By 1983 Charlie had embraced the American AOR dream with a passion and were producing albums of frequent quality, perfect FM rock radio.
Written by: Lee South Africa
ARTIST: Charlie
ALBUM: Charlie
LABEL: Mirage
SERIAL: 90098
YEAR: 1983
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
LINEUP: Terry Wilson Slesser – vocals * Terry Thomas – guitars, vocals * John Anderson – bass, vocals * Steve Gadd, Bob Henrit – drums
Additional Musicians: Richard Cottle – saxophone, keyboards * Andy Clark, Adrian Lee, Chris Parren – keyboards * Nick Payne – saxophone
TRACK LISTING: 01 It’s Inevitable * 02 Tempted * 03 Spend My Life With You * 04 Never Too Late * 05 Playing To Win * 06 The Heartaches Begin * 07 You’re Everything I Need * 08 This Time * 09 Can’t Wait Til Tomorrow
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
By 1983 Charlie had embraced the American AOR dream with a passion and were producing albums of frequent quality, perfect FM rock radio. This was a positive move and the band found increasing airplay with the commercial sound. The music on ‘Charlie’ was even smoother than that on ‘Good Morning America’ and ‘Here Comes Trouble’.
The band even found themselves on MTV courtesy of the moderately hit single ‘It’s Inevitable’. Terry Slesser had replaced John Verity on vocals, and gave that American feel to the singing. Terry Thomas had wanted to assume lead vocals but had been told by their American management he wasn’t good enough!
The Songs
‘It’s Inevitable kicks it off, a song that deserved it’s minor hit status. The song is an up tempo rocker with the great layered harmonies expected of the lads. The same can be said of ‘Tempted’ which follows the same path with a superb chorus. ‘Spend My Life With You’ is more mid tempo, but with a beautiful verse and if anything these guys were on a roll.
‘Never Too Late’ features a highly dramatic bridge, with synth work that stabs over and over. Side one ends with another ultra melodic classic ‘Playing To Win’. The buildup to the chorus is almost palpable in its tension, it fits perfectly. The background vocals are so rich in melody you might overdose of an AOR attack! And this is only side one!
Not to worry because side two is every bit as memorable, notably ‘This Time’ and ‘Can’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow’, undeniable AOR feasts which can be described as any of the previous songs.
In Summary
Charlie would release one more album during the 80’s: 1986’s ‘In Pursuit Of Romance’, that was essentially a Terry Thomas solo project. ‘Charlie’ was the bands defining moment as an AOR outfit, and it shames so many bands like Styx, Toto and Kansas, who were the commercial forebearers of the genre, but among the more tepid.
Fortunately this album has made an appearance on CD, Renaissance’s version is readily available, but I think the West German Polydor versions from the 80’s are of a better quality. For those that haven’t heard this, I hope for your sake you find it. If not, check out the YTM link underneath.
Charlie on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
