Charlie Rich Album: “Behind Closed Doors [KRB]”

I foundly remember hearing "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Women in the World" and wondering out loud sometimes "Why is my mom playing this?" Well soon I realized why...the Silver Fox was a damn good singer and his songs had a profound meaning. Living in South Central Los Angeles it was rare to hear this type of music playing or played, but my mom played it and she played it often enough that I would go to school singing "The Most Beautiful Women in the World". Now 20 odd years later I play this for my kids and they appreciate the music and his voice just like I did.

Listening to this album again, now in its remastered and expanded CD format, will probably unleash a great deal of early 70's nostalgia. Yet, pretty soon one realizes the songs haven't lost anything of their appeal and all initial arguments about the undoubtedly more commercial direction Charlie Rich was taking with "Behind Close Doors" are immediately silenced. Including the 1973 smash hits "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World", "Behind Closed Doors" and "I Take It On Home", alongside a string of great cuts ("'Til I Can't Take It Anymore", "Sunday Kind of Woman", and "If You Wouldn't Be My Lady", among others), superbly masterminded by Billy Sherrill and inimitably sung, this album deservedly earned Rich immortality.

I enjoyed this album so much in the '70s. I was afraid the CD wouldn't be enhanced, but the quality of the sound is terrific. I enjoy it just as much now as I did 30 years ago.

Charlie Rich was a hugely talented singer-pianist who, for whatever reason, never really fulfilled his potential. His career began in the fifties on Sun records in the early days of rock'n'roll. Charlie also recorded jazz and I suspect that he really wanted to sing but it was in country music that Charlie became successful for a brief period in the seventies.

This album, as originally released in 1973, spawned two major international pop hits - Behind close doors and The most beautiful girl. It also included other classic songs such as We lover each other (a minor UK pop hit), I take it on home (his first significant hit on the country charts, preceding the big two), Peace on you, Sunday kind of woman, Till I can't take it anymore and If you wouldn't be my lady.

Although Charlie recorded some other good songs and had further success on the country charts, he was never comfortable with country music and he never came close to matching this album for its overall quality and eventually faded into obscurity, eventually dying in 1995 of complications caused by a blood clot in one of his lungs..

This album, now re-mastered with extra but unnecessary tracks, remains the ultimate Charlie Rich album and shows just what a great singer he was at his best.

This CD includes Charlie's greatest song (Behind Closed Doors), his biggest hit (Most Beautiful Girl in the World), and another good minor hit, I Take It On Home. But the reason for buying the CD was to hear unknown songs. His soulful, country voice is excellent throughout. The CD deserves 4.5 stars, but not 5, only because some of the songs themselves are not top-notch. The 2nd best song is Ruby, You're Warm, about a man who finds comfort in another woman's arms. Good songs of faithfulness and appreciation are If You Wouldn't Be My Lady, A Sunday Kind of Woman, We Love Each Other, and I've Got Mine. The gospel-tinged Papa Was a Good Man is fun to listen to, despite its sad theme. 'Til I Can Take It Anymore is also a strong cut. With a low price and 15 songs, this CD is a great bargain for all Charlie Rich fans.