In February 2003, the Ventures played on a cruise ship which sailed from Los Angeles to Baja California and back again.
In order to mark and celebrate this occasion, they released an album with the title Surfin’ to Baja.
All 20 tracks on this album are written, produced and/or arranged by members of the Ventures (along with some long-time associates and friends).
The total running time is 1 hour and 11 minutes. The average time for each track is three minutes and 30 seconds.
On Amazon UK this album is only available as an MP3 download. This means it is only available to customers who live in the UK, but it was also released as an audio CD. The CD is available from the official website of the Ventures.
In 2004, an album with the same title (but a different cover) was released. On this album (an audio CD) there are 19 tracks. These 19 tracks are almost the same as the ones on the album from 2003, but the order is slightly different.
The CD from 2004 is available from the American and the Japanese versions of Amazon. I do not know the reason for this confusing situation.
The 20 tracks on the album released in 2003 were recorded during the decade of the 1990s through the year 2000.
This album includes some of the last recordings with Mel Taylor on the drums and some of the first recordings with Leon Taylor on the drums.
When Mel Taylor died in 1996, he was replaced by his son Leon Taylor. During this period the line-up of the band was as follows:
* Gerry McGee – lead and bass guitar
* Don Wilson – rhythm guitar
* Bob Bogle – bass and lead guitar
* Mel Taylor – drums (on 9 tracks)
* Leon Taylor – drums (on 11 tracks)
The following musicians appear as guest artists on some tracks:
* Jeff Baxter – lead guitar
* David Carr – keyboards and synthesizers
* Nokie Edwards – lead guitar
* Bob Spalding – lead and rhythm guitar
The CD comes with liner notes which you can fold out. There are four pages: the front cover, the back cover, page 1, and page 2.
On the back cover there is a brief statement which explains the logo on the front cover:
“Our Surfin’ to Baja logo personifies the basics of California culture – the sun, the palm tree, the waves and surf board – everything for a great time at the beach. Add the guitar, and you have music to complete the picture! You don’t have to be a Californian to participate – this music is for the world!”
On page 1, there is a list with credits for all tracks. On page 2, there is a chart to explain when each track was recorded and released.
Two tracks deserve to be placed in a special category, because they are modern versions of classical music:
# 13: Beethoven Five-Oh!
# 15: Rock concerto in A Minor
Obviously, some tracks are better than others. In my opinion the least successful tracks are the following:
# 08: Cruisin’ Machine
# 10: Ajoen Ajoen
In my opinion, some of the most successful tracks are the following:
# 02: After Midnight in Shinjuku
# 05: St. James
# 07: Jewel
# 09: Night Bird
# 12: Snows of Nagano
# 18: Strawberry Brandy
In my opinion, the best track is the following:
# 17: Cartoon
This tune is based on a simple idea (just a few notes), but when they take this idea and develop it, they transform it into something much bigger.
In this way they create a tune which is dynamic, exciting and at the same time very harmonious.
The Ventures have been around for a long time.
They have played instrumental tunes written by others.
They have played cover versions of popular songs written by others.
They have played original tunes written by the members of the band.
On this album you have a fine selection of the latter category.
Surfin’ to Baja is a great album by the world’s best-selling instrumental band.
It is highly recommended.
*****
Surfin' to Baja
By the Ventures
Reverse cover of the CD
(2003)
*****
Surfin' to Baja
This CD features 19 tracks written,
produced, and arranged by
the Ventures
(Released in 2004)
*****
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