Singing jazzy pop with soul, Lorraine Gervais’ sweet contralto voice (the lowest of female voices) provides a lush listening atmosphere on A WORLD APART. The California native traverses a heartfelt journey on this delightful recording… from serious to lighthearted, sultry to playful, all the while keeping the stylings unique. She hails from a musical family. Musical women, to be exact… her grandmother sang and played the blues all the way from Chicago to the West Coast in the 1930’s and Lorraine’s mother studied with master vocal coaches of her time. Likewise, Ms. Gervais began her musical career at a young age, (really young if you count her singing at age 5 with her mother at public events); she was 14 when she toured with her high school jazz band. In the 1970’s the talented chanteuse played every gig imaginable along the California coast performing every kind of genre imaginable from disco, Motown and country to pop, rock and R&B. Nowadays, Lorraine makes her home in the Nevada City area where she packs jazz concert events on a regularly basis. The release of A WORLD APART is a cause for celebration for the silky-voiced singer… she is accompanied by a stellar band including Tower of Power’s keyboardist Roger Smith. From the low and sweet “Before I’m Gone” to the wistful cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “The Glow,” A WORLD APART definitely sets this vocalist apart from the average and closer to the hearts of music fans. ~Sandy Shore ~SANDY SHORE
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I'm always looking for someone whose voice takes me somewhere new and exciting and Lorraine's voice does. There's no one to compare her to because her sound is completely unique. Her interpretation of Guilty is like nothing I've heard, and I prefer it to Bonnie's. Before I'm Gone is my new favorite song, and when I heard the original, it left me cold; Lorraine really made that one her own. Of her originals, I love Cool Water and Now I Dream the most...good stuff! She's a great artist, and if you haven't heard her, you're missing out on someone and something really special...
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Even having heard several cd's by this wonder, this one leaves me speechless, which is an accomplishment in itself.
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Lorraine obviously appreciates Joni Mitchell on a deep level.  Listen to Lorraine's storytelling delivery of Joni's "Edith and the Kingpin" and you will hear it plainly.  Her voice and her careful stewardship of that song conveys all the tragic beauty.  The gorgeous melody belies the tale of lives unraveling, and ironically uplifts us.
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