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#Post#: 1310--------------------------------------------------
Who played lead on "Gandy Dancer"?
By: abstamaria Date: July 26, 2012, 11:30 pm
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This is a take-off from an interesting discussion in the UF2,
which I am taking the liberty of sharing in this forum in the
hope that information will be easier to access in the future.
The discussion started when I remarked that “Gandy Dancer,”
which appeared in the LP “Going to the Ventures Dance Party,” to
my ears was a mystery. It sounded like Bob Bogle on a
Jazzmaster, but the style didn’t seem to match Bob’s or Nokie’s
music of that era. I couldn’t figure out which of the two
played lead on that, and was then advised that Nokie, not Bob,
played lead for "Gandy Dancer,"
and that Nokie's recollection, as personally recounted to one of
the UF members in a car ride two weeks ago, is that he probably
did so on a Telecaster.
I was hoping to find more information to confirm that and remove
all doubt, but came upon the following from Del Halterman's book
“Walk on’t Run.”
Del Halterman writes that Bob Bogle said, "Nokie [in 1962] was
also doing his own thing; it was all we could do to get him to a
session."
Del Halterman then writes "In June [1962], Bob and Don returned
from their tour of the Orient. The next Ventures album release
was scheduled for August, but with demand high for public
appearances, they decided on two men in the studio and two on
tour. This time, Bob and Mel; stayed behind to work with Billy
Strange and David Gates while Nokie went out with Don on a tour
of the Pacific
Northwest."
"With Billy Strange as second guitarist, Bob Bogle led the first
recording session for ‘Going to the Ventures Dance Party’ …"
The only recorded and circulated version of "Gandy Dancer"
appeared in that album.
Del Halterman's fine book includes recording session sheets that
show which musicians were in the studio when certain pieces were
recorded. These show that "Gandy Dancer" was recorded on August
9, 1962. The musicians listed are Bob,Mel, Billy Strange, and
David Gates.
Could it be that Bob or maybe Billy Strange played lead on the
recorded version?
It sounds like a Jazzmaster was used, albeit with somewhat
thinner strings than original.
In August this year, then, "Gandy" will be 50 years old.
Regardless of who played it, it remains one of my favorite
pieces. But, for historical reasons, it sure would be good to
know who played lead on what guitar. The Shadows guys never have
this problem!
Regards,
Andy
#Post#: 1311--------------------------------------------------
Re: Who played lead on "Gandy Dancer"?
By: wstagner Date: July 27, 2012, 8:01 am
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Andy....why don't you email Judy Edwards and ask her to ask
Nokie?
Explain a little about yourself, and all the editorialiazing on
UF2 so Judy will have the background, then ax her to axes Nokie.
All I can tell you is when he played w/us in 2004, he had NO
Trouble remembering the toon. I think we played a few secs of
it to remind him which toon it was and "off we went." ;)
#Post#: 1312--------------------------------------------------
Re: Who played lead on "Gandy Dancer"?
By: abstamaria Date: July 29, 2012, 5:43 pm
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One of the members of UF2 spoke to Nokie already, Walt, and very
kindly contributed what I noted above. Nokie thinks perhaps a
Telecaster.
The only problem is that session sheets show he and Don were not
in the studio the day the "Dance Party" version was recorded.
That was about the time they were on tour, as Bob Bogle
recounts.
To my ears, that version, the version we know, doesn't have the
brightness and "bite" of a Tele. It sounds more like a
Jazzmaster to me.
Apparently, the entire Ventures band did record at least two
trial versions of "Gandy Dancer," including the one you posted
that sounded like a backing track. Both times, Bob Bogle played
lead.
I am sure Nokie can play the tune very well. I hope he records
his own version. Don Wilson was supposed to have written the
piece,
Best,
Andy
#Post#: 1313--------------------------------------------------
Re: Who played lead on "Gandy Dancer"?
By: wstagner Date: July 29, 2012, 10:38 pm
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I'd bet a substantial sum of $ that every toon on GTVDP featured
a JM on leed. NOTHING sounds like a JM....including another
Fender geetar set to use both PUPs (switch in the middle).
