I remember this group. Shocking Blue was a Dutch rock band formed in 1967. Their 2 biggest hits were "Venus" & "Send Me A Postcard". They had some other songs such as "Long & Lonesome Road", "Mighty Joe", "Never Marry A Railroad Man" etc. The lead singer had a very powerful voice. Another famous Dutch group from that era was Golden Earring.
As a 64 year old, I love Fils hair style, always did. I love others too though! And, some guys look great bald! But, Fil is a beautiful guy, inside and out! Ah all you youngsters, live it up, it goes so fast! And truly, youth really is wasted on the young. I think Mark Twain said that. But one of his better ones was 'humans are the only animals that can blush. Or need to!' Love that!🥰✌
I remember hearing this the first time... I was walking to high school, crossing over an overpass, listening on my (new) pocket transistor, on a very blustery winter morning. This song came on, it stopped me in my tracks. I stood transfixed through the full song. The rest of the day was completely gone after that. What a song!!!!
This was a massive hit worldwide back then and years later it still makes you feel happy. As a very young boy, the opening chords coming over the radio would make me perk up. Later, when I picked up the guitar this along with House of the Rising Sunn (of course!) were the first two songs I learned to play. It's not a complex song by any means and quite easy to play, but it's very catchy and has instant recognition. Mariska had a sultry look about her and her voice was on the same lines. This is truly among the evergreens. Happy to have grown up in those times.
The original recording absolutely wasn't done on 2-track, but in the Soundpush Studio in the Netherlands, an at the time very professional studio, where I have done some recording and mixing as well. And Cees Schrama, a famous Dutch keyboardplayer, didn't play organ, but in the studio he found a Hohner Pianet that he used. Robbie van Leeuwen uses chickenpicking in the solo, so both with a plectum and fingers. No muted notes.
AH HA! Hohner Pianet...( Who knew?..lol) I played HELL combinin waveforms on my ole trusty SQ1 when I tracked this..LOL I FINALLY got that unique timbre/texture after 3 days of messin with it. Its CLOSE to my Mellotron settings.😎 Thanks for the info!
Venus was a monsterhit. Later she had a few minor hits. When Robbie van Leeuwen left the band, she quit too and went to Germany singin in German. Her father was Hungarian violist. She had a 'gypsy heart'. 💖💜
This band is from the Netherlands and IIRC the singer did not speak English and had to sing phonetically. In any case I love it. Another great Dutch band from that era is Golden Earring and the song "Radar Love."
@@klausschneider1045 and, though a Dutch pop duo vs a band, Mouth and MacNeal. Their 1972 hit "How Do You Do" is simply great. Both of their voices are really beautiful.
pete dude i never thougt about that just yesterday i replaced the sleeve on mancinis original crown vinly think is 63 sometimes oldies channel will play and of course everyone knows art of noise friend dj played clubgoers loved it s.c.o.t.s. venerable n.c. band has played in club shows for years rick miller puts his own guitar style on the classic mary huff crunching bass dave hartmam drums crushing it may not be familiar with skids but always one the highlights of there club shows probably on youtube somewhere
The guitar riff in this song was heavily inspired by a version of Tim Rose's "The Banjo Song" by The Big Three (The American group with this name featuring Mama Cass, not the British band with the same name).
One of my favorite all time songs. ...and she was just so mysteriously beautiful. Probably watched the OG video over 50 times!! Thanks for covering this one Phil!! ❤️🇺🇸
The most extraordinary thing about this, Fil, as you picked up, is … no foldback. You’re 100% right to pick up on this, never mind the other important points. This is a huge subject: it’s not to do with the vocal ability or the expertise: it’s about being able to HEAR. I was chatting to the most decent rock musician of all time, Tich Amey, of Dave Dee, Dozy, etc., yesterday, and he was describing how he and the boys always used a four or five-part vocal harmony. The those extraordinary harmonies in their… heads. There’s a whole series here, Fil, with bands like these guys and the Tremeloes who could play a full set of the most exquisite harmonies - and they were unbelievable musicians too: Albert Lee always says that Rick Westwood of the Trems was his idol - and get it right, somehow. My old mate Chris Wynn, who did PA for countless bands and groups, including Diana Ross and the Motown bands, had always said that those bands who could hear the harmonies “in their heads” were the best, and he’s always spoken highly of Dave Dee, The Tremeloes, Marmalade, The Hollies, 10cc and Decameron, whom he calls the most talented and underrated band the UK has ever produced. Bass, cellist, guitarist and top tenor harmony Dik Cadbury went on to play with the unsurpassed Steve Hackett, again, using extraordinary harmonies and pinpoint foldback. Your channel is the best thing on RU-vid, Fil: there are so many people, even worn-out old lags like me, who really enjoy your excellent and non-judgmental analyses of so many different types of music. It’s a breath of real fresh air, and your personal contributions are very helpful. If you have time or the opportunity, please listen to “Wings” by Isobel Thatcher on RU-vid, or “Walking Down the Tracks.” Izzie has always refused to have pitch correction or autotune when recording, sometimes defiantly, and her vocals are all first take or, in extremis, second, even when working with Mike Wedgwood of Curved Air. She hasn’t two h’appenies to rub together but she has her pride of 700 live gigs and the now-defunct VocalTech, a huge mistake. “At the Hotel” live does demonstrate the essential nature of good slave amps: I can’t believe you’re the only one who’s picked up on it. So many of my friends now picking up on your page now, because you understand. It means a lot to the kids: you should be very proud. Anyway, very important and helpful, as always. Sorry I’ve been a bit quiet: unexpected spinal surgery but all ok. Very best Tom T
So glad you are doing Shocking Blue reaction, they are all good musicians and Mariska,wow, what a voice, and very beautiful ❤️ more Shocking Blue please 😎 thanks 👍
They are known as a one hit wonder, because Venus was their only US and English hit, but they were pretty big on the continent. If i remember it correctly, they had 5 danish top ten hits, in a few years, and Mariska Veres had a great voice, always reminded me of Grace Slick, As a young teen, i had 2 vinyl albums with them. By the way, Robbie Van Leeuwen, their songwriter, later admitted that he "borrowed" the intro from Peter Townsends guitar on Pinball Wizard🙂
@gert just jensen... If I am not mistaken Robbie van Leeuwen is the only surviving original member of the Shocking Blue and of the classic line up shown in this live performance. Here are other songs that I like of their Venus, Inkpot, Send Me A Postcard, Mighty Joe, Blossom This America, Out Of side Out Of Mind.
