Charlie
Lines

I really want to see who knows these Charlie! I bought the record for the irresistible cover: note the girl with her legs exposed holding the barrel of a ballpoint pen. It is known to be useful for the following things: shooting small paper balls like a blowpipe, producing myriad bubbles by blowing into a glass full of water and soap, and snorting very sought-after, expensive, and insidious powders after arranging them in lines or trails, i.e., small elongated piles. The album title suggests in which of the three situations the pretty girl is imagined.

The Charlie, from England, was the youthful creation of Terry Thomas, future producer for Bad Company, Giant, and others, a guitarist, composer, and singer whose talent was far from boundless (definitely better as a producer, where he would display a dry and balanced taste). There are five in the band, the bassist is named John Anderson, the drummer named Steve Gadd, but it seems certain he isn't the grand American musician, session man with Steely Dan, Clapton, Paul Simon, etc. On keyboards is Julian Colbeck, who in the nineties would join Steve Hackett's group, and there is also a second guitarist (despite the surname) Eugene Organ.

The pop rock of Charlie is as inoffensive as one can hear: muted guitars, layers of competent but uninspired electric piano and organ, slick three-part harmonies whenever possible, and decidedly unremarkable lead vocals. A rock with all its edges smoothed out, very politically correct, with an American, Californian, Los Angeles flavor, and indeed, Charlie found solid reception and charted mostly in those parts.

Third of a considerable eight albums released between 1976 and 1986, "Lines" has its best moments in "L.A. Dreamer," developed from a piano idea by Kolbeck on the Fender Rhodes, which was very fashionable in those years. Good also "I Like To Rock And Roll" even though it's a beautiful lie; it would have been better titled I Like Pop and Roll. The opening track "She Loves To Be In Love" did very well at the time in the singles market. The only ballad, among many mid-tempos and moderate funky touches, is titled "Keep Me In Mind," and it deftly unfolds between layers of Rhodes, electric guitar chimes, and a final sax solo.

Terry Thomas has recently seemed to disappear; there is no fresh news about his activities. Kolbeck has over the years made a name for himself as a writer: technical books on keyboards and synthesizers, but also a biography of Zappa. John Anderson hung up the Fender Bass long ago and works in the telecommunications sector. Steve Gadd has eight years in the payroll of Iron Maiden in his curriculum, first as a trusted technician for drummer Nicko McBrain and later as a Tour Manager. Finally, Eugene Organ married an American and lives in California restoring old Cadillacs.

Almost impossible to find in Italy the original CD or LP of this work. You'll need help from the Internet.