About Me
Following the example of numerous provincial bands, keyboardist Henri Garella and bassist Christian Clairefond had gone to Paris with the hope of recording an album. Both had an intense studio career together and opened for Claude Francois' mythical 1965 tours as members of the band LES GARDIANS. They would play a few songs and then backed other famous singers such as Guy Mardel and Hervé Villard. After recording four singles, they played in the pop orchestra of "Age Tendre et Têtes de Bois", a TV show which was a huge success during the 60's. They meet drummer Michel Jullien in Marseilles and played with him in the band LES GOLDEN.
Following advice given by the artistic director of Katema (A small label managed by a businessman, maker of electric appliances and great fan of music.), our three friends got in contact with the renowned guitarist Jean-Pierre Alarcen, who was quite famous at the time as one of the most gifted session musicians of his generation, and who collaborated with famous pop singer Jacques Dutronc and LE SYSTEME CRAPOUTCHIK.
The recording of "On the Way to Eden" started in March 1970. This album was made in a very spontaneous way, most of the time live in the studio located 10, Washington Street, Paris. The music performed here is close to a kind of instrumental blues-rock, quite typical of the period, and based on long developments mainly centred on Hammond organ sounds, influenced by Progressive rock.
Unfortunately, their relationship with the producer went sour, so much that the musicians didn't even take part in the mixing of their own album !!! It was then issued in 1970 on the Katema label and distributed by Sonopress. The band went on tour all around France, and then overseas to perform in a club of Oran (Algeria). No indication or royalties were given to the musicians concerning sales figures of "On the Way to Eden". "Travelling" was even used at the time as the soundtrack for a TV show. Some time later, the band decided to split...
A while later, they decided to form SANDROSE keeping the same line-up and hiring singer Rose Podwojny. The band will then become one of the most popular French progressive rock bands of the 70's.
After SANDROSE and due to their individual musical talents, the musicians went on to work seperately with bigger acts such as France Gall, Josephine Baker, Gilbert Bécaud, Sachal Distel, Michel Petrucciani...
