* (Cover photo: 1959 FORD Thunderbird Convertible in Drive-in Cinema).
=> "Drive-in Cinema" resurfaces as an entertainment alternative in a pandemic time.
"THE VENTURES are considered the most influential, best-selling Instrumental Band in ROCK AND ROLL history.
Over 450 (LPs and CDs including compilations) Released Worldwide."

"THE VENTURES have written over 1000 tunes, and recorded over 3000 songs altogether! If they ever decide to play all of the songs that they've ever recorded, it would take almost 5 days - without a break - to play them all."

"While they predated the advent of the terms surf guitar and surf rock, and they do not consider themselves a surf music group, they were a major building block of instrumental guitar-driven music. "Guitar Player", in an article titled "20 Essential Rock Albums", cited elements of their 1960 "Walk, Don't Run - Album" (Dolton Records BLP-2003 (mono) / BST-8003 (stereo)) which presaged the coming surf trend."

"Most instrumental groups of the 1950s and '60s disappeared after one hit, but the longevity of The Ventures, the best-selling instrumental group of all time, demonstrated the enduring appeal of the genre as well as the band's skill in choosing recording material."

"It was the electric guitars that made the impression; that and the unique rhythmic pulse that Wilson and Bogle had developed in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington, when they tried to make up for the fact that they didn't know any drummers, let alone pianists or sax players. At the time, most record companies wouldn't look at you if you had neither.
- "I played a very percussive rhythm-guitar style", Wilson says: "And Bob used to play with the whammy bar, and once in a white instead of a note he'd hit a chord and give it a little vibrato".
But the most distinctive element of The Ventures sound was that damped, rapidly picked descending glissando, which Japanese call "deke-deke-deke"."

"Through the nuances and characteristics of "THE VENTURES STYLE" in the songs, we can distinguish the unique songs played by them.
This is the "VENTURIZED SOUND". Enjoy !"

Get Venturized !!!

The sound of this website will be better appreciated with High Fidelity Stereo Headphones.

"The Ventures: Stars On Guitars" (Promo)

- New promo video for “The Ventures: Stars on Guitars” documentary, out 12/08/2020 ����❣️ @Staci Layne Wilson
- Please share with anyone you know who loves music ��

https://youtu.be/CnyyFtLYdNI

Coming soon to VOD and DVD- The Ventures: Stars on Guitars!

"The Ventures are one of the most influential guitar-based bands of their era.” — Rolling Stone

The Ventures have been thrilling music lovers with songs like “Wipe Out,” “Walk Don’t Run,” and “Hawaii 5-0” for over half a century. Started by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle in 1959, the band went from humble beginnings in Tacoma, WA., to worldwide acclaim, culminating as inductees into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the #1 Bestselling Instrumental Rock and Roll Group of all time.

Now, see the story of the world’s most famous instrumental rock and roll band from those who know them the best: movie stars like Billy Bob Thornton, music legends such as Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Steely Dan), The Surfragettes, Lalo Schifrin (Academy Award winning composer of The Mission Impossible theme), Randy Bachman (Bachman-Turner Overdrive), and John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival), and their family. Witness the rise and influence of the electric guitar, the history, and the relevance of the band in pop culture still today, while you rock out to the stellar soundtrack. @Vision Films

* Soundtrack: "Holy Surf!" (M.Trapp) - The Alien Mike E.T. (2020)

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Review: The Ventures: Stars on Guitars Documentary (Storm Surge of Reverb Radio)

From: STORM SURGE OF REVERB - Surf & Instrumental Rock&Roll website
https://www.stormsurgeofreverb.com/content/review-ventures-stars-guitars-documentary

Review: The Ventures: Star on Guitars Documentary
Submitted by hunter on Wed, 02/05/2020 - 14:14

" The Ventures: Stars on Guitars


Last year there was an unfortunate collision of interests for instrumental music fans: two documentaries on The Ventures, each seeking crowdfunding at the same time. Stars on Guitars appeared to have suffered more from that conflict, raising considerably less than Walk Don't Run with roughly a third as many donors. However, this clearly didn't shake the team for Stars on Guitars, as their film readies for release while Walk Don't Run appears to be looking at 2021 at the earliest. I certainly didn't expect to see this film so soon, but the result feels quite full, fun, and perhaps more exciting for surf music fans than they might expect!

Of the two documentaries, I thought the teaser videos revealed in their crowdfunding campaigns were a little more in favor of Walk Don't Run as far as professional look and feel. The final product here does have an indie feel to it, but I think it comes together than their promo materials would have you believe, and is especially fine considering the way it was cut together. Structurally, this film is loose without feeling aimless. It balances out history with modern-day relevance and education, and it does this by intercutting a vast scrapbook of Ventures archival interviews with modern commentary from other musicians, and stitching them together with goofy cartoons. I think it works well, and keeps any "part" of the movie from dragging because it doesn't really feel like there are specific parts.


