Gemini Girl: The Complete Hush Recordings is a comprehensive anthology of singer-songwriter Laurie Styvers, released by High Moon Records. The remastered collection includes a 48-page booklet with extensive liner notes by Alec Palao, rare photos, memorabilia, and more.
Laurie was born in Texas but based much of her musical career in England as her father worked in the oil industry. As a teen she went to the American School in London alongside Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek, and Gerry Beckley of America.
During this time her first steps in music came by joining psych-folk group Justine, featuring on their eponymous 1970 debut LP. She then embarked upon a solo career with Hush Productions which was founded by fellow American in London, Shel Talmy.
In 1972, she released her debut album, ‘Spilt Milk’, which was produced by Hugh Murphy and featured arrangements by Tom Parker. Warner Brothers released it in the United States, and Styvers shared a bill with Emitt Rhodes at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. However, she soon turned her attention back to her studies at the University of Colorado.
Meanwhile, in the U.K., ‘Spilt Milk’ was released on Chrysalis and the single “Beat the Reaper” received significant airplay. This success brought Styvers back to England, where she performed and began working on a follow-up album. The resulting record, ‘The Colorado Kid’, was released in 1973, featuring arrangements by David Whitaker and a more AM pop sound inspired by Harry Nilsson and The Carpenters. Although it was well-received in England, it was not released in the United States.
After returning to Colorado, Styvers balanced her music pursuits with her love for animals, running a kennel and animal sanctuary with her father. Unfortunately, her music remained largely unknown during her life, and she passed away from hepatitis in 1998 aged 46.
This superb anthology comprises both ‘Spilt Milk’ and ‘The Colorado Kid’, which are now available officially together for the first time in fifty years. Additionally, this collection features a full album’s worth of previously unreleased material including demos, alternate versions, and previously unheard songs. All this material taken together shows a hugely talented artist who deserved much wider attention while alive. Perhaps this collection will provide that now she has gone.
Nice turn on….Ta