Description
The self-titled, sophomore full-length album by the American singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and producer Charlie Peacock was released by Exit Records in September 1986, manufactured by Island Records and distributed by Atco Records in the US, a division of Atlantic Recording Corporation. (Distributed by Atlantic Records Corp., a Warner Communications Company.) The album was recorded by Nigel Gray and Daryl Zachman at Exit Studio in Sacramento, California; and as well over in England at Surrey Sound Studios in Leatherhead; and was produced and mixed by Gray. (Nigel Gray was a British producer known for his works with British bands like The Police and Siouxsie and the Banshees.) Co-produced by Charlie Peacock and Brent Bourgeois who also orchestrated and performed the keyboard parts and sang backing vocals. All songs written by Charlie Peacock. A review of the album featured in the “recommend section” of the October 25, 1986 issue of Billboard Magazine, stated that a “talented singer/songwriter/keyboardist offers auspicious debut with a sound that demonstrates the influence of the Police. Strong throughout.”
In May 1986 Lou Maglia was hired to head the British based Island Records’ US operation. Later the same year Maglia signed Charlie Peacock to Island Records (along with other Exit acts the 77s and Robert Vaughn and The Shadows), having brought Island Records’ boss Chris Blackwell out to Sacramento, California, the residence of Exit Records, to hear them play. The bulk of the self-titled Charlie Peacock album was originally recorded for A&M Records and initially slated to appear on an album tentatively entitled Town Hall. Though upon hearing the finished master, A&M declined to release it. (“I remember flying to France with my producer Nigel Gray to present the record to the A&M office in Paris. The fellow listened to a few songs then took it off and asked me if I had any songs that used nonsense syllables. He said they really go for that kind of stuff in France…” – CP) Island Records licensed the recording for release, dropped the title, and made various changes in song selection including adding a reworked version of “Lie Down in the Grass” (the title cut from Peacock’s full-length solo debut album). The album track “Down In The Lowlands” was later covered by Russ Taff on his self-titled album released on Myrrh Records in 1987. In 2025, Charlie Peacock released an acoustic version of “Counting The Cost” as a digital single.
During this period of time the Charlie Peacock Group toured all over the US sharing bills with bands like The Fixx, General Public, Let’s Active, and Missing Persons. The band was as well support for well known artists like The Hooters and Bob Marley.
Eclectic pop stylist Charlie Peacock returns with the follow-up to is much-praised ‘Lie Down in the Grass‘. Introducing Peacock to a whole new audience on this Island debut, ‘Charlie Peacock’ finds the artist, enriched by childhood memories of idealism and wonder, facing the complexity of adult realities, both the sadness and gladness of life in the real world.
Where ‘Lie Down’ succeeded largely due to the novelty of Peacock’s innovative compositions with their quirkiness and unexpected surprises, this second effort relies on the more trustworthy pop song format. Initially ‘Charlie Peacock’ fortifies memorable pop hooks with consistently interesting and danceable rhythms and lush synthetic orchestrations that invite deeper consideration and participation. Finally, the familiar feel of this music provides a tone of comfort which enables a shift of focus to the lyrics and message of these songs. Indeed, as the opening track suggests, this time out Charlie Peacock is the «Message Boy».
«It’s No Surprise» and «My People» offer the most focused example of Peacock’s concern for his audience “in matters of the heart and soul.” The funky reworking of «Lie Down in the Grass» and «Dizzy Dean Movie» show how childhood memories impact an adult faith and world view. «Down in the Lowlands» from the black gospel tradition and «I Will Need Your Help» point to faith and dependence on God to get us beyond the obvious circumstances of our human existence.
