Shocking Blue: Discography (1968-1984)

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Shocking Blue: Discography (1968-1984)

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Dutch rock group. Formed in 1967 by former Motions, The guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen, joined by Cor van der Beek (drums), Klaasje van der Wal (bass) and Fred de Wilde (vocals). Their first single hit the Dutch Top 40 in 1968. Shortly thereafter, Mariska Veres replaced de Wilde as their lead vocalist. In 1969 and 1970, the group enjoyed a worldwide chart success with “Venus”, followed by several other hit singles. In 1971, Klaasje van der Wal was replaced by Henk Smitskamp. In 1973, Robbie van Leeuwen was replaced by Martin van Wijk. The group disbanded in 1975. Van Leeuwen attempted a relaunch in 1979, however the track “Louise” appeared only on a German compilation.

~ discogs

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Shocking Blue: Discography (1968-1984)

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Shocking Blue: Discography (1968-1984)

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Shocking Blue is the debut studio album by the Dutch rock band Shocking Blue. It was released in 1968 on Polydor. In Germany, the record was released in 1970 under the title Beat With Us.

~ wiki

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Shocking Blue: Discography (1968-1984)

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American listeners tend to remember Shocking Blue as the one-hit wonder behind the chart-topper "Venus," a melting pot of rock rhythms, country guitar licks, organ riffs, and Mariska Veres' heavily accented vocals. Sounding something like a cross between "96 Tears" and "Sugar, Sugar," "Venus" was not entirely representative of the group's first album, At Home. Like their fellow countrymen Golden Earring, Shocking Blue purveyed a mild strain of psychedelic rock, but leaned more toward country and folk music than bubblegum. Guitarist and principal songwriter Robby Van Leeuwen was already preoccupied with Americana at this early stage, from "Harley Davidson" and "California Here I Come" to a surprising rendition of the folk song "Boll Weevil" that sets the traditional lyrics to music reminiscent of the Easybeats' "Good Times." (The group's country music fixation would manifest itself more overtly on later albums). Van Leeuwen's sitar is pictured on the album cover and dominates the instrumental "Acka Raga," but, thankfully, is not overused. "Mighty Joe" and "Never Marry a Railroad Man" were minor U.S. chart hits that few people remember, but "Love Buzz" gained a measure of fame decades later when Nirvana covered it. Veres has great presence – like a gypsy incarnation of Grace Slick – but Van Leeuwen's English-language lyrics can be awkward at times. On "Venus," all the components clicked perfectly into place, but there is much more to Shocking Blue than their biggest hit.

by Greg Adams, AMG

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Shocking Blue: Discography (1968-1984)

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Shocking Blue's second album was partly recorded in New York and continues the band's exploration of Americana and country music, although its style is firmly rooted in rock. "Alaska Country" is one of the most obvious references to America, but "Sally Was a Good Old Girl" is a cover of an early-'60s country hit by songwriter Hank Cochran; Shocking Blue's rendition chugs along in a rock groove that reveals the source of its material with a touch of banjo. As always, the focal point is the inimitable voice of Mariska Veres, but songwriter/guitarist Robby VanLeeuwen shows no sign of a sophomore slump. There isn't an obvious hit single candidate like the previous album's "Venus," but Scorpio's Dance makes up for it with solid consistency. "Daemon Lover" is moody and mesmerizing, and the title track is a spaghetti western soundtrack in search of a film (the cover photo, appropriately enough, was shot in a cactus field). "I Love Voodoo Music" is colored with bongos and jungle sound effects, while "Water Boy" sees the return of VanLeeuwen's sitar. It's a diverse collection of songs that reveals the group's artistic growth but, in America at least, saw no chart action.

by Greg Adams, AMG

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If you should give a description of the sound of Shocking Blue I think you could say that it lies somewhere between the early Easybeats and Jefferson Airplane. You might add that it has elements of folk music and it's generally very catchy and melodic.

"Third Album", which in fact is their fourth if you count in the early "Beat With Us" album, is probably their most consistent and with great bonus-tracks it could be right album to play for the non initiated.

