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. ~ Kurt Edwards