Cher Album: “Essential Collection”

Most Cher collections(and there are many, many of 'em!)peter out somewhere between 1987 and 1993. This one doesn't even stretch that far, instead highlighting Cher's pre-and-post disco years of the 1970's. Still, it contains non-hits(but fun ones)like "Hell on Wheels"(from "Roller Boogie")and "Bad Love"(from "Foxes"), plus songs with Black Rose(her metal period)and Meatloaf! Cher's throaty voice and non-expressive delivery bring out the campy side of the lyrics. She would later become a rock-lite belter and actually gain some much-needed vocal range, but that's a DIFFERENT collection! A-

I LOVE IT! This has Cher's old and new songs.. IT IS GREAT! You will hear her songs that you almost forgot about.. You know when you try to remember a song and the words are right there, well if you have done that like I have then you will here the song on this CD (most likely) GREAT GIFT!

This yet ANOTHER "hits" collection from Cher. For the most part this one can be skipped. HOWEVER, there are two tracks on here that collectors will want to take note on. The collection covers Cher's recording period from 1965 thru 1982 (totally missing yet again is anything from her 1975-1978 Warner Bros. era. This is the first time anything from her "Black Rose" and "I Paralyze" albums have been included. The first 18 tracks have been reissued over and over again so there's no point in discussing them, all the regular hits. Things get interesting with track #19 "Bad Love" this is the first time this rare gem (from the soundtrack to "Foxes") has appeared on CD. This is not a great track, sounds like a cross between Donna Summer's "Dim All The Lights" and "Hot Stuff" only not nearly as good. But it is a rare track among Cher's recordings and has finally been issued on disc. The next track, "Young & Pretty" is from the long forgotten "Black Rose" project. "Black Rose" was Cher's attempt to totally revamp her musical direction with a harder sound. The attempt failed, and the album disappeared without a trace. It has has been reissued on CD in Germany but never in the US. The next track is "Rudy" from the under rated "I Paralyze" album, that album was also a flop but contains some of Cher's best songs. The disc closes with "I Got You Babe" from the "Sonny & Cher Live" album from 1971. Overall a decent collection, however with the exception of three songs all of these have been included on other recent sets. Still, someone needs to put out a collection with her Warner Bros. material!!!!

item came in on time in perfect condition. sorry i could not respond sooner but am grateful for the purchase. ERIC

Just twenty-three selections grace this album "Cher Essential Collection", could be more, many more...but believe Universal Music picked some outstanding tunes from the '60s, '70s and '80s...takes us on a journey through the Sonny & Cher years with "ALL I EVER NEED IS YOU"..."A COWBOY'S WORK IS NEVER DONE"..."I GOT YOU BABY", their harmony and voices blend with a distinctive sound, and at times it was difficult to tell who was who, when both were singing, gotta love it.

The balance of the CD is ALL CHER...with highlights "YOU BETTER SIT DOWN KIDS"..."THE WAY OF LOVE"..."GYPSYS, TRAMPS & THIEVES"..."HALF-BREED"..."DARK LADY"..."TAKE ME HOME"...her winning ways will capture your heart...and now in the new millennium, Cher's popularity is BIGGER THAN EVER!

Total Time: 79:37 on 23 Tracks ~ Universal/Hip-O Records 314-585-499-2 ~ (2001)