Terry Smith wrote:
"If I remember correctly, when Mike Ireland and Holler came out with their
debut last year, Ireland repeatedly mentioned Charlie Rich's work from the
mid-60s as a major influence, specifically noting the sophisticated
arrangements, with strings, horns, etc."
Hmmm. It takes a Sub Pop band to lead the alt.country scene to Charlie...
:) When Charlie saw that John Denver won country music entertainer of the
year, Charlie (who was presenting the award) proceeded to burn the damn
envelope, live on national tv.... :) Is that insurgent enough for all
y'all?
The Charlie Rich material Ireland is thinking of here might be the
work done with Billy Sherrill after the Smash stuff and before Charlie
finally made money with Sherrill as the Silver Fox. These have been
released on Koch: "Set Me Free," "The Fabulous Charlie Rich" and "Boss
Man".
These recordings are more targeted for a country audience than the
wonderful RnB Smash stuff Terry mentions. In these Sherrill records there
is an eclectic but difficult mix of soul, jazz, country and rnb.
Wonderful songs like one written by Charlie's wife Margaret Anne like
"Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs" which may be my favorite song of all
time. And then some weak stuff like Sonny Throckmorton's "H20."
Only thing about Ireland's reference is many of the arrangements on the
record can be annoying as shit. The way these otherwise brilliant
recordings are hurt by that overproduced countrypolitan sound is a good
argument for why no one should be admiring those production values. (Of
course half of the time it kind of does work... when you feel Charlie is
calling the shots...).
The Smash stuff is more immediate and live in its feel, even when horns
and strings are being used.
Silence, Chalie's voice and piano in the right combination are all one
needs, and are dynamite. That is why it is hard to understood the
heavy handedness of his producers throughout his career.
Check out the Bear Family Charlie box of earlier Sun stuff "Lonely
Weekends..." The demos on that record are remakable. He sounds like Chet
Baker one track and Wynonie Harris on the next. Charlie is up there
with Merle, Hank, Elvis, Jimmy Rodgers, Lefty as one of America's most
fascinating artists. Sam Phillips has stated numerous times that he was
the most talented individual he ever worked with.
Lance
