We Are All of Us

Not to be confused with the polka band The Mom and Dads, The Lady & The Gentlemen were a '70's lounge/soft-rock combo based out of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Made up of brothers Billy (piano) and Allan (guitar) Andrusco of Fort Frances, Ontario, Ray Carlson of Thunder Bay on bass, Lynn Roberts (of International Falls, Minnesota) on drums and Halifax-born singer Fran Maree, The Lady & Gentlemen released two records on RCA. This, their second album back cover states "The today sound of The Lady and the Gentlemen offends no one, but is enjoyable for everyone," lest you mistake them for some sort of dope-smoking "rock and roll" outfit. And a mellow affair it is, to be sure, but not without its laid-back charms.

"Good-Bye My Friend" and the traditional ballad "Kum Ba Yah" are solo performances by lead vocalist Fran Maree, while "Walk Back To My Waiting Arms" is a duet between Maree and (I think) Ray Carlson. "Good-Bye" and "Walk Back" are country-tinged numbers with nice work on the keys by group leader Billy Andrusco, and "Kum Ba Yah" features an interesting, slow-building arrangement by Andrusco. The album was recorded at Century 21 Studios in Winnipeg, with strings added at Studio Six in Montreal.