This compilation CD is one of a series of LOVE SONGS released by Epic Legacy in the late 90s. It's an interesting (some might say "odd") assembly of artists, consisting of performers as diverse as Willie Nelson and Billie Holiday--to say nothing of Miles Davis, the Emotions, Collin Raye and Louis Armstrong. Well, love is the universal emotion, and it sure as heck crosses musical genres. And if anyone has a right to be included among these lovestruck luminaries it would have to be Charlie Rich.
It was, of course, Rich's 70s "Countrypolitan" love songs(notably "Very Special Love Song" and "Behind Closed Doors, both included here) that brought the Silver Fox the belated superstar status that his fans and many industry insiders insisted he had always deserved. Well, everything comes in its good time. And "Salt 'n' Pepper Fox"--to say nothing of "Brown Fox"--would never have caught on nearly as readily as a nickname.
The Billy Sherrill produced love songs Rich recorded in the early 70s served him well commercially. But of course, many listeners even today recall Rich primarily as a purveyor of slicked up, countrified pop (or pop-ified country), never realizing the man had eclectic roots in soul, C&W, R&B and R'n'R. That was the downside to his late blooming mega-success, and it's not something that this expressly one-side package can begin to redress.
But for what it is, LOVE SONGS is an enjoyable sampler. And I'm not too worried--it's fairly evident that most listeners will be savvy enough to realize that "love songs" weren't all that Charlie Rich was all about. And a quick survey of the available product indicates that those who care to explore further will find an abundance of Rich out there.
And he really could manage a love song like nobody's business. The two biggest hits cited above are classics of the "Countrypolitan" school, but the rest of the selections are fine too. Hints of his soulfulness pop up in "Satisfied Man" and "Why Don't We Go Somewhere In Love." His reading of wife Margaret Ann's composition "Life's Little Ups and Downs" is heartfelt and touching.
A fine bargain sampler and introduction to a C&W great.
Charlie Rich "Love Songs" C.D. has a variety of Mr.Rich's hits and fillers song. The C.D. has a mixture of slow ballads to up-tempo songs. "A Very Special Love Song", "Behind Closed Doors" and "Everytime You Touch Me" {I Get High} are on this collection, but I bought the C.D. for the song "Why Don't We Go Somewhere And Love". I only had that song on an L.P., so I think that song alone is worth buying the C.D. If you are a romantic person, this collection of "Love Songs" will get you in the mood.
