Janis Hansen (singer)

Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66

Having scored a big hit with a cover of Jorge Ben Jor's "Mas Que Nada", the Brazilian-inspired pop group, Brasil '66, were riding high on the charts; the demand for touring increased. Bandleader Sérgio Mendes was in need of a second vocalist to complement lead singer Lani Hall after original member Bibi Vogel left the group to pursue an acting career. An acquaintance of Mendes recommended Hansen, who that time was already on the Andy Williams Show; and after a successful audition, Hansen joined Brasil in the middle of 1966. From there, she toured and made television appearances with the group.

Hansen did not sing on their first album, Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, nor did she appear on the front cover art (she only appeared on the back).^[2] However, she was able to participate on the follow-up albums, Equinox and Look Around. Together with Hall, Bob Matthews, José Soares, and João Palma; Hansen completed the classic line-up of Sérgio Mendes' Brasil '66. She sang lead on their rendition of "The Look of Love" (which only took her ten minutes to record the vocals); a rarity in the group's early canon, since most vocals then were being performed by Hall.

A prospect that Hansen would receive equal billing with Hall in the near future was unfortunately dashed; when in late 1967, Mendes dismissed all members of Brasil 66 over financial disputes and Mendes' autocracy. He quickly replaced them with a new roster, albeit with Hall to return soon at the urging of A&M chief and labelmate, Herb Alpert. The group's version of "The Look of Love" was issued as a single and stayed on Billboard Hot 100 for fourteen weeks, charting to #4 by July 1968; all of these occurring after Hansen was no longer part of the group, a success she was not able to relish. Hansen's role in the group would be filled by Karen Philipp; who, along with the new line-up, were the ones featured instead on the sleeve art of "The Look of Love" 45 RPM.

The Going Thing and the Carnival

In 1968, Hansen joined the Going Thing; a project that Love Generation alumni John and Tom Bahler organized in conjunction with the Ford Motor Company.^[3] They appeared in television commercials, performed at dealers conventions, and recorded three promotional giveaway albums. The band included vocalists such as Mitch Gordon, Wes Oldaker, Jacie Berry, Susan Teague. Guitarist Larry Carlton was among the session players who contributed to the project.^[4]

Simultaneously, Hansen formed the Carnival with Soares, Matthews, and Palma; under the leadership of organist Walter Wanderley. As Wanderley's backing band, the Carnival played gigs at social events and gained a following. An album for Verve Records was on its way, with a few demo tracks being recorded, when the arrangement with Wanderley and the band fell through. Matthews and Palma exited, and only Hansen and Soares remained. Their line-up was eventually rounded out by ex-Murmaid Terry Fischer and bassist Tommy Neal.

Notable record producer Bones Howe, who had worked with the Association and the 5th Dimension, took an interest in the group and signed them on to Liberty Records' World Pacific division; a second attempt at recording an album had finally commenced. The quartet's "Brasil '66 meets 5th Dimension" sound was largely the brainchild of Howe, who according to Hansen, envisioned the group to be a "Brazilian 5th Dimension". Under the direction of Howe, music accompaniment for the project was provided by L.A.'s first-call studio musicians (retroactively dubbed the Wrecking Crew), which included industry stalwarts such as Hal Blaine and Larry Knechtel.

Two singles, "Son of a Preacher Man" b/w "Walk On By" and "Laia Ladaia" b/w "Canto de Carnival", were issued to promote what was supposed to be their debut. Despite Howe's name attached to the project, however, public reaction was minimal; and plans for a follow-up LP were scrapped. A single culled from the aborted sessions, "Where There's a Heartache (There Must Be a Heart)" b/w "The Truth About It", was put out in December 1970; but the Carnival had already dissolved by then.

Hansen continued her participation in the Going Thing until its folding, which took place not long after the Carnival's own demise. With both groups no longer active, she retired outright from the music industry.