Charlie Rich Album: “Silver Linings”

If you like gospel done by a master in his own heartfelt,

southern style, then this gem by Charlie Rich will not

disappoint. Charlie has said he and producer Billy Sherrill

let their "hair down" on this album. Charlie plays all the

piano and does beautiful versions of "Just A Closer Walk with Thee" and "Were You There?" among others and a soaring version of "The Milky White Way" that's incredible. There's a reason why it was a Grammy Nominee - GRAB this CD while it is still in print. Note: Correct title is: "Silver Linings" - with an "s" on second word. Also on cd itself, the correct title of Track #-2 should be "Down By the Riverside."

Silver Linings by Charlie Rich is one of the Holy Grails of the country-gospel music traditions. Rich, whose widow Margaret Ann just passed away in July, was one of the most talanted and versatile musicians to ever come out of Sam Phillips Studios in Memphis. Blessed with a beautiful baritone that at times could be favorably compared to his lablemate at Sun Records, Elvis Presley, Rich found country music stardom in 1973 after his Behind Closed Doors album struck gold and eventually 4x platinum.

This country-gospel masterpiece features a stellar line-up of black spirituals done in a hybrid style beyond genre that only Elvis himselfish could of matched in talent or inspiration. Legendary producer Bill Sherril gets the Silver Fox to sound like he's singing in church with Nashville's "A" Team of studio musicians that almost assuredly includes blind piano genius Hargus "Pig" Robbins. The Jordinaires and the Nashville Edition fill out the gospel choirs in typically awe-inspiring fashion and the choice of material is inpeccable, from Kris Kristofferson's Why Me Lord? to Amazing Grace and Old Time Religion. There isn't a stinker in the bunch as Rich sings like his very life is in the balance.

The only gospel albums in the the mainstream of popular music that match Rich's Silver Linings, which was Grammy nominated at the time it came out, are the 3 that Elvis recorded during his lifetime, two of which earned him Grammys. According to George Klein in his recent book about his frienship with Elvis, the King had a high regard for the Silver fox and told him so personally in a chance meeting during a Memphis football game. I believe that these two artists were kindred spirits and sang gospel music with an intensity and feeling that few so called contemporary christian artists could muster!

Go out and purchase this album before it becomes completely unavailable. What a classic album. Beautifully recorded and song by one of the most underrated singers of the 20th century.

This is a CD reissue of the Grammy nominated album Silver Linings. This is the only gospel album Charlie Rich has ever released, so you may want to get it while it's still available. These are mainly (if not entirely) gospel standards through which his mother taught him piano, from the legendary Amazing Grace to the Easter hymn Were You There?, from the usually mellow Swing Low, Sweet Chariot to the black church tune Down By The Riverside. You'll also find the Old Time Religion medley interesting and intriguing, as the song Oh Happy Day is placed in the middle of the track. Is Will The Circle Be Unbroken at the end of the CD? No, it's at the beginning! Also, prepare for his take on The Milky White Way, as the final note lasts at least 10 seconds! If you're only into happy tunes, be weary of Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child. Overall, among his best, but don't be like another customer here and expect soft ballads with string arrangements; you won't be the happiest, as those are absent. However, if you're a fan of Charlie Rich and/or gospel music, or if you're looking for something different by him, you'll be doing your music library justice by purchasing this disc!