Laurence Vanay ~ France

Les Soleils de la Vie (1977 / 2016)

In 1977, it appeared that Jacqueline Thibault (Laurence Vanay) was finally on the verge of obtaining her big break. After two releases on obscure French and Italian labels, major corporation Decca was much interested in the talented Ms. Thibault, and expressed a desire to release her next album. Once delivered, the label had asked for a remix, but given other issues with the studio that she was a (small) stakeholder owner of, priorities slipped, and the album was remixed in the mid 1980s. By then, it was all too late of course.

Jacqueline Thibault was always a bit different. She grew up a child prodigy, with overly protective parents. As such, her influences were much limited, and she never was immersed into the rock culture of the 1970s that could have shaped her sound for better or worse. However she is brilliant, and very feminine - which is why her early albums are so stunning in contrast to everything else. They are subtle works, but totally divine once you allow the music to marinate. Drive-by listeners scoff at her greatness, because they don't hear the expected razzle dazzle - or a comfortable, overly familiar sound. So they scream overrated, presuming it's nothing but collector hype to raise the profit level - which only reflects back on their own ignorance of the situation at hand.

This beautiful isolation and innocence that Thibault possesses, continues to be projected throughout Les Soleils de la Vie. Today, she makes music for disadvantaged children in need. I couldn't think of anyone better suited for the task.

The biggest gripe I have about this album is the unfortunate mid 80s remix, which sounds every bit of its era. That plastic, hollow sound that dominated the times is so very evident here. Still the music shines through despite the obvious challenge. I would love to hear what the original sounded like, before Decca insisted on a remix. I would buy it again, if this version does surface.

Contrary to what was generally thought by collectors in the 90s / 00s, this is an archival recording never released prior.

Ownership: 2016 Lion Productions (CD). Historical liner notes and 6 bonus tracks from the 80s and 90s. Acquired in 2017.

4/4/17 (review)

Evening Colours (1975)

After the stunning Galaxies, Ms. Thibault comes back with Evening Colours, which can only be categorized as a triumph of will. The same beauty she brought forth on her debut, is also present here, perhaps with a bit more instrumental oomph. However, there are no song based tracks with lyrics (though plenty of wordless voices). Despite finding its way onto the Italian CAM label, Evening Colours is no film library album. These are fully realized compositions with wonderful analog keyboards, fuzz guitar, bass, and drums. As we learn via the excellent Lion CD (2013), Jacqueline originally was presented as the artist "Gateway", so as to not reduce sales, since the norm of the day was that only male artists were to be treated with respect in the marketplace. This album, intended to be issued on the Galloway label, ended up as a very small press and is extremely rare nowadays. The more common aforementioned CAM issue happened via a friend and ensured everyone was compensated for their efforts.

Hearing this album once again reaffirms my position that females are far too unrepresented in progressive rock circles. Their inherent knack for melody and subtlety is much needed in this most testosterone fueled genre, where technical show-off chops are often placed in favor of thoughtful composition and form. Unfortunately even today, females continue to be stage singers, directed behind the curtain by those looking to profit from their talent (of course I mean in general, not progressive rock. Nobody makes money in progressive rock.). Hear the defiant and fiercely independent Jacqueline Thibault - compare - and judge for yourself. Brilliant and beautiful.

Ownership: 

2013 Lion Productions (CD). Papersleeve. Gatefold. With historical liner notes. Acquired in 2013.

2014 Lion Productions (LP). Gatefold. With historical liner notes. Acquired in 2014.

7/23/07; 3/2/14 (review)

Galaxies (1974)

Laurence Vanay is the pseudonym for Jacqueline Thibault, wife of famed French music producer and musician Laurent Thibault. This album is pure genius. Stunning organ, flute, and acoustic / electric guitar are the instrumental ingredients. Even a little Zeuhl bass to knock things around. And here on Galaxies, she provides both wordless, and occasionally sings lyrics, in that soft, seductive female manner - all in beautiful French of course. Near perfect.

I first came across the name of Laurence Vanay (later revealed to be Jacqueline Thibault) via the rare LP European catalogs in the early to mid 1990s. It was almost mythical in stature, somewhat like the Horrific Child we covered recently. It seemed I would never hear it. Then in 2007 I finally obtained a cdr, and loved it instantly. (The base of my brief notes below were written then, and were also included in the advertisement for the reissues). The album was screaming for a reissue - especially given that it had recently hit the underground internet trading market, and the demand was building quickly. At the time, there was talk of the album being reissued on LP (but not CD) from some new upstart in California (who knows why no French label had stepped up on these titles). During that period I was also in touch with Ms. Thibault and her biographer Cedric. After the LP deal fizzled, they contacted Lion, and the rest is history as they say. 

Ownership: 

2013 Lion Productions (CD). Gatefold papersleeve. Gatefold. Features 9 bonus tracks, that are excellent in musical quality, and complement the album well. Acquired in 2013.

2014 Lion Productions (LP). Gatefold. Historical liner notes. No bonus tracks. Acquired in 2014.

7/23/07 (review); 1/18/14 (update)

Also own: La Petite Fenetre

1/18/14 (new entry)