Customer Reviews

Silver Linings

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This is a "Grammy" nominated album done in an upbeat, soulful manner by Charlie. He stated that he and Billy Sherrill let their hair down on this album and the result was excellent. Charlie's voice soars on "The Milky White Way" and he does great renditions of "Down By the Riverside" and "Just A Closer Walk with Thee" to name only a couple. Charlie plays piano on this album to great effect and his feeling for Southern music is very evident. Charlie Rich was one of America's great but under appreciated singers, songwriters and pianists and this album is a fine showcase.

If you like gospel done by a master in his own heartfelt,
southern style, then this gem by Charlie Rich will not
disappoint. Charlie has said he and producer Billy Sherrill
let their "hair down" on this album. Charlie plays all the
piano and does beautiful versions of "Just A Closer Walk with Thee" and "Were You There?" among others and a soaring version of "The Milky White Way" that's incredible. There's a reason why it was a Grammy Nominee - GRAB this CD while it is still in print. Note: Correct title is: "Silver Linings" - with an "s" on second word. Also on cd itself, the correct title of Track #-2 should be "Down By the Riverside."

First off, what's with the Gospel Grammies? Don't you think they just pick whom they want to win and not whom should have them? Isn't it sinful or something? Everybody's good when they're singing to the Lord our God! That I've been taught one time. Gospel music is my favorite music genre for that fact! Which leads off to the second thing, which is this. Grammy winner or not, this is still a great album! Among Charlie Rich's best, even. He should've done more material like this! Will The Circle Be Unbroken is an unusual opener for a gospel album. Great performance nonetheless. Down By The Riverside was the flipside of the omitted America The Beautiful, which went Country #22 and AC #42. Why Me opens with the background vocalists singing part of the chorus before the song itself. Prepare for a nice Easter song on April 12 with Were You There. Strangely, the fourth verse said, 'Were you there when they rolled the stone away?', instead of 'Were you there when he rose from the dead?' A Scripture that goes with it says 'it was the third hour, and they crucified him.' Old Time Religion is actually a medley, with Oh Happy Day placed in the middle. Just A Closer Walk With Thee is an old hymn, but here it appeared all-new! Swing Low Sweet Chariot is also pretty traditional. Amazing Grace is a classic that Charlie made unusually upbeat! Oddly, it has also been included on his 16 Biggest Hits compilation. The Milky White Way was great as well. You may not enjoy the depressing Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, but that's not Rich's fault. For just being a gospel album, I recommend this with my heart!

Silver Linings by Charlie Rich is one of the Holy Grails of the country-gospel music traditions. Rich, whose widow Margaret Ann just passed away in July, was one of the most talanted and versatile musicians to ever come out of Sam Phillips Studios in Memphis. Blessed with a beautiful baritone that at times could be favorably compared to his lablemate at Sun Records, Elvis Presley, Rich found country music stardom in 1973 after his Behind Closed Doors album struck gold and eventually 4x platinum.

This country-gospel masterpiece features a stellar line-up of black spirituals done in a hybrid style beyond genre that only Elvis himselfish could of matched in talent or inspiration. Legendary producer Bill Sherril gets the Silver Fox to sound like he's singing in church with Nashville's "A" Team of studio musicians that almost assuredly includes blind piano genius Hargus "Pig" Robbins. The Jordinaires and the Nashville Edition fill out the gospel choirs in typically awe-inspiring fashion and the choice of material is inpeccable, from Kris Kristofferson's Why Me Lord? to Amazing Grace and Old Time Religion. There isn't a stinker in the bunch as Rich sings like his very life is in the balance.

The only gospel albums in the the mainstream of popular music that match Rich's Silver Linings, which was Grammy nominated at the time it came out, are the 3 that Elvis recorded during his lifetime, two of which earned him Grammys. According to George Klein in his recent book about his frienship with Elvis, the King had a high regard for the Silver fox and told him so personally in a chance meeting during a Memphis football game. I believe that these two artists were kindred spirits and sang gospel music with an intensity and feeling that few so called contemporary christian artists could muster!

Go out and purchase this album before it becomes completely unavailable. What a classic album. Beautifully recorded and song by one of the most underrated singers of the 20th century.

Silver Linings

What can I say about Charlie that has not been said before,Sam Phillips once said "Charlie Rich was the most creative talent that past through the doors of SUN records"and this selection of Gospel and Spiritual songs proves that to be a worthy statement..

From the swinging "Down by the Riverside", to "The Milky White Way" Charlie makes these great songs take on a new meaning,Kristoffersons "Why Me" is a stand out track as is "Were You There" lend an ear you will not be dissappointed

This is a CD reissue of the Grammy nominated album Silver Linings. This is the only gospel album Charlie Rich has ever released, so you may want to get it while it's still available. These are mainly (if not entirely) gospel standards through which his mother taught him piano, from the legendary Amazing Grace to the Easter hymn Were You There?, from the usually mellow Swing Low, Sweet Chariot to the black church tune Down By The Riverside. You'll also find the Old Time Religion medley interesting and intriguing, as the song Oh Happy Day is placed in the middle of the track. Is Will The Circle Be Unbroken at the end of the CD? No, it's at the beginning! Also, prepare for his take on The Milky White Way, as the final note lasts at least 10 seconds! If you're only into happy tunes, be weary of Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child. Overall, among his best, but don't be like another customer here and expect soft ballads with string arrangements; you won't be the happiest, as those are absent. However, if you're a fan of Charlie Rich and/or gospel music, or if you're looking for something different by him, you'll be doing your music library justice by purchasing this disc!

Perhaps a track listing might help you evaluate this CD:

1. Will The Circle Be Unbroken?

2. Down By The Riverside

3. Why Me

4. Were You There?

5. Old Time Religion

6. Just A Closer Walk With Thee

7. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

8. Amazing Grace

9. The Milky White Way

10. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child

If you like this sort of thing, then this is the sort of thing you'll like, and I doubt I can convince you one way or another with my sentiments.