Odin's People

• Derek Thompson
• Elaine Thompson
• Larry Johns
  
  
  Odin's People, from left: Derek Thompson, Elaine Thompson, Larry Johns
  
  
  Elaine & Derek in the late '50s
  

Bio:

A folk rock trio active for about three years during the late 1960s. Derek and Elaine Thompson were twins born in Belfast in 1948. They formed the singing duo Elaine & Derek at a young age in the late 1950s. They were quite successful, recording for several labels.

Derek and Elaine met Larry Johns in 1965 approx. Johns was a jazz/big band musician. They formed the trio Odin's People and recorded two fine singles in the style of The Seekers for Major Minor in 1967.

Odin's People split circa 1968. Derek concentrated on acting (both he and Elaine had already appeared in the cult science fiction/musical fantasy film Gonks Go Beat in 1965) and is now best known for his portrayal of the character Charlie Fairhead in BBC One's Casualty. He also had a memorable role in The Long Good Friday.

Elaine and Larry worked as a duo playing army bases, cruise ships and the cabaret circuit, where they worked for over 30 years.

 

 

side one:
I Need You
I Need Your Hand In Mine

side two:
Tommy Jones
From A Distance

side one:
There's A Friend For Little Children
O What Can Little Hands Do
When Mothers Of Salem
How Great Thou Art
Standing Somewhere In Life's Shadows
Jesus Loves Me

side two:
Gentle Jesus Meek And Mild
Stranger Of Galilee
I Am So Glad That Jesus Loves Me
Who Is He In Yonder Stall
Jesus Tender Shepherd
Nearer My God To Thee

side one:
Westering Home
Ye Banks & Braes

side two:
Skye Boat Song
My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose

Liner notes:
Elaine and Derek -- These charming fourteen year old twins have, in a space of a little more than a year, packed into their young lives a wealth of stage and television experience. They have appeared on many popular television shows and have appeared in most of the major theatres in Britain. Their personal charm and attractive singing style has made them many friends where ever they have appeared and we feel sure their treatment of these traditional Scottish songs will make them many many more".

side one:
Paddy On The Railway
The Whistling Gypsy
My Johnnie Lad
The Mingulay Boat Song
The Castle of Dromore
The Rising of the Moon

side two:
Johnnie I Hardly Knew You
The North Country
The Craw Killed The Pussy-O
The Barnyards of Delgaty
Moonshiner
Irish Rover

Liner notes: Elaine and Derek, 15-year-old twins, were born in Belfast, where they lived until a year ago when the family moved to London. Music figured in their lives from an early age -- at five, brother and sister were singing duets in church, and they soon began to appear in local amateur shows. The twins were 11 years old when they recorded the song "One Little Robin". The record was an instant success and led to many invitations as guest artists on radio and television. Elaine and Derek are now studying at the Italia Conti Stage School in London. This is the twins first record of folk music and the songs they have chosen to sing are representative of Great Britain and Ireland, their native country. The backing of the songs is in the folk music tradition, two guitarists and a bass, and the record has been arranged and produced by Sheldon Talmy.

Notes: This was Elaine & Derek's attempt at a folk LP and it's quite pleasant. The uncredited musical backing consists of guitars and bass. Production is by Tel Shalmy.
This obscure LP was released by Alpha Folk, a division of Audiovision Developments (Oxford) Ltd with an address on London. Standout tracks: The Whistling Gypsy, The Castle of Dromore, The North Country

track: Broken Pieces

tracks:
Westering Home
My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose
Ye Banks & Braes
plus other tracks by Moira Briody, The Countrymen, Joe McBride and Jim McLeod

Help!: We need your help to complete this entry. If you can tell us more about this band then please do! We welcome any corrections, missing details, connections to other bands, where are they now, etc. We also need photos, scans, copies of releases or live or demo recordings, and any other memorabilia gathering dust in the attic. If you can help, then please get in touch.