The unmentioned key part here is that the director is Don Wilson's daughter Staci Layne Wilson. Though at no point does she lend voiceover or reveal herself, there are two ways that her influence is particularly noticeable: it's clearly coming from a place of love, not skimping whatsoever on history or achievement but certainly not forgetting to note the character of the members of the Ventures. I personally think the film could do without the bit of their being inducted to the worthless institution that is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (I mean, they had to petition to be inducted! How were they not a shoo-in?), but I suspect she knew how important it was to them. The other influence is a femme-heavy perspective. Her grandmother Josie Wilson is given a large amount of credit for her managing the band and the fan club -- attention which I think is both deserved and interesting. There are generally more female musicians and interviewees than you tend to see in rock doc, particularly about a bunch of men, but nobody feels out of place and their perspective is fun and interesting -- particularly the commentary from women on the girls on Ventures album covers.


Surf fans, there's a lot here for us. Sure, there's plenty of guitarists from big ol' chart-toppin' rock groups that I'll let other reviews talk about, and they give the expected lip service. In fact there's a few really surprising gets like composer Lalo Schiffrin! For a director doing her first documentary, there's no sense that she had limited reach. But you've also got The Neptunas, The Surfragettes, The Whys, Mel Bergman, Danny Amis, Deke Dickerson (could it be legit without him?), and more put right alongside them. PLUS the background music is frequently surf musicians playing noticeably surf music (instead of something more Ventures-styled) like 9th Wave and Phantom Surfers. Undoubtedly there's going to be a few eyebrows raised here and there: surf music is discussed, and somebody (not one of the Ventures) seems to attribute the entire Southern California surf craze to the Ventures. I've heard a lot of theories about the birth of surf music, but not that one. However, it's just an interviewee saying that, it's not really pushed by the narrative of the doc.


In addition to some fun history and cool trivia, there's some technical talk, both in terms of their playing style and for the effects the band used. These are explained assuming you have basically zero background as a musician. A musician might snooze through those, but I appreciated it, and it keeps the film from being too niche. I loved the mention of weird effects, like talkbox use, saxophone through a Leslie cabinet, etc.


I'm not a Ventures historian, but I know that there's a pretty distinct cutoff for The Ventures that we really think of as The Ventures. I would never say that Ventures were all about Nokie, but when Nokie left they became a much shlockier thing (no offense to Louisiana native Gerry McGee). The film does a great job of hitting the high notes of the band's beginnings and early successes, but the handoff to Gerry and the modern incarnation is weirdly handled with quick mentions of personnel and a few jokes about the Disco album. The tone of the film is relentlessly positive, so it's no surprise it doesn't dig into these things, but it's weird seeing Don Wilson talk about The Ventures from the outside when talking about the Ventures today.


Stars on Guitars is an easy recommend for fans of instrumental music, and a worthy tribute to a band with limitless relevance to rock & roll. I'd put in on the shortlist of essential surf music viewing alongside... Tales of Rat Fink? Riding Giants? Rumble? No, unlike those other movies, this is actually about an instrumental band. It is the shortlist.


I usually review albums, and I can usually give you a concrete release date, but films don't really work that way. For those of you in Los Angeles, do yourself a favor and check out the screening on February 12th. There will also be screenings in Las Vegas and Philadelphia, and they're reaching out to film festivals. Then hopefully you can stream it in 2021. I know, that's a while from now, but keep this on your radar and look out for an opportunity to see it in a theater. The best way to keep an eye out looks like their facebook page."

NAMM TEC Awards 2020 - Tribute to DON WILSON (January 18)


* Jeff Skunk Baxter (founding member of Steely Dan and played with the Doobie Brothers also Jimmy Hendrix), Steve Lukather (Toto) and Elliot Easton (The Cars), along with Larry Batiste and the 2Cold Chilibone TEC Band perform a medley of Ventures tunes as a tribute to Don Wilson as he receives NAMM's "Music for Life Award" at the 2020 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA.

* Elliot Easton plays on a Lefty Mosrite Guitar and Steve Lukather and Jeff Baxter play on a Wilson Bros. Guitar "The Ventures Model". All with the finish in "Candy Apple Red". One of the beautiful colors appreciated by Don Wilson and The Ventures.
Don Wilson in 1963 used a Mosrite guitar all in this color while Nokie and Bob used their guitars in the Sunburst color.
* In the Tribute, a special message from the friend Billy Bob Thornton.

Nokie Edwards: The Ventures, Musical Inspirations, Guitars & More.

Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum (YouTube channel) Upload: June 14, 2020.
Backstage interview: January 23, 2005.

