Jan And Lorraine: Gypsy People 1969

 

This is British duo Jan Hendin and Lorraine Lefevre, and their superb collection of acid-tinged folk and pop has been acclaimed as one of the best female psychedelic albums of the late 1960s, with contents varying from fragile ballads to rousing rock and roll, set to complex arrangements and gorgeous vocal harmonies. Recorded in London but only released in the US and Canada, it features support from musicians including Terry Cox (Pentangle), Brian Odgers (Al Stewart, Van Morrison, Elton John), Keshav Sathe (Magic Carpet) and legendary session drummer, Clem Cattini. Amongst the most enigmatic recordings of its time and full of mostly original songs (and one song co-written by Davy Graham), it makes its long-awaited CD debut here.
                    

Gypsy People was recorded in London's IBC Studios with Anthony Browne producing and with backing from a rather impressive collection of UK musicians. With both Hendin and LeFevre contributing material the album offered up an engaging mix of folk, psych and world music moves.
Dealers continually drop the term 'acid-folk when trying to unload lame folk stuff on unsuspecting collectors, but if you want to hear a true acid-folk LP, then this may well set the benchmark for such comparisons.
                                                          

There is something of a vogue for female duos in 1960s American Pop, and albums by the likes of Kathy & Carol, Lily & Maria and Wendy & Bonnie have gone on to be acclaimed as lost classics. But the sole LP by Jan Hendin and Lorraine LeFevre, 1969's impressively ambitious Gypsy People, is still more or less unknown. This Certainly isn't because it doesn't match up to other gems that have been unearthed in recent years, but is perhaps because so little is known about it. Thought to have been either American or Canadian (though Lorraine's surname perhaps tips the balance in favour of the latter), for reasons unknown the LP was recorded in London's IBC studios in October 1968 (alongside the New Seekers, Gun, Manfred mann, Colosseum and Thunderclap Newman, according to November 1969 issue of Beat Instrumental magazine).
                                 

Female singers were often marginalized in the studio in this period, but Jan and Lorraine took an unusually central role in the gypsy people sessions. Seven of the ten songs were self-penned (four by LeFevre, three by Hendin), and as well as singing (beautifully in harmony, it might be added) they played a variety of guitars and keyboards to a very highstandart. Most unusual, however, is the fact that they also devised the complex Eastern-styled arrangements which define several of the songs. There is much to enjoy on Gypsy People, from the superb rhythm section (featuring Terry Cox from Pentangle and heavy duty sessioneers like Brian Odgers and Clem Cattini) and vocal arrangements to the nostalgic pastiche of Old Tyme Movie and eccentric decision to give the vocals on number 33 to Jan's small daughter Taki.
                              

Much mystery surrounds Jan & Lorraine, a female duo who recorded an obscure folk-rock Psychedelic album, Gypsy People, in London in October 1969. Jan Hendin and Lorraine Le Fevre both sang (often in harmony) on the record, did the ensemble arrangements, and also wrote (working separately) most of the material. Too, Hendin handled electric and acoustic guitars, piano, and organ, and Le Fevre contributed acoustic guitar as well. In part because the LP didn’t sound much like other British folk-rock efforts of the time, it’s been thought that Hendin and Le Fevre might have actually hailed from North America, despite the record being cut in London.
                               

And it does have a greater American influence to its mildly psychedelic late-’60s folk-rock than most British efforts in the genre, with stirring, slightly strident singing; some slight pop accents with a little similarity to the early work of Joni Mitchell, Jefferson Airplane, Fairport Convention, and even the Seekers, though the resemblance isn’t explicit; and some occasional exotic Eastern sounds on tamboura and tabla. The record’s slightly moody and introspective, though pleasant (and sometimes a little loosely drifting) in feel, and one presumes that the “D. Graham/M. Chapman” songwriting credit for “Gypsy People” could signify a tune co-written by noted British folkies Davy Graham and Michael Chapman. A couple noted musicians who were definitely involved in the recording were Pentangle drummer Terry Cox, who contributed percussion, and top British session drummer Clem Cattini. The album was reissued on CD in 2006.
Richie Unterberger
                                

[“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]
                              

This is a lost Acid - Folk Psychedelic gem of the obscure era of the 60's,  reissued by the Fallout Records. Don't miss it!!!

MUSICIANS

Nazir Jair Azbhoy — tamboura
Clem Cattini — drums
Terry Cox — percussion
Jan Hendin — vocals, 6 String acoustic guitar, 6 String electric guitar, piano, organ, kazoo
Takie Hendin — backing vocals
Lorraine LeFevre — vocals, 6 String acoudtic guitar, 12 String acoustic guitar
Rod Mirfield — percussion
Brian Odgers — bass
Kaeshav Sathe — tabla
                       

Jan & Lorraine – Gypsy People
Label: Fallout – FOCD2015
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release
Country: UK
Released: 2006
Genre: Rock, Pop, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk Rock, Acoustic, Pop Rock, Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS

                            

01. Break Out The Wine (Keelan)   3:08
02. Bird Of Passage  (Le Fevre)   3:56
03. Gypsy People  (D. Graham/M. Chapman)   5:03
04. Foolin' Myself  (Hendin)   2:38
05. Old Tyme Movie  (Le Fevre)   3:10
06. Life's Parade  (Le Fevre)   2:39
07. Snow Roses  (Le Fevre)   3:05
08. The Assignment Song - Sequence  (Hendin)   8:59
09. Number 33  (Hendin)   1:41
10. Don't You Feel Fine?  (Keelan)   2:26

MP3 @ 320 Size: 87 MB
Flac  Size: 207 MB