The Ventures

 

Standing head and shoulders above all other  instrumental rock bands- as much for sheer volume of work as great music-are the Ventures. Less known than they should be (especially in Britain) and underated despite creating  a huge and eclectic volume of work. Although known for their often improved instrumental versions of existing songs,their own compositions are far superior.Over more than 50 years and hundreds of albums there have inevitably been a few less inspiring periods. Mostly their tunes have been a collection of blistering garage rock,vintage blues rock,highly distinctive surf music, finely composed and played guitar classics,1960s offbeat audio experiments and japanese inspired pop rock. Of the thousands of different renditions of 'Greensleeves' in existence the Ventures created possibly the greatest  with an uptempo rock version renamed 'Snowflakes' on their  Christmas  album from 1965.
If pure rock'n'roll,punk rock or any  twangy guitar music with an aggressive hard edge is your thing you should check these out.

Recommended  listening (albums):

Surfing
Twist With The Ventures
Ventures In Space
Live In Japan 1965
Batman Themes
Walk Don't Run:Best Of (29 track compilation)
Radical Guitars

 

Spectacular 1965 drum solo by The Ventures Mel Taylor....

             

 

 

 

   RB

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