Customer Reviews

Walk Don't Run

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The first time I played in front of an audience was when three of my buddies and I performed the Ventures' "Walk-Don't Run" before our seventh grade classmates. Sure, there were lots of instrumental groups in the Sixties--the Astronauts, the Chantays, the Marketts, the Challengers and the Tornadoes. But for sheer productivity and longevity, nobody touched the Ventures. Their trademark hard-driving drumming and twanging guitar (courtesy of Bob Bogle) made them the most successful instrumental group of the Sixties with hits like "Walk-Don't Run," the similarly arranged "Perfidia," "Ram-Bunk-Shush," the updated "Walk-Dont Run '64" and "Hawaii Five-O."

Over the course of their career (they're still a huge concert draw in Japan), the Ventures have released more than fifty albums. This CD collects 25 of their best songs from the Sixties along with a nearly 7-minute interview and several radio spots. If you grew up in the Sixties, this is the definitive Ventures' collection. Enjoy the memories! Highly Recommended

For a group that has survived for over 40 years, it's impossible to include every essential song on one CD. However, in my opinion, this is the best single-disc compilation of the Ventures available. For those not that familiar with the group, this is the ideal place to start. For those of us who grew up with the Ventures and remain big fans, this is a great way to listen to some of the best songs they've ever recorded. The extensive liner notes are very informative, the sound quality is outstanding, and the price is reasonable. My advice is to buy it now, in case it should ever go out of print.

Curious about the Ventures? Buy this CD!

This is what I would call "The Essential Ventures," with their hits Walk, Don't Run, Walk Don't Run '64, Slaughter on Tenth Avenue. The only track missing is "Telstar," but we can forgive them since this compilation is so good. I recommend this CD for anyone who has not ventured into the Ventures.

The perception is that the Ventures are merely a cover group. That is ¼ true. They do perform a lot of covers, as you can see on other albums, but they do something better-they improve the songs they cover. They have that energy and spark that illuminates their music.

I am glad that voiceless instrumental rock is still being kept alive in these CDs. They provide great background music for parties and long drives across Nevada. It is also great make-out music, but I won't go there.

The transfer from tape to CD is perfect-no irregularities or anything weird. The interviews as the end of the CD are fun and illuminating, shining the light into the hidden past. The cover design is also engaging, the photo givers us a glimpse at the men behind the music.

The Ventures are the greatest rock instrumental band ever. I would even go the length to say they were the best rock group, period, but that's a little too extreme for many people. The Ventures were formed in late 1959. The future guitarists for the band, Don Wilson, and Bob Bogle, new each other through their jobs, at a used car lot. After they got together, Walk Dont Run came about. After a couple singles, and an album, Walk Dont Run shot up the charts, and The Ventures were surf rock legends! A few albums later, and a few changes in the lineup, from 1963 on, The Ventures consisted of Don Wilson, Nokie Edwards, Bob Bogle, on guitars, and Mel Taylor on drums. What a group of extraudinary musicians! The group could tackle so many musical styles. And with what ease and feel they did it with. During the 1960's, The Ventures put out great albums, and had some great hit singles. They would record their most famous song ever, "Hawaii Five-0." Though it would be their most famous song, most do not know the same group who put out Walk Don Run 10 years earlier, put out this gem. This cd collection, captures The Ventures in their prime. It also has some rarities like radio show commercials and a breif interview from "Rocketing Rhythms," with Don Wilson and Bob Bogle. This is a nice place to start, with the Ventures. I did a two years ago, and now, I'm hooked. I have also learned a little on guitar by them. This is a nice collection. If you're a an avad guitar fan, an instrumental rock fan, a surf rock fan, an oldies fan, or just a fan of great music, by this cd. You won't be dissapointed!

