ALBUM: The Colorful Ventures (1961)
MVC Rating: 4.0/$$$$
I would venture to say that this band was instrumental.
No vocals — but they were instrumental in another way as well.
The band was instrumental in defining early guitar music. They were influential in rock and roll and pioneered a sound called ‘surf music.’ Nokie Edwards was the lead guitarist.
‘Walk Don’t Run’ may have been their best known album. I find the Ventures and their pop and surf co-horts, Dick Dale, Duane Eddy, Chet Atkins, the Chantays, the Surfaris and others to be quite easy to listen to as it can fade into the background. But a listener paying close attention can hear the precise guitar runs and fabulous picking.
If this is your thing, it might be best to get one of several greatest hits albums. This wasn’t really an album band so the greatest hits work well both as individual slices and an overall vibe. That may run you up to 20 bucks so perusing the bargain bins, like I did, might produce a good find like my album -original press in mono – for under $5.