Charlie Rich: A Time For Tears (Sun 1231)
Metal Mike Saunders, The Rag, 15 March 1971
CHARLIE RICH from Colt, Arkansas, came out in the mid-50's with a voice and delivery very similar to that of Elvis Presley's early Sun style, heavily rooted in the blues idiom. They went their separate ways, though: Elvis to fame and fortune, a never-ceasing inconsistency in his music, and a niche as having the greatest wasted potential of any R&R star ever. Charlie Rich went the other road into obscurity, where he made giant steps toward perfection of a unique style mixing R&B, country, and rock.
Total word count of piece: 372
