Okay so there was another thread about Rhino Handmade releasing a 3-disc deluxe edition package by some guy named Bobby Charles. And while I am happy for those Bobby Charles fans, however, I just don't get some of these recent releases from Rhino Handmade! I didn't want to add this to that particular thread, since it really doesn't have anything to do with it!

I have been writing Rhino Handmade periodically since they began issuing product about releasing the 4 albums (and miscellaneous singles) Cher recorded for Warner Bros between 1975 and 1977 ("Stars", "I'd Rather Believe In You" and "Cherished", along with her duet album with Gregg Allman, "Two The Hard Way"). These are 4 albums in Cher's discography that have never seen the light of day in the digital format. While none of these albums burned up the charts, "Stars" particularly usually ranks high in fans' ranking of Cher's albums. The Jimmy Webb-produced album includes some of Cher's strongest and nuanced singing, and the song selections include sensitive readings of songs by Eric Clapton, Jackson Browne, Jimmy Webb, and Janis Ian, along with some more rocking tunes by Neil Young and Little Feat. While "I'd Rather Believe In You" was a more commercial album, it still included some great singing, interesting song selection, and terrific pop production by Michael Omartian. "Cherished" was a contractual obligation and Cher's performance was uninspired, as was the song selection. This was produced by Snuff Garrett, who produced some of Cher's biggest hits ("The Way Of Love", "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves", "Dark Lady" and "Half Breed") and would be the last time they worked together. Finally, the critically reviled and commercial bust of Gregg Allman and Cher's album "Two The Hard Way", has been unfairly maligned and Gregg and Cher's duet singing was surprisingly tuneful -- and this by a non-fan of Gregg! Also on that album, Cher also did a terrific rendition of a beautiful Lauren Wood tune 'Island", which featured on an album by Lauren as part of her band Chunky, Novi and Ernie. In addition, while at Warner Bros. Cher recorded a single with Phil Spector ("A Woman's Story" and "Baby, I Love You") and a single with Harry Nilsson ("A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knockin' Everyday)".

While I'm not positive, you'd think that a limited box of these albums would sell significantly more than the upcoming Bobby Charles release!

I agree. (Maybe not so much on the comment about the Allman LP being unjustly maligned, but I'd order such a set from Rhino in spite of that one. )

As an aside here, I must thank you for mentioning Lauren Wood. It encouraged me to look and see what she has been up to, and I learned that she issued a fourth solo CD, "Love, Death & Customer Service," back in 2006. Have no idea how that info escaped me for five years, but a copy is now headed my way. She's also selling CD-Rs of the two Chunky, Novi & Ernie LPs from the 1970s on her site. I've never heard those and am wondering if you are familiar with them. If so, what are they like and what do you think of them?

the chunky, novi and ernie albums are OK. nothing fantastic, but if you like lauren wood, i think you'll like CNE.

when i got mine, which was quite some time ago, she autographed them also.

Maybe we can get Audio Fidelity to give the gold treatment to