Ventures - Surfin to Baja (19 tracks) +Album Reviews

"Varese Records brings another helping of The Ventures"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 03/29/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This extraordinary group once again releases another Varese Record, try this on for size "Surfin' to Baja", as The Ventures come up with nineteen original tracks for this long awaited album (the wait was worth it) ~ featuring Mel Taylor, Leon Taylor, Don Wilson, Gerry McGee all the original group members ~ special guest appearance by Jeff "Skunk" Baxter performing "SKUNK ROCK", a zestful obedient tuneful mood.Entire album takes several entertaining turns ~ "OPEN FOR BUSINESS", "SANTA CRUZ". "SNOWS OF NAGANO", "ZONKED" ~ a powerful performance of newer material with classic lines ~ a highlight would have to be "BEETHOVEN FIVE-OH!", hard edge with deep shades of rock blends well with the classical, well the final ingredient is completely an exhausting work out, The Ventures pull out all the stops as that familiar theme comes to the surface, it is truly a culture shock...gotta love it!Total Time: 64:05 on 19 Tracks ~ Varese Records 66536 ~ (2/24/2004)"

+1/2 -- Broad collection drawn from across the '90s

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 04/05/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The Ventures aren't just the most successful instrumental band in history; they're probably the longest lasting. With original partners Bob Bogle (bass) and Don Wilson (rhythm guitar) accompanied by longtime drummer Mel Taylor, his replacement/son Leon Taylor, and lead guitarist (and two-time replacement for Nokie Edwards) Gerry McGee, the band's retained a consistent sound across nearly 40 years of playing and recording.Though their first hits pre-date the surf music craze, their biggest chart successes - "Walk, Don't Run" and "Hawaii Five-O" - have maintained their surf-influence on the band. But to pigeonhole the group as a surf-band would be to shortchange the wide variety of musical influences and song sources from which they draw. These tracks were recorded in Southern California throughout the 90s, but released only in Japan across a series of albums. At times they retain the multi-guitar driven magic of the band's early recordings, but at others they turn more easy-listening with the keyboards of David Carr providing texture.Like most Ventures albums, there's something here that will please just about everyone, including reverb drenched surf tunes like "Web Surfin'," bluesy rockers like "After Midnight in Shinjuku" and "Night Bird," and the catchy surf-meets-Tex-Mex-at-the-pier "Ajoen Ajoen." The ballad "Follow Your Heart" provides room for some expressive guitar playing, and "Zonked" turns off the amplifiers for an unusual (for the Ventures, that is) ZZ Top styled acoustic blues. Guest highlights include the guitar of Jeff "Skunk" Baxter on the driving "Skunk Rock" and the late afternoon surf-toned "Open For Business," and former lead axe man Nokie Edwards on the Beach Party styled "Two on the Beach."3-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings."

Enjoyable

K. Brown | Walnut, Ca USA | 04/28/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I enjoyed this Ventures release, but it pales in comparison to "New Depths" and their early releases. The opening tune "Santa Cruz" starts off the set with good melody and some raw attitude, but most songs on this CD come off pleasant but bland, and the takes on classical tunes like "Beethoven Five-O" seem like filler where really good Ventures guitar should be. It's true much of The Ventures fame came from doing awesome covers of popular songs (look for the album that has their cover of Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In," it is excellent!) , but rock/disco covers of classical tunes like Beethoven's 5th have been done just a few too many times.In all fairness, I can't help comparing recent Ventures releases to their 1998 "New Depths" CD, which also featured folks like Duane Eddy and Jeff Baxter in the band. "New Depths"is not just one of The Ventures' best releases ever, it is one of the best Surf Guitar releases of all time, and is a difficult act to follow. It makes me wonder if "New Depths" unique raw sound emerged from The Ventures' desire to experiment, the participation of other musicians, or a combination of both. In fact, one of the high spots of "Surfing To Baja" is the tune "Web Surfing," which was originally featured on "New Depths."All in all, "Surfing To Baja" is an enjoyable listen, but nowhere near vintage Ventures! The Ventures are one of my favorite bands ever, but they have so much more to offer on their other albums."

Fine collection from the instrumental kings

Scott Hedegard | Fayetteville, AR USA | 08/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Long before shred, Joe Satriani and countless nameless diddlers that flooded the guitar market after the arrival of Eddie Van Halen, rock and roll enjoyed a period of instrumental glory that has yet to be equalled.

After Elvis' first few albums, he went to the Army and then Hollywood. Thus ended the real rock from him. Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran fired things up briefly, as did Duane Eddy and Link Wray. Until the arrival of surf music though, instrumental rock music really hadn't taken much of a hold.

That all changed with the arrivals of the Beach Boys, who turned in several instrumental surf tunes on their first couple of albums, and Dick Dale, the reverb king. The Ventures also appeared at the same time, and for a while, rock and roll radio grooved to great guitar music, pioneers like Dale, Carl Wilson and Bob Bogle setting the stage for all rock guitarists to follow.

The Ventures did particularly well, with their "Walk Don't Run" hit, "Telstar" and others. This set, "Surfin' To Baja" is a collection from the early part of this decade and features a band that still rocks mightily on all original tunes, with the exception of a great reworking of Beethoven's Fifth, retitled "Beethoven Five-Oh!"

Jeff "Skunk" Baxter puts in a cameo on "Skunk Rock", but otherwise the original lineup and Mel Taylor's son, who replaced the legendary drummer after his death, still show who's boss in instrumental music.

Unlike the aforementioned shredders, what the Ventures do is play real songs that just happen to not have lyrics. Melody is the rule, not the exception. Not that some great riffs don't show up - they're all over the place, but these tunes stick in your head, unlike a simple bass thump over endless scales at warp speed too many hotrod guitar players favor. It's tasteful, very pretty in places, and shows us that rock music is truly one for all ages. This band deserves to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Help 'em out by sending a note to the museum, won't you? And buy this CD while you're at it."

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