Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Between 1984 to 1989 brilliantly gifted singer/songwriter Charlie Peacock cut many demos in his effort to land a recording contract after his release from Island Records. Yet the record deal never happened and finally in 1988, to fulfil a promise he'd made to his fans at the Cornerstone Festival, Charlie released the first privately produced volume of The West Coast Diaries'. Of such things record-collecting legends are born and the album, and the two that followed, are absorbing insights into the creative development of a man who put more song writing craft and rock arrangement expertise in his pitch-for-a-deal demos than most artists managed in big budget masters. Vol 1 of West Coast Diaries' is an excellent set featuring much tasty guitar from Charlie's long-time sidekick Jimmy Abegg and the 77's Mike Roe with several songs eventually to appear on the classic '1990 album The Secret Of Time'. Volume 2 was recorded live, with the exception of two songs, with Jimmy A, Vince Ebo and Charlie performing as a raw and superbly soulful acoustic trio. Volume three are more studio demos with some curiosities too like a rendition of Simon & Garfunkle's "Mrs. Robinson". These albums, helpfully presented to a wider public through Charlie's deal with Sparrow, aren't simply collectors items for super-fans and completists. They each contain fine performances and songs from one of Christendom's richest talents

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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