Plus a JM is a grate recording geetar. Case in point. Go here:
HTML http://www.myspace.com/GWG/music/songs?filter=featured
HTML http://www.myspace.com/GWG/music/songs?filter=featured
and
lissen 2 Sukiyaki. Both leads and rhythm were played on a JM.
Next lissen to Warm Hearts...leed played on a strat with switch
in middle position. It sounds good but lacks the warmth of the
JM.
If you want to sound like the V preMosrite, get/play a JM.
Why do you think Bob Spalding recently invested in a JM? He
nose. :o
#Post#: 1315--------------------------------------------------
Re: Who played lead on "Gandy Dancer"?
By: wstagner Date: July 30, 2012, 1:00 pm
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The toon that "we" really should be discussing isn't GD, it
should be COUNTERPOINT.
How was that one done (way a hed of it's time) and who played
what on THAT one and how was it recorded? ;)
#Post#: 1334--------------------------------------------------
Re: Who played lead on "Gandy Dancer"?
By: Gandy Dancer Date: August 2, 2012, 2:04 pm
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[quote author=wstagner link=topic=503.msg1315#msg1315
date=1343671208]
The toon that "we" really should be discussing isn't GD, it
should be COUNTERPOINT.
How was that one done (way a hed of it's time) and who played
what on THAT one and how was it recorded? ;)
[/quote] I agree totally. That one has baffled me for years.
???
#Post#: 1335--------------------------------------------------
Re: Who played lead on "Gandy Dancer"?
By: wstagner Date: August 2, 2012, 4:57 pm
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It's actually not that bad. It's just cleaver interaction with
the cords, bass and lead geetars.
Maybe we'll try recording this one sometime.
I'm sure it's not been done since the V recorded it.
Another great Ventures orignal.
#Post#: 1928--------------------------------------------------
Strange but true.
By: abstamaria Date: May 17, 2013, 10:39 pm
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The Gandy Dancer discussion accidentally resurfaced in UF2, and
I am posting here for posterity (it is so difficult to retrieve
information on the UF2 forum because of its format) a concluding
comment made today by a respected historian of the Ventures.
“Well … many [studio] logs HAVE been recovered, and as you
suggest, it seems that Billy Strange played the lead for Gandy
Dancer on Going to The Ventures Dance Party. During a session
on Monday July 16,'62, Night Drive, Gandy Dancer, Mr Moto, Come
September Theme, and Limbo Rock were taped by Don, Bob, Nokie,
and Mel. However, four weeks later on Thursday August 9th,
another session took place with Billy Strange and David Gates in
place of Nokie and Don, who were touring the Pacific Northwest,
picking up local musicians for bass and percussion backing.”
I don’t have permission to do so, and so won’t name the author,
but the post is currently on UF2 now if anyone is interested. I
have just reposted it here as this forum presents a more
durable, accessible medium for preserving these important
contributions.
Regards to all,
Andy
#Post#: 1929--------------------------------------------------
Re: Who played lead on "Gandy Dancer"?
By: wstagner Date: May 18, 2013, 10:04 am
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Thanks, Andy...good idea to post for posteriority. ;D
Honestly, lisning 2 GD LP the only Venture it actually sounds
like is Mel.
But I no that Nokie nose how to play GD, Moto, Come Sept,
because he's either played on tour OR with OUR band...GWG.
Don't think he's ever play nite drive live tho, even tho his is
the ONLY named author of the toon...Nole Edwards.
HTML http://wstagner.com/band/oldsit/dvd/nitejive.wmv
HTML http://wstagner.com/band/oldsit/dvd/nitejive.wmv
#Post#: 1930--------------------------------------------------
Re: Who played lead on "Gandy Dancer"?
By: mosriteer Date: May 18, 2013, 11:02 am
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Walt:
Great job on ND and you had no white hairs at that time! More
posts of your playing from that era, please.
-Kanad
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