Van Gogh

Van Gogh Album Cover

 

 

Album Notes

Van Gogh was released in December of 1998. Once again, critical acclaim was unanimously positive. One reviewer wrote, "I wasn't quite prepared for the diversity of sound… psychedelia, rock'n'roll, pop, funk ... it's all here." And, "An intricately produced CD… this is music formed with attention to detail - very fine detail indeed."

The new album found Van Gogh once again exploring new musical terrain – as drum loops were employed on some songs ("Tangled"), and sampling incorporated into others ("Ready, Willing, & Able", and the McCartney Hofner bass sound used in "All The Time In The World"). They never lose their sense of humor, as evidenced in the bluegrass-polka-ragtime free-for-all "Maybe".

Van Gogh was the first Van Gogh album produced entirely by Robby. Their drummer on this CD, Scott Robertson, was key in the sampling and loops Robby wanted to add.

The release was celebrated with a performance at a downtown Atlanta hotel ballroom. Seven hundred people showed up to help celebrate.

Throughout '98, Van Gogh performed at numerous high schools and middle schools in support of VSAarts GA's efforts to eradicate stereotypes of people with disabilities. They wowed audiences with their music, and scared them with their sharp, irreverent sense of humor during the Q&A after each show.

  • Van Gogh was featured in a full-length article for the national magazine ENABLE.
  • Van Gogh was the featured cover story of the Feb. edition of QUEST magazine.
  • Van Gogh wrote and recorded "Beyond the Barriers" for Mark Wellman' extreme sports video Beyond Barriers. (Mark Wellman is the paraplegic mountain climber who climbed the tower holding the Olympic cauldron by hand, to light the flame to begin the 1996 Paralympic Games.)
  • Van Gogh shot a video for the song "Beyond The Barriers" that is featured on the Mark Wellman video.
  • Van Gogh once again appeared and performed at all five national Abilities Expos (65 performances in all).
  • Their song "Vital" was featured on the USA Power Pop compilation CD released in Spain on Bam Balam Records.

In 1999, Van Gogh was asked to perform at the closing ceremonies of the International Art & Soul Festival in Los Angeles. They put on an incredible show, playing to a raucous, standing-room-only crowd, as attendees from around the world rocked, danced and celebrated late into the night.

That summer, Van Gogh was invited to perform in front of the New York Stock Exchange, where the street was blocked off and a stage erected. They played two rousing sets for the crowds of people, who were eager to spend their lunchtime outside and enjoy the gorgeous weather. The second set ended up being twice as long as originally planned because the organizers kept asking them to "play a couple of more songs". They later explained that they wanted to keep it going as long as possible, because the crowd was so into it – which was fine with the band.

Later in '99, Van Gogh took part in SLAB Fest, a two-day music festival held every year to raise money for a chosen non-profit organization. Van Gogh's performance was a complete success, made all the more sweet because they refilled the club which had been emptied by the previous band, and won over people who admitted to being totally prepared not to like their music.

  • Van Gogh decided to only do three Abilities Expos that year (39 performances).
  • They recorded the Klaatu song "Older", which was included on the CD Around The Universe In 80 Minutes: A Tribute To Klaatu, on Bullseye Records.
  • Van Gogh performed at two colleges in Florida, including Brevard Community College auditorium, where a large crowd turned out to see the show, in spite of some nasty weather.

By the end of '99, Van Gogh was averaging 50,000 performance miles per year; acquired an intelligent light show; was featured in two national ad campaigns; self-released four full-length albums; wrote and recorded songs for numerous tribute CDs, anthology CDs, and film soundtracks; released a 40-minute video; recorded an unreleased Prince song – and all without an agent, manager or any support from the entertainment industry whatsoever.

Robby always handled the business side of things, as well as most other aspects of the band, and by late 1999, he was ready to take a break from touring. It was time for Van Gogh to consider what (if anything) to do next.

But the best was yet to come…

In 2000, Van Gogh headlined the FSU home game street party — held in front of the state capitol in Tallahassee, FL — and played to the biggest crowd ever to attend. Thousands of people filled the streets, dancing and partying. Prior to the concert, Van Gogh appeared in a live interview on the local 6 o'clock news broadcast and filmed a segment for a documentary film crew.