The Ventures: Stars on Guitars – Don Wilson, Deleted Scene 2018 Interview (1 of 2)

"Here is Don Wilson, from the documentary feature film The Ventures: Stars on Guitars, in a deleted scene talking about how much The Ventures love playing Fender guitars, as well as mentioning their 1996 Fender signature line. Shot by: Staci Layne Wilson"
Score/Composer: Michael Trapp (this song is called Holy Surf).
* Fender Guitar Japan - Special Limited Edition - The Ventures Model Signature Line (1996)

The Ventures: Stars on Guitars - Bill Ford Deleted Scene

"Here is Bill Ford, former road manager of The Ventures, talking about how he got this one-of-a-kind1962 “Franken-guitar” (Telecaster neck on a Jazzmaster body), which was Nokie’s lead guitar used to record Walk, Don’t Run Vol 2. This story did not make it into the film, but it’s quite interesting! Shot by: Staci Layne Wilson"

The Ventures: Stars on Guitars - 60th Anniversary Fan Shout-Outs from Around the World

The Ventures: Stars on Guitars is a feature documentary film on the #1 instrumental rock group in the world, The Ventures. This is the story of their rise to fame in the 1960s right up to now, as they celebrate their 60th anniversary of playing the best guitar-rock of all time. With over 35 interviewees in the film, we couldn’t possibly run all of their stories in their entirety—so here you will find some of our favorite extended clips (as well as B-roll and more fun stuff; please subscribe to keep up to date). The feature will be released sometime in 2020; watch our Facebook and Instagram (@theventuresmovie) for details. Director: Staci Layne Wilson—Producers: Don Wilson, Tim Wilson, Jill Fairbanks, Lisa S. Johnson, Michael Kaplan

NEW !!! - The Ventures: Stars on Guitars (2020) Official Movie Trailer

- A 2020 feature documentary film on the #1 instrumental rock group in the world, The Ventures.
- This is the story of their rise to fame in the 1960s right up to now, as they celebrate their 60th anniversary of playing the best guitar-rock of all time.
- Featuring: Billy Bob Thornton, Jimmy Page, Josie Cotton, and many more.
- Director: Staci Layne Wilson. Editor: Nina Helene Hirten.

- Music: "Surf's Up" by Michel Perillard (with drum roll from "Atlantic Surfer" by the 9th Wave).

The Ventures: Stars on Guitars - Unofficial Teaser Trailer

" A sneak-peek at the upcoming full-length documentary about the bestselling instrumental rock group in the world, The Ventures!
Directed by Staci Layne Wilson, produced by Don Wilson, Tim Wilson, Jill Fairbanks, and Lisa S. Johnson. "
* Ending theme song: The Ventures - "Ame no Kyoto" (Bob Spalding) from "Here We Go Again" CD album (2018).

This is Rock n Roll TV feat. Tribute to & The Ventures & The Movie 2020 & Songs like Wipe Out

"Sunday 8pm 3/1/2020Monday 12:30pm & Tuesday 5 am.
This is Rock n Roll TV A Tribute to The Ventures #1 instrumental group. We will be talking about The Ventures Movie 2020 produced by Staci Layne Wilson & Their Music on Fios 34 Optimum 68 or (outside the Bronx) go to Bronxnet.org hit WATCH & BROMNI 68/34 and enjoy. Songs like Wipe Out, Pipeline, Walk Don't Run and much more... w/ Host Dennis Dion Nardone. This is our50th episode w/ guests James Fracassi, Vic Sabatini & Al Belfiore Just Nuts Band. ENJOY"

"Surf's Up" - (Michel Perillard)(2010) / Surfer Plus Haut live version

"Holy Surf!" - (The Alien Mike E.T.) - "Stars On Guitars" Documentary Score

Powered By Blogger

NOTICE:

This is an independent blog about The Ventures group and not linked to them.
From Fans to Fans.
The material in this blog has been researched and ordered didactically as support and entertainment for the instrumental rock appreciators without commercial purposes.
Some articles or opinions may have different interpretations. Because they are extracted from different sources and different times.
Some publications may change according to new data collected.
Praise and Tribute of The Ventures group.
The use of any copyrighted material is used under the guidelines of "fair use" in title 17 § 107 of The United States Code. Such material remains the copyright of the original holder and is used here for the purposes of education, information, comparison, and criticism only.
No infringement of copyright is intended.
My photo
I am a lover of all good music. My father was a pianist and at home we had piano and mandolin. In the 60s to 70s, when I was a child, my father took me weekly to watch and listen to the Classic Music concerts of the Symphonic Orchestra of the Municipal Theater of São Paulo (Brazil). At that time, we could only enter the theater with sober and classic clothes and leather shoes. - "A song can simply be played on the notes. But the music played with different intensities in each part, transmits liveliness and feeling in the music. The same music is differentiated and appreciated by others."

Thanks For The Visit !

WELCOME !!!
This is a Informative blog by the Instrumental Rock group "THE VENTURES".
This blog was created because there was little information and text about The Ventures outside of Japan.
I hope to contribute a little to new discoveries.
Thanks for the visit !
RICARDO VENTURES

"Music is the link that unites the life of the spirit with the life of the senses.
The melody is the sensitive life of poetry."
(Ludwig van Beethoven)

Nikolas & Nina

A Bridge Called Love

It takes us back to brighter years,
to happier sunlit days,
and to precious moments
that will be with us always.

And these fond recollections
are treasured in the heart
to bring us always close to those
from whom we had to part.

There is a bridge of memories
from earth to Heaven above…
It keeps our dear ones near us
It’s the bridge that we call Love.


winter 2020 (south hemisphere)