GANDALF *rare excellent* GARAGE*SUNSHINE*PSYCH*LP

$

236

THIS WEEKS AUCTION LOOK FOR 12 RARE, GARAGE PSYCH, or PROG CLASSICS !  HERE'S ONE :    CAPITOL RECORDS ST 121.  STEREO.  LP VG++ / CVR MINT-.  THANK YOU PETER FOR THE FINE ALBUM AND INFO INCLUDED!  

Gandalf – (Self Titled).  (Capitol 1969/Sundazed 2002)

Once a total mystery, Gandalf’s story has finally been unearthed, thanks largely to group leader Peter Sando’s efforts and cooperation.  Although much has already been said about this group and their sole album, there remain a few details to be told before their entire history can be understood.  Gandalf were first known as The Rahgoos, a New York group who played at many of the city’s leading nightspots before being discovered by songwriters Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon.  Bonner and Gordon had made a name for themselves for writing several hit songs for top groups like The Turtles.  The pair introduced the Rahgoos to producers Koppelman and Rubin, who got the group a contract with Capitol Records.  At the insistence of Koppelman and Rubin, the group changed their name to Gandalf, and soon began recording an album.  The release of the resulting album was delayed due to contractual disagreements between Koppelman and Rubin and Capitol, but eventually released in early 1969.  The Gandalf album was an excellent mix of influences, all liked together by the group’s own unique sound.  This sound managed to harmoniously blend compositions by Tim Hardin, Bonner and Gordon, as well as two Peter Sando originals with freshly revisited versions of the old classics “Golden Earrings,” “Scarlet Ribbons,” and “Nature Boy.”  This was clearly unique, considering that the mentality of most psychedelic groups was that only with new material could new sounds be explored.  Gandalf managed to forge their new sound within the framework of older material as well as newer with consistently excellent results.  This is certainly a large part of what makes Gandalf a special record and group.  Also a major contributing factor to this is the fine instrumentation and arrangement of Gandalf’s music. Compelling keyboard work and some occasionally stunning guitar playing, combined with the consistently excellent lead vocals of Peter Sando show the group to be not only talented, but focused as well.  The vocals are particularly notable.  An exchodette or echo box is used on Sando’s smooth voice to great affect throughout the album.  These echoed vocals are largely responsible for creating the strong mood present on the album.  This mood can best be described as a casual melodrama which somehow manages to remain completely unpretentious.  Peter Sando’s vocals and their resultant mood can be found not only on the Gandalf album, but also on two singles on RCA credited to The Barracuda.  The first of these, “Dance at St. Francis” actually became a minor chart hit, reaching #113 in the Billboard charts.  When asked by the reviewer about his involvement in these RCA singles, Sando explained,

"The Gandalf LP was cut (I Think) late '67, early ’68.  It was held up in record company bullshit as is documented on my website.  We had doubts that it would ever even be released.  Gandalf broke up before the LP was released in Jan. 1969.  In the interim, Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon asked me to sing on some RCA 45’s that they were working on.  Hence, I played guitar and sang lead on “Dance at St. Francis.”  It actually went into the nineties on the Cashbox charts and received major airplay in some cities.  I think if the arranger didn’t break the rhythm in the bridge, it would’ve been a hit.  We also did a follow up called “Julie, the Song I Sing is for You" that also featured Dave Bauer (Gandalf Drummer).” 

Indeed, “Dance at St. Francis” was a fine song, employing many of the same techniques used on the Gandalf album.  This is doubtlessly due to the fact that not only was the song written by Bonner and Gordon, but also it was produced by Koppelman and Rubin.  The Gandalf album has in recent years become widely admired by fans of psychedelic pop.  Its reputation is clearly deserved.  If you aren’t yet acquainted with this record and this group, you have yet to hear what is surely one of the finest albums in the annals of late 60s pop.  Peter Sando remains involved in music, and has recently released an album of his own music entitled Creatures of Habit.  In addition to this and running his own website, Peter has recently been interviewed for an article in the garage/psych zine Ugly Things. 

(**Quote and photo used with special permission of Peter Sando**)

www.petersando.com