Ventures Play the Country Classics

AMG Review of Ventures Play the Country Classics

Kurt Edwards
All Music Guide

Freed from the constraints inherent in Top 40 music or perhaps invigorated by the strong country vocal melodies, Ventures guitarist Nokie Edwards tears through The Ventures Play the Country Classics, sounding like Jimmy Bryant, albeit one slightly less speed conscious. Following Ray Charles' success with Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, it's no surprise that the Ventures tackle "Born to Lose" and "I Can't Stop Loving You," though the other Don Gibson cover, "Oh, Lonesome Me," is more inspired. Lest anyone be worried, they also rip through standard country & western instrumentals, including "Sugarfoot Rag" and Steel Guitar Rag." The Ventures Play the Country Classics is a bit of an oddity in the Ventures' catalog, but one worth searching out.