Charlies

Introduction to Charlies' Soundtrack

In 1970, the Finnish band Charlies released the soundtrack for the film Julisteiden Liimaajat (translated as The Billposters). Directed by Tuomo-Juhani Vuorenmaa, this film is based on a novel by Michel del Castillo. The soundtrack was issued by Anar Cinema, a small label, and has since become a collector's item.

Film Context and Reception

The film premiered at the first Tampere Short Film Festival on February 21, 1970. Despite its initial screening, the audience reaction was largely negative, leading to the cancellation of commercial screenings by distributor Suomi-Filmi. The film eventually found a limited audience through special screenings in Tampere and Turku.

Musical Composition

The soundtrack includes six original tracks recorded by the band. The songs are written by Charlies and showcase a blend of rock genres, including blues rock, hard rock, and psychedelic rock. Noteworthy is the side-long track "Sunshine Supergirl," which extends for 18 minutes. The recording sessions were overseen by producer Pekka Nurmikallio.

Additional Material

The album features bonus tracks from earlier and later sessions. These include songs recorded in 1968, such as "Morning In Your Heart," and covers from 1969, including "I'm So Glad" and "Rock Me Baby." The 1970 sessions yielded more original compositions, adding depth to the album.

Band Personnel

Charlies consisted of Eero Ravi on guitar, Kari Lehtinen on bass, and Ari Ahlgren on drums. Vellu Lehtinen contributed harmonica and lead vocals on several tracks, while Juha Saali provided lead vocals on others. This lineup contributed to the diverse sound of the album.

Rarity and Reissues

Original vinyl copies of the soundtrack became rare and have been valued in the hundreds of euros. The album was reissued on CD in 1993, including the additional session recordings. It was later released again on vinyl in 2014, allowing new listeners to access this unique piece of Finnish music history.

Final Detail

The album features a total of six core tracks recorded for the film.