Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

The Ventures were one of the prototypes for the surf sound, having been among the handful of instrumental bands using a two guitar bass drums lineup. Most other bands of their day were sax or keyboard lead, with guitars relegated to rhythm roles and occasional leads during the 30 second breaks. They are often called a surf band, but they don't consider themselves one (and they are aren't). They did record a few surf tunes, most notably "Diamond Head," and they rearranged their first monster hit record "Walk, Don't Run" into "Walk, Don't Run '64" to become a surf smash. This is a solid cross section of their sixties output.

Picks: Diamond Head, Slaughter On Tenth Avenue, Walk, Don't Run '64, Journey To The Stars, Out Of Limits, Wipe Out, Apache, House Of The Rising Sun, Driving Guitars, Surf Rider [Spudnik], Pipeline, A Taste Of Honey, Fugitive, I Feel Fine, Blue Star, Bulldog, Summertime Blues, Hanky Panky, Yellow Jacket, Caravan

Surf (Instrumental)

This is the original rock interpretation, and surf to boot. Its hot, powerful, dramatic, and downright infectious. Totally wonderful. This is remarkable, both for its adaptation to the surf idiom, and because of it's power. Wonderful.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Ventures had already become the chameleons of rock by the time surf came along a mere few months after they cut "Walk, Don't Run" in 1960. They adapted quickly, morphing their crown jewel tune into a surf classic by adding reverb and glissandoes. It's way fun.

Space Surf (Instrumental)

Pumped and deliriously solid, this sports major edge and really fine playing. The thunder is less than the studio track, but the menace is still there. Very strong!

Rock (Instrumental)

Mike Gordon's most familiar tune, delivered dry with edge. Some really tasty playing from Nokie Edwards.

Biker (Instrumental)

Highly uninspired dry rendering of the Surfaris classic. Mel Taylor's drums are way weak when compared to Ron Wilson's.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a pretty decent cover of Jerry Lordan's great tune. It's an adaptation of the Jorgen Ingman arrangement. It has less flair than his, but it is a solid track. If you want a hoot sometime, listen to the Sonny James vocal version.

Rock (Instrumental)

Also called "Ventures Twist," this is among the Ventures more familiar instros, popular in Japan more than the US. It's a progression with spirit and edge. The damped second guitar plucking in the break is very cool. Nice track.

Surf (Instrumental)

They called it "Spudnik" on their mashed potato album. The Lively Ones renamed it and made it a surf classic. This is quite dry compared to the Lively Ones' version. It's such a solid piece of writing!

Surf (Instrumental)

The Ventures recorded "Pipeline" with no reverb, and very uneven glissando meter, plus little of the emotional beauty of the Chantays' original classic. It's a flat-pickers rendition, not particularly interesting.

Rock (Instrumental)

Often covered, this track sports hound dog yelps and a spunky riff. It's a cool track, with excellent arranging and great drums.

Rock (Instrumental)

The theme from "Medic" played on steel or bottle necked guitar. It's a nice track, melodic and pretty, but not at all rockin'.

Rock (Instrumental)

The Fireballs' hit, rhythmically issued, less damped than the original, slightly drier. Pretty nice track.

Rock (Instrumental)

Tommy James & the Shondells' teen lust anthem, swimming with whammy. The song is just a riff, so it gets old real fast.

Rock (Instrumental)

Not quite as tribal as it would become later for the Ventures, yet very cool. The guitar tone is too subdued for rock, but this small combo arrangement is really nice. Solid drums and infectious rhythm enhance this Duke Ellington classic. A strip joint runway beat, and a shuffling rhythm guitar, and splendid jazzy lead work. This is precision pristine instro rock. Excellent.