What? Really?

Growing up in the 80’s if you were a pop fan you wouldn’t have missed “Venus” by Bananarama. And if you are a Nirvana fan I am sure you would have listened to “Love Buzz” which was also released in the late 80’s. Did you know that both these songs were covers of songs from a band from Netherlands, songs made way back in the late 60’s. In fact “Venus” was a song the band released in 1968 and “Love Buzz” was released in 1969. This is Dutch band “Shocking Blue”. Most of my listening time in January, 2018 was spent on this lovely band that I thought, certainly deserved a bigger audience.

After “Venus”  the next song I clicked on YouTube was “Inkpot” a more poppyish number but a big hit for the band. But one listen to “Demon Lover” and “Love Machine” and I am hooked looking for more of their music. I dig in only to discover one beauty after another and they just seem to have no end. “Rock in The Sea“, “Rattler“,  “Navajo Tears”,”California here I come“, “Bird of Paradise“, “Moonlight Night“, “My Life“,…. the list just goes on.

At the front of the band with her unmistakable vocals was Mariska Veres. A lilttle “joplinish” and a little “Jefferson Airplane” influenced but nevertheless her vocals were unique. On drums was Cor van der Beek , on bass Klaasje van der Wal and on guitar and sitar, Robbie van Leeuwen. Robbie is the only surviving member of the band and I am happy I am posting this review while he is still alive.

Cannot post every video of theirs but here’s one good list below. Take a listen.