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Author Topic:   The Vanduras CD
Jason Odd
Member

From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

posted 02 January 2002 07:20 AM     profile     
Well forum cats and kittens, I just got the new CD by the Vanduras, featuring Gary Brandin who plays steel for the Blue Hawaiians.

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"

Rick Aiello
Member

From: Berryville, VA USA

posted 02 January 2002 08:56 AM     profile     
The "SpongeBob Guy" delivers the goods on this one !!!

CAUTION: HIGHLY ADDICTIVE

Mike Perlowin
Member

From: Los Angeles CA

posted 02 January 2002 09:47 AM     profile     
I like it too. Gary is another fine player who is exploring new and different forms. This is very reminiscent of the instrumental surf music of the early 60's, but is more atmospheric.

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.

I've seen him play in a country band, and have a CD by a singer named Raven Wylder on which he plays throughout (very well I might add) so I knew he was a fine pedal steel guitariast, but I didn't know he was just as good on a non-pedal instrument. It was a very pleasent surprise hearing him play it.

Smiley Roberts
Member

From: Hendersonville,Tn. 37075

posted 02 January 2002 11:02 AM     profile     
All of the above & THEN SOME!! I've been a fan of Gary's & the "BH." since "Savage Night".
Now,"In The Dark",by The Vanduras comes along & just blew me away. All I can say is "WOW!!"
WARNING: Once you hear it,you will be "hooked" for life. It ain't yer grandpa's lap steel. It's a highly polished,highly refined, "Santo & Johnny" if you will. You owe it to yourself to order this album,& treat your ears to some great music. This album is rated, "G" 'cause it's for the whole family.
BTW,since I'm into photography,I LOVED the pic on the cover. Kind of a double-exposure, "flip-flop" of a D-8,forming the letter,"V".
------------------
  ~ ~
©¿© ars longa,
mm vita brevis
-=sr€=-

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

Hamilton Barnard
Member

From: Huntington Beach, CA

posted 02 January 2002 11:33 AM     profile     
To me, the tone is perfection - vintage tube amps with an SM57.

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.

------------------
My Marshalls.


memphislim
Member

From: LA

posted 02 January 2002 01:07 PM     profile     
For those of you searching for some non-country steel, look no more. This is top notch all the way. For those of you who have heard Gary play, the excellent tone and original playing will be no surprise. The unexpected treat here is the the song selection and writing. Gary's son really outdid himself in this respect. In addition to writing most of the tunes, Geof also played most of the instruments. Most of it recorded at home with the use of Pro Tools and initially a VS880.

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"

Do yourself a favor, and check this disc out. Each time you play it gets better!

Slim Lattimer
Member

From: Anaheim, CA USA

posted 06 January 2002 01:24 PM     profile     
WOW! This CD is really a pleasure to listen to! Congratulations to Gary and Geoffrey for such fine originality and killer tone. For me, THE VANDURAS "In The Dark" is very refreshing and this one will be played a lot and for a long, long time. Add this CD to your collection of great steel and guitar instrumentals,turn it up loud, especially when heading down the highway. Thanks Gary, your music is quite inspiring!
Brad Bechtel
Moderator

From: San Francisco, CA

posted 11 January 2002 09:26 AM     profile     
I agree - this is one fine CD. My wife said last night, "This is the best steel guitar I've heard so far".

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

Jason Odd
Member

From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

posted 11 January 2002 04:14 PM     profile     
That's pretty much what my partner said, she likes it more than the Blue Hawaiians.
There you go guys, if it's late, the lights are dim, you're with that special someone... then you put the Vanduras on.

Lava Lamp is optional.

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

Bobby Lee
Sysop

From: Cloverdale, North California, USA

posted 11 January 2002 08:04 PM     profile     
I just got this CD, and it's great! I'm trying to get a batch of them to add it to the Forum catalog.

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!

------------------
Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (E7, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Larry Bell
Member

From: Englewood, Florida

posted 17 January 2002 04:07 PM     profile     
Well I have to give it five stars.

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.

------------------
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

John McClung
Member

From: Los Angeles, CA, USA

posted 22 January 2002 11:32 PM     profile     
I love Gary's new CD. Even my 20-something roomie at work loves it. It doesn't have any shuffles, waltzes or bad jazz. Thank God! ; >

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

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

Mr. Twang

Jason Odd
Member

From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

posted 23 January 2002 02:20 PM     profile     
It's funny that you should descibe it that way, one time I described the Blue Hawiians as an evil surf music alter ego Chris Issac venture... if Chris was a lounge singer from another dark, yet heartfelt dimension!

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The future ain't what it used to be

Bobby Lee
Sysop

From: Cloverdale, North California, USA

posted 31 January 2002 06:02 PM     profile     
Now available in the Forum catalog:
http://b0b.com/products/vanduras.html
Jason Odd
Member

From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

posted 31 January 2002 08:44 PM     profile     
b0b, to use terminology that I'm getting a little old to use....."You Rock!"

Yeah, I'm definately getting a little too old for that one.

Brad Bechtel
Moderator

From: San Francisco, CA

posted 04 February 2002 10:44 AM     profile     
I've been recommending this CD to all my friends and acquaintances. It's hard to tell someone what this is, except "good".
I'd recommend you pick up your own copy if you're reading this. You won't be disappointed.

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

Bobby Lee
Sysop

From: Cloverdale, North California, USA

posted 11 February 2002 09:19 PM     profile     
I think this is the best selling CD we've ever had on the Forum. I've been averaging 4 orders a day. At this rate we'll sell out before the end of the month.

------------------
Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic) Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Bobby Lee
Sysop

From: Cloverdale, North California, USA

posted 12 February 2002 05:45 PM     profile     
Did I say "end of the month"? It looks more like "end of the week!" uh-oh...

[This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 12 February 2002 at 05:45 PM.]

Bobby Lee
Sysop

From: Cloverdale, North California, USA

posted 21 February 2002 01:48 PM     profile     
Good news - We received another box of Vanduras CDs, just as I was shipping the last one.
Jason Odd
Member

From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

posted 21 February 2002 06:34 PM     profile     
Hiya b0b, yeah that's cool more Vanduras to spread around. Have you ever had a seller like this one before?
Dave Van Allen
Member

From: Doylestown, PA , US , Earth

posted 21 February 2002 07:26 PM     profile     
besides the way cool guitars and steel stuff, and the impressive lack of "hot dogging" (pointless riffage, I guess to prove you have chops)
I particularly like the use of "REVERB as an instrument" on this CD... gobs of it on most tracks, but never mushy or indistinct... LUSH is I guess the term best suited.

bravo guys!! fun stuff!

Jason Odd
Member

From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

posted 21 February 2002 07:59 PM     profile     
This is going to sound weird, but the other day I put the Cd on, walked around the house, worked on the car and generally let it be background musdic as I wandered in and out of the place.

At one point I came back in and thought to myself, 'what is this cool stuff on the radio?'
I walked in to find that it was the Vanduras. I hadn't listened to the Cd for a while and just totally blew myself away, it was so atmospheric and there are times with the effects and reverb so layered and structured that it seems other worldly. A real vintage sound too, such a warm recording.

b0b
Sysop

From: Cloverdale, California, USA

posted 21 February 2002 09:25 PM     profile     
It is the fastest selling CD we've ever offered. Doug Jernigan and Jim Cohen have sold more, but not as quickly.
HowardR
Member

From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.

posted 24 February 2002 08:09 AM     profile     
This is such a cool unique CD. I have it on heavy rotation at present. Great delivery from the forum catalog also.

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