The Ventures' Christmas Album (CD - 1965)

Originally released on Dolton Records (8038).

Twelve Yuletide standards along the lines of "White Christmas," "Frosty the Snowman," and "Sleigh Ride." All are arranged more or less along the lines of the classic early Ventures sound, with quotes from Ventures songs like "Walk Don't Run" thrown in, as well as phrases from contemporary hits like "I Feel Fine" and "When You Walk in the Room." If not for the ubiquitous overdubs of annoyingly corny sleigh bells, this would rank among the better rock & roll X-mas albums. But apparently the producers couldn't resist watering down the band's trademark sleek guitar-bass-drums lineup with seasonal flavor. ~ Richie Unterberger

Originally issued on Dolton, this instrumental classic was reissued briefly in 1990 on CD by EMI. The Ventures have a blast with unique covers of secular Christmas songs: each instrumental borrows riffs from popular mid-'60s hits, incorporating them into their twangy guitar yule melodies. "Sleigh Ride" uses The Ventures' own hit, "Walk, Don't Run," while other selections borrow from hits of other artists. It's a gas to hear "Frosty the Snowman" set to The Champs' "Tequila." ~ Dennis MacDonald minimize