwork of these 2 Cher lps.The re-mastering is dimensional and Cher is once again preserved in her earthy,and robust,moody-sullen best. "Look at me" on "With Love" is an under-rated chestnut,not to mention Chers' up-front full vocal on "The cruel war",originally a Peter Paul and Mary issue."Sunny",soars with momentum like no other version does.This does not negate Bobby Hebbs fantastic signature recording.

These mid to late 60's Cher tunes are ever-green in freshness,and this is a must have! Cher's alliance with the 60's folk and popular music supplies material that wears well with time.The Bono musical production treatment is a bit jangly for the seasoned music lover,though it isa fitting tribute to Bono-Spector relationship.

The biggest mistake the reviewer made was saying "With Love" was Cher's last lp for Imperial records. Her last lp was the sparse and elegant "Backstage",produced by Sonny Bono and Harold Batistte.It boasted her cover of Dylan's "Masters of War",as well as her lovely poignant cover of "Carnival".Cher has a moody contralto here,with a deep nasal sound that is always unique .We fans have been waiting for "Backstage" to be reissued,hoping that BGO (this label) would fulfill that dream!So...don't believe this cd is the end of Cher's lps for that label!This package is a nice selection for the early Cher collector,but when are her mid-70's Warners

lps going to be reissued?

Ward Lamb, the ultimate in Cher writing, has beat me to the punch with the disinformation in the liner notes in the CD. One must wonder how things like this get published - the writer calls WITH LOVE her last Imperial LP - it's not as if "BACKSTAGE" was recorded on some rinky dink label. He also dismisses WITH LOVE as not very spectacular - which is so wrong - see my review for the WITH LOVE single CD. The sound on this is great - add to cart!

I'm extremely partial to Cher's 60's voice though. I really wish they'd release more of the shelved recordings from this era.

Of course Cher had baby fat in her face in this picture (as the commentary above states), she was pregnant with the baby she unfortunately lost in 1967. Sonny shot this picture looking up at her from inside the pool at their house.

Here is Cher's 1967 fourth album for Imperial records. France of all places has finally released this gem for the first time on compact disc. Many songs are making their compact disc debut and they are all in Stereo. There are four bonus songs from her fifth album "Backstage" which has never been released on compact disc either. I am fearful that since they added these tracks that they have no intention of releasing this final album on disc. My only complaint is that it comes in a cardboard gatefold sleeve: I prefer the plastic jewel case so that I can drool on it!