I remember the label, the album photo with a white border that’s not on the actual vinyl version. The label was attached to a black shell. It was one of, if not the first 8 track tape I ever listened to. While 8 tracks are long gone, for the most part, I am fortunate to have a vinyl copy of one of the classic country-pop albums of the 1970′s, Charlie Rich’s “Behind Closed Doors”.
The album is an outstanding piece of work, bringing an almost perfect mix of country and pop. Producer Billy Sherrill was the perfect architect for building a successful style for “The Silver Fox”.
The album begins with the title track, a number one hit for Charlie, in 1973, and in my opinion, one of the ten best hits of the decade. One of those rare songs that I never get tired of hearing. ‘Nuff said.
Another brilliant work is the love song “If You Wouldn’t Be My Lady”. A mix of up tempo and ballad, an almost perfect vehicle for Rich’s country-blues style.
“You Never Really Wanted Me” is the most pure pop arrangement on the disc, and for this song, I don’t think any other arrangement would really work. Rich’s blues influence really comes out on this cut. A haunting melody, that one can get lost in. Great lyrics, as well.
“A Sunday Kind Of Woman” is yet another standout track, that is just the right mix of country and blues for Rich’s voice. A power ballad that asks why a “Sunday kind of woman would want an everyday man like me”. C’mon guys, admit it, we all wonder that about our women, right?
“Peace On You” is not a protest song, of any kind, just a song wishing peace on an ex, who’s done wrong. That being said, this song is 1970′s through and through.
Much like “Behind Closed Doors”, there’s really not much that needs to be said about “The Most Beautiful Girl”, a huge country-pop smash for Rich. It’s as great as you’d expect a hit of that magnitude to be. Now, if for some reason, you have not heard this song, before (maybe because you’re only 18 years old, for example), then just let me say, you need to. It’s a classic, a great song with a melody that stays with you.
“I Take It On Home” was actually Charlie’s first top ten hit of any kind, reaching country’s top ten in 1972. Typical country-pop fare of the era, in which many would say there’s nothing particularly special about it. They’re probably right. But I still like the song.
“Til I Can’t Take It Anymore” might sound familiar, to some who will remember it as a 1990 hit for Billy Joe Royal. Whereas Royal gave it more of a power ballad treatment, here Rich pulls off a nice version, in a more tender, intimate style.
It’s been at least 30 years, since I last listened to this album, before listening to it now, for this review, yet even despite that, “We Love Each Other” is a song I still remembered well (Ditto for “Peace On You”). It’s yet another great track on the album, that is enhanced with the bluesy pop style, especially the sliding guitar note that is heard throughout the song.
When “I’m Not Going Hungry Anymore” begins, one almost thinks “Easy Lovin’” is beginning, as the intros are strikingly similar. In fact, the whole song is one that I could easily hear Freddie Hart performing. And there’s a good reason for that, as Hart did include it on his “Bless Your Heart” album. Charlie’s version is good, and is the most country song on the disc, both in feel and arrangement.
The last song on the disc, “Nothing In The World (To Do With Me)”, is the cut in which Charlie gets to show off a little big band/jazz styling. This cut actually sounds more like many of the cuts from his RCA days in the 1960′s. It’s not bad, but nothing special.
Availability-wise, no trouble getting a copy, if you want one. It’s still available on CD, as well as an MP3 download. And, if you’re feeling retro, there are numerous used vinyl copies available, along with a few still sealed. I even saw a couple of 8 tracks and cassettes for sale. Talk about retro!
37 years after it’s release, I still think this is a great album. This was Charlie Rich at his absolute peak. Needless to say, it won’t be another 30 years before I listen to it, again. May well not be 30 days, for that matter. Overall, this album is a 5 out 5.
via
1. "Behind Closed Doors" (Kenny O'Dell) - 2:56
2. "If You Wouldn't Be My Lady" (Jimmy Holiday, Eddie Reeves) - 2:53
3. "You Never Really Wanted Me" (Charlie Rich) - 2:27
4. "A Sunday Kind of Woman" (Margaret A. Rich) - 3:09
5. "Peace on You" (C. Rich) - 3:59
6. "The Most Beautiful Girl" (Billy Sherrill, Norro Wilson, Rory Bourke) - 2:43
7. "I Take It on Home" (O'Dell) - 2:52
8. "'Til I Can't Take It Anymore" (Clyde Otis, Dorian Burton) - 2:30
9. "We Love Each Other" (Buddy Killen) - 3:08
10. "I'm Not Going Hungry" (Freddie Hart) - 2:12
11. "Nothing in the World (To Do with Me)" (M. A. Rich) - 2:41
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7/6/10
Behind Closed Doors
I remember the label, the album photo with a white border that’s not on the actual vinyl version. The label was attached to a black shell. It was one of, if not the first 8 track tape I ever listened to. While 8 tracks are long gone, for the most part, I am fortunate to have a vinyl copy of one of the classic country-pop albums of the 1970′s, Charlie Rich’s “Behind Closed Doors”.
