Garolou – Garolou

I know of at least two variants (and possibly three) of the London Records LP release, all dealing with the inner gatefold. One version is missing the entire band/studio credits, with only a blank space beneath the list of names in the band photo (far right) and above the note in small print indicating the first recordings for the album were done on the anniversary of Thomas Edison's creation of the phonograph. Another gatefold edition has the band and studio credits in this same spot (and leads me to believe the version with the blank space was the first edition). I'm trying to recall the particulars of a third edition (perhaps a reference to a gold record certification?)... this, of course, is from London Records and not the later Kebek-Disc single-sleeve release.

Essentially, this is 'Lougarou', a French Canadian progressive/folk rock band that released one self titled album in 1976. A year or so later they were forced to change their name for legal reasons, re-emerging in early 1978 as 'Garolou'. The band lineup was altered a bit, with guitarist George Antoniak replacing Gilles Beaudoin, and keyboardist Reginald Guay stepping in for Steven Naylor.

Side 1 contains some very smooth progressive rock with jazz/folk undertones. Gilles Beaudoin's guitar playing is top-notch...as is the keyboard & piano work of Reginald Guay.
Side 2 however is another story altogether, as I've always felt Garolou sounded like an entirely different band here. They seem to take a 180 degree turn by the time we flip the LP over, as what they offer now is closer to traditional French Canadian folk music than it is progressive rock. Not that I dislike that style of music, because I actually enjoy it. Even though it's very well played, the flow of the album seems a bit lost by this point, at least for me. Though I'm sure fans of 'Le Reve du diable' and 'Barde' will be delighted.
With regards to the mixing of these two styles, the self titled 'Lougarou' LP released two years earlier seemed more convincing to my ears in comparison to 'Garolou'.

Due to this extreme variance of styles between sides 1 & 2, this album has to be one of the biggest puzzlers of all time...and I know I'm not alone in this thought. I pulled the LP out a couple weeks ago and gave it a spin for my wife and some friends...all of whom are seasoned listeners of 70's progressive rock. We all agreed that had Garolou maintained the near prog rock brilliance found on side 1, that we'd have a near perfect album. Eventually the lengthy final cut on side 2 titled "Germaine" almost helped redeem some of what the previous three songs took away, but not quite. So despite the musical confusion and misdirection displayed on side 2, I've still given this album a 3/5, as side 1 is great.