Cher Half Breed Halfbreed cabaret | WHAT FRANK IS LISTENING TO

OK, I have to start every Cher comment with something that indicates that I have a sexual fascination with her.

Why?

Why mention:

that, or;
why the sexual fascination?

The answer is simple;

It’s therapy;
It’s a teenager thing going back decades (I have the same thing, though to a lesser degree, with Kate Bush …aaahhh the “Babooshka” video clip)

Apart from the therapy Cher may read this.

Cher, are you out there?

Read my other comments for more detail on Cher, her music generally and my sexual fascination with her (it’s “G” rated – the only people I am likely to offend are those who are into music).

In relation to the music I can say that I’m never disappointed with a Cher album.

That, of course, is a double edged sword.

Cher has a great distinctive voice and a voice I find quite comforting when I hear it.

The trouble lies in her material.

Despite being aimed at an adult market, Cher, her label or her management would package her albums as they would for teen pop stars circa 1965.

One hit, a couple of recent covers, a couple of older covers and a lot of filler written for the artist.

On the face of it there seems to be no other logic to the albums but here I think there is a little more ambition given that, even though she didn’t write the songs, some of them seem to be autobiographical.

Cher, who was of partial Native American mixed ancestry, hooked up with Sonny (who was 11 years her senior) when she was 16. Their marriage had broken down by 1972 but they continued their “Sonny & Cher” act as a business relationship. They were also parents to a young daughter, Chastity, who was born in 1968.

A number of these biographical facts can be seen overtly and covertly in the songs.

But, it still is a Cher album.

With that in mind and with the knowledge that Cher, the instruments and the production are all quite slick it’s fair to say that each album turns on the quality (or rather suitability) of the songs.

And this album is no different, regardless of any (possible) ambitions.

Cher, in full diva mode (when wasn’t she after about 1971?), attacks each song whether it requires a full frontal assault or not.

And this is the problem.

That is her style so who was advising, or, choosing the songs for Cher?

Tracks (best in italics)

My Love – (Linda McCartney / Paul McCartney) – the great Wings song. It may not be right for Cher but the song is so good that on this occasion it hardly matters.
Two People Clinging to a Thread – (Harry Lloyd / Gloria Sklerov) – first done by Cher (I believe), but a throwaway.
Half-Breed – (Al Capps / Mary Dean) – Another song first done by Cher and the reason to make an album. A pearl. This is total schmaltz that transcends its cabaret comparisons, almost. The plight of the mixed identity Native American is given Vegas glitz. Cabaret protest music perhaps? Now there is a genre. A small one. Done in Cher's full voice style this is quite affecting.
The Greatest Song I Ever Heard – (Dick Holler) – A Cher first recording where she pulls the emotion back a bit and does quite well.
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? – (Barry Gibb / Robin Gibb) – from the Bee Gees “Trafalgar”(1971) album and subsequently done by everyone from Michael Buble to Andy Williams. This is a little too quiet for Cher
Carousel Man – (Johnny Durrill) – A Cher first recording and a good one about a young girl who hooks up with an older man – "The Carousel Man wouldn’t let me off his merry go round"
David's Song – (David Paich) – Another original written for Cher by Boz Scaggs songwriter and Toto vocalist David Paich. It’s slight. (I believe she may have been dating Paich around this time)
Melody – (Cliff Crofford) – (written for Cher) – slighter
The Long and Winding Road – (John Lennon / Paul McCartney) – not in the least gentle, but again a good Beatles song.
This God Forsaken Day – (Jack Segal) – a first recording by Cher.
Chastity Sun – (Dash Crofts / Jim Seals) – It sounds like a song about Chastity Bono though it was written by Seals and Crofts so who knows? It is suitably emotional and quite good. Post note: subsequently, I have found that the song was originally entitled "Ruby Jean & Billy Lee" and released by Seals and Crofts on their 1973 album “Diamond Girl”. It was re-written by Cher (?) as a dedication to her first child Chastity Bono.