3614 Jackson Highway

Album "3614 Jackson Highway", released in the summer of 1969, became Cher's first and last CD released on ATCO , with Jerry Wexler , Tom Dowd and Arif Mardin producing the album. The album cover features all the musicians working on the disc. This is the first row, from left to right: guitarist Eddie Hinton , bassist David Hood , Sonny Bono , Cher , producer Jerry Wexler , backing vocalist Ginny Green, backing vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux and producer Tom Dowd ; back, left to right: guitarist Jimmy Johnson , producer Arif Mardin , drummer Roger Hawkins and keyboardist Barry Beckett . Not shown on the cover of backing vocalist Mary Holiday and Sue Pilkington.

This disc was undoubtedly Cher's most daring project in the 60s and was recorded in order to regain success after the crisis period of the commercial failures of Cher and Sonny & Cher in 1968-1970. International pop culture did not stand still, but Sonny & Cher remained in their corporate identity. Pop music has taken on a “tougher” tone, marked by anti-war songs that object to the Vietnam War . Therefore, the music of Sonny & Cher simply did not fit, as a result of which their records sold poorly. For several months, they performed in nightclubs with their program, but the reaction of the public was less than positive.

Despite the fact that the public was not interested in this disc, the reaction of critics was very positive. They called this album the best in Cher's career, noting the strength of Cher's voice and its versatility. They also noted the modern arrangements that gave the disk a rock direction, along with successful interpretations of Cher songs by other artists.

The name of the album is the address of the studio where it was recorded - Muscle Shoals Sound Studio .

In 1968 and 1969, Cher recorded several new songs that were to be released on Cher's new album in 1970. However, for unknown reasons, the release was canceled, despite the fact that three of these songs were released singles. The songs remained unreleased until 2001, when Rhino Records released a limited edition (4,500 copies) of the album with 10 new songs.

During the 1969 sessions, songs were also recorded: April 23rd “Wedding Bell Blues” - a cover version of the song Laura Nyro , April 25th “Always David” - a cover version of the song Eddie Hinton , as well as “Don't Leave Me This Way "and" Honey Lamb ". These songs, however, are now considered lost.

The album released six singles in total. The first single - the only one with little success - For What It's Worth , took 88th place in the Canadian chart, did not hit the Billboard Hot 100 , but was located in the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles on the 25th line (No. 125 relative to Billboard Hot 100 ). Next came I Walk on Guilded Splinters , Lay Bady Lay and (Just Enough to Keep Me) Hangin 'On . From the unreleased album of 1970, The First Time and Superstar were released , the latter was to be included in 3614 Jackson Highway.

• Cher - vocals
• Jerry Wexler - Music Producer
• Tom Dowd - music producer
• Arif Mardin - music producer
• Stan Vincent - Music Producer
• Greg Pory - arranger
• Stephen Paley - Photographer
• Brian Lasley - Art Director
• Patrick Pending - Art Director