Search - Sonny & Cher :: The Singles +

Complete Sonny-era collection

Zub | Forks Twp., PA | 05/10/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While Cher moved on with her own musical career independent of Sonny, this collection covers the songs they had both collectively and independently until 1974 with Sonny no longer in the picture and Cher's musical career fading as well, at least temporarily. Dubbed "The Singles +", this piece does chronicle their single releases more completely than any piece heretofore and goes beyond just the U.S. 45's to include songs charting in six European countries as well. So, from the standpoint of completeness, this entry into the myriad of Sonny and Cher CD collections leads the pack. All the big and well-known sides are here along with rarities such as the pre-"Babe" era tunes "Love Is Strange" and "The Letter" as by Caesar and Cleo. As the songs are presented chronologically, the listener is aware of how the sound of Sonny and Cher developed with Cher maturing and growing while Sonny had nowhere to go musically. Though not sonically revelatory, with the exception of a noisy disc dub for track number three on disc one, sound quality is respectable overall. Most tunes are the stereo versions, the mono exceptions being tracks 1-5,11,15,18 on disc one and tracks 1,2,5,8,10 on disc two. The liner notes booklet does provide a condensed history of the duo that goes beyond the coverage of the tracks included. Beyond the track listings provided, of interest are the picture sleeve illustrations and comprehensive U.S. and European chart position data for each song. On balance, this is the best, most complete collection of Sonny and Cher's material. For the avid fan or casual listener, a most worthwhile CD investment."

Very Thorough Collection From Holland

prymel | Anaheim, CA USA | 12/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Singles + is a comprehensive review of Sonny & Cher's output from the beginning of their marriage/professional partnership until their divorce in 1974. Collectors of singles and chart hits like myself love compilations like these because *every* song that hit Billboard's Hot 100 by either Sonny & Cher or Cher as a solo artist through 1974 is included here. Granted, one must look elswhere to find Cher's solo outings after 1974, but I suppose the point of the set is to represent recordings during their years as a married couple. Arbitrary cutoff point, perhaps, but, oh well.One point I'd like to clarify from Ward Lamb's otherwise excellent review below. He mentions a less than perfect sonic rating for this set. I'm not familiar with these ratings or standards, but to the extent one infers that the sound quality of this collection is substandard, never fear, the songs sound great. Perhaps not audiophile quality, but any casual listener will be more than satisfied."

Sound quality not the greatest, but nice extensive tracks

M. Schutt | cold/hot | 10/29/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this thing just for *Love Is Strange* and *The Letter* alone! I think their version of Love Is Strange is better than the original. I'm sure I'd be pelted by a million eggs from Cher's fans, but I honestly prefer her 60's singing voice to her warbling current voice. It's as if at some point in the early 70's, some idiot voice coach told her she should add that warbling infliction upon her voice....which to me, makes her sound as though she's not to be taken seriously. Her 60's voice was strong, yet smooth.

Whatever your view of Sonny Bono, he always did a great job arranging/producing/writing Cher's music (which is what he always intended to do until the shy and insecure Cher dragged him into the studio with her--if you don't think Sonny knew he had a pretty bad singing voice, you're sadly mistaken). *Bittersweet White Light* although sometimes a little over-dramatic (which Sonny tended to do---I think he was just so enthralled with Cher's singing he got carried away) is a fantastic album. This particular package is pretty extensive and full of most of their 60's hits and then some. With the exception of *Plastic Man* and *Mama (When My Dollies Have Babies---If I were Cher I'd of told Sonny where to stick that song), this is a very listenable and enjoyable collection. I'm still mesmerized by Sonny & Cher's harmonizing. I think they sounded fabulous together."