Magazin: NOW DIG THIS Ausgabe 11 - 2019 Vinyl
NEW AND RECENT RELEASES By Shaun Mather
THE VENTURES ...Play Telstar - The Lonely Bull Telstar / The Lonely Bull / Mexico / Calcutta / Apache / Bonus: Wailin' / Tequilla / Percolator / Red River Rock / Let There Be Drums / Last Night / Bonus: Guitar Twist Bear Family BAF 11020 Released around the world in 1962 on the Dolton and Liberty labels, this is a reproduction of the Japanese 10" version. The beauty of this first issue version is the cover, which is so much more interesting than other worldwide versions which just show the sky with the 'A' of Telstar blasting into the clouds. Also, whereas most versions had 'Never On Sunday' and 'Green Onions', they've been replaced here by 'Wailin" and 'Guitar Twist'. The Ventures at this time were Nokie Edwards, Don Wilson and Bob Bogler on a combination of rhythm, lead and bass guitars. and Mel Taylor on drums. The LP was their ninth to date.
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.
