Cher 3614 Jackson Highway CD

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 3614 Jackson Highway Is A Treasure
This album is great in the respect that Cher was exposed to other elements besides those of Phil Spector and Sonny Bono. This record asked her to reach deep within herself. The production values are far better than the albums that Sonny produced. He seemed to only pull out the stops for their recordings as a duo and Cher's solo records were not a produced as this one. The original line-up of songs are all cover material, but delivered well. 'For What It's Worth' is delivered well with conviction as most of the songs on this collection, but my favorite song on here is 'I Walk On Guilded Splinters' It seems to capture a funkier more psychedelic tone in it's production and Cher is believable with the forboding lyrics. Overall the original album was not well received commercially, but it had to be just poor promotion at the time. Cher had a lot of competition, too. Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin were cranking out steady hits with this type of material. Cher just needed to bare her soul and why shouldn't she? With these producers she can't go wrong artistically or musically. Cher loves Bob Dylan and her version of 'Lay Baby Lay'(originally Lay Lady Lay) is enchanting and seductive. She had a knack for picking Dylan tunes and had done so since her first solo record. 'Do Right Woman, Do Right Man' is another that you can feel. It is most definitely different from Aretha's, but it carries it's own special warmth. Really all the tracks here represent a wonderful time capsule of sorts. The record was not a commercial success, but This Cd comes with wonderful liner notes and backstories on Cher and the studio at 3614 Jackson Highway. The bonus material is worth the price alone as Cher's version of 'Superstar' is magical! She really pulls it out of a hat. Karen Carpenter never heard Cher's version before she recorded the song. Ms. Carpenter only knew the Bette Midler version prior to learning of Cher's. ' Band Of Thieves' from Cher's movie 'Chastity' is another that will become an instant favorite. Here you have the mono and stereo verson. The bonus tracks are produced by Sonny and various other producers. You hear a marked difference in production once the bonus tracks have started. Atco was obviously not sure what to do with Cher. They certainly were not sure about Sonny producing her as they would not have sent her to Alabama to work with Wexler, Dowd and Mardin. I am sure that if things had been more together with Atco that this bonus material featured here would have been another album for them, but Sonny and Cher would eventually end up at Kapp Records and Cher would solo for MCA. I think it is odd and beautiful that Cher came to love 'Danny Boy' as she really comes through. I think that if you buy this Cd you will be happy, possibly beyond your expectations. Enjoy!
Submitted by jason (asheville, NC, USA) 
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