Album review: MANNY CHARLTON – Sharp/Sharp Reloaded

Manny Charlton - Sharp/Sharp Reloaded

(2-CD) Angel Air Records [Release date 01.09.14]

Original Nazareth guitarist (and oft songwriter and producer) Manny was instrumental in Nazareth’s sound and success throughout the 70s and 80s. His bluesy guitar augmented McCafferty’s gravelly vocals perfectly.

Since he left the band in 1990, Charlton has recorded a number of albums, both solo and as The Manny Charlton Band.  These two (largely) covers sets were recorded and released in the mid 00s, and see Manny handling the lion’s share of the vocals and bass as well as all the guitar duties.

Sharp, recorded with drummer / percussionist Steve Froese (and bassist Billy Pixel on two tracks), has an almost stripped down feel and opens with a wonderful take on the Spencer Davis Group’s ‘Muddy Water’, and Dylan’s ‘All Along The Watchtower’ is another great song.

Manny has obviously tried to do these tracks how he wants to, deliberately veering away from the well known arrangements, so don’t go expecting the tracks as you already know them.

The guitar work is excellent, and at times intricate. It’s also a far cry from the 70s Nazareth; this is a modern and new feel.

Burnt Sienna and In Her Eyes are two of the new tracks that fit in well with the whole album’s direction and feel. The bluesier Rollin’n’ Tumblin’ sees a burst or two of slide guitar, and reminds you with a kick up the arse just what a good blues player Charlton is. And Nazareth’s Please Don’t Judas Me (covered because Nazareth never played it live and Manny wanted another crack) is a great and underrated song.

Sharp Re-Loaded, again featuring Froese, along with guest drummers on two tracks, and Emil Gammeltoft on a cover of Nazareth’s ‘Fallen Angel’. This CD kicks off with Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’, and a take on Nazareth’s ‘Cinema’ features a ballsy crash bang wallop. Another stand out is The Byrds’ ‘So You Want To Be A Rock’n'Roll Star’ (part of which was originally used in Nazareth’s ‘Telegram’).  Again the arrangements here are vastly different.

Both albums feature a couple of extra tracks and in the booklet there’s an intro by Manny and notes to some of the tracks. Bar a lack of notes to all of the tracks, this is a good touch and adds to a decent package.

A little off the beaten track but a wonderful listen.  ****

Review by Joe Geesin


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 5 March 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply