Customer Reviews

Singles: A's & B's

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...So why were they only able to score one real hit ("Venus") here in the U.S.A.? A fickle record-buying public? Radio station/disc jockey indifference? Poor record distribution? Who knows. The end result was that these songs didn't get the exposure they deserved.

Like most people on this side of the Atlantic, I only knew the Shocking Blue for "Venus," before I picked up this collection. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they recorded many songs that are just as good as, if not better than, this classic. Mariska Veres has a powerful voice which is a dead ringer for Grace Slick. My favorite songs on the "A-side" disc (besides "Venus"), are "Mighty Joe," "Inkpot," "Rock In The Sea" (unusual key and structure on this one), "Sally Was A Good Old Girl" and "Gonna Sing Me A Song," with a great hook which has been bouncing around in my head for the past week (The drum fills on this track sound just ever-so-slightly "off," which I think adds to its charm.) My favorites on the "B-side" disc are "Keep It If You Want It" (It would have made a great A-side, but was relegated to the B-side of a promo-only 45), the bongo-driven "Wild Wind," "Is This A Dream" and "Hot Sand" (I remember flipping my old "Venus" 45 over to check out this track.)

I do have one minor complaint with this collection: Repertoire has used fake-stereo masters for "Venus" and "Mighty Joe," with reverb added. Fortunately, the reverb isn't very noticeable. Since it isn't possible to present these songs in authentic stereo (I've read that "Venus" wasn't recorded on a multitrack machine--I'm not sure about "Mighty Joe"), I wish Repertoire had used the original mono masters for these songs.

This is an incredible two-cd set by the Dutch group, that is unfairly forgotten by the US, except for their smash "VENUS". But if you are like me, you know this group is one of the most versatile of ANY. Every track is a gem, some could be released TODAY, as they are, and they would be hits. From the plaintive "Never Marry A Railroad Man" to the almost country "Sally Was A Good Ole' Girl", you will be astounded at the sound this group has. One of the strongest female lead vocals in rock history, and yes that includes Grace Slick, and Janis Joplin. What can you say when even Nirvana covers "Love Buzz"? The remastering on this set is the best I've ever heard, making my living room rock, ROCK, ROCK. This set comes with a most informative liner note compilation, so you can pretend to know all about them, even if you've never heard of them. Attractive packaging, Great songs, and count how many, great sound, how CAN you go wrong?

I recently have been revisiting groups from the 60's & 70's that I remembered as being a one or two hit wonder. I thought of "Venus" and the flip side "Hot Sand" by the Shocking Blue and went to Amazon to see if they had any CD's by them. I saw "Best Of" and "20 Greatest Hits". What caught my eye was "Singles A's & B's. I thought "How could a one hit wonder band have a double CD out with 47 tracks?" Curiousity got the best of me, and I ordered it. Within a few days the CD arrived and I played it. The first track "Venus" sounding as good as ever. What followed was "Shocking" to me. Every song seem to get better and better and when I reached that last track, I immediatly put disc 1 back in and hit "play" again. WOW! Why didn't this band catch on here in the U.S. 35 years ago? Songs that really stand out for me are "Venus", "Hot Sand", "Never Marry A Railroad", "Ink Pot",and "Angel". The Singer, Mariska Veres, reminds me at times of Grace Slick. I am really glad I purchased this title from The Shocking Blue.

I've listened to disc one several times, and I haven't even heard disc two yet, but I'm giving this CD five stars. Where has this music been all my life? Everywhere but North America, it would seem.

It's utterly "shocking" to me that this band only had one hit in the USA. This is about the best 1960's psychedelic folk/rock I've ever heard. It doesn't get better than this. Shocking Blue rocks!

This is an even greater collection of Shocking Blue than Repertoire`s 1991 release "20 Greatest Hits".

CD 1 is more or less identitical to 1991 release with 3 additional tracks - the rare early single "Sally Was a Good Old Girl", plus the more recent singles "The Jury and the Judge" (86) and "Body and Soul" ( 94) - Especially "Body and Soul" is a great power-pop recording.

CD 2 contains the B-sides, and although the material here is a little uneven there are many strong tracks such as "Pickin` Tomatoes", "Roll Engine Roll". "Waterloo", "Where the Picknick Was" and not least the beautiful piano accompanied ballad "I Like You"

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.

If you have already bought and liked their "20 Greatest Hits" all their original 2 on 1 CD`s are highly recommendable.

I've dug Shocking Blue for the longest time, altho' I prefer the earlier psychedelic, rock stuff to the later material. Europe of course had a lot of great music going on then, including other Dutch acts like Focus (one of the best bands of all time), and Golden Earring of "Radar Love" fame.

Mariska's smokey, cutting alto on "Venus" influenced LEGIONS of female singers like me - - as guitarists a few years later would become inspired to pick up the guitar after hearing Michael Schenker's scorching "Into the Arena."

Contrary to what many have said, "Venus" was not the only US or international hit of theirs; "Never Marry A Railroad Man" enjoyed heavy rotation even in little ol' Boise Idaho.

Catchy songs, cool vibe, KILLER singer!

Who knew what Shocking Blue did aside from Venus? This double CD is full of cool songs! It's fun to try and think what genre and what time period you would put them in - rock and roll, alternative, country alternative ... every song is a little different. Good value and a nice addition to your collection.

I have no excuse. I had a copy of a Shocking Blue album back in the 70's that had (of course) Venus on it, but it also had plenty of other great songs. Somehow it got lost in the shuffle of way too many albums and I forgot about everything but the hit that still gets played occasionally. What a bonehead I was. Thanks to those who have written reviews of this band and re-opened my ears to them. Sadly, I recently learned that Mariska Veres, the singer for SB, lost her battle with cancer. She had continued in the music business until she passed away in 2007. It's practically criminal that this band never broke stateside. How often do you come across a double CD of a band with one hit that completely blows you away? Not very often, I'd say. 47 songs and at least 30 of them are complete keepers with the rest not far behind. And this is just a collection of all of their singles. My work is certainly cut out for me. Really, do yourself a favor. You like sixties/seventies rock/pop? Buy this now!

This cannot be a perfect comp, given it's "A/B Sides" format-but what a wonderful
and important document to a much over-looked band! (At least in USA.)

On the heels of "Venus," I grew up on their USA LP on the Collosus label.....and a later comp LP of hits on the 21 label. So this is a much-needed breath of fresh air!

The recordings here are lean and clean sounding....nice and natural. I was hoping for a little deeper bass, but it's fine. The liner notes are deep, and informative. My only complaint would be the inclusion
of a few 80s/90s tracks, to the exclusion of great 70s cuts like "California Here I Come," and "Demon Lover." (Jury and Judge, and Body And Soul are good tunes,
but suffer from that awful 80s sound--loud, electronic drums/synth. If you like Springsteen's Born In USA sound, you're home free.)

Bottom line: the 70s material on these records just SMOKE!
Similar to California's Emitt Rhodes from the same period,
Robbie van Leeuwen gave life to this band with tremendous writing/producing/multi-
instrumental skills way beyond his years.
Highly recommended!