Gary Brandon's Vanduras CD "In The Dark"

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 26 May 2005 10:38 pm

Gary Brandon came by my store the other day and dropped of a copy of his instrumental CD called "In The Dark" by his group "Vanduras" which is Gary and his son. For those of you that don't know him, Gary has done a number of the "Sponge Bob" soundtracks and is also a member of the group "The Blue Hawaiians". This CD is quite a departure from either venue. It is one terrific CD and a must-have for anyone that wants to hear the steel in settings other than a traditional county setting. If you have wives or friends that don't really enjoy listening to what's usually on our CD players these days this one will open their eyes to other avenues that are very enjoyable to listen to. A lot of the CD could be used as soundtracks to movies but it stands alone very nicely as well. A favorite of mine is "The Big Hurt"- an old song sung by Toni Fisher years ago and Gary does a fine job with it. Bob has it on the forum and it is also available at Amazon as well as CD Baby.[This message was edited by Jim Palenscar on 18 June 2005 at 11:35 PM.]

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 27 May 2005 4:15 am

Surf-Exotica at it's best. And they're the best surf influenced band around, and that's saying something if you knew how obsessed I am with Croatian surf band The Bambi Molesters.

The Vanduras are top notch. The younger Brandon has toured as a guit-slinger with the Supreme Beings of Leisure, so they've done some amazing stuff together and apart.

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 27 May 2005 4:18 am

Hmmm, I knew someone did a mini-review a while back.. forgot it was me!
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum4/HTML/002149.html

------------------
Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 27 May 2005 8:09 am

I've got a copy of "In The Dark" and, yeah, it's very cool. More steel than you can shake a stick at. Cool tunes & arrangements, and really nice playing. Gary gets a great tone out of that beautiful wood neck p/p.

I highly reccomend it!

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 27 May 2005 8:15 am

Yep, it's a great album!

Steinar

------------------
www.gregertsen.com

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 27 May 2005 8:40 am

Jason- thanks for the heads up about the Bambi Molesters....I like that bass player....

but back on topic

The Vanduras "In The Dark" is one of my all time fave CD's, steel related or not....[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 27 May 2005 at 11:23 AM.]

Mark Herrick · Post by **Mark Herrick** » 27 May 2005 10:58 am

I'll jump on this, too.

Excellent CD. I've had it for a few years and love it. Gary also plays with the Blue Hawaiians, but I haven't seen them around in a while. Similar stuff.

Surf Noir, baby, Surf Noir!

(BTW: I think most of the steel is non-pedal, but I could be wrong...)

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

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 27 May 2005 12:27 pm

.....and now,for something completely different....
Not only is Gary a versatile "surf-steeler",(I like to think of it as the Ventures,w/ steel) he plays some damn good trad. Country,as witnessed by the Patty Booker/Rick Shea CD,"Our Shangri-La". You'll think its "Moon". It features Gary on his Fender 400.

------------------
<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com</pre>

Rich Weiss · Post by **Rich Weiss** » 27 May 2005 1:00 pm

On my top 5 all-time list.

Brandin · Post by **Brandin** » 31 May 2005 8:31 am

Thanks guys!

GB

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 31 May 2005 2:26 pm

The Mrs. and I like a lot, too! Great CD.

DZ

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 31 May 2005 4:24 pm

I never get tired of "In The Dark" - I probably listen to it more than any other CD.
It's great cruising music, or it can usher you into the realm of dreams . .

RA

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 1 Jun 2005 3:53 am

Yeah Gary and Son's record is a real jewel! It was the soundtrack of my solo drive from LA to Denver a couple weeks ago. Utah never sounded so exotic.

BTW, Gary really surfs too! (I mean the Pacific, not just the web....)

Dave Burr · Post by **Dave Burr** » 1 Jun 2005 12:14 pm

Thanks for the "heads up" guys! I ordered it from b0b yesterday. Can't wait to get it.

Dave Burr

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 6 Jun 2005 1:08 am

I highly recommend it Too!

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 6 Jun 2005 2:38 am

One of my favorite steel CDs - and frankly, many steel guitar records leave me cold bacause they're more about showing off or highlighting the instrument than the music. Gary's playing has that rare quality of serving the songs. This Cd sets a fantstic cinematic mood and sustains it for the entire album. It's among the best surf/noir I've heard. Gary's version of The Big Hurt stands with Wes Montgomery's fantstic version (from Tequila) and that's the highest praise I can give.

Post by **b0b** » 7 Jun 2005 11:21 am

It's back in stock in the Forum Catalog.
<center>

</center>

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 7 Jun 2005 1:45 pm

LOVE THAT COVER!!

------------------
<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com</pre>

Del Rangel · Post by **Del Rangel** » 7 Jun 2005 6:31 pm

What I want to know is when the next Vanduras surf noir contribution is slated for release.
Good stuff that leaves me wanting more.

Brandin · Post by **Brandin** » 9 Jun 2005 2:11 pm

Thank you all again. My son and I are both busy with other projects at the moment. As
soon as we get some time we'll do another CD.
Thanks for all the support!

GB

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 18 Jun 2005 10:34 pm

I sold out of the CD at the store and had to order more- which I got in today- thanks Gary!