Stars on Guitars [Import]

The Ventures | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 23, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Recall Records/Ka
• ASIN: B000007WVA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,822 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #96 in Music > Rock > Rock Guitarists > Surf Guitar

Editorial Reviews

Stars on Guitars is a collection of the Ventures performing virtually every popular surf guitar instrumental that has ever been released, along with several other rock instrumentals. The group sounds quite good as they plow through these songs, saving the first disc for the covers while the second disc is made up of music from two of their previous live releases. They go all over the map here, covering everyone from the Rolling Stones to Dick Dale with their typical moody guitar and bizarre arrangements. The reliance on keyboards does hurt the record on the first disc, but they overcome that problem with their sheer weirdness. Their covers of '80s superhits "Axel F" and "St. Elmo's Fire" need to be heard to be believed. Although they may no longer be the surf rock giants they once were, the Ventures can still contribute very unique and unusual music that tends to float closer to the Residents than any other recognizable reference point. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Note from Ventures management, October 25, 2000

By 

Fiona Taylor, Ventures' manager (Reseda, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stars on Guitars (Audio CD)

This package consists of 2 CD's - the first contains studio recordings, and the second contains "live" recordings. These are compiled from tracks recorded during the 80's and 90's, principally for original release in Japan. Many tracks have not been previously released in the U.S. Since the package contains a large number of titles, we have been told by most of those who have purchased it, that they consider it good value.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good start but great place to continue, June 13, 2003

By 

Dick K (Centreville, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stars on Guitars (Audio CD)

If you're just discovering the Ventures this is a good place to start but I'd rate the Best of (Legendary Guitars) CD as the better place to start since it covers the classic Ventures better. But there's a wealth of great material here too. The two CDs are quite different but compliment one another very well. Yes, the 2nd CD is a live set and the sound isn't studio quality but then again it captures a little of the excitement of a concert.

Bottom line? I love the Ventures and consider this an essential in my collection. If you like these guys and don't have this one, get it. If you're just discovering the group, go get the 1 CD Best of, one of the "Wild Again" CDs and then come get this one... I don't think you'll be disappointed with any of them.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars recorded live not studio, February 29, 2000

By 

glynn davenport (porterville,California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stars on Guitars (Audio CD)

I was disappointed on receiving CD to learn it was a"live recording{england} not same as studio quality was expecting.