The Ventures - The EP Collection (1990)

Label: See For Miles Records
Catalog #: SEECD 292
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: France
CD Released: 1990
Total Time: 00:54:13
Genre: Instrumental Rock, Surf

REVIEW (Amazon)

This is an odd collection of Ventures tracks from the early 60s. In case you don't know, extended-play singles (EPs) were basically 7-inch, 45 rpm singles but with 4 songs instead of two. They often included a hit song of the very recent past and the rest would be filled with select songs off of the group's latest album. EPs were never really important to record-buyers in the US as in Britain and after the mid-60s the format basically disappeared. To a huge Ventures fan like myself, I was pleased that this collection of songs appeared like this. (The Beatles have a similar collection with all of their EP songs). Most of these songs are rather obscure - this is far from a greatest hits collection! Some of the songs are better than others. And the material varies too, showing you how The Ventures explored many different styles, from country (Ram-Bunk-Shush) to sci-fi (Telstar) to TV theme songs (Secret Agent Man, Man From U.N.C.L.E.). These guys are simply the masters of instrumental rock! The CD quality and packaging are very good. If you're a completist and a Ventures fanatic, this is a good way to complete your collection. Enjoy.

TRACKLIST:

01. No Trespassing -1960 (1:59)
02. Night Train -1960 (2:53)
03. Ram Bunk Shush -1960 (1:45)
04. Lonely Heart -1960 (2:14)
05. Ups 'N' Downs -1960 (2:07)
06. Torquay -1960 (2:08)
07. Bulldog -1961 (2:26)
08. Meet Mr. Callaghan -1961 (2:27)
09. Trambone -1961 (2:04)
10. Josie -1961 (2:06)
11. Yellow Jacket -1961 (2:31)
12. Bluer Than Blue -1961 (2:06)
13. Gringo -1962 (2:33)
14. Moon Dawg -1962 (2:21)
15. Sunny River -1962 (2:10)
16. Guitar Twist -1962 (2:21)
17. Telstar -1962 (2:43)
18. Percolator -1962 (2:15)
19. Silver City -1961 (1:55)
20. Wildwood Flower -1963 (2:04)
21. Wabash Cannonball -1963 (2:48)
22. Secret Agent Man -1966 (2:04)
23. Man From U.N.C.L.E. -1966 (1:47)
24. Hot Line -1966 (2:13)