L’Orient d’Ô

L’Orient d’Ô was a Québécois symphonic-rock band that released a 1978 self-titled album on Capitol.

Members: Gaétan Laurendeau (guitar), Serge Fréchette (saxophone, vocoder, vocals), Lorraine Blainchard (keyboards, synthesizer, vocals), Serge Martineau (bass), Marc Prud’homme (drums, percussion)

Background

L’Orient d’Ô formed in Montréal circa 1973 under guitarist Gaétan Laurendeau, who based the group name on a phonetic rendering of his surname. The group played several early shows at L’Évêché. Productions Kosmos booked L’Orient d’Ô for the cancelled December 11, 1974 Manfred Mann’s Earth Band concert at Cégep de Maisonneuve. L’Orient d’Ô numbered eight members by 1975 and retained the larger lineup for a June 1976 appearance on Mont-Royal.

Laurendeau regrouped L’Orient d’Ô in 1978 with saxophonist Serge Fréchette, bassist Serge Martineau, drummer Marc Prud’homme, and keyboardist Lorraine Blanchard. The five-piece sent a demo to CHOM-FM for broadcast. Four record labels expressed interest following the airing. L’Orient d’Ô signed a recording contract with Capitol. The group began album sessions in Montréal in October 1978 with producer-arranger Tim Hewlings and engineer Serge Gaudet.

Discography:

• L’Orient d’Ô (1978)