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Tracks 1-11 Recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, 3614 Jackson Highway, Muscle Shoals, Alabama All other Tracks Recorded at Gold Star Studios, 6252 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA except "Superstar", Recorded at Allegro Studios, New York City Tracks 1-11 Produced by Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd and Arif Mardin All other Tracks Produced by Sonny Bono except "Superstar", Produced, Arranged and Conducted by Stan Vincent Tracks 1-11 No Arranger Credited Tracks 12-17 and 20-22 Arranged by Greg Poree Tracks 18-19 Arranged by Don Peake
THE ALBUM: '3614 JACKSON HIGHWAY' Atco Stereo Album SD 33-298 (White Label Promo copies in Alernate Stereo and also, CSG Processed Mono versions). Masters Assigned 6 June 1969 Cash Box review 26 July 1969: Plenty of sales potential in this highly polished set by songstress Cher. Selection of tunes is especially impressive, as included here are Stephen Stills’ Buffalo Springfield classic “For What It’s Worth”, Bob Dylan’s current single “Lay Lady Lay”, and Otis Redding’s great “Dock Of The Bay”, in addition to Cher’s own latest single, “I Walk On Guilded Splinters”. Pay Attention to this one. Billboard review 2 August 1969: An impressive collection by this talented stylist. Highlights are her unique interpretations of recent Dylan material: “Lay Baby Lay”, “Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You” and “I Threw It All Away”. Her emotional vocal work gives new meaning to these gems. This is Cher’s most interesting and therefore her most commercial package in some time. Melody Maker review 6 September 1969: Songs from Dylan and Steve Stills, superb backings and Cher’s voice combine to produce a tremendous album. New Musical Express review 13 September 1969: With three Bob Dylan songs, one by Steve Stills and another by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper, Cher has a pretty good mixture – and she makes a fine job of singing them. The opener, Stills' “For What It's Worth”, is a mover with a girl chorus and plenty of tambourines. She’s in fine voice throughout, switching moods easily, as witness two of Dylan’s numbers “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You” and “I Threw It All Away” – on the former she takes it easily, on the latter she’s morose and wistful. It’s interesting to note that Sonny Bono didn’t produce this album, but he is credited for “spiritual guidance”. “Lay Baby Lay” is an adaptation of the Dylan number that is his new single and it doesn’t really seem suited for Cher whereas the Box Tops’ “Cry Like A Baby” is right in her groove with a brash beat and, again, the fine four-girl chorus. The closing track, “Save The Children”, gives Cher a chance to show how well she can sing on a song that has to be treated very carefully. (UK Atco album 228 026 Mono and Stereo versions) Los Angeles Times review
Rolling Stone ad New York Times review THE ORIGINAL ALBUM TRACKS:
1. FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH 2:20 Billboard Top 20 Pop Spotlight 16 August 1969: The past hit of the Buffalo Springfield is updated in what will prove to be one of Cher’s biggest hits. Penned by Stephen Stills and produced by Jerry Wexler, she’s in top vocal form in this infectious entry. Cash Box review 16 August 1969: First heavy hitting Buffalo Springfield single is returned to the teen scene in a reading that proves it as timely today as it was a few years back. Emphasis is on the lyric in a performance that features some excellent top forty and FM production touches. New Musical Express review 13 September 1969: Twanging guitars, crashing cymbals and rattling tambourine offset Cher’s deep resonant voice as she powers through this bustling rhythmic ballad, with its philosophic lyric. (UK Atco single 226 003 b/w “I Threw It All Away”) Original version titled “For What It’s Worth (Stop, Hey What’s That Sound)” by the Buffalo Springfield (Atco single 45-6459, Masters 11252 and 11253 assigned 5 December 1966, Billboard review 31 December 1966).
Cash Box
PEOPLE OF THE SUNSET STRIP:
THE BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD: July 2007 There Goes My Babe
2. (Just Enough To Keep Me) Billboard review 25 December 1971: Top pop country ballad performance has it to make a heavy chart dent in view of Cher’s renewed disk success on Kapp. Cash Box review 1 January 1972: Cher recorded an LP for the label two years back and this is one of the tastier cuts. Joe Simon hit should happen again for the gypsy. Flip: no info available. Original version by Ray Sanders and Irene Bell (Stadium single #?, 1964). Versions by the Gosdin Brothers (Bakersfield International single 1002, entered Billboard’s Country chart 7 October 1967, #37), Joe Simon (Sound Stage single SS 2608, entered Billboard's Hot 100 13 April 1968, #25, Bilboard ad 1 June 1968, from 'No Sad Songs', Sound Stage album SS 15004), Vern Gosdin (Elektra single 45353 B, entered Billboard’s Country chart 30 October 1976, #16), Lane Brody (Liberty single B-1519, entered Billboard’s Country chart 12 May 1984, #59), Linda Thompson ('One Clear Moment' LP, 1985) and Robert Burgeis (aRcd Records, forthcoming).
