Cher - Two the Hard Way (with Gregg Allman as Allman and Woman) (1977)
Tracklist front / back album covers
Side one
1. "Move Me" 2:58
2. "I Found You Love" 3:58
3. "Can You Fool" 3:21
4. "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" 3:18
5. "We're Gonna Make It" 3:15
6. "Do What You Gotta Do" 3:26
Side two
1. "In For the Night" 3:34
2. "Shadow Dream Song" (lead vocals by Gregg Allman) 3:43
3. "Island" (lead vocals by Cher) 4:25
4. "I Love Makin' Love to You" 3:49
5. "Love Me" 2:48
Cher Band Members / Musicians
Cher – lead vocals, harmony vocals
Gregg Allman – lead vocals, harmony vocals, organ, producer
Ricky Hirsch, John Leslie Hug, Fred Tackett, Scott Boyer – guitar
Randall Bramblett, Harvey Thompson, Ronnie Eades – saxophone
Harrison Calloway, Jim Horn – horn
Ben Cauley – trumpet, flugelhorn
Dennis Good – trombone
Mickey Raphael – harmonica
Bobbye Hall – percussion
Willie Weeks – bass
Neil Larsen – piano, electric piano, clavinet, organ
Bill Stewart – drums
Clydie King, Doug Hayward, Pat Henderson, Russell Morris, Sherlie Matthews, Tim Schmit – backing vocals
Jimmy Webb – string and horn arrangements on "We're Gonna Make It" and "Do What You Gotta Do"
Ed Freeman – string arrangements
Sid Sharp – concertmaster
Johnny Sandlin – producer
John Haeny – producer on "You Really Got a Hold On Me" and "Do What You Gotta Do"
Tom Flye – engineer
David Pinkston – engineer
John Cabalka – art direction
Brad Kanawyer – design
Bob Jacobs – artwork, photo hand tinting
Harry Langdon – photography
Two the Hard Way is a studio album by American singer-actress Cher and the 3rd studio album by American rock singer Gregg Allman released in November 1977 by Warner Bros. Records. The album, billed to "Allman and Woman", was a critical and commercial failure.
Cher & Gregg Allman – Two the Hard Way (1977): A Bold Collaboration
Introduction
Released in 1977, Two the Hard Way is a unique and daring collaboration between Cher and Gregg Allman, credited as Allman and Woman. Unlike Cher’s mainstream solo work, this album explores blues-rock, southern rock, and adult contemporary sounds, blending the powerful vocals of Cher with the soulful, gritty voice of Gregg Allman.
Though not commercially successful, the album is a curiosity and cult favorite, showcasing Cher’s willingness to experiment with edgier rock styles outside her pop and disco career.
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The Collaboration: Cher Meets Gregg Allman
By 1977, Cher was experimenting with different musical directions after her mid-70s pop and adult contemporary albums. Gregg Allman, a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, brought a southern rock and blues sensibility to the project.
The album was produced by both Cher and Allman, aiming to fuse Cher’s theatrical pop style with Allman’s soulful rock sound. While ambitious, the pairing was polarizing, leading to modest commercial impact but creating a unique entry in both artists’ discographies.
About Two the Hard Way (1977)
Album Overview
Two the Hard Way features ten tracks of blues-rock, southern rock, and adult contemporary ballads, with an emphasis on duet vocals and emotional storytelling. The production highlights gritty guitar work, soulful arrangements, and Cher’s powerful contralto navigating rock-infused material.
Key tracks include:
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“Can You Fool?” – Opening track blending rock and soul
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“Policeman” – Bluesy narrative with gritty vocal interplay
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“Wham Bam” – Upbeat rock groove
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“If I Could” – Tender ballad showcasing Cher’s emotional range
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“Don’t Know Why” – Slow blues with heartfelt delivery
The album is characterized by experimentation, genre blending, and vocal contrasts, offering listeners something completely different from Cher’s solo 70s work.
Tracklist
Two the Hard Way (1977) – Official Tracklist
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Can You Fool?
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Policeman
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Wham Bam
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If I Could
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Don’t Know Why
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Backstage
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It’s Gonna Rain
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I’ve Had Enough
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Lonely Heart
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I’m Gonna Love You
The tracklist reflects a blend of rock, blues, and balladry, emphasizing duet dynamics and storytelling.
Musical Style and Themes
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Genres: Blues-rock, southern rock, adult contemporary
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Themes: Love, relationships, personal struggle, passion
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Production Style: Gritty guitars, soulful arrangements, vocal interplay
Cher’s contralto complements Allman’s soulful rasp, creating a unique rock-blues dialogue throughout the album.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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The album was credited to Allman and Woman, not Cher and Gregg Allman, as a marketing choice.
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Despite high-profile names, it failed commercially and received mixed critical reviews.
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Cher performed some tracks live with Gregg during promotional appearances, highlighting her rock versatility.
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The album remains a collector’s item due to its rarity and unusual concept.
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Fans consider it a bold experiment, contrasting sharply with Cher’s 70s pop, adult contemporary, and disco records.
Commercial Performance and Grossing
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Billboard 200: Did not chart significantly
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Singles: None achieved notable success
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Sales: Estimated under 100,000 copies, making it one of the least commercially successful projects of Cher’s career
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Despite poor sales, the album holds value as a unique collaborative experiment in her discography
Why Two the Hard Way Still Matters
Artistic Experimentation
The album is a rare example of Cher fully embracing southern rock and blues, pushing her artistic boundaries.
Vocal Dynamics
Cher’s voice is bold and commanding, perfectly complementing Gregg Allman’s gritty style, creating a distinctive duet experience.
Cult Appeal
While obscure, the album is celebrated by die-hard Cher and Allman fans as a hidden gem of 70s rock experimentation.
Final Thoughts
Two the Hard Way (1977) is one of Cher’s most unconventional 1970s projects. Featuring duets with Gregg Allman, southern rock influences, and bold experimentation, it stands apart from her solo pop and disco hits. Though it did not succeed commercially, it remains a fascinating and collectible entry in her catalog, demonstrating Cher’s fearlessness in exploring new musical territory.
Meta Description
Discover Cher & Gregg Allman’s Two the Hard Way (1977). Full tracklist, fun facts, and why this southern rock duet album is a cult 70s gem.
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