American pair that produced a number of hits in the later half of the sixties. Still remembered and cherished by us who was there, while somewhat later generations just may see it as an outset for Cher and her solo carreer. She has done good things without Sonny, but it's hard to imagine any of that would have happened without this early alliance. Both started as part of Phil Spectors gang - Sonny as producer and Cher as background singer. They fell in love and went on from 1964 to try as a solo duo. After two ok selling singles they got a chance to release this debute LP. It spawned three 45:s, whereof "I Got You Babe" became a blockbuster, reaching top five in many countries and topping the lists in US, UK , Canada and New Zeeland. Listening today that is the highlight of the album, with them switching vocals to a dreamy Phil Spector-ish orchestral arrangement, topped by a simple but catchy oboe riff. Kind of timeless, well worth to be spun and loved over and over. But I also find other things to enjoy on here. The surprisingly grubby Bono-penned "It's Gonna Rain" is just fun and the covers of "Let It Be Me" and "You've really Got A Hold On Me" works fine. Produced and arranged by Sonny Bono and you can hear he's been infected by the Spector bug and he's got it bad. There are tons of reverb and bombastic manners over most of the record. It works fine with "I Got You Babe", but for some of the other cuts it can be a little too much. However I enjoy most of it and it's a keeper for sure. Issued and reissued all over the world on vinyl and/or CD through the years, also 4-track and reel. Premiere US on ATCO (SD/33-177). Very first UK copies on maroon label (ATL 5036). This somewhat later had structured plum label as shown here in a laminated cover. (ÄTHP*) (FÄV*)
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