Review Text
Charlie's Karp's music career began while still a teenager in 1970 when he was chosen to record with Buddy Miles. Charlie recorded four albums with the renowned drummer in two years including the legendary Them Changes. He toured internationally with Miles, including opening for Jimi Hendrix, then left to form his own band White Chocolate and signed to RCA in 1972. Later that year he also recorded Vindicater with Arthur Lee of Love fame. Seymour Stein signed him to Sire in 1975, where Karp would begin writing for other artists and continued to write into the eighties penning songs for Joan Jett and Aerosmith's Joe Perry. He continued to record and perform, but from the 90s on he was known as an EMMY award-winning music producer for sports networks, documentaries, and feature films. Charlie passed away on March 10th, three months prior to the release of what are his final solo recordings. Back To You features an A-List of New York musicians, three of whom are known for their work with the late Johnny Winter; bassist Scott Spray, saxophonist Jo Meo (also a past member of The Tonight Show Orchestra), and drummer Bobby Torello. The album also includes a special guest appearance by vocalist Christine Ohlman (Saturday Night Live Band). Along with the nine great originals, Charlie left us with two terrific cover interpretations, his gritty-blues take on the Beatles' I Want To Hold Your Hand, and a bluesy, soulful rendition of the Danny Kay -Kelly Gordon classic, That's Life, featuring a superb horn section (arranged by Meo) and background vocals from Carole Sylvan.
