Back in 1989 when I bought a copy of Cher’s Heart of Stone, her 19th studio album, I loved the Optical Illusion Art cover. Op-Art was big in those days and having Cher sit next to a heart of stone that looks like a skull if you look at it the right way was memorable. The album was first released with the Op-Art artwork and later re-released the album with a more conventional cover. This original front cover album art is a painting by Octavio Ocampo that features Cher sitting beside a stone heart. However, when examined from a distance, it’s clear this is also a painting of a human skull in profile (note the midriff folds of Cher’s dress forming the teeth. The artwork was changed shortly after its release, making this copy with the original artwork a collector’s item.
Heart of Stone contains several hits that made the charts. “If I Could Turn Back Time” made it to Number Three on the Billboard chart. The album sold 4 million albums and Cher went on the road for her Heart of Stone Tour (1989-1990). Heart of Stone was Geffin Records first Number One International album. Are you a Cher fan? GRADE: B+
TRACK LIST:
| 1. | “If I Could Turn Back Time“ | Diane Warren | WarrenGuy Roche | 4:16 |
| 2. | “Just Like Jesse James“ | WarrenDesmond Child | Child | 4:06 |
| 3. | “You Wouldn’t Know Love“ | WarrenMichael Bolton | Bolton | 3:30 |
| 4. | “Heart of Stone“ | Andy HillPete Sinfield | Peter Asher | 4:21 |
| 5. | “Still in Love with You” | BoltonBob Halligan | Bolton | 3:08 |
| 6. | “Love on a Rooftop” | WarrenChild | Asher | 4:22 |
| 7. | “Emotional Fire” | WarrenChildBolton | Child | 3:53 |
| 8. | “All Because of You” | Jon LindSue Schifrin | Lind | 3:30 |
| 9. | “Does Anybody Really Fall in Love Anymore?” | WarrenChildJon Bon JoviRichie Sambora | Child | 4:12 |
| 10. | “Starting Over” | BoltonJonathan Cain | Bolton | 4:09 |
| 11. | “Kiss to Kiss” | LindMary D’astuguesPhil Galdston | Lind | 4:23 |
| 12. | “After All” (with Peter Cetera) (love theme from Chances Are) | Tom SnowDean Pitchford | Asher | 4:07 |
No. Not a fan at all. An album full of songs by that hack Diane Warren. Often in tandem with other hacks such as Desmond Child and Michael Bolton. I classify her with Barry Manilow, Michael Bolton and Celine Dion. The only good thing about this record is it doesn’t contain the odious Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves or Half Breed.
Steve, were you a fan of the Op-Art album covers?
Can’t say that I ever noticed them.
Not a huge fan—although I loved her in Moonstruck.
Deb, I agree. Cher was wonderful in MOONSTRUCK. I’ll have to dig out my Blu-ray and watch it again!
I thought she was at least minimally competent as an actress but her music just never got through to me, and it’s unlikely that it would have even if I’d heard more of it. Steve’s comparisons are totally apt. I don’t recognize a single one of the songs listed.
Michael, HEART OF STONE was one of Cher’s best selling albums. It also sold well internationally.
Not since I’ve Got You, Babe.” Not a fan of singers that “sell” a song, in general.
Patti, Cher had at least one Number One song in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
Gack! “If I Could Turn Back Time” is one of the WORST songs in history IMHO. It is one that I immediately change the station or turn off the music, in a category with – but even worse than – Diana Ross’s hideous take on “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” or Manilow’s “Copacabana” or the Beach Boys’ “Kokomo” (which rhymed “Port au Prince” and “glimpse” – or maybe it was “glince”?)
I loved her in MOONSTRUCK and thought she did a good job inn several other acting roles, and I liked her early stuff with Sonny. Though she always had an incredibly narrow range as a singer, she made it work for her.
Jeff, I always admire Cher’s ability to take advantage of her opportunities.
I have to admit that I’m a big fan of Sonny&Cher and I was really sad when they split.
And I also like most of the songs she did on her own.
Some of her songs like Gypsys Tramps … were really important imho (and many critics had similar ideas).
Wolf, Cher continues to be popular here. I saw her perform in Las Vegas a few years ago and she was great. I also saw the Cher Broadway show with an enthusiastic audience.
George, I envy you for this!
Somehow on all my trips to the USA (over 20 of them in 30 years …) I never managed to be at the right place and at the right time for concerts – only once in the House of Blues for Steve Winwood and later I even did a trip through Texas following him.
But I’ve senn that concerts by famous artists have become extremely expensive in the USA, in Germany and Britain they were still a lot cheaper.
Wolf, I saw Cher in Las Vegas with a $70 ticket. Great seats!
Don’t see a skull, don’t want to bother trying, din’t want to listen to the album. Just want the fires to stop.
Rick, the news videos from your part of the country look like an eerie Hellscape! Stay safe!
Love Cher. I’ll have to order this.
As for Moonstruck, not a fan but it’s one of Joe’s favorite movies. I guess you gotta be Italian.
Beth, you’ll love HEART OF STONE as much as Joe loves MOONSTRUCK!
I think it helps to Not be Italian to enjoy MOONSTRUCK.. It’s THREE’S COMPANY-broad and inane, by me…I blame Shanley MUCH more than Cher. Whose music I don’t like. As a quarter-Italian, 3/16ths Cherokee, a big no to the not important songs throughout her career.
Did she narc out Gregg Allman?
Bob, those are just rumors.