Gandalf

Gandalf (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 2, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 1967
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sundazed Music Inc.
• ASIN: B000068ZWX
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,259 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Golden Earrings

2. Hang On To A Dream

3. Never Too Far

4. Scarlet Ribbons

5. You Upset The Grace Of Living

6. Can You Travel In The Dark Alone

7. Nature Boy

8. Tiffany Rings

9. Me About You

10. I Watch The Moon

Editorial Reviews

With spellbinding, atmospheric songs which spin from soft dreamscapes into blistering fuzz guitar breaks, Gandalf casts a powerful spell. Led by singer/guitarist Peter Sando, the group was signed by Lovin' Spoonful producers Charlie Koppelman & Don Rubin & conjured their sole, self-titled album for Capitol in late 1967. One of the rarest major label psychedelic releases, Gandalf (not to be confused with the heavy metal outfit with the same name) features swirls of Hammond B3 organ, caressing vibraphone runs & electric sitar on Sando's originals as well as imaginative recastings of songs by Tim Hardin, Gary Bonner, Alan Gordon & Eden Ahbez. First-ever domestic CD release. 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Golden Velvet Sound Echos In The Forest Of Your Mind, April 23, 2006

By 

Jack B. Nimble (East Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gandalf (Audio CD)

GANDALF is possibly the rarest album on the Capitol label and sought after in any condition by record collectors. Originally released in 1968, reissued by Capitol on vinyl in the 90's, but they never issued it on CD (why not?). The British See For Miles label reissued it first on CD and now this Sundazed release. As with all Sundazed reissues the sound quality is excellent (considering source tapes), remastered by master reissue guru/producer Bob Irwin. This is a wonderful album, not overproduced, but with a dreamy, laid back vibe and a velvet landscape with a feminine essence that's hard to describe. If you've done hallucinogenics then you know what I'm talking about. The vocals are one of the highlights. Very soft and articulate vocals drenched in reverb and sometimes echo out, but with a tone that reminds me of SRC (Scott Richardson Case). What's with William the Hobbit below who said "it sounds like one of The Bee Gees, you can't make out what the singer is saying and non-melodic"?? This review is totally incorrect! Anyway, the standout tracks are: Golden Earring, Hang On To A Dream, Can You Travel In The Dark Alone, Nature Boy and Watch The Moon. Give Tiffany Rings a good listen too, a nice little dreamy psych pop tune. There is some decent Hammond B3 work and Peter Sando's guitar work has it moments also with some nice fuzz and power chords that gives GANDALF a heavy psych sound at times. There are over a dozen psychedelic gems on the Capitol label that were never reissued by Capitol on CD and GANDALF is one of the top 5 of them. However, Capitol did reissue Quicksilver Mess. Serv., Mad River's Paradise Bar & Grill and People I Love You. This Sundazed reissue is the next best thing along with the Capitol vinyl reissue if you cannot find or afford a vg+ or near mint original which can fetch anywhere from $250 to $600 dollars on auctions and private lists. Relax and let the music flow through you with or without any altered stimulation of the senses. Enjoy.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I got 2 little hobbits and a microphone..., August 8, 2002

By 

D. Hartley (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gandalf (Audio CD)

Is it just coincidence that this obscure late 60's psych band's catalog is being reissued on CD at the same point in time that the "Lord Of The Rings" film trilogy is ramped up and fresh in everyone's mind? Oh, perhaps.(Maybe we'll finally get that Wizzard box set!) Cynicism aside, fans of the sitar and the lava lamp will probably get a kick out of Gandalf's debut, nicely packaged and remastered by the collector-friendly Sundazed label. The arrangements are (of course) a tad "dated" and chock full of the requisite cosmic peace love and acid lyrics, but it should please collectors of the genre. The band's sound falls somewhere between "A Question Of Balance" era Moody Blues and say, oh, early Bubble Puppy, with maybe a dash of the Association here and there. Not essential, but quite listenable.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great psych/baroque album, April 18, 2008

By 

Usuallee (Augusta, ME) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gandalf (Audio CD)

Many obscure albums are obscure for a reason and never come close to living up to the underground hype. Happily, that is not the case with this album. This is a very well done album. It is nicely composed and arranged, and performed, with nice singing. It is pretty mellow with a lot of organ for the most part, though "Never Too Far" is a nice blast of fuzzy-guitar psych. The album has a better than average stereo sound for the era. The "trippy" studio effects are used tastefully and contribute to a pleasantly hazy, dreamlike vibe. I think it's one of the best obscure albums of the era. Highly recommended for psych, baroque pop, and 60's fans.