Big Boss Man: The Groove Sessions

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

Tracks:

Big Boss Man
River Stay Away From My Door
Big Jack
Mountain Dew
She Loved Everybody But Me
Let Me Go My Merry Way
Ol' Man River
The Grass Is Always Greener
The Ways Of A Woman In Love
Why, Oh Why
Rosanna Now
Are You Still My Baby
I Don't See Me In Your Eyes Anymore
Now Everybody Knows
Tomorrow Night
Share Your Love With Me
I'm Right Behind You

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

Customer Reviews:

A fine but incomplete CD........2004-05-04

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.

Music Album:

Music Album