Search - Shocking Blue :: Singles A's & B's

Amazing

zimmie57 | Cary, Illinois United States | 02/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

One of the coolest female voices ever...

Elfgiva | Oregon | 02/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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!"