Search - Charlie Rich :: Set Me Free/Fabulous

The initmate, late night Charlie Rich.

Ronald Brackney | Santa Clara, CA USA | 03/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Charlie's wife, Margaret Ann, said he was a loner and preferred

playing in small clubs where he could indulge in his love of jazz, blues, standards and anything else that suited him "at the

moment." Many fans who know only of his big hits aren't aware of

Charlie's talent as a jazz pianist - critic Peter Guralnick stated he knew a "million jazz tunes." These two albums plus

"Boss Man" were his three Epic LPs before he hit stardom with "Behind Closed Doors" and give one a feel for the type of

music noted above. Typical of Charlie is "San Francisco Is A

Lonely Town" - a bluesy song, and NOT the Tony Bennett hit, which

sort of typified Charlie's early career. "It Makes Me Want To Cry" is another bluesy example where his fabulous voice just haunts you. "July 12, 1939" was one of HIS favorites and "Set Me Free" is another favorite of mine. These two albums and "Boss Man" will probably not be favored by those looking for the Charlie Rich songs which became hits but will satisfy those looking for the artist who would stay up all night in his home studio playing jazz and standards just for his own pleasure. It

has been written that the standard "Tenderly" was Charlie's

favorite song - sadly, his version isn't to be found anywhere in any form. It is probably on his home studio tapes - there are rumors some of these will be put out on CD but so far it hasn't happened to my knowledge. I keep on hoping. Charlie Rich was one the most eclectic singers and musicians of all time. If you haven't explored his Sun, Hi, Smash, RCA(Groove) and this early Epic material, you will be rewarded for doing so."

Pre-stardom Charlie Rich delivers the goods

Mark Blevins | Lindside, WV United States | 05/27/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Charlie Rich is one anomaly in my CD collection; the man had one of the finest voices of anyone in country or early rock and roll, but, at least for most of his career, he had little to show for it in terms of hits. These two releases were his first for Epic and producer Billy Sherrill, best known for his work with Tammy Wynette and George Jones. The big hits would come later, but some of the best music came on these early albums.

The hits, minor though they were, were "Set me Free" and "Life's Little Ups and Downs," and both are stellar tracks. Rich does a wonderful version of "Try A Little Tenderness," and shows a more country approach than he would later on tracks like "A Picture of You" and "Very Much Alone."

That last track alone kept me entranced while listening; also included is a very good cover of the Ivory Joe Hunter classic "I Almost Lost my Mind," and a decent cover of the wretched "By the Time I Get to Phoenix." The background singers almost overpower Rich, but if you ignore the syrupy back-up and focus on his sublime vocals, you will be, pardon the pun, richly rewarded. The man recorded lots of great songs, but for my money those were not neccessarily his big hits."

Nothing to add

L. Henstra | Europe | 06/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being an Elvis fan for many years, I'm not sure if the King could top Charlie Rich in his best moments like these recordings and on his marvelous Pictures and Paintings."