If you can look past Cher's celebrity marriages, a generally rewarding film career and the distracting and virtually invisible architecture of her infamous Bob Mackie dresses, you might recall that the former Cherilyn Sarkisian was once a legitimately influential musical force and a pretty groovy singer. Many of her early tunes with former musical partner Sonny Bono, such as “Baby Don't Go” and “Needles and Pins,” have aged better than more recent and bombastic solo hits such as “Believe.” Cher is at her best when she ditches the artifice — aside from those fantastic Mackie creations — and strips down the songs with her mournful voice. She could learn a lot from Cyndi Lauper, who has reinvented herself as a Memphis soul-blues diva while still reveling in the euphoric giddiness of her '80s heyday. Also at the Honda Center, Wednesday, July 9.

Mon., July 7, 7:30 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 07/07/14)

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