Customer Reviews

Shocking Blue - 20 Greatest Hits

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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A great collection of some of the most appreciated Shocking Blue recordings. All their hit singles are here, as well as lesser known songs from their various albums, recorded in the first halt of the 1970`s.

Though "Venus" was their only international hit, a lot of these songs had the same potentials. Songs like "Never Marry a Railroad Man", "Mighty Joe", "Dream on Dreamer", or "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" could have been equally big hits, had the wind blown in the Shocking Blue direction, when they were released.

Guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen had an unique skill for writing catchy pop-rock tunes, and their music still sounds fresh and appealing today.

The arrangements are mostly the classical bass, guitar and drums line-up, with occasional piano or saxophones.

They never fell into the trap of overproducing their records, like many of their contemporaries. I guess this is one of the reasons that they have aged so well.

This is a must buy for any fan of melodic power-pop.

Thank goodness for Shocking Blue! I bought this having read a music magazine which recommended it and I'm very glad I did. Every single track is fantastic and ranges from rock to pop (the late 60's/early 70's tracks are the rockier ones...) Very difficuly choosing a few favourites, Send Me A Postcard, Inkpot, Shocking You, Hello Darkness, Rock in the Ocean - Venus of course! They really are quite different from any bands I've heard from this period. So far I've also bought the A-sides/B-sides collection which is also recommended... (Get that instead of this because the A-sides duplicates this collection - get this album if you're not sure...) Their album : Scorpio's Dance is also perfect and includes tracks that would also have made great singles... (It comes from 1970 I think and is the album after At Home which is the one that included Venus and Love Buzz which Nirvana covered I believe...) Some reviews I've read suggested that you're more likely to enjoy this if you're 40+ - you might - but I'm 28 and I don't think being a certain age has anything to do with it! SIMPLY EXCELLENT!

First 2/3 of the disc is really good, it has the track "Leave me a postcard" which alex broskow used in KFC 4. I did want to see more pychadelic stuff though, mostly straight ahead rock. the lead singer was a hottie too, RIP.

Shocking Blue are always great. I guess i will have to buy it someday. Unfortunately there are many numbers on this record, that i already have, but also some i don't. But if you don't know it, so try " Send me a postcard " and turn up the volume, and feel the hair down your back rise. Really wonderful.