Charlene's Songs of Love (USA 1976)

Pure seventies pop bliss here.  Also a complete change in direction.

Readers of these pages will understand I have a soft spot for this style of music, having been quite young when exposed to, and thus imprinting on, Olivia Newton-John and similars (on these pages, cf. Mariangela, or the Allee Willis demos).  The song "Never Been To Me" of course was a monster hit not just back then but again in the late nineties with its use in the Aussie movie "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert."  But it seems that, setting that aside, the remainder of the record is completely lost, or at least was completely lost, to time's digitizing tendencies, despite the possibility there could have been other material on it worth hearing.  Most of the LP, incl. that song, was written by the team of Ron Miller (also producer, along with the legendary Barry Gordy) and Ken Hirsch.  Note the cover of a really under-rated Stevie Wonder composition, one of those we never hear on the radio, satellite or otherwise: "I love you more each day."  [Was that one from Music of my Mind?  Certainly from his early 70s heyday.]

Of course, a lot could be said in complaint about this record, and I hope no one will be impolite enough to initiate those issues, but the biggest point of detraction perhaps is that every song sounds the same.  The opening with a tinkly upper treble piano (e.g. I honestly love you) that builds up inevitably to the loudly belted out chorus, Celine Dion-style, becomes a bit much by the end.  The track called "Rings" though is absolutely adorable in the usual 70s naive pop way, as the different rings (i.e. telephone rings, doorbell rings) follow each other to the inevitable conclusion:





Note how cleverly the arrangement uses syncopated/polyrhythmed xylophone (or vibes) tinkling on top to represent the bells.  As well, her harmony vocals give it an extra interest in that they are, at least I think they are, separated by a sixth rather than the third (or triad chords) one would have expected.  A sparklingly brilliant bottle of pop, it's a song written I take it by Eddie Reeves and Alex Harvey, for the former's wedding.  It was first performed in 1971 by an artist I didn't know, called Cymarron.  This version though is a distinct improvement on the original simple, more countryish rendition, being favourably treated by the very professional studio arrangement.  The craft of songwriting at its most magical best, courtesy of the 70s...

As is so common in pop history, she never managed to 'get past' her super-hit and to this day she is really only known, or cursed, for this.