The album is an outstanding piece of work, bringing an almost perfect mix of country and pop. Producer Billy Sherrill was the perfect architect for building a successful style for “The Silver Fox”.
The album begins with the title track, a number one hit for Charlie, in 1973, and in my opinion, one of the ten best hits of the decade. One of those rare songs that I never get tired of hearing. ‘Nuff said.
Another brilliant work is the love song “If You Wouldn’t Be My Lady”. A mix of up tempo and ballad, an almost perfect vehicle for Rich’s country-blues style.
“You Never Really Wanted Me” is the most pure pop arrangement on the disc, and for this song, I don’t think any other arrangement would really work. Rich’s blues influence really comes out on this cut. A haunting melody, that one can get lost in. Great lyrics, as well.
“A Sunday Kind Of Woman” is yet another standout track, that is just the right mix of country and blues for Rich’s voice. A power ballad that asks why a “Sunday kind of woman would want an everyday man like me”. C’mon guys, admit it, we all wonder that about our women, right?
“Peace On You” is not a protest song, of any kind, just a song wishing peace on an ex, who’s done wrong. That being said, this song is 1970′s through and through.
Much like “Behind Closed Doors”, there’s really not much that needs to be said about “The Most Beautiful Girl”, a huge country-pop smash for Rich. It’s as great as you’d expect a hit of that magnitude to be. Now, if for some reason, you have not heard this song, before (maybe because you’re only 18 years old, for example), then just let me say, you need to. It’s a classic, a great song with a melody that stays with you.
“I Take It On Home” was actually Charlie’s first top ten hit of any kind, reaching country’s top ten in 1972. Typical country-pop fare of the era, in which many would say there’s nothing particularly special about it. They’re probably right. But I still like the song.
“Til I Can’t Take It Anymore” might sound familiar, to some who will remember it as a 1990 hit for Billy Joe Royal. Whereas Royal gave it more of a power ballad treatment, here Rich pulls off a nice version, in a more tender, intimate style.
It’s been at least 30 years, since I last listened to this album, before listening to it now, for this review, yet even despite that, “We Love Each Other” is a song I still remembered well (Ditto for “Peace On You”). It’s yet another great track on the album, that is enhanced with the bluesy pop style, especially the sliding guitar note that is heard throughout the song.
When “I’m Not Going Hungry Anymore” begins, one almost thinks “Easy Lovin’” is beginning, as the intros are strikingly similar. In fact, the whole song is one that I could easily hear Freddie Hart performing. And there’s a good reason for that, as Hart did include it on his “Bless Your Heart” album. Charlie’s version is good, and is the most country song on the disc, both in feel and arrangement.
The last song on the disc, “Nothing In The World (To Do With Me)”, is the cut in which Charlie gets to show off a little big band/jazz styling. This cut actually sounds more like many of the cuts from his RCA days in the 1960′s. It’s not bad, but nothing special.
Availability-wise, no trouble getting a copy, if you want one. It’s still available on CD, as well as an MP3 download. And, if you’re feeling retro, there are numerous used vinyl copies available, along with a few still sealed. I even saw a couple of 8 tracks and cassettes for sale. Talk about retro!
37 years after it’s release, I still think this is a great album. This was Charlie Rich at his absolute peak. Needless to say, it won’t be another 30 years before I listen to it, again. May well not be 30 days, for that matter. Overall, this album is a 5 out 5.
via
1. "Behind Closed Doors" (Kenny O'Dell) - 2:56
2. "If You Wouldn't Be My Lady" (Jimmy Holiday, Eddie Reeves) - 2:53
3. "You Never Really Wanted Me" (Charlie Rich) - 2:27
4. "A Sunday Kind of Woman" (Margaret A. Rich) - 3:09
5. "Peace on You" (C. Rich) - 3:59
6. "The Most Beautiful Girl" (Billy Sherrill, Norro Wilson, Rory Bourke) - 2:43
7. "I Take It on Home" (O'Dell) - 2:52
8. "'Til I Can't Take It Anymore" (Clyde Otis, Dorian Burton) - 2:30
9. "We Love Each Other" (Buddy Killen) - 3:08
10. "I'm Not Going Hungry" (Freddie Hart) - 2:12
11. "Nothing in the World (To Do with Me)" (M. A. Rich) - 2:41
GET DOWN HERE
