Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Ventures - Surfin' '77
 | This is a fine best of the surf period Japanese vinyl release from 1977. It contains most of the enduring reverb laden tracks from the Ventures. |
Picks: Diamond Head, Surf Rider, Pipeline, Barefoot Venture, Black Sand Beach, The Ninth Wave, Kick Stand, Wipe Out, The Cruel Sea, Cruncher, The Lonely Sea, Ten Over, Yellow Jacket, Ten Seconds To Heaven
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Danny Hamilton's classic instro, and among the very few surf singles the Ventures issued. Classic.
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.
Fuzz and Surf (Instrumental)
Fuzz and surf in a fairly typical fifties format, sax break and all. It's infectious in a neighborhood surf band kinda way, with chunky rhythm and lots of fun. The feel is a little like a softer Nobles track.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a great cover of Yuzo Kayama and the Launchers' hit Japanese single. Very much like the original, it's one guitar hero paying homage to another across the culture lines. Solid rockin' fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
This track was a single c/w "Damaged Goods." Not exactly a surf tune, but infectious and rhythmic none the less. "The Ninth Wave" is chunky and almost crunchy, with the feel of the waves and a fairly dry sound.
Biker (Instrumental)
Bikerisms abound in this Venturization of the Davie Allan sound. OK, but not overly interesting.
Wipe Out 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)
Also titled "The Cruel Surf," this is an odd version, with the lead guitar mixed pretty low. It's faster and more pumped than the Dakotas' original. The guitar tone is quite dry.
Rock (Instrumental)
Infectious Sandy Nelson style minimal guitar licks fronting what is essentially a drum record. Tribal and pretty fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
This splendid island breeze classic is so friendly... and so Polynesian... and just so cool! melodic and a pure joy to listen to. Really well written and well played.
Surf (Instrumental)
A landlocked surf tune with whammy and a stop-start beat, A little too herky jerky and unmelodic.
Rock (Instrumental)
Very big in Japan, this is a fine riff based tune, dry and fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Strangers In Paradise" made into an excellent surf track, with fine reverb and a great arrangement. This is the Ventures at their surf period finest.