The album was "interesting". So interesting, in fact, that hardly anybody except my roommates and me could bear to listen to it. What a mistake on their part! The album was great! It became so hard to describe it to others that I just gave up.

We just about wore that album out. It belonged to one of my roommates, so he took it when we graduated. I had made a cassette of the album, but it had broken after a couple years. Of course, I held no hope of ever finding a copy of the album, since it never went anywhere on the charts.

In early 1979, I was browsing in a Spin-It record store in Chicago. A clerk came up and asked me if I could find everything I needed. More to be a wise ass than for any other reason, I said, "No. I'm looking for an Orchestra Luna Album and can't ever seem to find it. Have you got one?" He replied, "Yeah, we've got one over here," and walked over to a cutout bin. He deftly reached in and produced a promotional copy of the album in perfect condition.

Of course, it is very difficult to describe how music sounds, so here is a link to the Amazon.com site with music samples from the album tracks:

What else can I say?! This album is unique and I can't really describe it adequately. You have to hear it. Please do so, if you ever get the chance. Alan Lewis, writing for New England Music Scrapbook, said this about the album:

Orchestra Luna broke up in 1975 after it was dropped by Epic. The band reformed with a new lineup in 1976, serving as the band for Jim Steinman's play, Neverland, in 1977. (To download a facsimile copy of the program for the production, click here.) At this point, Karla DeVito was singing with the group. Then, in late 1977, the band broke up again and Richard organized a "smaller, more focused" group with the name Luna. Luna released at least one single, "Hollywood", and then found themselves doing the cover-band circuit. Luna disbanded in 1980. During this period, Richard changed his last name to "Berlin" because "nobody could spell Kinscherf". He remains very active on the music scene with his group, The Shelley Winters Project. Check out his web site and buy his albums! Randy Roos is on the faculty at the New England Conservatory of Music and has released five albums in the '90's. Scott Chambers, bassist and vocalist with the group, has also been busy working with various bands, doing studio work, and community development. After leaving Luna, Karla DeVito worked with Meat Loaf, singing Ellen Foley's part in live performances. I have an entire page devoted to biographical sketches on the various band members, both the original and later lineups, here.

I recently obtained two promotional photos of the group from their Epic days. Since they were intended for promotional purposes, I'm going to assume that it is OK for me to post them here. Click on either one for a larger version. (And if you want an image with higher resolution, e-mail me.)

There are many sources advertising the imported Japanese-released Orchestra Luna CD's and their prices vary from roughly $20 to $40. (Sony Music bought Epic Records and now owns the rights to the album.) Last year, I ordered three copies of the CD from three different vendors. One vendor canceled the order after failing to deliver in a little over a month. The two others came through and I now have two copies of the CD. The packaging is great, though the pictures are not reproduced very well. The liner notes and lyrics are also extensive...and quite a laugh. (Somebody needs to explain to the Japanese why you come down from Tuinols, not "two-in-all's." Go here if you want an accurate copy of the complete lyrics.) The sound quality is wonderful when compared to the vinyl LP's, but there's still a little residual noise. I understand that Amazon.com can special order the CD, but I have not tried to purchase one through them yet. This is what the CD's look like (click on either one for a larger image):