Presse Archiv - The Ventures Play Telstar - The Lonely Bull - oltimereviews
Bear Family Records have re-issued 1962 album The Ventures play Telstar – The Lonely Bull as part of their 11000 collectors series. This is a very special reproduction of the 10-inch Japanese pressing, including the hard-to-find rare cover featuring artwork of the group with a space-craft. The 11000 series from Bear Family Records is a selection of limited edition vinyl reissues of rare and sometimes pricey vinyl collectables. The album is available in many forms on several formats, Is this edition worth picking up?
The Music
British listeners may equate the sound and style with being like The Shadows. In so much as The Ventures do instrumental covers of popular songs, this is true. In the cases of some tracks, it feels somewhat like they are capitalising on a trend for background-sound for parties and dances in the early 1960s. Many tracks are of a very similar vein as the library music used in the TV action shows produced by ITC and ATV in the mid to late 60s.
Their interpretation of popular tunes are competent but a little pedestrian. Sometimes the elements can seem like they are more of an exercise in experimenting with different sounds. It all ends up achieving a similar effect to that of the original or best-known version, though, with every number very well executed and enjoyable. The whole album has presumably the desired effect: it is very tempting to get up and get moving. Disappointingly, the renditions still have a rather safe vibe about them.
Bear Family Records have re-issued 1962 album The Ventures play Telstar – The Lonely Bull as part of their 11000 collectors series. This is a very special reproduction of the 10-inch Japanese pressing, including the hard-to-find rare cover featuring artwork of the group with a space-craft. The 11000 series from Bear Family Records is a selection of limited edition vinyl reissues of rare and sometimes pricey vinyl collectables. The album is available in many forms on several formats, Is this edition worth picking up?
The Music
British listeners may equate the sound and style with being like The Shadows. In so much as The Ventures do instrumental covers of popular songs, this is true. In the cases of some tracks, it feels somewhat like they are capitalising on a trend for background-sound for parties and dances in the early 1960s. Many tracks are of a very similar vein as the library music used in the TV action shows produced by ITC and ATV in the mid to late 60s.
Their interpretation of popular tunes are competent but a little pedestrian. Sometimes the elements can seem like they are more of an exercise in experimenting with different sounds. It all ends up achieving a similar effect to that of the original or best-known version, though, with every number very well executed and enjoyable. The whole album has presumably the desired effect: it is very tempting to get up and get moving. Disappointingly, the renditions still have a rather safe vibe about them.
Presse Archiv - The Ventures Play Telstar - The Lonely Bull - now dig this
No stran-gers to a concept album, this one was a set of cover versions of well-known, hit instrumentals from both their peers within the surf rock fraternity and the more standard pop field. The liner notes to the American release reassure the listeners that all the songs have been 'Venture-originated', adding that "they handclap, finger-pop and foot-stomp their way through what may be the most exciting album of their exciting careers"! While none of the covers replace the need for your originals by the likes of The Tornados, Sandy Nel-son, The Champs, The Shadows or Johnny & The Hurricanes, all the versions here are bang on the money and work really well. You'd expect nothing less but what's especially pleasing are the covers of Herb Alpert's 'The Lonely Bull' and Bob Moore's 'Mexico', both soaked in Latin rhythms and guitars. This sort of high-end 'Top Of The Pops' compilation appealed to the masses and it peaked at No.8 on the album charts in the States, becoming their highest placed long-player and also gaining gold record status.
This latest instalment of the ongoing Vinyl Club Exclusive series comes in a vivid red vinyl and the pressing is limited to the usual 500 copies - check out how they've adapted the label to incorporate Bear Family into the Liberty logo...very neat. Highly recommended.
No stran-gers to a concept album, this one was a set of cover versions of well-known, hit instrumentals from both their peers within the surf rock fraternity and the more standard pop field. The liner notes to the American release reassure the listeners that all the songs have been 'Venture-originated', adding that "they handclap, finger-pop and foot-stomp their way through what may be the most exciting album of their exciting careers"! While none of the covers replace the need for your originals by the likes of The Tornados, Sandy Nel-son, The Champs, The Shadows or Johnny & The Hurricanes, all the versions here are bang on the money and work really well. You'd expect nothing less but what's especially pleasing are the covers of Herb Alpert's 'The Lonely Bull' and Bob Moore's 'Mexico', both soaked in Latin rhythms and guitars. This sort of high-end 'Top Of The Pops' compilation appealed to the masses and it peaked at No.8 on the album charts in the States, becoming their highest placed long-player and also gaining gold record status.
This latest instalment of the ongoing Vinyl Club Exclusive series comes in a vivid red vinyl and the pressing is limited to the usual 500 copies - check out how they've adapted the label to incorporate Bear Family into the Liberty logo...very neat. Highly recommended.