Ventures Play The Greatest Instrumental Hits Of All Time, Vol. 2 CD

The Ventures' 2002 release Play the Greatest Instrumental Hits of All Time was a competent effort, and the same could be said of its sequel, Play the Greatest Instrumental Hits of All Time, Vol. 2. Once again all tracks were cut between 1996-2000 by a lineup featuring original members Bob Bogle and Don Wilson, as well as Nokie Edwards on some lead guitar (though evidently not as a full member, since he's credited as one of the "guest artists"). And again the song list leans on well-known instrumental rock hits of the late '50s and early '60s by Duane Eddy, Sandy Nelson, Johnny & the Hurricanes, the Fireballs, the Tornados, and the like. A few surprises, if mild ones, are on hand in covers of the obscure "Percolator" (originally an LP track by Earl Palmer) and, more particularly, "Cry for a Shadow," the George Harrison-John Lennon instrumental recorded by the Beatles back in 1961. Usually the arrangements stick to the straight-ahead guitar sound for which the Ventures are known. ~ Richie Unterberger

The Ventures' 2002 release Play the Greatest Instrumental Hits of All Time was a competent effort, but an inessential addition to their huge discography. The same could be said of its sequel, Play the Greatest Instrumental Hits of All Time, Vol. 2, though it's perhaps even less essential than its predecessor. Once again all tracks were cut between 1996-2000 by a lineup featuring original members Bob Bogle and Don Wilson, as well as Nokie Edwards on some lead guitar (though evidently not as a full member, since he's credited as one of the "guest artists"). And again the song list leans on well-known instrumental rock hits of the late '50s and early '60s by Duane Eddy, Sandy Nelson, Johnny & the Hurricanes, the Fireballs, the Tornados, and the like. A few surprises, if mild ones, are on hand in covers of the obscure "Percolator" (originally an LP track by Earl Palmer) and, more particularly, "Cry for a Shadow," the George Harrison-John Lennon instrumental recorded by the Beatles back in 1961. Usually the arrangements stick to the straight-ahead guitar sound for which the Ventures are known, but some synthesizer sprinklings detract from the classic sound. ~ Richie Unterberger

This is part of Varese's "Vintage" series.

Hits Of All-Time

Recorded at Biff Vincent's Front Page Studios, Glendale, California between 1996 & 2000. Includes liner notes by Bill Dahl.

Producers include: Don Wilson, Bob Bogle, Leon Taylor, Neil Norman, The Ventures.

Compilation producer: Cary E. Mansfield.

Personnel: Gerry McGee, Nokie Edwards, Bob Bogle (guitar); Dan Higgins, Dino Soldo (saxophone); David Carr (keyboards, synthesizer); Mel Taylor, Leon Taylor (drums, percussion).

Audio Mixers: Craig Nepp; Paul Erickson ; Brant Biles.

Liner Note Author: Bill Dahl.

Recording information: Biff Vincent's Front Page Studios, Glendale, CA (1996-2000).

Photographer: Jay Gilbert.

Arrangers: David Carr ; The Ventures.

The Ventures: Gerry McGee, Bob Bogle (vocals, guitar, bass); Don Wilson (guitar); Leon Taylor, Mel Taylor (drums, percussion).

Additional personnel: Nokie Edwards (guitar); Dan Higgins, Dino Soldo (saxophone); David Carr (keyboards, synthesizer).