Ventures Stars On Guitars CD

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

1998 compilation on Snapper featuring 38 gems by the surf/instrumental veterans. Includes the top five smash 'HawaiiFive-O', plus the top 10 'Walk Don't Run '64', and the hits'Slaughter On Tenth Avenue' & 'Secret Agent Man'. The firstdisc is 20 'Cruisn' Covers' recorded in the studio; thesecond is 18 live tracks. Double slimline jewelcase.

Arrangers: Taylor; D. Wilson; Don Wilson; Mel Taylor; Bob Bogle.

Personnel: Don Wilson, Jerry McGee (guitar); Bob Bogle (bass guitar); Mel Taylor (drums).

Recording information: Japan.