September 27, 2023 Playlist

International Classic Rock
for WORT-FM's PLEDGE DRIVE!
(also Cliff Burton died 37 years ago today)
Shocking Blue "At Home" (1969)
   
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Shocking Blue "At Home"  1969 (Netherlands)
Here's another classic album that has been on my list for a long time -the breakout album by Holland's top rock band of the groovy era, Shocking Blue. At Home was actually their second album, but it was the first with lead singer Mariska Veres who put them on the map with her powerful voice (often compared to Grace Slick) and stunning looks (achieved in part through the use of fabulous wigs!) The other crucial member was Robbie Van Leeuwen, the eclectic songwriter in the group, who dabbled in lots of styles but seemed particularly fond of CCR-style chooglin' Americana rock. He wrote the group's international hit "Venus" - a Creedence boogie with country guitar licks, a cheesy keyboard riff, an intro borrowed from "Pinball Wizard", all topped off with sultry Mariska ensuring you that "she's got it, yeah baby she's got it!" It went to #1 in at least a dozen countries including the USA, where Shocking Blue is considered a "one hit wonder." But there's lots more to discover, like the sitar-driven rocker "Love Buzz" (also on At Home) which worked surprisingly well when Nirvana covered it (literally sounds like a song Kurt could have written). I also especially love their 1968 non-album single "Send Me A Postcard", a tremendous hard rock "nugget" of the era which was the group's first Top 10 hit in their native country. You can also find psychedelia, soul, country, blues, gospel, and more in the pop music stew this group created. Their appetite for diverse Anglo-American styles remind me of another internationally popular chameleon band of the same era: Canada's The Guess Who, a group who also had a lot of great songs but no signature style to call their own. One more fun fact: all of Shocking Blue's lyrics are in English, yet Mariska could not speak a word of that language so she learned all the lyrics phonetically!
(N) = New Release
   
Artist Song Album Year Country
Flower Travellin' BandSpasmsMade In Japan1972Japan
Socrates Drank The ConiumDestructionOn The Wings1973Greece
Silberbart  ("Silverbeard")God4 Times Sound Razing1971Germany
HANABIE.  ("Chilly Flowers")Sunrise Miso SoupOtome Kaikaku (Girl's Reform Manifest)2021Japan
 
 
MetallicaFade To BlackRide The Lightning1984USA
MetallicaMaster Of PuppetsMaster Of Puppets1986USA
HANABIE.  ("Chilly Flowers") Hyperdimension GalaxyRaise Wa Ijin! (Reborn Superstar) (N)
2023 (Sony)Japan
   
 
Shocking BlueLove BuzzAt Home
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1969Netherlands
Shocking BlueSend Me A PostcardA-side single1968Netherlands
Shocking BlueAcka RagaAt Home
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1969Netherlands
Shocking BluePoor BoyAt Home
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1969Netherlands
Tom JonesVenus (Shocking Blue)Tom1970UK (Wales)
Os Mutantes  ("The Mutants")A Minha Menina  ("My Little Girl")Os Mutantes1968Brazil
   
 
FocusHocus PocusMoving Waves1971Netherlands
Thin LizzyVagabond Of The Western WorldVagabonds Of The Western World1973Ireland
Tabaco  ("Tobacco")Desintegracion  ("Disintegration")Desintegracion1971Spain
Chico Magnetic BandExplosionChico Magnetic Band1971France/Algeria
   
 
SteppenwolfMonster (live)Steppenwolf Live1970USA/Canada
/Germany
Fela Kuti & Africa 70He Miss RoadHe Miss Road1973Nigeria
Akira Ishikawa & Count BuffaloesPygmyUganda1972Japan
   
 
MagmaLirïïk Necronomicus Kanht
(In Which Our Heroes Ürgon and Gorgo Meet)		Attahk1978France
ExmagmaHabitsGoldball1974Germany
CanBubble RapThe Lost Tapes (compilation)rec. 1972, rel. 2012Germany/Japan
BudgieHot As A Docker's ArmpitSquawk1972UK (Wales)
   
 
MetallicaOrionMaster Of Puppets1986USA
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