Peacock’s keen insights are communicated with greater poignancy and clarity than before, and, while the element of surprise is no longer in effect, the songs themselves are no less delightful than those on ‘Lie Down’. An artist of consummate potential, Charlie Peacok joins creative and commercial sensibilities, spiritually adept lyrics, and a persona that is at once appealing, entertaining, and compelling. ‘Charlie Peacock’ is a fine creative work. [Brian Quincy Newcomb, CCM, December 1986]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/charlie-peacock-remastered/1511208456)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Message Boy” – 4:11
A2. “Counting The Cost” – 4:12
A3. “Down In The Lowlands” – 5:02
A4. “Lie Down In The Grass” – 3:22
A5. “It’s No Surprise” – 4:16
Side Two
B1. “Dizzy Dean Movie” – 3:37
B2. “Forever Strangers” – 3:25
B3. “I Will Need Your Help” – 3:21
B4. “My People” – 3:25
B5. “Conversing With Mercy” – 5:09
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Exit/Island Records. Remastered by Gil Gowing and re-issued on CD by Charlie Peacock in 1999 as a part of his CP Collector Series, featuring all the master recordings produced for this project – from its inception at A&M to its final release on Island Records in November of 1986. Includes four bonus tracks not included on the original Island Records release; “Message Boy” (Video Remix), “Riding Into Wonderland”, “Already I’m Falling”, and “Waiting On The Perfect Moment”.
Charlie Peacock with producer Nigel Gray at Surrey Sound in Leatherhead, England.
All In The Family. Celebrating the Exit/Island Records association in New York are, front row from left, Exit chief executive officer Mary Neely; Exit /Island artist Charlie Peacock; and Island president Lou Maglia. Rear: Island’s vice presidents Joel Webber and Jim Swindel. Peacock’s album will be the first release under the new pact. (Billboard Magazine, September 20, 1986)
“Message Boy” (MUSIC VIDEO)
— covers —
CREDITS. Produced and Mixed by Nigel Gray. Co-produced by Charlie Peacock and Brent Bourgeois who also orchestrated and performed the keyboard parts and sang backing vocals. Tracks A1, A4, and B5 were produced by Peacock. Recorded at Exit Records Studio, Sacramento, California, and at Surrey Sound Studios, Leatherhead, England. Engineered by Nigel Gray and Daryl Zachman, assisted in Leatherhead by Martin Heyes and Jim Ebdon. Digitally mastered by Brian Gardner at Bernie Grundman Mastering. Edited at Digital Magnetics. Artwork, Design and Layout by Marty Gessler. Photography by Michael Jang. Photo Assistance by Steve Holsapple. Executive Produced: Mary Neely. Executive Coordinator: Jan Volz. All songs written by Charlie Peacock.
Musicians: Charlie Peacock and Brent Bourgeois orchestrated and performed the keyboard parts, John Weber (Keyboards – tracks: A1, Additional Keyboards on track A4), Stan Mark (Trumpet on track A1), Shelley Denny (Trombone on track A1), Michael Butera (Saxophone solo on track A1), Larry Lunetta (Trumpet on track A4), Lyle Workman (Guitar – tracks: A2, A3, B2, B3, B5), Michael Roe (Guitar on track A4 and A5), Phil Palmer (Guitar on track B1), Michael Miller (Guitar on track A1 and B4), Jim Abegg (Guitar on track A1, Acoustic Guitar on track A4), Randy Jackson (Bass – tracks: A2, B1, B2, B3, B4), Eric Heilman (Bass on track A3 and B5, Z-Bass on track B4), Daryl C. Anders (Bass on track A1 and A4), Mike Urbano (Drums – tracks: A2, B1, B2, B3, B4, Beat Box on track A3), Bruce Spencer (Drums on track A1 and A4), Bongo Bob Smith (Berimbau on track A3, Percussion – tracks: A4, A5, B1), Aaron Smith (Beat Box on track A3), Steve Griffith (Tom Toms on track A4). Backing Vocals: Track A1: Brent Bourgeois and Kathy Melberg. Track A3: Girls Chorus – Kathy Melberg, Shelley Burns, Clarice Jones (Soloist). Track A4: Michael Roe and Steve Griffith. Track B3: Girls Chorus – Kathy Melberg, Shelley Burns, Clarice Jones. Track B4: Mixed Chorus – Brent Bourgeois, Cory Fite, Kathy Melberg.
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