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Plain and Fancy

Music gives soul to universe, wings to mind, flight to imagination, charm to sadness, and life to everything.

Plato

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Jan And Lorraine - Gypsy People (1969 uk, exotic psych folk)



"If I had my life to live over, I wouldn't be anyone else but me," Jan & Lorraine enthusiastically proclaim on "Break Out the Wine," the opening track on the duo's sole release, 1969's Gypsy People. The pair's origin is obscure, and although the set was recorded in London, slotting neatly into the contemporary British folk-prog scene, their accents tell another tale, with some evidence now suggesting they hailed from Canada.

The duo certainly exuded a New World exuberance, particularly on the rollicking "Wine" and the ragtime rave-up of "Old Tyme Movie." The childlike delight that wraps around "Number 33," the soulfulness of "Foolin' Myself," and the intensity with which they deliver both "Life's Parade" and the acid-laced "The Assignment Song-Sequence" are also far removed from the usual fare found at an English fayre. And it's the intensity of the multi-instrumentalist pair's delivery that sets Jan & Lorraine apart, with the women attacking both their vocals and guitars in particular with absolute gusto.

There are, however, decidedly British elements leaking into the set as well, notably the orchestral strings that wrap around "Bird of Passage" and the sitar and tablas that shade the title track. Although supported by a clutch of guest musicians, Jan & Lorraine still asserted their independence. In a day when women artists had little control over their music, the pair not only penned the bulk of the set, they arranged it all. And it's here the duo truly excelled, for the use of instrumentation is inspired, each song carefully crafted to create maximum effect.

The whistles, kazoo, and jazzy piano that capture Hollywood's yesteryear, the subtle use of organ to build up the excitement of "Song-Sequence," the pulsing bassline that floods "Wine," and the otherworldly atmosphere they create on "Gypsy People" all highlight the strength of the duo's sound and vision. Like the Gypsies themselves, the pair's past was shrouded in mystery, and once they packed up and left, their future destination was equally unknown. But Jan & Lorraine left behind a stunning, fiery album, as thrilling and exotic as a Gypsy dance.
by Jo-Ann Greene


Tracks
1. Break Out the Wine (Keelan) - 3:08
2. Bird of Passage (LeFevre) - 3:56
3. Gypsy People (Chapman, Graham) - 5:03
4. Foolin' Myself (Hendin) - 2:38
5. Old Tyme Movie (LeFevre) - 3:10
6. Life's Parade (LeFevre) - 2:39
7. Snow Roses (LeFevre) - 3:05
8. The Assignment Song-Sequence (Hendin) - 8:59
9. Number 33 (Hendin) - 1:41
10.Don't You Feel Fine? (Keelan) - 2:26

Musicians
*Jan Hendin - 12 String Acoustic, Electric Guitar, Kazoo, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, Vocals
*Lorraine Lefevre - 12 String Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
*Nazir Jair Azbhoy - Tamboura, Tambourine
*Clem Cattini - Drums
*Terry Cox - Percussion
*Road Minfield - Percussion
*Brian Odgers - Bass
*Kesh Sathie - Tabla

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13 comments:

  1. Well, is it only me with these problems or it's only me complaining? 45kBs is the DL speed.
    It will take two hours if it will go through in one piece, if not...
    Can you change the DL site or that means an extra cost to you (which of course would be too much to ask)?

    ReplyDelete
  2. @echoes, count your blessings, man. Depositfiles is 7.6kB/s at my end, which will take me about 7 hours, if i suffer that long. what can you do, man....;-(

    ReplyDelete
  3. yes deposit seems "working" slowly than a snail and I'm downloading the mp3 file only.
    I know since megaupload problems servers are surcharged but since always trying to sell more and more premiums.
    Since I download one server is free, works correctly even with several files MEDIAFIRE.
    Thanks for all good albums posted in flac and mp3.

    ReplyDelete
  4. sorry I wasn't remembering the file was in flac,because I began the download 3 hours ago and made a little siesta of 2 hours.
    Only 130 MO downloaded for the moment.
    I tried the others link but also 2 hours announced.
    It must be a general problem with servers.
    I think better thing is to remember where is my cd and to look for it.

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  5. Hi My Friends,
    I understand you completely, a big problem raised after the closure of many file hosting sites, unfortunately many big servers shut down, some smaller servers are unable to cope with the needs of the capacity of my uploads. About a month I was a premium member in 4 different file hosting sites (that means for me more expensive, beside all the others), unfortunately two of them failed to respond my needs, one even blocked my uploads because they didn’t have much space in their server! So only two (those who I collaborate now) can serve and store my files, but the problem with them is that, both are very slow to download.
    I'm trying the best.
    Thank you all for your support.

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  6. Hey, Marios,
    first of all let me thank you for all the good music that you have already shared with us.
    I didn't want to complain against you, just wanted to see if we have the same problems. And I see now that this is our common big problem.
    And, at the end of the day, even if it takes time it's still better than nothing.
    So thank you again and hope that you will not give up.

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  7. Hey! just wanted to see if you might be interested in writing a quick review of your favourite Canadian recording of all time for my site, www.songforawintersnight.com. If so you can reach me at songforawintersnight@gmail.com

    Thanks!
    Will.

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  8. Many thanks Marios for this rare british psychedelic folk. Any chance for Sandy Denny & The Strawbs "All Our Own Work: The Complete Sessions" Witchwood Media?

    P.S.
    At these times u/l & d/l are very difficult, depositfile at least has the resume function (that did not for example rapidshare)

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  9. ευχαριστώ και πάλι.

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  10. .....Jan...Lorraine...Reupeople......

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  11. got the chance ro order one of the left original vinyls one month ago, such a lovly record, love every inch of this music.....also the voice of lorraine, a bit pthetic and a bit rough, wonderfull and unic.....and when i climed the apple tree, all the apples fell on me

    ReplyDelete