Customer Reviews

No Second Chance / Lines

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have no way of knowing what sources were used for this CD, all I know is they shouldn't have bothered. Like others, I was psyched to see these albums released on CD. Unfortunately the sound quality of the recording makes this CD unlistenable. Lines far worse than No Second Chance. Think dirty (pun unintended) record recorded through a blanket. There is a new greatest hits that was just released that may be of higher quality. Pick up a used LP and old turntable if you want to hear these songs without cringing. A real let down.

This is probably the second best of the CHARLIE albums but once again that notorious label RENAISSANCE has ruined it!
This is one sorry mess sonically. This label would be wise to fire all their existing "techs" in their so-called studio's and replace them with some people who have a clue.
As is, LINES sounds like it was dubbed from an old cassette on a 1975 Montgomery Wards cassette player.

I will always have a place in my heart for this band because it reminds me of growing up in Chicago in the 1970's. Progressive radio staitions like WXRT would play bands on the fringe (like Charlie!)

They never became popular although their albums were always prominently displayed in record stores because they featured such hot, hot girls on the album covers. It was a good gimmick (just ask Roxy Music).

"Lines" I think, was their standout work.

The best song "She loves to be in love" did receive a little airplay. Other good songs off of the cd are "LA Dreamer", "Lifes So Cruel" and "I like to Rock and Roll". "Watching TV" is enjoyable because of references to (for the time) contemporary tv shows. A younger listener will have no idea as to the mention of those shows.

Charlie was made up of studio musicians. They had the chops but the songs did lack the a certain degree of heart and soul of a conventional band. Their music is in the same vein as mellow Steely Dan.

The music is certainly of fine quality but I do not think that anyone unfamiliar will be turned on to this group. If you are a 40 something, avid music fan that tried different music when you were young, then this will be very nostalgic since I am sure that the albums have been out of print for decades.

When I listen to this cd, I do not know if I dig the music or if it just makes me feel 16 again. You always will have an affinity for music from your youth!

Lines is one of the best albums of the 70's. I never heard No Second Chance until I bought this 2-cd set.I like it too.The song LA Dreamer has the Fender Rhodes sound of the seventies nailed.Life So Cruel is great pop.The sonic quality of the original LP was superb.The problem with this cd set is the sound.It is muffled,yet it still has hiss.They didnt use the master tape, they must have had a bad copy.If you have a computer, mixer and a turntable,you have an opportunity to make a much better recording than this yourself.Nonetheless, this is a great CD since most people ditched their far-superior turntables.

No Second Chance is in my personal top 10 favorite albums of all time. The harmony vocals on this album are something you have got to hear for yourself. It is incredible the way they sound so smooth and tightly woven together on songs like Don't Look Back and No Second Chance just to a name a couple. This band does an incredible job of mixing things up on this album, from the funky guitar rythyms on songs like No Second Chance to the good rock guitars on Johnny Hold Back to the spacious rock guitars leads on the heart wrenching song Thirteen. If you listen closely, they even slip in some fantastic horns once or twice. In my opinion as a self proclaimed music connoisseur, this album is a must for any music lovers collection. I think it is well described by the name of a radio show I once heard the album played on called Rare But Well Done. Somebody please get this album reissued. I have worn out several cassettes and my vinyl is not going to hold up forever.

The use of intertwining melodies and differing music styles is above par. I've been trying to get this album on CD for months; to no avail, please help. AMAZON get with it.

Any fan of Charlie knows that their debut 'Fantasy Girls' is the definite Charlie cd to own. No Second Chance/Lines are not up to the usual standards, too many sappy ballads and slow songs. Neither disc will win any sonic awards either. Both are in bad need of a proper remastering/remixing. As I recall, 'Lines' spent a lot of time in the cut-out bins, back in the lp days. The band lost direction with Lines and their hard edge and sadly declined from there. Only 'In Pursuit Of Romance' harkened back to the 'old' Charlie days. But without proper distribution, Charlie is not well known.

Saw this band in '77 at East Carolina University. Opening act for Styx on the Grand Illusion tour. Introduced "From London England, Charlie". They put on the best show of an opening act I've ever seen. Immediately bought everything I could find, on vinyl. Please get this in stock.

I graduated in 78 and never knew these guys existed! I guess they didn't get much air time in America?
Anyway, I'm having so much fun going thru these two albums. Great melodies, guitar work and vocal harmonies!!

There are things in life that realy gives you the idea that time isn't the master of all controls. Still remember the first time i listened to Charlie's Thirteen from No Second Chance-album. At that point wanted them all -import USA-. The albums are long worn out and it wasn't possible to get a new LP or cd. Years later i have discovered Charlie again and it feels the same as back in the seventies. Some bands (City Boy) of those days still got the magic of all times and need A Second Chance.

Some things in life never change and that's Charlie.