Customer Reviews

Bang Bang: Early Years

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This is indeed recommended for those who just discovered Cher through her "Believe" and "Living Proof" CDs. Cher has been labeled "legendary" by many and this collection of material which even many older fans may have forgotten helps justify such a label.

The album starts off with "Dream Baby", a 1965 recording made under her full name of Cherilyn. Next comes the first of several covers, Bob Dylan's "All I Really Wanted To Do", followed by the Kinks' Ray Davies "I Go To Sleep". Notable also are her great hits from the era, the original version of "Bang Bang", "Needles and Pins", and "Elusive Butterfly".

"Alfie" actually is a cover, since the song was first recorded by Cilla Black and was expected to be a big hit is the U. S. as well as England. That was wrecked by the use of Cher's version over the final credits of the movie and the subsequent release of Cher's version as a single.

The closing song is an outstanding cover of Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual".

The presence here of the best of her early Imperial/Liberty recordings, all of her early major hits, and great covers all combine to make this a must for all who are her fans.

The 60's style does date this collection and needs to be taken into consideration. If you just don't like 60's music, this won't likely appeal to you. Otherwise, this is a good basic item for any collection.

This vintage collection finds Cher in her cool 60's mode with many gems to share.The girl groupchestnut "Dream Baby" starts out the set here, and is probably the most faithful Bono rip off of that style. Cher's version of "Alfie" is haunting and emotive. "Bang Bang" is probably her greatest song of this era, stunningly iconoclastic! The violin intro forshadows gypsy classics of her 70's output. Cher is relaxed and insular here, and just plain enjoying the songs.Her rollicking read on "needles and Pins" has a country edged feel with lots of momentum. "Sunny" gets a personal touch, as we all know why, she is singing it to him!"I Go to Sleep" probably inspired Chryssie Hynde's version and is a great Ray Davies song that Cher puts her stamp on. This compilation is remastered and sounds great! Cher has a good foundation to base her long career on here!Her fresh simple arrangements let her shine.

Who knew she could actually SING? I bought this CD several days ago; I'm still impressed. ALL I REALLY WANT TO DO, NEEDLES AND PINS, and YOU BETTER SIT DOWN KIDS are fabulous stand-outs, but every song is wonderful. I reccommend this album to anyone who likes authentic 60s music, loves Cher, or who thinks BELIEVE is all that this amazing woman has to offer.

You'd think that someone would proofread the reviews more carefully....Cher's smash worldwide hit was "BELIEVE", not "I Believe in Love" as stated by Jerry McCulley. As if we didn't hear the words in the chorus enough when it was on the radio to know it in our sleep! PS All of Cher's stuff is great....this cd is no exception.

This is, without a doubt, the best collection of Cher's early work: without Sonny and before Oscar. While her recent work is very good, especially the CD "Believe," Cher's early work is exceptional. If you listen to this CD and some of her later recordings, you'll notice that there is a totally different vocal quality. Cher shines on the ethereal, "Mama (When My Dollies Have Babies)" which was the b-side of "You Better Sit Down Kids" which is probably the best recording that ever dealt with divorce (ironically, the song, which was written by Sonny and intended for a male vocal, was sung by Cher playing the part of the father in the song).

The other standouts in this compilation include "Bang Bang," "Needles and Pins" (which is even better interpreted by Jackie DeShannon), "I Go To Sleep," and "Dream Baby."

This CD is a must for both die-hard Cher fans and the teeny boppers of today who may only know of Cher via "Believe."

All her oldies. With One listen you can see how she evolved, from good to exeptional. Truly a mastepeice for the Cher fan.

Surprise? Anyone who's listened to Cher over the years knows what a great singer she is, even when she was so much younger. A truly great interpretive stylist. Maybe her range isn't as showy as Mariah or Whitney at her peak but she gets her emotions and feelings across very well. She has never gotten the credit she deserves as a vocalist. The remastered samples here sound very good. Although I already have all of her albums from the beginning, these remastered songs sound fresh and fantastic and I am adding them to my collection. To the reviewer who appreciates Jackie DeShannon's "Needles and Pins" over Cher's version, I say listen again. Even back then, Cher's voice displayed power and confidence. I much prefer it over Jackie DeShannon's or even The Searchers, who got a hit out of it. Needles and Pins-uh? I don't think so.

This is, without a doubt, the best collection of Cher's early work: without Sonny and before Oscar. While her recent work is very good, especially the CD "Believe," Cher's early work is exceptional. If you listen to this CD and some of her later recordings, you'll notice that there is a totally different vocal quality. Cher shines on the ethereal, "Mama (When My Dollies Have Babies)" which was the b-side of "You Better Sit Down Kids" which is probably the best recording that ever dealt with divorce (ironically, the song, which was written by Sonny and intended for a male vocal, was sung by Cher playing the part of the father in the song).

The other standouts in this compilation include "Bang Bang," "Needles and Pins" (which is even better interpreted by Jackie DeShannon), "I Go To Sleep," and "Dream Baby."

This CD is a must for both die-hard Cher fans and the teeny boppers of today who may only know of Cher via "Believe."

This CD is a must if you are a fan of Che