HAVE A SURF ROCK CHRISTMAS WITH THE VENTURES CHRISTMAS ALBUM!

The Ventures Christmas Album By The Ventures

Why spend your Christmas in the snow when you can spend it on the beach? If you're from the Midwest like me, it's sort of easier said than done.  If you can't afford a plane ticket, you may have to travel via music.  That's where The Ventures Christmas Album comes into play.  The Ventures are the premier surf rock band.  I'm sure you've heard them a million times.  Along with artists like Dick Dale & The Deltones and The Beach Boys, their influence on the genre is incalculable.  Need more context? Ask for "context" in your letter to Santa Claus.  If you've been naughty and that's not possible, you can just click here.

On The Ventures Christmas Album, The Ventures interpret 12 Christmas classics including "Jingle Bell(s) (rock,)" "Frosty The Snowman" and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas."  The interpretations are pretty cool—and pretty quintessential Ventures.  The only truly "Christmas-y" thing about them are sleigh bells, which were added later.  Otherwise, it's pretty much straight-up surf rock.  This makes it tolerable for holiday music cynics who still don't want to be seen as total Scrooges.  

Hey—Hey you! That's right—YOU.   Have yourself a good holiday season.  

The Ventures Christmas Album By The Ventures

TEENAGE HOUSE PARTY BY SANDY NELSON

Teenage House Party by Sandy Nelson...I love this album cover. Look at that spread on the table!

Sandy Nelson is a famous drummer and bandleader of the early 60s whose name would be found prominently in the fictional "Encyclopedia of Surf Rock."  His drums can be heard on many hits including "To Know Him Is To Love Him" by The Teddy Bears, which is probably played on Sirius XM Radio at least twice per day.  As All Music Guide critic Richie Unterburger puts it, Nelson's recordings "might have helped inspire aspiring musicians as things to play along and learn with, if nothing else." Unterburger argues that legendary drummer Keith Moon was "no-doubt influenced" by Sandy Nelson's "reckless style." 

Released in 1963, Teenage House Party wasn't one of Sandy Nelson's most famous records, but it's a whole lot of fun.  Like many albums of the early 60s, House Party  is a short one, clocking it at around 27 minutes.  But in those 27 minutes are 12 very danceable rock 'n roll numbers.  Part of the kitsch of this record is the addition of overdubs of teens partying—quite conservatively, I might add—which definitely makes the record live up to it's title.  It's funny and kind of cute.  I like to picture the Peanuts characters in their early teens dancing to this record.  

Since this will be the only Sandy Nelson article I intend to write, I'm going to include a "best of" album with all his early hits, including the Top 10 hits "Teen Beat" and "Let There Be Drums."  

Teenage House Party by Sandy Nelson

The Very Best of Sandy Nelson