Search - Cher :: The Casablanca Years

Where's the Black Rose CD?

scottina sue | New York, NY | 06/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's not TRULY the best of Casablanca without the final act, her overlooked "BLACK ROSE" CD! But that's o.k., I found the import version (which lacks the cool cover art, but hey, I can deal). But some of these songs on CD sound better than on the scatched album copies I had. "Wasn't It Good" with the vocoder is fun and her teenybopper rap in the middle is cute. Of course you get the classic "Take Me Home" - - what about the retro-40's, swing tempo'ed kitchy "Shoppin'?" Kind of fun especially during the break where she goes "No, it's Cher! Just Cher!" And the almost new wave-y, weird fast song "Boys & Girls?" Where'd she get that one and who the hell is the writer, Billy Falcon? David Paich from the band Toto (former boyfriend, I believe) is all over the "Prisoner" cuts and that cut has a great early 80's rock arrangement. Love it, love the concept, execution and cover art. Enjoy!"

This cd is fun , but but not Cher at her best

Ward J. Lamb | slate hill, new york United States | 09/04/1998

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Cher is featured mostly in a disco mode on this 2 lp compilation from the disco era. The production is slick and predictable, and Cher sounds like she had to cut these lps! There is a feeling of the artist not really making the most of her god-given contralto. There are some numbers that deserve a listen. The hits " Take Me Home", and "Wasn't it Good", are commercial stand-outs.The Bob Esty penned "Shoppin' is a real 40s' tribute and is Cher biographical too. Chers' paen to Greg Allman, "Too Far Gone" is one of the few songs she ever wrote to be featured on an albumn.It is a simple moving vocal, and probably the most emotive cut. "Hell on Wheels" and "Outrageous" are absolute trash, and are material noone could revive, not even the mercurial Cher."

Cher: The Casablanca Years (1996)

Chad DeFeo | Philadelphia, PA USA | 05/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In April of 1996, Cher had still been on a four year long hiatus, still doing commercials for facial cream and exercising equipment, but she wanted fans to have a little more of her music. So, she put out another compilation. This one is entitled, THE CASABLANCA YEARS. This album is actually contains every song from both the PRISONER & TAKE ME HOME albums. Calling it THE CASABLANCA YEARS was due to the fact the songs on this album were recorded on the albums that were with Casablanca Records. This album is just absolutely incredible. Not quite as great as I had hoped, but it was outstanding enough for me to just sit back and enjoy.



TAKE ME HOME

From the album TAKE ME HOME (1979). This will always be one of my favorite Cher songs. I just love the disco sound that was featured in the song. Many fans will still recognize this song even today. And why shouldn't they? If you saw Cher on her LIVING PROOF: THE FAREWELL TOUR, you will have seen Cher perform this song on that tour. That performance featured Cher in a long red open sequenced vest, where most of her stomach was shown, a long red sequenced skirt, with her thighs revealed, and a red tassled wig. Her dancers were dressed in red outfits, and giving seriously risque dance moves. This performance was one of Cher's, in my opinion, most stunning performances.



WASN'T IT GOOD

From the album TAKE ME HOME (1979). Not bad.



SAY THE WORD

From the album TAKE ME HOME (1979). Not bad.



HAPPY WAS THE DAY WE MET

From the album TAKE ME HOME (1979). Not bad.



GIT DOWN (GUITAR GROUPIE)

From the album TAKE ME HOME (1979). Amazingly done.



LOVE AND PAIN

From the album TAKE ME HOME (1979). Great.



LET THIS BE A LESSON TO YOU

From the album TAKE ME HOME (1979). Great.



IT'S TOO LATE (TO LOVE ME NOW)

From the album TAKE ME HOME (1979). Great song.



MY SONG (FAR TOO GONE)

From the album TAKE ME HOME (1979). Not bad.



PRISONER

From the album PRISONER (1979). Awesome tune.



HOLDIN' OUT FOR LOVE (1979).

From the album PRISONER (1979). Not bad.



SHOPPIN'

From the album PRISONER (1979). This song fits all the women in the country, who love to do nothing but shop their little a**es off. Just kidding. Great song.



BOYS AND GIRLS

From the album PRISONER (1979). Not bad.



MIRROR IMAGE

From the album PRISONER (1979). Whenever I hear this song, I think of what people would think about themselves when they look into the mirror. Most people will look into the mirror and find an image that makes them think of themselves as too ugly. Let me tell you now that you are who you are and it doesn't matter what you look like on the outside. It is what's on the inside that counts. So, check out this song.



HELL ON WHEELS

From the album PRISONER (1979). I don't know if Hell is on wheels, but I know that Hell is doing it's dirty work on this planet because of all the bullsh*t we're seeing happen all around us. Murders, shootings, drug deals, drinking & driving, the events on 9-11, etc. This is a song that I always make sure to listen to.



HOLY SMOKE

From the album PRISONER (1979). Not bad.



OUTRAGEOUS

From the album PRISONER (1979). Great. No, Britney Spears did not re-record this song. The two songs have the same title, but are totally different and separate. Don't forget that.



I wouldn't call this album a Grammy winner, but this album is definitely worth your time. Most of the songs on here on okay, but the album is still worth buying. So, take the time to be the album that will TAKE YOU HOME and make you a PRISONER."