A fine but incomplete CD.
Ronald Brackney | Santa Clara, CA USA | 05/04/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I agree with all of the "editorial" comments.
My only problem with this CD is the number of
missing songs. As best I can tell, Charlie Rich
recorded at least "thirty seven" tracks for the
"Groove(RCA)" label. Some of the best songs that
are missing here are "I've Got You Under My Skin,"
"No Room to Dance," "Lady Love" and "Nice and Easy."
Charlie was still playing the piano on the Groove
recordings and this material is what gained Charlie
many of Frank Sinatra's fans at one point. There
are those who think Charlie surpassed Mr. Sinatra on
tunes like "Nice and Easy" and "I've Got You Under
My Skin." In my opinion, Charlie was more versatile
and eclectic than Sinatra in style and genre. Two
of my favorite tracks on this CD are the superb
"Let Me Go My Merry Way" and "Why, Oh Why."
There are two other CDs that have been issued for
those looking for additional "Groove" tracks: "The Masters:
Charlie Rich," 20 tracks incl. "I've Got You Under My Skin,"
1997, Eagle Records, import from UK; also "Charlie
Rich: Groove Recordings," 1999, 26 tracks, BMG/CAMDEN,
import from UK. I would rate both of these as 5 Stars."