This is a 29 track compilation featuring all of their classic hits including the title track (both versions are included), Ram-Bunk-Shush, Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, Perfidia, and the Hawaii Five-O theme, many great album tracks and 4 rarities (an interview and 3 radio spots).It is very well compiled and is great at anytime. Some of the other tracks I like include The 200 Pound Bee, Spudnick, and Driving Guitars, which has a twistin' beat, but I do like all of the tracks on this CD. All in all, this is a great compilation and is a must have for all rock and roll guitar fans, and everyone else who likes great music.

As most people refer to The Ventures as a "cover" band I think of them as much much more. I think of them as extraudinary self-taught musicians, great music makers, great rockers, great guys, and "my favorite band!" The Ventures were and are the most successful surf bands. Every other surf band were one hit wonders........The Chanty's- Pipeline
The Sufaris- Wipe Out
The Marketts- Out of Limits
The Pyramids- Penetration
The Lively Ones- Surf Rider
(writen by the ventures)
and so on.......................
The Ventures scored big with such hits as Walk Don't Run, Perfidia, Lullabye of the Leaves, Walk Don't Run 64', Slaughter on 10th Avenue, Diamond Head, Sleigh Ride, Secret Agent Man, and Hawaii Five 0 to name a few. That takes care of how The Ventures were the most stable surf instrumental group. They even had an instructional record on the charts. So next time some one says, The Ventures, think: highly successful, great musicians, fun enjoyable music, not a "Cover Band!" Oh yeah......This CD is AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is an excellent array of hits by The Ventures. As much as I enjoy this group, I must say that this "Best Of" compilation covers enough quality music that you might not find it necessary to score their other albums. Many of their non-compilation releases contain a few great songs, followed by plenty of pop-music hit covers that are just shy of sounding like Muzak.

That said, all the hits The Ventures are known for are here, from Walk-Don't Run to Hawaii Five-0. Of the Ventures' tunes I was previously unaware of, "Journey to the Stars" absolutely steals the show for me.

Another lesser known tune worth mentioning is their cover of "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue." I usually don't get floored by covers of songs like this, but their take on this tune is simultaneously powerful and wistful.

There are very few bland moments on this CD. The bonus interview tracks are nothing special, but might be interesting nostalgia for avid fans of the group. The alternate take on Walk-Don't Run is worth a listen, but does not match up to the legendary cut.

If you want to become familiar with The Ventures, this is the CD to buy. If you want to become familiar with instrumental surf music in general, the one compilation I would choose over this release is The Challengers' "Killer Surf" collection.

First, I'd like to say that any review that minimizes the Venture's impact on popular music cannot be contrived by someone who, in 1960, had their 9V transistor radio pressed to their ear when they first heard "Walk Don't Run". I did...I remember...WALG...Albany, GA.

I've listened to more music than most folks ever will in their lifetime...especially those who may read this. At nearly 60 years of age, I have a 16 year old son that, with me, saw the Ventures 3 days ago in NYC. He was blown away...I was in awe. He tells me that the drummer in his (garage) band is a big fan of "the Ventures' drummer" (starting with Howie Johnson, the hard-driving style remained the same). Honestly, because of the masterful work or Bob Bogle and Nokie Edwards, the tightly-tuned snares and tom-toms of Howie and Mel Taylor, were overlooked. Listen closely, and you'll hear the emergence of hard-driving rock 'n roll drumming.

I don't know how well it translated to the rest of the country, but if you grew up like I did near the beaches of Southern California in the early 60's you probably owned (or like me had a sibling that owned) "The Ventures Knock Me Out!" Along with other great instrumentalist like the Surfaries, The Ventures made a valuable addition to the Surf Music of The Beach Boys, and Jan and Dean etc. that made up a lot of the soundtrack of my childhood.

So here's the deal...

This is really good background music for a road trip, or reliving some great memories.

Long live the "Endless Summer!"

This is probably the best single disc collection of Ventures tunes. Most of the big hits are here and most of it sounds pretty good. The liner notes are also well done. There are several notable absences...Wipe Out, Tequila, Telstar. Nonetheless, this is a great place to start if you're looking into The Ventures. Hard core fans will want something more.