  • Van Gogh performed at the Riverbend Festival, in Chattanooga, TN.
  • They performed two rollicking shows, for two very large, loud and enthusiastic audiences, at the Performing Arts Center, in Moultrie, GA.
  • They recorded the Paul McCartney song "Letting Go", for the album Love In Song: An Atlanta Tribute To Sir Paul McCartney for Demagogue Productions.
Album Credits

Recorded at: Van Gogh Studios, Atlanta, GA
Produced by: Robby Heisner
Engineered and Mixed by: Scott Robertson & Robby Heisner
Sampling: Scott Robertson
Mastered by: Rodney Mills Masterhouse
Cover Art: Said Abdelsayed (and artistic inspiration)
Art and Photo Editing: Robby Heisner
Cover Editing: Matt McCoy
Photos by: Jeff Sheriff & Walt Seng

Steve Stone appears courtesy of the Atlanta Rhythm Section.

We would like to thank "The Artist" for the song "Van Gogh".

Simple Cinderella
Lyrics: Ricky Heisner
Music: Robby Heisner & Kevin Grace
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Drums: Scott Robertson
Bass & Guitars: Kevin Wyglad
Keyboards: Kevin Grace
Background Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner & Caspar McCloud

The World In A Nut Shell
Lyrics: Ricky Heisner
Music: Robby Heisner
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Drums & Sampling: Scott Robertson
Bass: Andy Anderson
Keyboards: Robby Heisner
Guitar: Kevin Wyglad
Background Vocals: Ricky & Robby

All The Time In The World
Lyrics: Ricky Heisner
Music: Robby Heisner
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Drums & Sampling: Scott Robertson
Guitar: Gary Shetler
Keyboards: Robby Heisner

Almost Too Real
Lyrics: Ricky Heisner
Music: Robby Heisner
Lead Vocal: Ricky Heisner
Lead Harmony: Robby Heisner
Drums: Scott Robertson
Bass: Billy Gewin
Guitar: Gary Shetler
Keyboards: Andrew Carter
Background Vocals: Ricky Heisner & Robby Heisner

Ready, Willing & Able
(From the United Crew motion picture, Ready, Willing, & Able)
Lyrics: Ricky Heisner
Music: Robby Heisner
Lead Vocal (Left): Robby Heisner
Lead Vocal (Right): Ricky Heisner
All Instruments: Robby Heisner
Additional Percussion: Scott Robertson

Van Gogh
© 1998 NPG
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Drums & Sampling: Scott Robertson
Bass & Guitar: Kevin Wyglad
Keyboards: Robby Heisner
Background Vocals: Valerie Hunter & Alsia Dorsey

Tangled
Lyrics: Ricky Heisner
Music: Robby Heisner
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Drums: Scott Robertson
Bass & Guitar: Kevin Wyglad
Piano: Kevin Grace
Keyboards & Sampling: Robby Heisner
Background Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner & Caspar McCloud

Lift Me Up
Lyrics: Ricky Heisner
Music: Robby Heisner
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Drums: Scott Robertson
Bass: Andy Anderson
Keyboards: Kevin Grace
Background Vocals: Valerie Hunter & Alsia Dorsey

Maybe
Lyrics: Ricky Heisner
Music: Robby Heisner
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Drums & Washboard: Scott Robertson
Bass: Billy Gewin
Piano & Accordion: Andrew Carter
Banjo & Mandolin: Steve Stone

My Telescope
Lyrics: Ricky Heisner
Music: Robby Heisner
Lead Vocal: Ricky Heisner
Drums: Scott Robertson
Bass: Andy Anderson
Keyboards: Kevin Grace
Guitars: Kevin Wyglad
Background Vocals: Ricky Heisner & Robby Heisner

All That Glitters
Lyrics: Ricky Heisner
Music: Robby Heisner
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Drums: Scott Robertson
Hammond B-3: Kevin Grace
Bass: Billy Gewin
Guitars: Kevin Wyglad
Keyboards: Robby Heisner

Waiting For A Revolution
Lyrics: Ricky Heisner
Music: Robby Heisner
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Drums & Sampling: Scott Robertson
Guitar: Gary Shetler
Lead Solo: Steve Stone
Keyboards: Andrew Carter
Trumpet: Derrick Lee
Background Vocals: Ricky Heisner & Robby Heisner

 

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