3. (Sittin' On) Original version by Otis Redding (Volt single 45-157, entered Billboard 27 January 1968, #1).
4. TONIGHT I’LL BE STAYING Original version by Bob Dylan on ‘Nashville Skyline’ (Columbia album 9825, Cash Box review 19 April 1969, entered Billboard 3 May 1969, #3) and Columbia single 4-45004, entered Billboard 1 November 1969, #50.
5. I THREW IT ALL AWAY 2:46 Original version by Bob Dylan on ‘Nashville Skyline’ and Columbia single 4-44826, Cash Box review 17 May 1969, entered Billboard 17 May 1969, #85.
6. I WALK ON GUILDED SPLINTERS 2:30 Cash Box ad 14 June 1969: CHER I Walk On Guilded Splinters b/w Chastity’s Theme (Band Of Thieves) Atco #6684. Variety review 11 June 1969: Cher’s “I Walk On Guilded Splinters” is a striking rhythm ballad in a biting arrangement. “Chastity’s Song” is another interesting opus. New Musical Express review 14 June 1969: An excellent styling, in which the effect is heightened by voodoo-like chanting, crashing cymbals and shrieking brass. Melody Maker review 14 June 1969: Cher’s version of the Dr. John song is excellent – evil and rocking. The band are funky and the whole production makes it a better bet than Marsha Hunt’s version, if the tune is going to take off here at all. New Musical Express ad 28 June 1969: Dr. John Smiles, Jerry Wexler Stirs, CHER cooks. This Is the Only Brew: Walk On Gilded Splinters (UK Atlantic single 584 278 b/w “[Just Enough To Keep Me] Hangin’ On”) Original version on ‘Dr. John, The Night Tripper’ (Atco album SD 33-234, Masters 13351-13357 assigned 24 October 1967). The ‘Night Tripper’ album was allegedly conceived during sessions for Sonny’s ‘Inner Views’ (Atco album SD 33-229, Masters 13030-13034 assigned 6 September 1967). The single edit of Dr. John’s version of "I Walk On Guilded Splinters" (Master 14905, Atco single 45-6607, BB rvw 31 August 1968) was numerically close to Sonny & Cher’s "You Gotta Have A Thing Of Your Own" (Master 14904, assigned 24 July 1968, Atco single 45-6605, BB & CB rvws 17 August 1968).
7. LAY BABY LAY 3:34 Original version by Bob Dylan on ‘Nashville Skyline’ and Columbia single 4-44926, Cash Box review 5 July 1969, entered Billboard 12 July 1969, #7.
8. PLEASE DON’T TELL ME 3:32
9. CRY LIKE A BABY 2:44 Original version by the Box Tops (Mala single 593, entered Billboard 2 March 1968, #2).
10. DO RIGHT WOMAN, Original versions by Sandy Posey (Unreleased MGM Master 50223 recorded in Nashville 20 January 1967) and Aretha Franklin (Atlantic single 45-2386 B, recorded at FAME in Muscle Shoals 24 January 1967 with guitarist Jimmy Johnson, drummer Roger Hawkins and producer Tom Dowd).
11. SAVE THE CHILDREN 2:50 Session guitarist Edward Craig Hinton (d. 28 July 1995) wrote “Breakfast In Bed” for ‘Dusty In Memphis’, “Where’s Eddie” (Atco single 45-6749 B) and “People In Love” for Lulu’s ‘New Routes’ and “Cover Me”, “You’re All Around Me” and “It’s All Wrong But It’s Alright” for Percy Sledge. THE ADDITIONAL TRACKS:
12. EASY TO BE HARD 3:42 Original version in the Broadway musical production ‘Hair’ (opened 29 October 1967 at Joseph Papp’s Shakespeare Festival Public Theatre and 29 April 1968 at the Biltmore Theatre).
13. I BELIEVE 3:54 Original versions by Frankie Laine (Columbia single 4-39938, entered Billboard 21 February 1953, #2) and the Bachelors (London single 9672, entered Billboard 27 June 1964, #33).
14. DANNY BOY 5:19 Billboard 12 September 1970, reviewing Sonny & Cher live in New Orleans: Cher’s voice is spotlighted with an electrifying “Danny Boy” which is masterfully and simply arranged, staged and sung. Danny Boy redone on 'Sonny & Cher Live' (Kapp album KS-3654, Billboard review 18 September 1971).
15. MOMMA, LOOK SHARP 3:31 Original version in the Broadway musical comedy ‘1776’ (opened at the 46th Street Theatre 16 March 1969, Tony Award for Best Musical, New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award). Soon after the 4 December “Momma, Look Sharp” session, Sonny & Cher returned to the Flamingo in Las Vegas for three weeks.
