Famous and popular songs by The Ventures
Let me introduce some songs by The Ventures, a band that could be called the pioneers of American surf music.
Their slightly laid-back electric sound really conveys the relaxed atmosphere of the seaside.
They’re a legendary band said to have influenced the music scene that followed, on par with The Beatles.
Their signature technique is the tremolo gliss-down—sliding while applying tremolo—which is famous from tracks like “Diamond Head.” In Japan, this technique is often nicknamed “tekete-ke.”
However, it’s also said that the first to use this technique was Dick Dale, another pioneer of surf music.
Now, let The Ventures’ tunes make you feel the ocean.
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The Ventures’ classic and popular songs (21–30)
Blue ChateauThe Ventures
You can clearly see that Group Sounds were greatly influenced by The Ventures.
The boom is said to have started with The Ventures’ visit to Japan, but up through the early Blue Comets period, the sound still seems to have been fairly restrained.
After that, they imitated The Ventures’ subtle way of handling notes.
PenetrationThe Ventures
It seems the original song is by a group called the Pyramids.
The word means intrusion or infiltration, and I’m not sure how that connects to the song—maybe it’s one of those surfing terms as well? The Ventures played it with a fast touch that conveyed a sense of youthful energy.
The Ventures’ Famous and Popular Songs (31–40)
The sunset is red.The Ventures
It’s a song by Yuzo Kayama.
While the composition follows the flow of Kayama’s series of songs and feels distinctly like his work, the performance retains his signature touch while also conveying the Ventures’ style here and there.
This kind of slow, heartfelt performance really fits, doesn’t it?
Batman ThemeThe Ventures
It was a live-action adaptation of an American comic.
I feel like I watched it back then.
The lyrics were just a repetition of “Batman.” The frantic arrangement sounded like it was signaling an emergency.
Even in The Ventures’ performance, it seems to sound as if they’re singing “Batman,” despite there being no lyrics.
bulldogThe Ventures
I love the lively feel that makes you want to move your body.
The members seem to be enjoying the performance as they play, and it’s like watching guitar magic.
The “teke-teke.
.
.” in this song even sounded like a shamisen.
It has a playful vibe and is really interesting.
California Dreamin’The Ventures
It’s a hit song by The Mamas & the Papas.
The lyrics are about dreaming of California on a gloomy winter day.
I felt that the Ventures’ arrangement—brisk yet tinged with a certain wet, melancholic quality—captures that sense of yearning very well.
Blue Sky of the Northern LandThe Ventures
I don’t have much memory of hearing Chiyo Okumura sing it, but as the original title “Hokkaido Skies” suggests, I imagine it’s a song born from seeing the beautifully clear skies of Hokkaido.
It makes me happy to feel that they became fond of Japan.