Great Rock Albums of 1987: Cher

I don’t remember Cher ever coming onto my music radar back in 1987 and if it wasn’t for Damien McKee including her 1987 self-titled album in his list of suggestions for albums, I would have passed it by. After listening to it, I’m glad he did. When the opening track, “I Found Someone,” came blasting through the speakers, memories of the song came flooding back. I had forgotten that Cher was capable of rocking out a little as that song in particular does rock. Before that, the only Cher songs I could say I liked was “If I Could Turn Back Time,” from her next album and the 1971 hit, “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves.” Now, there’s at least one more song, I can add to that list.

What makes the album good is the fact that she had a great army of musicians and producers behind her. Most of the album was produced by Desmond Child, but there are contributions from Michael Bolton, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. The last three also contribute to backing vocals and Richie rips a mean guitar solo on “We All Sleep Alone.” That’s another great track by the way. An interesting track is number three, “Bang-Bang,” which was written by her ex-husband Sonny Bono. The lyrics about her baby shooting her down wasn’t one I would have expected from Sonny but they’re very good. Then Jon and Ritchie put their production spin on it and the song really rocks. Although not quite as good as the previous track, Richie’s guitar solo on it is good.

Even though I was quite pleasantly surprised as to how Cher can rock on this album, I have always admired her fantastic singing voice. Hers is a very powerful one and she can take it down low when needed. This vocal versatility shows best on the power ballad “Main Man.” But once the power ballad is over, Cher goes back to full on rock with “Give Our Love a Fightin’ Chance.” This is my vote for hidden gem as it does really rock. Richie is not credited with the guitar solo on the song but John McCurry does a great job with it.

Singers Bonnie Tyler and Darlene Love bring in the track, “Perfection” and this song too rocks. Maybe these three ladies should have done more songs together. The guitar and keyboards work well giving the song a Bon Jovi feel and McCurry shows he’s a capable guitarist. Actually, this album basically rocks. In fact, the only song that really doesn’t rock is “Skin Deep,” which seems to have a synth pop feel. I also had a misconception about the track, “Working Girl,” which I thought would have been on the soundtrack of a film of the same name which came out around the same time, it’s not on it. The power ballad, “Hard Enough Getting Over You,” takes the album out beautifully.

Track Listing:

1. I Found Someone
2. We Sleep Alone
3. Bang-Bang
4. Main Man
5. Give Our Love a Fightin’ Chance
6. Perfection
7. Dangerous Time
8. Skin Deep
9. Working Girl
10. Hard Enough Getting Over You

Cher

Cher- lead vocals

There are so many contributors to the album that it would take ages to list them all. Therefore, I will name a few of the more known names.

Jon Bon Jovi

Richie Sambora

Michael Bolton

Steve Lukather

Dave Meniketti

Tico Torres

Bonnie Tyler

Darlene Love

Joe Lynn Turner

Bob Rock

David Bryan

Down deep, I always knew that Cher could rock, now this album proves it. Thing is, she would have made a great singer in a metal band.

Next post: Foreigner- Inside Information

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

This week, I experienced the circle of life. All of your condolences for Teal for his biological father, Steven Parker were warmly welcomed. Steve’s funeral was this past Monday and his send off was accompanied by the songs, “Fairies Wear Boots” by Black Sabbath and Ozzy’s “Bark at the Moon.” Today, I would like all of you to join me in welcoming to the world, my granddaughter Primrose Anderton-Pearson.

Congratulations to my Jake and daughter in law, Grace.