Consumer Guide Album

Charlie Rich: Very Special Love Songs [Epic, 1974]
If Behind Closed Doors compromised what Rich knew, this glop betrays it, which Charlie obviously can feel. The man sounds depressed and confused, as if he wishes Billy Sherrill's syrupy strings and sappy songs would go away but can't quite figure out why, since it was Sherrill who made him a star. Reportedly, the producer has socked a lot of Rich's blues and rock sides into the vault. Wait for them, and meanwhile thank him for these reissues: Fully Realized on Mercury (astringent strings), and Tomorrow Night on RCA ("Big Boss Man," not B.S.) D+