I always thought of the Ventures as a surf band. I was incorrect, they existed long before "surf" music swept the country and they lasted long after that fad was washed out to sea. The Ventures exist in the world of instrumental rock music. Their main forte always seemed to be recording instrumental versions of current hits and packaging them into quasi-concept albums that revolved around a loose concept. They sold millions of albums using this formula and you come across their records at almost every garage sale and flea market you ever go to.
Although the Ventures had been around since the late 50's by the time 1963 rolled around, their particular sound fit right into the surf genre and the album Surfin' was a natural for them to release. Opening with a cover of the Chantays "Pipeline" the album highlights the guitar playing of Nokie Edwards and he proves that he can stand toe to toe with any other picker in the surf genre at the time.
While this record is not as wildly chaotic as say a Dick Dale record, there is a tuneful sophistication that keeps you coming back for more. "Windy and Warm" is a truly slinky standout showing how tight this band was at this point in their career. After about the third song however, you really quit caring about details like song titles and drift off to a place where really nice people bring you drinks in coconut shells... The record is short and sweet with no dead weight bringing the party down. Drums, bass and some sweet, sweet guitar tones. It is what it is, a potent slice of Americana from a time when cars were "Boss" and girls wore pointy bras. It inspired millions of kids to play guitar and for that reason alone the cat daddy suggests bringing this slab of wax to any swinging beach party.
Although the Ventures had been around since the late 50's by the time 1963 rolled around, their particular sound fit right into the surf genre and the album Surfin' was a natural for them to release. Opening with a cover of the Chantays "Pipeline" the album highlights the guitar playing of Nokie Edwards and he proves that he can stand toe to toe with any other picker in the surf genre at the time.
While this record is not as wildly chaotic as say a Dick Dale record, there is a tuneful sophistication that keeps you coming back for more. "Windy and Warm" is a truly slinky standout showing how tight this band was at this point in their career. After about the third song however, you really quit caring about details like song titles and drift off to a place where really nice people bring you drinks in coconut shells... The record is short and sweet with no dead weight bringing the party down. Drums, bass and some sweet, sweet guitar tones. It is what it is, a potent slice of Americana from a time when cars were "Boss" and girls wore pointy bras. It inspired millions of kids to play guitar and for that reason alone the cat daddy suggests bringing this slab of wax to any swinging beach party.
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