The Ventures Live

[abstamaria]

I watched the Ventures live last night, their 2nd time in Manila in 48 years. I'm a 'vintage' Ventures fan (preferring their pre-Beatles pieces, ideally with Bob Bogle on lead) and have no real interest in Ventures music as it evolved. I thought that the style of Jerry McGee, using a thumb pick and no tremolo arm, was alien to the Ventures sound that introduced to me to guitars when I was a teenager. I still do.

Accordingly, especially with Bogle gone, I was prepared for a ho-hum event, attending really only to pay homage to the band. Well, they didn't have the vintage sound as expected, but were they were GREAT. I loved the show. The Ventures were firmly locked together (decades of playing together, 16 years or so with the current line-up does that), had a big, solid, connected sound with a lot of dynamic, and were real artists. Taylor was very clean and very musical; he made those drums sing. Wilson's style remained distinctly unique - he was quite an entertainer to boot. At 77, he was amazing. And I have a new-found respect for McGee. He was excellent.

[wstagner]

Can you please provide us with a set list?

Thanks,
Walt

[Pedro]

I have always thought the rhythm style of Wilson was the weak link with their live performances

[abstamaria]

Walt, I am afraid I didn't take notes. They played their standards, with Bob Spalding switching to lead to play what Bob Bogle played at their performances (Walk Don't Run, Lullaby, etc.). Jerry used an elcetric sitar to play Kyoto Doll and another Japanese favorite, and also to an acoustic for 2 pieces. He used a slide for Blue Star. They played the title piece from their new album, but I didn't catch the name, unfortunately.

Pedro, Wilson is now the only link to the Ventures I first heard on the radio, so after him, the Ventures will just be another band for me, albeit a very good one.

[RUSSET]

Some people may not like Don Wilson's style of playing, or even the tone/sound of his guitar, but I believe he was integral to that 'Ventures' sound. He was essential in driving the band along, particularly on the more dynamic tunes. It could never be the Ventures without him.

Tony.

[Didier]

Some people may not like Don Wilson's style of playing, or even the tone/sound of his guitar, but I believe he was integral to that 'Ventures' sound. He was essential in driving the band along, particularly on the more dynamic tunes. It could never be the Ventures without him.

Tony.

I agree with you, Don Wilson is a major part of the Ventures' sound, just as Bruce Welch is for the Shadows !

Didier

[abstamaria]

I agree, Didier, Tony.

Andy

[abstamaria]

I have been thinking about this and believe Pedro may be right too.

The Shadows's sound and style continue to have strong links to their early 60s pieces, which remain very popular among their fans. Hence, we have in this forum discussions on The Sound, what strings to use, etc. It has helped that the original lead and rhythm guitarists remain, as well as the drummer who joined the band at an early stage. They use the same instruments, too, generally, down to the Fiesta Red color.

The perspective of a Ventures fan is probably different and in fact varies, depending on when one first got drawn to the group and whether one continued to listen to them. My perspective as a Ventures fan is rooted firmly in their very early years, ending in Outer Limits. My Japanese friend, who was with me at the Ventures show, continued to listen to the Ventures as they evolved, so his concept of the Ventures "sound" is different from mine (he's a big Nokie Edwards fan). People younger than me may have begun to like the Ventures in the 80s or 90s and may not care at all for Walk Don't Run, Bulldog, etc. This fact that the Ventures had three lead guitarists, the later ones intent on establishing their own style and style (as they should) probably has something to do with this.

The point of this long-winded essay is that there is no single Ventures sound. Pedro may be right in that Don Wilson's style, while essential to the original Ventures sound, no longer contributes to the performance of the "new" Ventures.

Manila was in the early 60s a Ventures (more than a Shadows) town, but interest in instrumental music here disappeared quickly when the Beatles appeared. Very few folks here under the age of 55 ever heard of the Ventures or the Shadows, and the older generations that know them only know their pre-1963 music. That's me. When I think of Ventures I think Lullaby of the Leaves, played on a Jazzmaster with a tremolo bar. Did the McGee and the new Ventures sound like that? No, except perhaps for Wilson, but they had their own sound and style and were very good. When listening to them, perhaps one should dissociate them from the original Ventures and assess them and their music as a completely different band. They are an exceptional instrumental band.

My apologies for the long post, but we are quite far from the musical front here in Manila.

Andres

[cockroach]

I agree with you, but I tend to enjoy Nokie's style and sound a little more than the earlier style , although I still love the Walk Don't Run era sounds.

To me, it seemed that, at about the time that the Shadows sound got to seem a bit 'soft' and middle of the road, around 1964 after Flingel Bunt etc, the Ventures sound hardened up and got more raunchy! I LOVE things like Slaughter on 10th Avenue and Rap City and even Walk Don't Run '64 etc , with Nokie's great sound and style on the Mosrite.

I think both the Shads and the Ventures sounds changed when they both changed from Fenders to Burns and Mosrites respectively..

I also admire the Ventures for still touring regularly! I'd love to see Nokie play with the group sometime! Pity the show you saw doesn't come here to Australia!

[51 Relic]

Hi You mentioned the name of Jerry Mc Gee would that be the same Jerry Mc Gee that taught Jerry Donahue guitar at a young age ? and am a right in thinking that he played the main riff to Last Train to Clarksville ? If i am wrong I stand corrected

Nigel