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Obscurities

Released - 2008, on Forever Records
Executive Producers - Lance Hoppen & Larry Hoppen

Larry Hoppen
Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Lance Hoppen
Vocals, Bass, Guitar
John Hall
Vocals, Guitar
Wells Kelly
Vocals, Keyboards
Charlie Morgan
Drums
Bob Leinbach
Drums
R.A. Martin
Percussion
Peter O'Brien
Drums

Songs

1. Slippin' Away (1977 Demo)
(Larry Hoppen, Bob Leinbach, Marilyn Mason & Kal David)

This demo was recorded after John Hall left the band for Asylum to consider for
another LP. The song would eventually appear on the 1979 LP "Forever" which was
released on Infinity Records. The "Waking and Dreaming" LP would be the last Orleans
LP released for Asylum, which included the lineup of Larry Hoppen, Lance Hoppen, Wells Kelly,
John Hall & Jerry Marotta. It would also be the last LP to include the original four members of Orleans.
John Hall would appear on the 1980 "Orleans" LP it was as a guest only.

Orleans: Larry, Lance, Wells, Bob and R.A.

2. You've Been Runnin' (1977 Demo)
(Bob Leinbach, Larry Hoppen & Marilyn Mason)

Recorded at the same time as Slippin' Away, You've Been Runnin' wouldn't appear on LP
until the 1980 LP "Orleans". This version of the song as R.A. Martin on Sax whereas the LP
version has Jay Beckenstein from the group Spyro Gyra.

Orleans: Larry, Lance, Wells, Bob and R.A.

3. The Moment (2008)
(Kathie Baillie, Michael Bonagura & Gary "Bud" Smith)

This is a song discovered by Lance and is the most recent recording by Orleans.
It features 3 members from the current lineup of the Band; Larry, Lance & Charlie Morgan
on drums.

Orleans: Lance, Larry and Charlie

4. You're Mine (1983 Demo)
(John & Johanna Hall)

This demo features Larry & Lance. In 1986 this song was re-recorded with
John Hall for the 1986 Orleans LP "Grown Up Children." That LP would be the last
release by Orleans in LP format. All future releases would be on CD.

Orleans: Larry and Lance

5. Don't Break The Code (1984 Demo)
(John & Johanna Hall)

Another demo featuring Larry & Lance. My note: This song most likely would've been
considered for the 1986 LP "Grown Up Children," but didn't make the LP.

Orleans: Larry and Lance

6. I Wanna Be In Love (1985)
(Larry Hoppen)

Another track that was written around the "Grown Up Children," era. The song
didn't make the LP and eventually appeared on Larry's solo CD "Looking For The Light."

Orleans: Larry and Lance

7. The Great Divide (1985 Demo)
(John Hall & Larry Hoppen)

Another song that didn't make the cut for the "Grown Up Children," LP. My note: This
is probably one of the first John Hall/Larry Hoppen songs. The first John Hall/Larry Hoppen
song to appear on an LP was the song Grown Up Children from the LP with the same title.
This song would eventually appear on the Orleans CD "Ride" which was released in 1996.

Orleans: Larry, Lance and John

8. Open Up Your Heart (1985 Demo)
(John Hall & Larry Hoppen)

This song was also intended for the "Grown Up Children" LP which didn't make
the cut. This song hasn't appeared on any Orleans or Solo project until now. The period
from 1984 - 1987 may have been the most active for the writing team of John Hall / Larry Hoppen.
Since then most if not all the songs written by the two have included another songwriters,
usually Bob Leinbach or Lance Hoppen or both.

Orleans: Larry, Lance and John

9. Start From Where You Are (2007 Demo)
(Lance Hoppen & Shawn Gallaway)

This is from a project Lance and Shawn Gallaway were involved with but never
finished. Of all the songs written and recorded this is the only one that still exists. Not only
is this song rare since it has never been released until now, but it's also rare in that it features
Lance on guitar, bass and vocals.

Orleans: Lance

10. Play It By Heart (1990 Demo)
(Bill LaBounty & Greg Guidry)

A song Larry heard and liked and was planning to use for a solo project, but never used
or released until now. The choir on this song includes Lance, Bob Leinbach, David Sancious, and
Anne Lang. All of which would appear on Larry's 1996 solo CD "Looking For The Light." That
CD appears under the band name The UnHerd which David Sancious was a part of.

Orleans: Larry, Lance and Peter

11. I Found Somebody (1989 Demo)
(Larry Hoppen & Bob Leinbach)

This song was written during a period in which Bob Leinbach was an integral part of
the band. The song was recorded live in 1990 and appeared on the "Orleans Live" CD. That
CD was released in Japan only. In 1993 it was released in the U.S. under the title "Orleans: Live Volume 2".
Only 500 copies of that CD were pressed of it was virtually impossible to find until recently
when Orleans made it available at their Digital Online Store, which can be found HERE.

Orleans: Larry and Bob

12. Kelly (1989/90 Demo)
(Larry Hoppen)

I'm not sure this song was ever intended for an Orleans CD or Solo project. Regardless,
Larry plays everything on this song with backing vocals by Bob Leinbach and Lance.

Orleans: Larry, Lance and Bob

13. UnSettling Down (1998 Demo)
(Larry Hoppen)

It's nice to see this song receive a bit more recognition because it is a great song with some
really nice sax provided by Chris Lyons. The song made its first appearance on Larry's solo
CD "Handmade".

Orleans: Larry

Singles Released

(None)

Orleans Obscurities - Reviews

I would rank Orleans as one of the best bands from the 70's that's still around today. This album proves that fact once more. Here you've got a track list of songs/demos from the period 1977 - 2008, all filled with those tight harmonies and great interplay between the band members, that became a hallmark of Orleans, no matter what line-up delivered the goods. Not bad for a rock band that's been around for some 37 years at the present time! The "Orleans sound" has been very consistent in all that time - a sign of longevity perhaps. Let's hope Orleans has more left in the vaults for future projects. Great music from a great band.

I have been listening to these "obscure" songs over and over again and I cannot believe that the guys locked them away for so long. Just to think what "You're Mine" really could have sounded like some 22 years ago... I'm looking back: how I was glad to finally get a chance to get hold of this LP "Grown up children", not having a clue what "Nashville" is about. These songs, such as "Don't Break The Code" and "I Wanna Be In Love" are buried treasures that deserve to see the light of day. "The Moment" and "Unsettling down" are perfect pop songs that deserve to climb the charts. Sure hope there's more to come in the not too distant future! They leave me speechless, and should be spread all over the world!

Orleans History & Interesting Facts

1. The Orleans lineup listed above does NOT appear on all songs. While other musicians have contributed
to the making of the CD they were never official members of Orleans. The order of the Orleans lineup listed
above is intentional., and I've listed the members in the order of who I believe to have been the most influential
or contributed the most to the band over the years. Obviously the first four would have to be the original members of
Orleans. Larry & Lance are at the top since their current members. I listed Charlie Morgan 5th since he is currently in
the band. If ever there was a "true" 5th member of Orleans, Bob Leinbach would certainly have to be considered
that man. Bob had significant contributions to the "Forever" and "Analog Men" CD's, has written a significant amount of
songs with the band, and has been in the band at various times through the years.

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