The group was most active as a recording unit from the mid-1970s to 1986. Charlie never charted in the UK but had four minor hits in the US.
The band was briefly called "Charlie Cuckoo" (after a racehorse), but soon became known simply as "Charlie".
Even though it didn't stray far from the band's now-patented AOR formula, as good as 1977's "No Second Chance" was, 1978's "Lines" was even better. Self-produced, singer/guitarist Terry Thomas was again responsible for the majority of material, though this time out keyboardist Julian Colbeck and drummer Steve Gadd co-wrote several numbers.
Powered by Thomas' instantly recognizable snarling vocals and the band's mesmerizing harmonies, every one of these nine tracks had commercial potential.
The album also introduced new lead guitarist Eugene Organ, whose country-flavored fills gave the band a somewhat fuller sound. Mind you there's nothing particularly original on the album, but to my ears the album's always filled the gap in my collection and tastes that existed between mindless heavy metal and vapid throwaway pop.
Certainly won't be to everyone's liking, but some three decades after I first heard it, I still like it and the sultry model with an amazing pair of legs (whoever she was) remains a stunner. Can't say the same things about many things in life !
A fantastic release from a very underrated band. From the provocative opening track, "She Loves To Be In Love" (which the listener immediatley associates with the cover girl of the album), to the hilarious "Watching T.V." (wittily namechecking many a 1970's t.v. show) this album neatly encapsulates the oh so slightly off kilter and musically mannered sensibilities of this engaging band.
Charlie mainstay, Terry Thomas, has a somewhat nasal vocal delivery which is instantly recognizable and brings an idiosyncratic edge to the laid back 70's vibe of the downbeat "L.A. Dreamer" and the impossibly catchy "Life So Cruel." Like I said this band is slightly off kilter and I mean that in a good way.
Terry Thomas has a sharp sense of humor and fun and it works well on stuff like the already mentioned "Watching T.V." Equally though, he brings a somewhat obscure sense of class, for lack of a better word, to the proceedings on stylish excursions like "No More Heartache" and "No Strangers In Paradise." Both songs which kind of come across as a bit of a less pretentious Steely Dan. "Keep Me In Mind" is a nice slow piece that just captures the late 70's ballad perfectly--that prerequisite Fender Rhodes keyboard, sweeping group back up vocal stylings and the must have sax solo.
Side A
A1. She Loves To Be In Love - 4:23
A2. No More Heartache - 3:44
A3. Life So Cruel - 4:38
A4. Watching TV - 3:30
A5. Out Of Control - 4:33
Side B
B1. L.A. Dreamer - 4:38
B2. No Strangers In Paradise - 4:38
B3. Keep Me In Mind - 5:31
B4. I Like To Rock And Roll - 6:20
Companies, etc.
- Recorded At – Trident Studios
- Mixed At – Trident Studios
- Phonographic Copyright (p) – Janus Records
- Copyright (c) – Janus Records
- Published By – Heavy Music
- Produced For – Trident Records
- Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Terre Haute
Credits
- Bass, Vocals – John Anderson
- Design [Cover Design] – Terry Thomas
- Drums – Steve Gadd
- Guitar, Vocals – Eugene Organ, Terry Thomas
- Keyboards – Julian Colbeck
- Management – Barry Dickins
- Photography By – David Darling, John Campbell
- Producer – Eugene Organ, Julian Colbeck, Terry Thomas
- Recorded By – Jerry Smith, Neil Ross, Peter Kelsey, Steve W. Taylor
- Written-By – Terry Thomas
Notes
Release: 1978
Format: LP
Genre: Rock
Label: Janus Records
Catalog# JXS-7036
Prijs: €4,99
Vinyl: VG
Cover: G
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