Johnny Larand

Johnny Larand came from Ft Lauderdale, FL and recorded his first 45 for Larry Hargrove's Octavia label. The top side was a rather indifferent uptempo tune but the flip Heaven To Me had considerably more merit. This dead slow ballad has a strong tune over which Larand's baritone vocals slide to really good effect. For all us horn freaks the baritone sax fills are quite superb.

The next year Johnny was in Greenville, MS recording for Reginald Hines' eponymous concern. The insistent rocking beat of dance tune "The Eel" was a big regional seller earning him an appearance on show 22 of "The Beat!!!". But for my taste the bluesy deep Come On Home is far preferable. The organ and excellent drummer hold it all together and the horns add strong support to Larand's mournful tale. The chord changes are one of the track's best features. Both sides of the single featured on the RBF LP "Roots No 2 Rhythm & Blues". After this second 45 it seems as though Larand didn't record any further material.

Thanks to Andy Aitchison for the suggestion.

 

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