March 25, 2008 Earworm

For the US release of "Alfie", it was not Dionne Warwick who was chosen to sing the Bacharach/David penned theme song, but Cher. While a modest hit for her, Dionne would ultimately be identified with the song, and Cher's version but was all but forgotten. The flipside of that single, Sonny Bono composition called "She's No Better Than Me", had an even bigger date with obscurity. It was not inclused on any of her albums and didn't surface until her installment of the EMI series, "The Legendary Masters". The masters having been long lost, the liner notes warned that it transferred from a "battered mono mixdown" tape.

In a light cocktail party arrangement, Cher sits alone watching her dream baby courting someone else and wonders what's so special. An air of adolescence hangs and it is probably the closest she ever came to capturing vulnerability on tape. It's all very classy and restrained and maybe a little past her bedtime which adds a pinch of weariness that we've seldom heard in her voice since.

"She's No Better Than Me" failed to be included in the recent re-issue campaign of Cher's Imperial catalog, done by BGO in the UK, and her "Legendary Masters" installment is now out of print. "She's No Better Than Me" is again left to languish, just like the songs narrator.

February 1, 2008 Earworm

And so we begin the month of love. Like the summer of love but with more deodorant and better gifts. Chocolate, cards, and other minutiae are the norm but, if you're lucky, jewelry, vacations and cars could be coming your way. I usually get a grunt and surly peck on the cheek. Just the way I like it, actually.

I can't think of a better song to start the Valentine's Dance then the clunky Imperial debut 45 by Cher; "Dream Baby". Actually, that would be Cherilyn, should you find a copy and scan the label. Sonny wouldn't stray far from his Spector run backyard when creating the setting for his little jewel - the whole "Wrecking Crew" was employed, Gold Star Studios provided the echo, and there is even a sax solo that was already out of date in 1964. The shy little Cher(ilyn) holds her own and Sonny double tracks that power house voice for extra value. It's absolutely delightful Although it starts to lose some steam after the mandatory almost fake ending, when the bells jump in to remind us that we've heard most of this before.

"Dream Baby" went nowhere but it took Cher from the back row of Phil's choir and put her on the road to icon status and all its obligatory tabloid fodder.

"Dream Baby" is available on the excellent, if pricey, "One Kiss Can Lead To Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost And Found"