Wonderous World of Sonny & Cher

Performer: Sonny & Cher
Engineer: Stan Ross
Producer: Sonny Bono
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Personnel: Sonny Bono, Cher (vocals). Audio Mixer: Bob Irwin. Liner Note Authors: Jud Cost; Sonny & Cher. Arranger: Sonny Bono. For their second album, Sonny and Cher largely dropped both the overt Spectorisms and derivative folk-rock of their debut, 1965's LOOK AT US, instead refining the two into an utterly unique blend. There were few protest songs as dazzlingly-arranged as "Laugh At Me," originally released as a Sonny solo single. The follow-up "The Revolution Kind," included as a bonus track, shows the political leanings which would eventually get Sonny elected as a Republican congressman. Much of the album consists of covers--"Summertime" a la the Zombies' breathy version, "Tell Him," "I'm Leaving It Up To You," etc.--all given the inimitable Sonny and Cher treatment. Even this early in her career, Cher seems certain that attitude counts for more than innate talent. And for a guy who publicly played the fool, Sonny's orchestral jangle sounds surprisingly influential at several decades' remove.

Although touted as the misunderstood young lovers of 1965 folk-rock, Sonny Bono and Cher were not all their image suggested. Bono had a history in the music business stretching back to the late '50s, and became romantically attached to Cher, who was working as a backing singer. The duo found fame with 1965's transatlantic number 1, "I Got You Babe," and followed it up, as both a duo and soloists, with a formidable passel of hit singles. In the '70s they hosted their own television variety show, and Cher enjoyed a phenomenally successful acting and singing career, while Bono became a successful politician before dying in a skiing accident in 1998.

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