Disco de Cher: “With Love, Cher”

Packaged in the original artwork (Sonny took cover photo of Cher on top of swimming pool slide - he was in the water; Cher was pregnant at the time but sadly miscarried) - this is the shape of things to come for Cher. Musically - it is Sonny at his most adventurous (writing "Behind The Door" - a beautiful, spiritual take on the world and her first camp classic - "Mama") and arranging/producing "I Will Wait For You", with her underrated cover of Hendrix's "Hey Joe". To say nothing of the stylized hit "You Better Sit Down Kids". Sublime, earthy and supreme.

The LP "with Love" was really the last lp on Imperial that boasted a major hit. "You Better Sit Down Kids", is still a marvelous pop song and the time changes remarkably well done.It is the major chestnut in this lp that finds Sonny Bono producing a more sophisticated group of songs. The range is wide, and Cher does a decent job on Dylan(Times are a changin"), as well as amore than decent take on Grahm Gouldman's "Behind the Door". Cher is best on unique spins like this that showcase her moody pensive personna and deep contralto."Look at Me", a 60's percussive ballad is another highlight, and my favorite track besides "You Better Sit Down Kids".

With Love is a venture into adult pop with folk leanings.Songs like "Sing for your supper", were perhaps too far ahead for the 60's Cher, and it would be great to see her give these standards a kick in her mature millenium .She is more than adequate on the theme from the Umbrellas of Cherbourgh,(I will wait for you).If the production is uneven it is imaginative and heart felt.

This version of Cher is honest and fun though a tad short on production even-ness.