Search - Charlie Rich :: Big Boss Man: The Groove Sessions

Big Boss Man: The Groove Sessions
Charlie Rich
Big Boss Man: The Groove Sessions
Genres: Country, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (17) - Disc #1

In many ways, Charlie Rich is country's answer to Ray Charles: Both blended elements of country, blues, jazz, and gospel to marvelous effect. In addition, both retained their intense emotional surge even as strings and bac...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Charlie Rich
Title: Big Boss Man: The Groove Sessions
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Koch Records
Release Date: 4/21/1998
Genres: Country, Pop
Styles: Outlaw Country, Classic Country
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 099923797128

Synopsis

Amazon.com
In many ways, Charlie Rich is country's answer to Ray Charles: Both blended elements of country, blues, jazz, and gospel to marvelous effect. In addition, both retained their intense emotional surge even as strings and background vocals tooled around them. Recorded between 1963 and 1965, these 17 mostly superb tracks were waxed for Groove Records, RCA's short-lived R&B imprint, but were produced by Chet Atkins in the Nashville Sound studio--the country-soul mix is therefore more than implied. Rich was simply a master of passionate precision, whether through a brilliant understatement on piano or a soulful inflection in his ripe voice. In addition to staples such as the title track, "River Stay Away from My Door," and a hip "Ol' Man River," Rich contributes some terrific originals, especially the ballad "Mountain Dew," the down-home "Let Me Go My Merry Way," and a funky reworking of the Johnny Cash-covered "Ways of a Woman in Love." --Marc Greilsamer
 

CD Reviews

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."