Having jumped headfirst into pop music with
The Night Has a Thousand Eyes,
Bobby Vee and producer Snuff Garrett did a complete 180 for their next album, teaming the singer with the renowned instrumental quartet
the Ventures for one of his hardest-rocking albums ever. From the cranked-up version of "Goodnight Irene" that opens the record through a killer rendition of "Candy Man," this is one great showcase for
Vee's vocalizing and the playing of
Nokie Edwards et al., and the band even gets a couple of instrumental tracks to themselves as well. The resulting album is not only a great follow-up to
Vee's earlier LP teamed with
the Crickets, but it stands well on its own terms and isn't a bad showcase for
the Ventures as well. ~ Bruce Eder