Sung in English by a heavily-accented, non-native singer,
the four songs are tales of love dedicated to Francisco’s newly-adopted home in
the Channel Islands, and to the most important women in his life.
Jersey’s Love (subtitled ‘Song of the Summer’) would
probably be more correctly titled Jersey Is Love, although Francisco’s delivery
makes it difficult to understand what the lyric writer was after. As the sleeve
announces, the song is both ‘dedicated to those in love’ and ‘very personal’,
phrases that could just as easily apply to the other cuts on the EP: Time Of
Love For Evelyn, Date In New Street, and She Is Gone.
Francesc Xavier Charles Gòdia was born in Alcarràs, Lleida,
on 16 November 1945, and is better known as Frank Charles. Starting his
recording career in Madrid in 1966, and issuing a Spanish-language version of Winchester
Cathedral the following year, he became a well-known face on Spanish TV,
appearing on many talent and musical shows, performing around the country and
winning awards. During the 1970s he appeared with the group Francis Charles y
sus Cinco Go Gos (Francis Charles and his Five Go Gos) and spent three years
living and working in London, appearing on UK television programmes alongside
Cliff Richard and Tom Jones.
In the 1980s he moved to Jersey, making a home on the island
and becoming well known as a singer in local restaurants, hotels, and cabarets.
In 1982, the same year that he recorded the four cuts I present for you today, he
was hosting Spanish-themed dinner and dance nights at the Panorama Restaurant
in Ouaisne Bay.
I would love to be able to tell you why he recorded this EP
under the pseudonym Francisco Javier, when he was still working on the island as
Frank Charles. This becomes more of a conundrum when you discover that his next
release, the 1986 single Himne D´Estat Català was credited to Francesc
Xavier Charles, and that, following that release, he would revert back to his
Frank Charles persona. My assumption is that he was under contract to a Spanish
label as Frank Charles, so had to issue this self-penned, self-financed single
under a different name… but perhaps someone out there knows the whole story?
Now living in Barcelona, over the years Frank has written
songs in honour of the Barcelona Olympics, Barcelona FC, Jersey, Madeira, and
even Diana, Princess of Wales: according to Frank’s website, Tears And White
Roses For A Caring Princess ‘was recognised by Tony Blair and Bill Clinton
and Harrods department store,’ the latter, one assumes, for services to the Al
Fayed family. His most recent success was the 2012 composition The Scent Of
London, apparently ‘the first song dedicated to the London Olympic Games,
credited and recognised by Queen Elizabeth II and Boris Johnson, [the then] Mayor
of London.’ It’s clear Boris had not heard Jersey’s Love though, as both
songs use the same tune and arrangement… which begs the question, why not call
it London’s Love?
Now in his late 70s, Frank is still performing today, 55 years after he made his debut. Check out his YouTube channel HERE
Download Jersey HERE
Download Evelyn HERE
Download New Street HERE
Download Gone HERE
