On Stage

by The Ventures

Overview

So just how live is On Stage? Coming from an era when a remarkable number of "in concert" albums were actually cut in the studio with crowd noises overdubbed after the fact, it's hard to say if this 1965 release really was recorded during live Ventures engagements in Japan, England, and the United States, as the liner notes claim. It's clear the wildly enthusiastic audience has been at least partially faked, especially on the tracks from Japan (either someone used a tape loop of crowd sounds or there was an especially eccentric audience member who let out the very same high-pitched ascending whistle every two seconds), and the performances here don't sound at all different than the Ventures did in the studio, in terms of both technique and production. But if this was the product of three nights on-stage or a couple days in the studio, On Stage still sounds like one of the greatest of all instrumental bands reveling in the mastery of its craft. The guitar work is lean, precise, and full of fire, the drumming is as reliable as the atomic clock but a lot more exciting, and together these guys bring something fresh and invigorating to everything they tackle, which includes an eclectic batch of covers (encompassing the Surfaris' "Wipe Out" and Duke Ellington's "Caravan") and trademark originals such as "Pedal Pusher" and "Driving Guitars." Listening to On Stage, one marvels at the effortless perfection of this band, as Don Wilson, Bob Bogle, Nokie Edwards, and Mel Taylor lock in and ride these songs like an endless wave; whether the cheering is 100 percent authentic or enhanced in the studio, this music certainly deserves a big round of applause. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	06/19/2012
Label:	Sundazed
UPC:	0090771539113

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Ventures   Primary Artist
Mel Taylor   Drums
Nokie Edwards   Lead,Guitar (Bass)
Don Wilson   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Bob Bogle   Guitar (Bass),Lead

Technical Credits

Johnny Smith   Composer
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov   Composer
Alberto Dominguez Borras   Composer
Juan Tizol   Composer
Jerry Lordan   Composer
Mel Taylor   Composer
Nokie Edwards   Composer
Alberto Dominguez   Composer
Brian Wilson   Composer
Bernice Petkere   Composer
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Ron Wilson   Composer
Milton Leeds   Composer
Don Wilson   Arranger,Composer,Adaptation
M. Taylor   Composer
Bob Berryhill   Composer
Jim Fuller   Composer
James Fuller   Composer
Tim Livingston   Project Manager
Bill Dhalle   Design
Pat Connolly   Composer
Borra Alberto Dominguez   Composer
Pat Connoly   Composer
John Smith   Composer
Joe Young   Composer
Eldee Young   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Korsakov   Composer
Irving Mills   Composer
Bob Irwin   Mastering
Bob Bogle   Adaptation,Composer,Arranger
Sherman Edwards   Composer
Stephanie Kennedy   Production Coordination
Dick Glasser   Original Recording Producer