Guest Reviews - 1

Rock and Roll Forever

[EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm happy to present the first in (hopefully) a series of guest reviews of Ventures albums. This one, by fellow Ventures fan Al Rearick, is on one of the most unusual Ventures albums ever -- Rock and Roll Forever. Enjoy!]

1. Rock and Roll Forever is the greatest rock and roll album ever made.

2. But can it be considered a Ventures album?

Rock and Roll Forever is unlike any other record put out by the Ventures. The lead guitar is nowhere near as prominent as it is on any other Ventures record, plus it shares the leads with a sax. Don's trademark "tikka-tikka-tikka" rhythm is nowhere to be found on this record--I know he's on there, but the trademark isn't. Bob's bass flows along in a soulful groove unlike anything found on other Ventures records ("Wack Wack" notwithstanding). Even Mel is quite understated in his rhythm, which is a good thing for this record--anything sloppy (a la "Sweet and Lovely") might've ruined the mood. So, compared to any other Ventures record, you'd never know it was the same group.

And that's precisely the dilemma--this ISN'T the same group. Granted, Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, for all intents and purposes, ARE the Ventures. Everybody else--Howie, Mel, Nokie, Gerry, John, Joe, etc.--have all been members, but Wilson and Bogle have been the consistents from day one. (I shudder to think what will happen to our favorite group when one of those guys passes on.) For this record, they were down to three actual members, and were in a state of transition between lead guitarists. Thankfully, they enlisted the services of Harvey Mandel whose soulful licks blended perfectly with the groove that was being slammed down by the regulars. Also aboard was sax wailer Jackie Kelso. For this album, you had a group of guys who were called the Ventures, but this could've easily been the Ventures Rock and Soul Revue.

Having said all that, I am thrilled to tell y'all that this is by far the greatest rock and roll album in history, Ventures or otherwise. Nothing I've heard from anyone rocks as CONSISTENTLY as this one. It's not my favorite Ventures album, mind you--that pantheon will always be reserved for Where the Action Is--but this is easily #2. There is soul to burn on this disc. Whole lotta shouting and whoopin and hollerin'. This is one recording session I would've loved to have been present for--they sound like they are having a blast. There's one song on here called "You Can't Sit Down," and I can't think of a more apropro subtitle for this disc. I defy anyone who calls themselves a Ventures fan to sit still while listening to this record. You can't!!!

And then there's all of their earlier songs that they re-did. Like "Honky Tonk" f'rinstance. I've been drooling over this one since OneWay included it as a bonus track on Flights of Fantasy/Underground Fire. Five minutes of pure unadulterated SOUL, with Harvey and Jackie trading licks like there was a war going on. Then there's the best song on the album after that: their reworking of "Last Night," which is ten times better than the great version on Telstar. Jackie and Harvey take solos that will blow you away--Jackie's is very reminiscent of the sax solo from "Charlie Brown." "Ram-bunk-shush" and "Raunchy" live up to their respective titles; two great reworkings of already great songs. But the sweetest moment is saved for last with "Sleep Walk." Nice and lilting, it brings the ceremonies to a very smooth conclusion.

Then there's the new songs (new in the sense that they've not been on a Ventures record til now). They're all outta sight, but I particularly love "Rumble," and not just because I can play it. Distortion-laden guitars come blaring out of both channels to give your aural senses the cleaning out they've needed for this allergy season. I recommend you play this as loud as you can!!! "20-75" sounds like a soulful cousin to Super Psychedelics' "Kandy Koncoction." And "You Can't Sit Down" more-than-aptly lives up to it's title.

The Who may have claimed Long Live Rock, but it will be the Ventures who will keep playing Rock and Roll Forever!!!

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Last Updated: January 1, 2003