#REVIEW: CHER – “DANCING QUEEN”

After a five year hiatus, timeless legend Cher comes back with one of this Fall’s first blockbuster albums. DANCING QUEEN, her ABBA covers album, comes hot on the success of MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN this past Summer. This her 26th studio disc, showcases that smoky, soulful Alto of hers in fine form front and center. Above all else, the Album is exactly what it should be, tons of fun!

The party goes on 40 minutes straight with a choice ten cuts including the Album’s titular fan favourite, lead single Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight), SOS, Waterloo, Mamma Mia, The Winner Takes It All and of course Cher‘s showstopping rendition of Fernando, heard in MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN this Summer, sans a jarring, mixed-low Andy Garcia. Most arrangements remain faithful to the originals, although Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! very much is geared to the dancefloors of today. That signature Autotune, vocal filters and updated synths are sprinkled throughout sparingly for effect and translate these tunes to a new generation.

An ABBA Tribute Disc wouldn’t be complete without embodying the Swedish hitmakers’ energy, spirit and those punchy, irresistible choruses that made them Pop Royalty. Their ballads are armed with an understated sentimentality. Cher nails it on all fronts and she does it with a fresh flare. And how wonderful is it that original ABBA member Benny Andersson returns not only in a Producer function, but also is involved hands-on? He’s heard on keys and mixes for that perfect authenticity. Björn Ulvaeus also alongside his bandmate and Cher serve as Executive Producers.

The Album ends on a sentimental note with One of Us which is a good thing as that uptempo momentum keeps going. There is something so soothing and good for the soul about listening to Cher. Listening to her cover the gems of ABBA? It’s like reuniting with two best friends.

Warner Music Canada release Cher‘s DANCING QUEEN, in stores and digital now.