Customer Reviews

Once a Drifter

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...Not just from label to label, but from musical style to musical style. Unfortunately, that's not too reflective here, but it does have more great material. I'm glad I got the CD here, because the LP is suffering problems you'll have to read in my comments on the "Great album by Charlie" thread for more info about. Anyways, he released at least 1 record (counting compilations) every year 1964 (his self-titled album) through & including 1980 (this one, "Once a Drifter"). Most people don't realize this even exists. Very underrated & unknown, indeed. Do you want to know how much so? It only went #52 on the country album chart & quickly became obscure. Charlie's voice, ironically, only got better as the yrs. passed. That pretty much made up for the fact that he played no piano on here (again) & had not recorded his compositions. He put his heart & soul into every song he did, good or bad. The title track was his longest recording at the time at 5 minutes! "A Man Just Don't Know What a Woman Goes Through" (mistitled by certain sources as "Man Just Don't Know What a Woman Got") went #12 on the Country chart late 80/early 81. Its flipside was the Randy Newman song "Marie." "I Love My Love My Lady" is really "I Love My Lady." "Wonderful Tonight" is much better here than in Eric Clapton's catalogue! (It & "Dream On Me" are on Youtube.) "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" here is actually his 1st recording of it, contrary to popular belief. He did/does it so well, and it helps that his first name is in the title! (If you have heard him do this song before, it was probably the rerecording.) "Are We Dreaming the Same Dream" had charted for Gary Stewart before, but it performed better commercially for Charlie. It was his last then-new song to chart, peaking at #26 in 1981. "Angelina" was its flip, and it was great, too. "When It's Gone (It's Just Gone)" was/is pretty interesting as well. This was his only album for Elektra Records (the 7th label he signed up for), was his last until "Pictures and Paintings" came out in April 12, 1992, and therefore part of the reason this is recommended!

The record is a real gem! Its obsscurity makes it all the more special. If only they'll reissue this, so more people can hear Dream On Me (available on youtube), his original recording of Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues, and the singles A Man Just Don't Know What A Woman Goes Through and Are We Dreaming The Same Dream. Also, I'd like to be able to hear his version of I'll Wake You Up When I Get Home and not the cover by XLVD Graham.

Charlie Rich left Epic records in 1977 and went to United Artists. From 1978-1980 he made 3 albums there. They should be forgotten. He then went to Elektra records and made this very fine album. Buy it! You have to listen to the songs several times to hear how fine they are and how beautiful Charlie Rich sings them. "Are we dreaming the same dream?" should have been a number 1 hit. "Once a drifter", "Wonderful tonight" (Eric Clapton), "Marie", "Good time Charlie's got the blues". This is great. Thank you, American Beat, for this CD.

This cd makes about the 16th cd that I have of Charlie's. I enjoy it as much as all the others.
Edna

if your fan of charlie rich than i highly recommend this cd.too bad this album wasn't more popular ,best songs are we dreaming the same dream and marie,can't beat the line i'm drunk but i need to be.

I purchased Once a Drifter after listening to an NPR interview of Charlie Rich. His son claimed this was his best album, I agree. I'm not much of a country western fan, but I enjoy listening to this album. It brings back a lot of memories.