16. IT GETS ME WHERE Unreleased version by Sonny & Cher (Master 19384, Recorded 27 May 1970). Composers Gabe Lapano and Lance Wakely were members of the Cascades (‘Maybe the Rain Will Fall’, Uni LP 73069, 1969).
17. YOU’VE MADE ME SO VERY HAPPY 2:42 Original versions by Brenda Holloway (Tamla single 54155, entered Billboard 9 September 1967, #39) and Blood, Sweat & Tears (Columbia single 4-44776, Cash Box review 22 February 1969, entered Billboard 1 March 1969, #2).
18. YOURS UNTIL TOMORROW 2:48 Cash Box 1 February 1969: Atlantic Records has inked Cher. Ahmet Ertegun announced the pact at the company’s sales confab. Until now, Cher recorded as a single for Liberty, with Sonny & Cher cutting for Atlantic. New albums by Cher and Sonny & Cher will be released shortly. Variety Artist-Disk Deals 5 March 1969: Cher, of Sonny & Cher, has pacted long term agreements with Atco as a single with her first release, “Yours Until Tomorrow”, a Goffin-King tune. Billboard review 8 March 1969: Her move to the Atco label proves a powerful hot chart contender with an updating of the Goffin-King ballad material. Loaded with sales appeal, this should prove a big one. Cash Box review 8 March 1969: Featuring a song that had nibbles of success in both pop and blues market versions before, Cher debuts with Atco in a performance that should carry impact with teen and many FM programmers. Side is speeded up a bit and arranged in the Sonny & Cher manner, which puts more drive into the contemporary ballad side. Billboard and Cash Box ads 8 March 1969: Atco Records Proudly Presents Cher With Her New Hit Single “Yours Until Tomorrow” Atco #6658 Produced By Sonny Bono Rolling Stone 19 April 1969: Atlantic has signed Cher; Sonny to produce. Original versions by Sandy Posey (Unreleased MGM Master N 50134 recorded 23 August 1966, Nashville), Dee Dee Warwick (Mercury single 72638 B, recorded 21 October 1966, Billboard review 12 November 1966), Engelbert Humperdinck (on 'Release Me', Parrot album PAS 710112, BB rvw 3 June 1967), Paula Wayne (Colgems single 1021, Cash Box review 6 April 1968) and Vivian Reed (Epic single 5-10319, Cash Box review 20 April 1968, entered Cash Box R&B 15 June 1968, #39).
19. THE THOUGHT OF LOVING YOU 2:22 Original versions by the Crystal Mansion (Capitol single 2275, Billboard review 9 November 1968, #84) and Lou Christie (‘I’m Gonna Make You Mine’, Buddah album BDS 5052).
20. THE FIRST TIME 3:22 Variety review 19 November 1969: Cher’s “The First Time” is an arresting contemporary ballad handled in sensitive style by this songstress. “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” is a nifty straightforward rhythm ballad. Billboard review 29 November 1969: Strong, commercial ballad and one of Cher’s top vocal workouts to date. Could easily prove a left field smash.
21. CHASTITY’S SONG Billboard review 14 June 1969: Sensitive treatment of the Elyse Weinberg ballad from the forthcoming film “Chastity” has both play and sales potential. Cash Box review 14 June 1969: Getting funkier than she’s sounded in a long time, Cher delivers a powerhouse side that should set her in the programming spotlight with top forty and underground stations (not necessarily in that order). Brutal, forceful blues band backup gives the side dynamite potential. Flip: “I Walk On Guilded Splinters”. 22. CHASTITY’S SONG
23. SUPERSTAR 3:07 Billboard review 7 November 1970: Penned by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell (not to be confused with the Rock Opera), this super, driving ballad serves as powerful material for Cher. Will bring her back to the Hot 100 with sales impact. Her first solo release for the year gets a heavy producing job by Stan Vincent. Variety review 11 November 1970: Cher’s “Superstar” is a strong reading of Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell’s rock ballad that should return this singer to the charts. Flip side was blank. The one-sided white label DJ single format was not particular to Cher’s “Superstar”; similar promo singles had been issued occasionally at least since Wilson Pickett’s “Cole, Cooke & Redding” (Atlantic 45-2722, Variety review 11 March 1970, ironically a two-sided hit). The blank 'B' side had the wax inscription: BACK PLATE MFG. BY SPECIALTY RECORDS. See also the Mono one-sided white label DJ single 45-6868 Cher's "(Just Enough To Keep Me) Hangin' On". Original version titled “Groupie (Superstar)” by Delaney and Bonnie And Friends Featuring Eric Clapton (Atco single 45-6725 B, Variety review 21 January 1970, Atlantic Master 18058 assigned 10 November 1969, from Elektra). Titled “Superstar” on Joe Cocker’s ‘Mad Dogs And Englishmen’ (A&M album SP 6002, entered Billboard 5 September 1970, #2). “Superstar” was a later a hit for the Carpenters (A&M single 1289, entered Billboard 4 September 1971, #2).
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