Search - Ventures :: Where the Action Is / Ventures Knock Me Out

The Ventures are the kings of instrumental rock!

T.J. | USA | 09/27/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was the second Ventures CD I ever bought. The 2-LPs-on-1-CD format grabbed me. Plus I wanted to have "Slaughter on 10th Avenue" and "I Feel Fine" [a Beatles cover]. So I ordered this CD, and liked it immediately after I put it on. First of all, the sound quality is excellent stereo with great separation. Next, the performances are simply awesome.The Ventures are so much fun to listen to; it makes you want to go out there and play those songs yourself! Just about every song is extremely listenable. The covers of hits of the day are fun (I Feel Fine, Gone Gone Gone, Hang On Sloopy, Oh Pretty Woman, etc.).The first 2 of the three bonus tracks are in mono. "The Savage" was a B-side. The second, I don't know about. The third shouldn't even be on the CD - it's some disco thing from the 70s. But otherwise, it's a great CD to play at parties of whatever. Buy it now. Excuse me for being a salesman."

The Fabulous Ventures Still Knock Me Out

R. Barnes | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida | 07/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This two-fer is an example of The Ventures in their 60's prime, with "Knock Me Out" being one of their best albums, ( with "Out Of Limits" and "Walk Don't Run '64"). One of the great guitar instrumentals of all time, "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue", is included,(later covered by Mick Ronson), and is worth it alone.The driving guitars are showcased in such outstanding tunes as Jackie DeShannon's "When You Walk In The Room" (with a lead guitar series that you will instantly recognize, later covered by Pam Tillis and Paul Carrack among others), Manfred Mann's "Sha La La", (one of my favorite cuts) and "I Feel Fine".An original, "Mariner #4",surprised me when it first came out, obviously influenced by their earlier albums, but is a standout and an often missed classic."Where The Action Is" was an albumn hard to find, and to have it coupled with "Knock Me Out" made me buy it immediately, especially since I played the vinyl albums to death. "Taste Of Honey", (Herb Alpert), the title song, and their own "Action Plus" are among the better cuts.The added tracks "The Savage", (Great Vintage Ventures) is good to have, and the "Superstar Revue" was an attempt at the disco and Gerry McGee era and is quite different from the rest of this CD.A good price for the greatest instrumental group ever, whose influence is phenomonal. Why aren't they in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame???? It can't be because of talent, sales, or influence. As mentioned by other reviewers, the sound is very good, and is a worthy addition to your library, and a must for a Ventures Fan.Good Listening."

Buy this if you can!

Ken Urband | Denver, CO USA | 11/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Back when I was five or six ('65-'66), my Pop brought these two albums home, because he wasn't too happy with the way rock music was headed, yet didn't want to deny us kids of it. He'd had to deal with some guff from his dad about bringing home jazz records, so he had an idea about the parental resistance towards whatever was the latest music.

We were blown away! These guys were fantastic! The guitars were their own Mosrite axes and there's not a slouch among them. The drummer's talents are best displayed on "Gone, Gone, Gone".

Much later on I "appropriated" them and played them even though they were pretty well shot. Then one day in '96, I just happened to spy this double album CD at a record store and bought it without hesitation. I couldn't believe my luck! And to add to it, the sound quality is amazing! Since then my brothers have all bothered me to lend it to them. If you consider yourself a Ventures fan, you can't do without this collection- period. The price may seem a bit steep, but just one play will dispell any buyer's remorse."