Peyton, Caroline - Intuition (CD)

Original release 1977
Re-issue Fall Out Records

Caroline Peyton's INTUITION is a forgotten folk-soul gem from 1977 that has been reissued by the Numero Group subsidiary Asterisk, an imprint dedicated to rediscovering obscure full-lengths from a variety of genres. In the past, the label has exposed devoted listeners to the vocal group soul of the Four Mints, the Connecticut power pop of Johnny Lunchbreak, and the shambolic funk-jazz fusion of Chicago's Boscoe. Though INTUITION's expertly orchestrated folk tunes bear little resemblance to any of those records, it shares their intense creative drive and clarity of artistic purpose. Peyton's vocals clearly owe a great deal to Joni Mitchell, but songs like Still With You, Donkey Blues, and the surprisingly funky Party Line boast an entirely unique sound, and sit at some delightful yet previously undiscovered nexus of folksy introspection, soul influenced orchestration, and classic pop songwriting.

Caroline Peyton had been lead vocalist with cult rural jazzrockers The Screaming Gypsy Bandits and released a challenging solo debut (1972's Mock-Up) before recording this superb collection for a local Indiana label in 1977. Boasting an eclectic blend of styles ranging from folk to funk, jazz to pop and even disco, Intuition has attracted ever-greater interest in recent years, being featured on compilations and championed by cutting edge DJs. It makes its longoverdue CD debut here, complete with biographical liner notes, and is a must for all connoisseurs of 70s singer-songwriting.

Personnel: Caroline Peyton (acoustic guitar); Mark Bingham (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Bob Lucas (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Mike Wanchic (electric guitar); Robbie Bowden (harmonica); Craig Palmer (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Larry Wiseman (trumpet); Tony Regusis (piano, electric piano); Bill Schwarz (piano, organ, tabla, background vocals); Gordon Lee, Peter Bankoff (electric piano); Randy Handley (organ); Brian Paulson (synthesizer); Kirk Butler (Moog synthesizer); Paul Berner (acoustic bass, electric bass); John Stith (electric bass); Steve Hanna (drums, bass drum, tambourine); Art Nash, Jerry Deupree (drums); Dale Sophiea (background vocals).