Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Ventures - S/Tdotdotdot
artworkAlbum two for the Ventures. Like the first, it is an essential part of the history of rock instrumentals.
Picks: The Shuck, Detour, Ram-Bunk-Shush, Hawaiian War Chant, Perfidia, Harlem Nocturne, Blue Tango, Ups 'N' Downs, Lonesome Town, Torquay, Wailin', The Moon Of Manakoora

Track by Track Review


The Shuck dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"The Shuck" is an MOR-country tune that is very nonintrusive, and equally unremarkable.

Detour dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This is a spirited rendition of the Duane Eddy B-side. It's got a great shuffle beat and full low-E lead tone. Excellent picking.

Ram-Bunk-Shush dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"Ram-Bunk-Shush" is a guitar boogie, infectious and fun to play. The call and response in the lead lines is a really nice feature of this tune.

Hawaiian War Chant dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This is a low-key low note tribal arrangement of the "Hawaiian War Chant," with a wrong key sound and sadness. Infectious and strange.

Perfidia dotdotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This is the followup to "Walk, Don't Run," in the same style and equally infectious. The lead is less up front, but the warmth of the whammy makes this an excellent pre-surf track. Great drums and picking. The combo really comes together in this track.

Harlem Nocturne dotdotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Earl Hagen's classic track made a rock instro standard by the Viscounts is very nicely done here. It's not raw like the Viscounts version. It's very pretty, like a romantic version of an Earl Stanley Gardner novel. Excellent playing, subtle and small combo jazzy.

Blue Tango dotdotdot
MOR Rock (Instrumental)

A fun side trip into guitar tango land. Very nice guitar work.

Ups 'N' Downs dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Like a gypsy noodle on a burro, this is a rhythmic and very cool number. It seems to sneak into the shoes while you're out of them, then infiltrate by osmosis through the soles of your feet while you obliviously stroll down the street. Really nice infectious track.

Lonesome Town dotdotdot
MOR Rock (Instrumental)

Ricky Nelson's slow sad ballad, played slowly and smoothly.

Torquay dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

The Ventures pay homage to the Fireballs, the other two guitar-bass-drums combo making hit records. This is much less surfy and more playful than the original. I'm not sure that's an improvement, but it shows both reverence and originality.

Wailin' dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This tune is from fellow Seattleites the Wailers. It's a jam, fast and furious.

The Moon Of Manakoora dotdotdot
MOR Rock (Instrumental)

Shimmering vibrato, slow and sad, and very pretty.