* Eric Lilljequist and Dean Adrien at Bull Run Restaurant

http://tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com/

9-29-2012

Sometime in the mid 60's Eric Lilljequist formed the Boston Country-Rock band The Orphans. A few years later, while taking vocal lessons from legendary voice teacher Dante Bavone, who worked with Faye Dunaway, Peter Wolf & Steven Tyler, Eric met his musical partner, guitarist/vocalist Dean Adrien, at the suggestion of Bavone. Their harmonies were a perfect fit, like Lennon/McCartney or The Everly Brothers. Along with bassist Steve Abdu and drummer Richard Adelman, they caught the attention of Epic Records, and released a pair of singles. The name got changed to Orphan and Ed Mottau, who worked with John Lennon, took over as Manager. During this time, they were performing on record and live with Jonathan Edwards of "Sunshine Go Away Today" fame. Four Eric Lilljequist compositions showed up on Edwards' 1973 Atco release "Have a Good Time for Me," the title taken from Eric's song "Have Yourself a Good Time for Me" which also appeared on Orphan's final London release, "More Orphan Than Not." Lilljequist and Adrien played on Edwards' first three Atco albums.

Orphan played on bills with Martin Mull, The McKinney Brothers, Travis Shook & the Club Wow and toured the country opening for the Allman Brothers, the Byrds, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Hot Tuna and Jessie Colin Young, even recording at Young's house. Orphan backed up Chuck Berry at the Cape Cod Coliseum and Lilljequist and Adrien performed with Bo Diddley at Symphony Hall. Later on they became, and still are, Tom Rush's main backup singers; appearing on "Tom Rush; Live at Symphony Hall".

Seeing Eric and Dean perform together as a duo is a rare and wonderful experience. Their voices still blend together like two pieces of a grand puzzle. Eric's voice is reminiscent of Van Morrison and Boz Scaggs but is pure Eric in the end. And whether he's playing acoustic or electric, his guitar work is first rate. To see them live is to understand the word "perform". What they give out in concert is from the soul and can't be bottled or easily traded on the net. You'll know when you see them that you're witnessing greatness.