Ventures vs Shadows Yet Again

[abstamaria]

Which version do you prefer?

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2KdFRku97jE

[neil2726]

No contest - The Shads of course!

[Paul Creasey]

Hello Andres,

Thank you for posting that interesting comparison. Not being blinkered by notions of "that sound", I found the The Ventures version of Apache to be a refreshing change. I've liked hearing alternative versions of Shadows numbers ever since I bought Norrie Paramor's LP "Shadows in Latin" more years ago than I care to remember! Even now, we like an occasional trip into "alternative version" territory when doing Shadows numbers with our Band.
I know of The Ventures - of course - but cannot pretend to be as familiar with their work as I am with The Shadows. Perhaps my finding The Shadows version of "Apache" more appealing than that of The Ventures is as much to do with me "Liking what I know" rather than "Knowing what I like", eh?

Regards
Paul.

[Pat Seaman]

The Ventures version takes me back to the early sixties when you could often hear semi-incompetent local bands sounding like that, although there were also some very good bands, who sounded pretty close to the Shadows.
I'm afraid the Ventures don't come close, on so many levels.

Pat.

[Monty]

I don't agree with that last comment above at all - not a fact just purely opinion & one certainly NOT shared by me !

I think that is The Ventures original rather 'genteel' sound with Bob Bogle on lead and Nokie Edwards on bass on their 'Apache'

they swap roles in 1963 and it becomes a totally different band !

The Ventures slow moody take on 'Apache' was probably far more influenced by Jorgen Ingmann's American hit version, while in the UK The Shads transformed it totally from the slow 'Bert Weedon' style making it a dynamic classic

interesting to compare The Shads and Ventures very differing versions of 'Slaughter on Tenth Avenue' - where Nokie plays lead - The Shads are melodic and atmospheric with both electric & acoustic passages & a harmonium ....while The Ventures version is blasted out at top speed in blistering rock style (likewise The Ventures versions of 'Pipeline' - listen to Don Wilson's rhythm guitar there ! , 'Rap City' etc)

Nokie's guitarwork on 'The House of The Rising Sun' in 1964 is pretty hot too, and on many other sixties tracks

also check out their albums 'Walk Don't Run vol 2' (1964) , 'Knock Me Out' (1965) etc

and later in 1967 when Gerry McGee replaced Nokie Edwards for albums such as 'Super Psychedelics' (1967) and 'Underground Fire' (1969) etc...plus singles such as the fuzz guitar led 'Flights of Fantasy' etc

on 'Underground Fire' they do decent instrumentals of rock numbers such as Steppenwolf's 'Born to be Wild' and Cream's 'Sunshine of Your Love' plus on 'The Horse' (1968) album they do a fine version of The Stones 'Jumpin Jack Flash'


Later a funkier style is evident on the 'Shaft' album including a good version of Chicago's cover of The Spencer Davis Group's 'I'm A Man' and 'Gimmie Some Lovin'

I don't think it's fair on either side to compare bands, but overall The Shads were always the more melodic (and in truth were always more prone to going almost 'easy listening' in places) , but, notably, with Nokie and Gerry on lead The Ventures had a tougher sound, tho' of course The Shads could play in a tougher style - 'Thunderbirds,Rank-A-Chank, etc...and The Ventures could be melodic - 'Yesterday', 'Scarborough Fair' etc...

[Fenderman]

I like a few Ventures tracks such as Walk don't run and Lullaby of the leaves but they're not on the same level as the Shads.
I do know that each band has a mutual respect for the other though.

[drakula63]

I just could never get 'into' the Ventures. This may be because I'm not really into this/that sort of music per se, I just love The Shadows. Maybe if I explored their reportoire to a greater extent than I have then I might change my tune, but from what I have heard of both bands, The Shadows were far more versatile and musically far superior.

As I say, I'm not any great authority on the Ventures, but they never appealed to me as did the Shadows.

[Uncleboko]

I like a few Ventures tracks such as Walk don't run and Lullaby of the leaves but they're not on the same level as the Shads.
I do know that each band has a mutual respect for the other though.

I agree, I would even go so far as to say that apart from the above mentioned singles, the Ventures to my ears sounded at best, pretty awful live.

[abstamaria]

I like a few Ventures tracks such as Walk don't run and Lullaby of the leaves but they're not on the same level as the Shads.
I do know that each band has a mutual respect for the other though.

I like those two also, Roy. And Blue Moon too. All by Bob Bogle. Trambone and Gandy Dancer one good, too, but those seem to be by session musicians.

Andy

[cockroach]

Please ....not again!

It's all a matter of taste, very subjective..

The fans of both groups can be very partisan and biased!

However, even if people don't like the Ventures sound, style, whatever, they were and are still legendary hard working talented musicians, as were and are The Shadows of course!

I also prefer a sunburst Strat to a Fiesta Red Strat