Vinyl plays with occasional light-crackles (play-graded). Cover looks good; a few creases near edges; moderate scuffing, tiny surface abrasions and surface impressions (front/back); discoloration spots on back. Inner-sleeve is original (generic white). Spine is easy-to-read with some wear. Shelf-wear along top/bottom-edge and corners. Opening is crisp with signs of light use and divots. Orange label. (Not a cut-out.)
Very Special Love Songs is almost entirely comprised of cover versions and showcases the close, nearly symbiotic partnership Charlie Rich and Billy Sherrill had developed. The title track is layered with a huge string section and chorus that has Rich crooning like Richard Harris in MacArthur Park. Why Don't We Go Somewhere and Love is more straight-ahead but has odd textures like Sherrill bringing in a barely audible harpsichord to play beneath the acoustic guitars and Hargus Robbion's honky tonk piano. Other tracks, such as Take Time to Love, A Field of Yellow Daisies, and Why, Oh Why, are offerings of such soulful vulnerability they transcend every country music stereotype that existed at the time. Re-recordings of He Follows in My Footsteps and There Won't Be Anymore blow away the originals. The title track single made it to No. 1 on US Country charts.