Album Review: You've Been Away Too Long / Lovely Linda by Gary Charles (1971)
Alright, buckle up, because we’re diving into a slice of 1971 German pop-rock goodness courtesy of Gary Charles and his snazzy little ditty-filled record. Released on Philips Records, this baby is like that quirky friend who shows up uninvited but somehow steals the show anyway. Produced by R.J. Scott, it’s got just two tracks—“Lovely Linda” and “You’ve Been Away Too Long”—but don’t let the brevity fool you. Sometimes less is more, right?
First off, let’s talk about “Lovely Linda.” If this song were a person, she’d be the one at the party wearing an outfit so effortlessly cool you’d want to hate her—but can’t, ‘cause she’s just too darn likable. The vocal delivery here feels smooth as butter melting over toast, with a melody that worms its way into your brain faster than you can say "earworm." It's catchy without being obnoxious, which is harder to pull off than it sounds. I swear, every time I hear it, I find myself humming along like some kinda tone-deaf karaoke champion. Hats off to Gary for crafting something so simple yet ridiculously memorable.
Then there’s “You’ve Been Away Too Long,” which hits different. This track has a bit more weight to it—like when someone tells you they miss you, but they really mean it. There’s a raw honesty in the lyrics, paired with a rock edge that sneaks up on ya. The guitar work isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to; it just vibes. By the second chorus, you’ll probably feel like grabbing your air guitar and pretending you're headlining Woodstock. Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, it sticks with you long after the needle lifts off the record.
Now, sure, this album might not change your life or anything, but it’s got charm—and charm counts for a lot. Listening to these tracks feels like flipping through an old photo album: nostalgic, slightly grainy around the edges, but full of character. Plus, it makes you wonder what could’ve been if Gary Charles had dropped more tunes back in the day. Would he have become a household name? Who knows!
Here’s the kicker though—the whole thing leaves you craving more. Not just from Gary, but from music itself. And isn’t that what great art does? Makes you hungry for stuff you didn’t even know you wanted. So grab yourself a copy of this gem if you stumble across it. Just don’t blame me if “Lovely Linda” ends up haunting your dreams—or worse, your shower singing sessions.
Final thought: Why aren’t more albums named after sandwiches? Food for thought.