The album contains three of their greatest singles - two of them were not on the original album. "Never Marry a Railroad Man" is simply great - in the same league as their big internatioinal hit "Venus". "Shocking You" is both heavy and catchy - and a great opener. On "Blossom Lady" the groups expands their sound with horns, which actually works fine.

The album has a string of varied and melodic tracks, spanning from folk through the blues till heavy Kinks/Easybeats sound - lead by guitarist and songwriter Robbie van Leeuwen.

"Velvet Heaven" is quiet waltzy ballad, like the vast majority of their songs beautifully sung by Mariska Veres. Veres' vocals often sound a lot like Grace Slick of the Jefferson Airplane.

On "Serenade" both melody and sound make me think of the Danish group Savage Rose - beautiful melodic organ line. "I'll Follow the Sun" has great driving guitarline, and it's overall a beautiful, optimistic, upbeat song.

There are also a handful of great melodic rockers, among which "Bird of Paradise" and "I Saw Your Face" stand out.

Among the bonus-tracks B-sides you'll find the great dramatic ballad "Waterloo" , which I truly believe could have been another hit-record. "Roll Engine Roll is a fine bluesy thing which backed the single "Never Marry a Railroad Man".

By Morten Vindberg, amazon

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Shocking Blue: Discography (1968-1984)

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Inkpot is the fifth album by Shocking Blue, released in 1972.

The similarly titled song in the album is perhaps best known to people in Hong Kong as the longtime theme music of televised Mark Six lottery drawings.

The American and Dutch versions have different tracks than one another.

Three tracks on the album are cover songs. This can be related to the fact Robbie van Leeuwen was the main composer, and was running out of material after almost solely writing three albums in two years.

~ wiki

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Shocking Blue: Discography (1968-1984)

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Shocking Blue: Discography (1968-1984)

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“Dream on Dreamer” Shocking Blue´s seventh album from 1973 is one of their most obscure, and probably not known by very many people. This is quite undeserved, as it features many great van Leeuwen songs. “Time Slips Away”, “Diana in Her Dreams” and “Save Your Love” are classic Shocking Blue type of songs. Another highlight is the quite piano ballad “Just a Song” beautifully sung by Veres - in the same vein as “I Like You” from the Inkpot album. Oddly enough the great title track “Dream on Dreamer” was not originally featured on the album. This song and its equally strong B-side are perfect additions.

Robbie van Leeuwen left the band shortly after the release of “Dream on Dreamer” and he is only featured on a few of the songs on the follow-up album “Good Times”.

by Rovers, rateyourmusic

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Shocking Blue: Discography (1968-1984)

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The trademark of Shocking Blue was always their crafty and catchy rock-based tunes, irresistibly sung by female singer Mariska Veres. The arrangements were usually simple, but the sound tight and the playing solid. Nearly all their material was written by unique songwriter/guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen.

They had a world-wide smash hit with the classic “Venus”, but they were not able to repeat its success.- They had minor hits with “Never Marry a Railroad Man”, “Mighty Joe” and other great singles, but their sound was probably too much out of the 1960´s to compete with the new trends and sounds of the early 1970´s. Nevertheless they kept on making terrific albums and singles.

Robbie van Leeuwen left the band shortly after the release of their 7th album “Dream on Dreamer” and he is only featured on a few of the songs on the follow-up album “Good Times”. Their sales had been declining and even in their home country Holland the singles began to fail. Robbie was replaced by guitarist Martin van Wijk. This was obviously a great loss for the band and this can easily be heard on their final album “Good Times” - most of the material does have have the spark and charm of earlier days with van Leeuwen. Half of it are covers of other´s material. There are some good tracks here though. Their version of the Easybeats´ “Good Times” is great and the only Robbie van Leeuwen song “Nashville Rebel” is a stand out track. Van Wijk´s “This America” and “Come My Way” are also good.

They recorded 3 singles without van Leeuwen with no great success and singer Veres also left. Soon the band fell apart. They have been reunited in recent years, but have only recorded very little since their great 1970´s days.

by Rovers, rateyourmusic

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Shocking Blue: Discography (1968-1984)

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Shocking Blue: Discography (1968-1984)

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Recordsmen Communications: Releases on this label are indicated as originating from Japan, but most likely are Russian releases of dubious legitimacy.

~ rateyourmusic.com