Artist: Charlee, Album: Charlee, Song: Lord Knows I've Won

Charlee were a three piece rock band from Montreal led by guitar virtuoso Walter Rossi.  Walter's first gig was with Wilson Pickett in the mid to late sixties when he was only eighteen.  He toured all over the U.S. and Canada with the Wicked Pickett before deciding to return to Montreal and aid his ailing father.  He also spent some time with Buddy Miles, the drummer for Electric Flag and Jimi Hendrix's Band Of Gypsies.  He's jammed with Hendrix and opened for the Doors and Steppenwolf.  This particular release by Charlee was in 1972 and was the band's only album I believe.  He was actually courted by a number of well known musicians who wanted him to play in their bands including David Bowie, Three Dog Night and Janis Joplin.  One listen to the song, Lord Knows I've Won, and you will know why.  I believe this track was released as a single from the album as well.  Walter would go on to release seven solo albums, his most recent in 2004.  He was nominated for Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year in 1978 and 1980.  He lost to David Bradstreet in 1978 but won the award in 1980.  You can read about Walter at http://www.walterrossi.net/.  You can  hear the song, Lord Knows I've Won, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7F6quVYKMY).  Charlee's self titled debut is a difficult find today.  It can be purchased on CD thanks to a German re-issue.  However, there are two possible album cover graphics for this release which can get a bit confusing.  The version available on CD uses the U.S. release graphic depicting the band in cartoon form.  At the time of this blog, there were copies trading on Amazon and Ebay between $20 and $60.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!