The Vanduras are basically Gary and Geoffry 'Geof' Brandin, who supply a wonderful montage of surf meets spacey spaghetti-western instrumental numbers. Anyone familiar with the Blue Hawaiians will have an inkling what I'm on about and will not be dissapointed with this fine set at all. It's a little more atmospheric than the BH recordings, and that's saying something.

This is soundtrack music for the film that Elvis never made when he was a being from outer space.. if you know what I mean!

The Vanduras - Through The Dark CD (2002); is available through Pascal Records.
11684 Ventura Blvd.,
#906 Studio City, CA
91604. www.pascalrecords.com

To follow the advice of the Coneheads; "Consume in mass Quantities"

BTW, I caught Gary's band, "The Blue Hawaiians" last week. Gary played a Fender double 8 non pedal steel with the group and sounded terrific. My wife and I both thought he was the best one in the group.

  ~ ~
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  mm         vita brevis 
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[This message was edited by Smiley Roberts on 02 January 2002 at 11:39 AM.]

Hey Mike, hope all is well. Actually Gary plays a late '50s wooden body double 8 Rick. On the CD there is occasional pedal steel which was done on a Franklin. Most of the guitar work was done with a Danelectro 6 string. The amps were 50's Magnatone, Silvertone and Rickenbacker.

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My Marshalls.

Check out the two covers, both ear candy. One is the fifties song "The Big Hurt" and the other is Stero Lab's "Cybele's Reverie"

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Lava Lamp is optional.

[This message was edited by Jason Odd on 11 January 2002 at 04:15 PM.]

Some of the music is modern and some is vintage sounding, but it is all very well produced and easy on the ears. Gary's playing reminds me of Jerry Byrd a lot.

All but two of the tunes are original instrumentals. These guys are wonderful songwriters. Geoffry's guitar has that big 007 sound, with tremelo like Billy Strange. Gary just sounds real purty on everything.

Both thumbs up! Way up!

Gary has really got a wonderful collection of sounds to work with and his technique is really excellent. Totally different tone, but I'd rate the quality of the steel sound on a par with the Black Album. The Rick has a beautiful voice, as does the Franklin. It's steel guitar in a natural, but non-traditional style. You'll hear a little Hawaiian cliche here and a little Western Swing or country phrase there, but it's mostly just the right notes in the right environment. Can't ask for more than that. Great taste -- great sound.

Geof did a super job, wearing multiple hats -- good songs, arrangements, playing, and production. Very enjoyable music.

Once again, FIVE STARS.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro

I think of it as an early Chris Isaak album without the vocals.

Good going, Gary; soap's on its way soon, I promise.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars