The Ventures have released two albums with the title Your Hit Parade.
The second of these - subtitled Featuring Screen Hits - was released in 2006.
The first - subtitled simply 60’s - was released in 2003. This is the album under review here.
The 21 tracks on this album can be divided into two categories:
(a) cover versions of songs which were popular hits (in Japan) during the 1960s (hence the subtitle)
(b) famous instrumental tunes played (and recorded) by the Ventures on several occasions.
Three tracks are famous instrumental tunes:
# 19: Slaughter on 10th Avenue
# 20: Diamond Head
# 21: Caravan
If you already know the Ventures, you already know these tunes, and therefore I do not have to say more about them.
Eighteen tracks are cover versions of popular hits. Here is some background information about them:
# 1: Twist degli amanti “L’Eclisse” is the theme song from the French-Italian movie L’Eclisse [English: Eclipse] starring Alain Delon and Monica Vitti, which was released in 1962.
The song, whose title means Twist of the Lovers, is written by the Italian composer Giovanni Fusco (1906-1968).
# 2: One Way Ticket (to the Blues) was a hit for the American musician Neil Sedaka in 1959 (and for the British band Eruption in 1979). It is written by Jack Keller and Hank Hunter.
# 3: Where the Boys Are is the theme song from the 1960 movie Where the Boys Are starring Dolores Hart and others.
The song (by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield) was a hit for the American singer (and actress) Connie Francis (who also stars in the movie).
In 1961 the Ventures did a concert tour of Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii with Connie Francis, Bobby Vee and Johnny Burnette.
See Del Halterman,
Walk Don’t Run: The Story of the Ventures
(First edition 2008)
(Second edition 2009)
(pages 62-63)
# 4: In the Year 2525 was a hit for the duo Zager & Evans (Denny Zager and Rick Evans) in 1969. It is written by Rick Evans.
# 5: The Sound of Silence was a hit for the popular folk-duo Simon & Garfunkel in 1964. It is written by Paul Simon.
This tune is also included on the Tenth Anniversary Album which was released on vinyl in 1970 (and on a CD in 2003), but in a different version. I prefer the version from 1970.
# 6: Those Were the Days was a hit for the Welsh singer Mary Hopkin in 1968.
It is originally a Russian song written by Boris Fomin. The English lyrics for the song are written by Gene Raskin.
# 7: Hey Paula was a hit for the duo Paul and Paula (Ray Hildebrand and Jill Jackson) in 1963. It is written by Paul (Ray Hildebrand).
# 8: Rhythm of the Rain was a hit for the American band the Cascades in 1963.
It is written by John Claude Gummoe who was at the time a member of this band.
It was later copied by other artists, for instance Gary Lewis & the Playboys (in 1969) and Jason Donovan (in 1990).
# 9: San Francisco was a hit for Scott McKenzie in 1967. It is written by John Phillips (of the Mamas & the Papas).
# 10: Sherry was a hit for the American band the Four Seasons in 1962. It is written by Bob Gaudio, who was at the time a member of the band.
# 11: Sinno Me Moro [English: Otherwise, I will die] is the theme song of the Italian movie Un Maledetto Imbroglio (known in English as The Facts of Murder) starring Pietro Germi and Claudia Cardinale, which was released in 1959.
The song is written by the Italian composer Carlo Rustichelli (1916-2004). It was first sung by his daughter Alida Chelli (born 1943) and later copied by other Italian artists, for instance Gabriella Ferri (1942-2004) and Rosanna Fratello (born 1951).
# 12: From Russia with Love is the theme song from the 1963 movie From Russia with Love starring Sean Connery as James Bond (007). The song is written by John Barry (1933-2011).
# 13: Land of a Thousand Dances was a hit for the American band Cannibal and the Head Hunters in 1965 and for Wilson Picket in 1966. It is written by Chris Kenner.
# 14: Both Sides, Now (by Joni Mitchell) was a hit for Judy Collins in 1968. It is featured in the 2003 movie Love, Actually.
# 15: 13 Jours en France is the title of a documentary film about the Olympic Games in Grenoble in 1968. The music for the film is written by Francis Lai (1932-2018).
# 16: Help! was a hit for the Beatles in 1965. It is written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
# 17: Exodus is the theme of the 1960 movie Exodus starring Paul Newman, Eva Saint Marie and others. It is written by Ernest Gold (1921-1999).
This tune is also found on the album Wild Again! which was released in 1997, but in a different version. I prefer the version from 1997.
# 18: You only live Twice is the theme song for the 1967 movie You only live Twice starring Sean Connery as James Bond (007).
The music is written by John Barry, while the lyrics are written by Leslie Bricusse. Nancy Sinatra sings the song on the soundtrack.
If you do not know much about the Ventures, I suggest you start somewhere else. Try Acoustic Rock (2000) or Surfin’ to Baja (2003).
If you already know and like the Ventures, I think you will enjoy this album with excellent instrumental versions of popular hits from the 1960s.
It is highly recommended.
*****
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