Day 157: Cher – Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves
I love Cher. What a legend, I would die for her. Love her singles, loved her autobiography, love the lady herself, but genuinely I could not name an album by Cher that I’ve listened to from top to bottom, so it’s time to listen to her 1971 release Chér, later rereleased as Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves.
Album cover courtesy of Kapp Records
If there ever was a person who needs no introduction, surely it’s Cher, but nevertheless. Cher, or Cheryl Sarkisian, is a singer from El Centro, California who’s been active in the music business since 1963. She’s accomplished in many different fields: a few nights ago, she won the Grammy’s lifetime achievement award (and slightly bungled giving an award straight after, but in a very charming way) as well as having an Emmy, a few Golden Globes and an Oscar. She’s had several hit records, successful TV comedy shows and broke a record of having the highest grossing tour by a female artist in 2005. She’s also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves was released in 1971 at the heels of the debut of the The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, a comedy variety show that she hosted with her partner Sonny Bono. The show was a hit, and the album became a hit too, with the lead single “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” becoming Cher’s first solo number-one single in the US and Canada.
Also, as a sidenote, Cher ditched her counterculture image and got the legendary Bob Mackie to dress her for her TV show, and he created some of the most iconic looks that anyone has ever worn. One of my hobbies is perusing auction websites and every once in a while, the Hollywood auction house Julien’s has outfits for sale that Bob Mackie designed for Cher. I’m not saying I would be irresponsible as a rich person, but I am saying I would pay the amount of a small car to get my hands on one of those. Only God can judge me.
One thing I’d never thought about before listening to this album is just how country-twanged Cher’s songwriting is. The titular track is written from the point of view of a 16-year-old Romani girl who was "born in the wagon of a traveling show" and got pregnant by an older guy who’s no longer in the picture. There’s also “He’ll Never Know” about an affair and the protagonist not telling her partner that the baby isn’t his. It’s all sadness, storytelling and melodrama, which I obviously enjoy.
However, aside from a few tracks that I loved more than the others, most notably the beautiful “Touch and Go”, it’s a pretty middle of the road, slightly better than average pop album. There’s original songs mixed with some covers, like Kathy Kirby’s “The Way of Love” and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" by Kelly Gordon, and the resulting album is nice to listen to, but it’s probably a one and done.
It’s a decent album, I had a good time with it, but nothing crazy. I’m giving Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves a nice, casual 7.5/10. Cher, however, is always a 10.