Walk Don't Run 2000 by the Ventures (1999)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walk Don’t Run 2000 by the Ventures was released on a CD in 1999.

 

There are 17 tracks on this album, and the total running time is about 51 minutes.

 

Walk Don’t Run was the first hit for the Ventures back in 1960. It is the title track of their first album released in December 1960.

 

Four years later they recorded a second version of this tune, named after the year of the recording. It is the title track of their album Walk Don’t Run, Vol. 2 released in 1964.

 

In 1977, they recorded a third version of this tune. It can be found on The Last Album on Liberty  which was released in 1982.

 

In 1999, they recorded a fourth version of the tune. This version was named in anticipation of the year 2000.

 

Over the years the members of the band have played this tune hundreds of times. It is their signature song. They begin (almost) every concert with this tune. 

 

It is understandable that they feel the need to try a new version from time to time.

 

In 1999, at the time of recording, the line-up of the band was as follows:

 

* Don Wilson – rhythm guitar

* Bob Bogle – bass guitar

* Gerry McGee – lead guitar

* Leon Taylor - drums

 

The following persons also perform on the album:

 

* Dino Soldo - saxophone

* Bob Spalding – lead guitar / rhythm guitar

* David Carr - keyboards

* Nancy Sinatra – vocals (on Kicks, track # 7)

 

Bob Bogle played with the band until shortly before his death in 2009. He was replaced by Bob Spalding (born 1947), who had, in fact, been filling in from time since 1981.

 

David Carr was born in England in 1943. As a young man he was a member of the British band the Fortunes, who had an international hit with You’ve Got Your Troubles, I Got Mine in 1965. 

 

Later, he relocated to the US, where he worked with the Ventures on several occasions. He died in 2011.

 

Read about Bob Spalding and David Carr in the book 

Walk Don’t Run: The Story of the Ventures

by Del Halterman

(First version 2008)

(Second version 2009)

(pages 82-83, 196-197, and 202-203)

 

The CD comes with liner notes in the form of a booklet. Here you will find a good picture of the band and a message from Bob Spalding (published in English as well as in Japanese). 

 

In addition, there is a list with credits for all 17 tracks.

 

The tracks can be divided into two categories:

 

(a) cover versions of popular hits written by others

 

(b) original tunes written by the Ventures

 

Eleven tracks are written by others:

 

# 1: Walk Don’t Run 2000 is written by Johnny Smith. The fourth version of the tune sounds almost like a jazz composition with keyboards and saxophone.

 

# 2: One of These Nights was a hit for the American band the Eagles in 1975. It is written by two members of this band: Don Henley and Glenn Frey.

 

# 3: Black is Black was a hit for the Spanish band Los Bravos in 1966. It is written by Michelle Grainger, Tony Hayes and Steve Wadey.

 

# 5: Mercy, Mercy, Mercy was an instrumental hit for the American saxophonist Julian “Cannonball” Adderley (1928-1975) in 1967 and for the American band the Buckinghams (who added lyrics to the tune) in 1967. It is written by Joe Zawinul (1932-2007).

 

# 6: Wild Weekend was a hit for the American band the Rockin’ Rebels in 1960. It is written by Aldo Brozetti, Russ Hallett, and Jack Sinchaski.

 

According to the booklet, this tune is written by Tom Shannon and Philip Todaro. I think this is a mistake. 

Tom Shannon was a disc jockey, who wanted a theme for his show. 

The Rockin’ Rebels recorded Wild Weekend in a studio owned by Philip Todaro.

 

# 7: Kicks was a hit for Paul Revere and the Raiders in 1966. It is written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Nancy Sinatra sings the song with the Ventures as a backing group. The lyrics to the song are printed in the booklet.

 

# 8: Keep Searchin’ (We’ll Follow the Sun) is written by Del Shannon (1934-1990). It was a hit for him in 1964.

 

Runaway, also written by Shannon, was a hit for him in 1961. The Ventures often played this tune on stage, with Don Wilson as a singer.

 

# 9: Venus was a hit for the Dutch band Shocking Blue in 1970 and for the British band Bananarama in 1986. Shocking Blue existed for about seven years (1967-1974). The song is written by Robbie van Leeuwen, who was the guitar player in this band.

 

# 12: Movin’ is written By Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007), who also wrote Nancy Sinatra’s biggest hit: These Boots are made for Walkin’ (1966).

 

# 14: California Sun was a hit for Joe Jones in 1961. It is written by Henry Clover and Morris Levy.

 

# 15: Proud Warrior is written by Christian Wilde, who has been a friend of the band for many years.

 

Read about Christian Wilde in Del Haltermans book Walk Don’t Run: The Story of the Ventures, pages 51-52, 101, 148, 158, 173, 176, and 348.

 

Six tracks are written by one or more members of the band:

 

# 04: Jewel (by Bogle, Wilson & Spalding)

# 10: Spindrift (by Bogle, Wilson & Spalding)

 

# 11: Santa Cruz (by Gerry McGee)

# 13: Night Bird (by Bogle, Wilson & Spalding)

 

# 16: Bermuda (by Bogle, Wilson & Spalding)

# 17: Mal-Funk-Shun (by Bogle, Wilson, Spalding, McGee & Taylor)

 

The cover versions are excellent, especially tracks # 2, 8 and 12.

 

The original compositions are also excellent, especially tracks # 4, 11 and 16.

 

If you like instrumental music – and if you like the Ventures – I am sure you will enjoy this album.

 

It is highly recommended.

 

*****

The Ventures,

Walk Don't Run, Vol. 2

(Released on vinyl in 1964)

 

*****