AMG Review of Play Telstar and Other Great Hits

Al Campbell
All Music Guide

This single-disc, 24-track collection of the Tornados is more than most listeners will ever want. The Tornados' one big hit in the early '60s was "Telstar." Producer Joe Meek received the majority of accolades for the track because of the unique way he created and used studio gimmicks to bring a mediocre instrumental to the top of the charts in August of 1962. As far as the actual musicians' involvement, the Tornados were the equivalent of the Ventures or the Shadows -- basically pre-Beatles instrumental pop. While the first few cuts are enjoyable, the filler material begins to creep through. For example, "Life on Venus" is basically "Telstar" re-recorded. If you can't get enough of The Ventures in Space, this disc is for you.