The Ventures Liberty Records Teensville Compilation Album

Although there is no surf to be found, this LP is quite a treat. It's an old Liberty Records compilation album that splits tracks between The Ventures duo (yes, duo) and other young stars of the time. We thought you'd get a kick out of seeing The Ventures in their early years.

Front View of The Ventures Liberty Records Teensville Compilation Album

Top Left: Bobby Vee
Top Right: Johnny Burnette
Bottom Left: The Fleetwoods
Bottom Right: The Ventures

There are twelve tracks on the album, with each artist/group getting three cuts.

I discovered this record at a garage sale and purchased it for 25 cents. All of the tracks are in good shape, with no skipping and very little scratchiness.

Back View of The Ventures Liberty Records Teensville Compilation Album

Compilation albums were nothing new. What makes this album noteworthy is that The Ventures were billed as a "twosome".

Bob Bogle and Don Wilson on The Ventures Liberty Records Teensville Compilation Album

Here's a close-up of the original Ventures, Bob Bogle and Don Wilson, as pictured on the front cover.

They began performing in 1959 as a duet, calling themselves The Versatones. They did some vocals in their early years, but all three cuts on this album are instrumental.

Introduction to The Ventures Liberty Records Teensville Compilation Album

Introduction to The Ventures Liberty Records Teensville Compilation Album

This is the introduction on the back cover. Notice that it says, "...The Ventures, as exciting an instrumental twosome as you are likely to hear."

Also note that it says, "...17-year-old Bobby Vee..." That's a definite clue as to how long ago this album was made. There's no copyright date on the jacket or sleeve. Bobby Vee was born in 1943, so the math works out to around 1960. I've found a couple of different reference pages that place its release as late as 1962.

The album number is L-5503. If you have any information about it, I'd sure like to hear from you so that we may share it with others! Please contact duke@surfrockmusic.com. Thanks!

Track List for The Ventures Liberty Records Teensville Compilation Album

Track List for The Ventures Liberty Records Teensville Compilation Album

This is a list of the tracks. Both the introduction and track list are in excellent shape. The warping, or fisheye, effect was caused by the camera revolting against my insistance upon taking extreme close-ups.

The Ventures played No Trespassing, Ram-Bunk-Shush and Raw-Hide. All three recordings have lead, rhythm, bass and drums. Unfortunately, there is no mention of the additional musicians anywhere on the cover or record label, nor whether any Ventures-to-be took part in the recordings.

Side 1 - Teensville on Liberty Records L-5503
Everyday	Bobby Vee	Petty-Harden	2:10
Little White Cloud That Cried	The Fleetwoods	J. Ray	2:22
No Trespassing	The Ventures	Wilson-Bogle-Johnson-Edwards	2:04
It's Only Make Beleve	Johnny Burnette	Twitty-Nance	2:28
One Last Kiss	Bobby Vee	Adams-Strouse	1:58
Ram-Bunk-Shush	The Ventures	Glover-Mundy-Millinder	1:42
Side 2 - Teensville on Liberty Records L-5503
I'm Still Dreamin'	Johnny Burnette	DeVorzon-Ellis	2:07
Truly Do	The Fleetwoods	T. Edmonson	2:05
Bashful Bob	Bobby Vee	D. Glasser	2:10
Raw-Hide	The Ventures	Grant-Wray	2:29
My Special Angel	Johnny Burnette	J. Duncan	3:01
Raindrops, Teardrops	The Fleetwoods	Troxel-Christopher-Ellis	2:26

Granted, there's not a drop of surf on this Liberty compilation LP. That's OK 'cause the album is a gas anyway, with plenty of good old Rock 'n' Roll. It's a great line-up of very talented young people gracing those grooves and they make for some fun listening.

And The Ventures? Well, they are in true form — outstanding musicianship and a lot of bang for the buck ... or quarter, as the case may be. It's a cool old album with three tracks of vintage Ventures at their best.