The Albums of Winter : **** Great Balls of Fire *** Good Vibrations ** Maybe Baby * Running on Empty

CHARLIE SEXTON “Charlie Sexton.” MCA

** 1/2

Sal, babes, have you heard this kid, here, Charlie Sexton? That’s right, kid . Yeah, he’s all of 20 years old now and this is his second album already. Right, babes, “Pictures for Pleasure” was the first, and “Beat’s So Lonely” was the hit offa that.

So, Sal, babes, you gotta hear this second album. I’m tellin’ ya, this kid can’t miss. Looks like Matt Dillon--the movie star, not the TV cowboy, Sal--sings like David Bowie, plays the hell outta that guitar, too. I mean, he’s from Texas, they got ‘em comin’ outta the wallpaper down there, right?

And the production, Sal. Bob Clearmountain and Tony Berg, babes. Oh yeah. Top flight. All the way. I’m tellin’ ya, jumps right offa the disc.

The tunes? Sal, have you heard “Don’t Look Back”? Yeah, that’s what we’re comin with for the first single. Whaddya mean, sounds like the other hit? That’s the point, Sal, we’re tryin’ to establish a sound for this kid. Whaddya mean, could be Billy Idle for all you know? When’s his next record comin’ out--1990? You think kids are out there holdin’ their breath till then? Sal, babes .

Whaddya mean, ya heard the record and forgot it? How about the ballads? Sal, did ya listen to the lyrics? This kid’s gotta anti-nuke tune here. And what about survivin’ on the streets of Hollywood? This is very strong stuff, Sal. This record rocks, this record kicks ass, this is a very important record, Sal. Sal? Sal ?

Sal, babes, tell me you could hear a train comin’. . . .