@@drewpall2598 I think so too, and those are great songs, I always liked Navajo Tears too, although Send Me A Postcard is probably my favourite, a simple but great rocker
Cool to see you you reviewing a song from my high school years. Edit to add that I heard Mariska spoke little or no English when they recorded the original version. If that's true, she did an amazing job of sounding like a native English speaker.
Here in the USA the Shocking Blue were consider as a one hit wounder with Venus in their hay day in the 1960's and 70's thanks to RU-vid I have discovered more of their catalogs of songs. in my opinion Mariska Veres vocals are one of Rocks female vocalist that are over look at times.
Do you know the German group "Frumpy" with Inga Rumpf as their lead singer..? Search for "Rosalie" or "Indian Rope Man" here on YT and you will see (hear)..!
I was a middle school kid of around 13 or 14 yrs. old when this song came out. In fact, I had a little "Garage Band" with a couple friends and did this song at a school dance. Those were the good ole days of my youth, and the music was the best as well. Thanks Fil
Danelectro Longhorn Bass-the first bass that I ever bought. It was advertised in the newspaper as a “Norelco” and costs $80. It was strung with round wound strings which was rare in 1966.
@@ghiaman65 Do you remember Jerry Jones guitars and basses? The bassist for NRBQ played a Jerry Jones bass. They looked just like Danelectro instruments but were made with better materials and were constructed better. He has since gone out of business.
Robbie van Leeuwen is a highly underrated pop genius. He wrote almost all of their songs. They never had another hit as big as this one, but there are several other gems in their catalog.
Always loved this song. So nice hearing it again. I've never seen its performers! Another song I love: Roll to Me, by Del Amitri. In an unpleasant long-term relationship, I have never heard such understanding and compassion for a woman in distress as I've heard in this song. Thank you for your channel. God bless you.❤
I received my BACHELOR of SCIENCE degree from the UNIVERSITY of ILLINOIS in the twin towns of URBANA-CHAMPAIGN, IL. My sister also lived in Champaign, while she was the NEWS broadcaster of a radio station in Paxton, IL, nearby. There was a 175 yo. three (3) story mansion on the corner of Church St. & University Ave. It was divided up into apartments in the 1980's, and my sister lived in the attic apartment. In the 1970's, the rock band REO Speedwagon lived there. At that time, the spacious living, dining and parlor rooms on the first floor, provided plenty of rehearsal space. It was fun to be in that space, imagining the band working on classics like: ROLL WITH THE CHANGES, GOLDEN COUNTRY & TIME FOR ME TO FLY. Peace! 😎
‘Sir Fil’, I loved this song. I think my older sisters used to listen to it and I learned the lyrics. What a voice Mariska had and the band-all in sync! It was ‘ a hooky riff’! Thanks for another great great analysis and your/everyone’s positivity. It’s helping me so much right now. God bless, Marianne aka Celtic Gal ❤ 7:40
Thanks for this! One of my favorite bands. As an American, I sometimes feel I'm the only one in this country who even knows who Shocking Blue is, outside of Venus, so it's nice to see them getting some recognition in current times. They have many great songs beyond Venus, too.
I grew up late 70s-80s but my main music was 50s-60s stuff that was already considered "oldies" by the time I learned it from the radio. I've heard this song many times but had never seen the group/singer. I wish I could've been cool like this girl. And how refreshing to hear real music for a change!
Oh man. My age is showing here. When I saw the title Venus, I was all happy that it was going to be Frankie Avalon's romantic version in the 50's. But I remember this well too. But oh the romantic ballad is so sweet! 😊
Fil, It was before your time, but I recall that BANANARAMA had a big hit with this in the '80s. None of us teeny-boppers at the time had ANY idea that it was a "cover." Even @ 54 y.o. I still learn something new EVERY DAY. Thanks, my man! Benjamin
LoL I didn't know either (I'm 52 as I type) until Nirvana's cover of Love Buzz brought me to them. Then I heard the original. Been a huge fan ever since.
Hi Fil! For me one of the best songs from the late 1960s. There are songs you can hear almost any number of times, and is still as good. "Shocking Blue - Venus" is one of those songs. Thanks Fil for an interesting analysis of this masterpiece. 🎸🎤 🙂
I love watching Fil watch the video. It's obvious he loves it. His expressions say it all! And his analysis is always sooooooo interesting. He really knows his stuff!
The songwriter, Robbie van Leeuwen, a very nice guy by the way, could live just of the royalty's of this 1 song! he did make some interesting songs in the 70,s along with Dutch keyboard superstar Rick van der Linden
mariSHka vereSH , she's Hungarian , knew about twenty five English words ; that vibrato in her voice is that she sings Magyar songs in English with a three piece behind , no fiddle ; love your videos , love more your erudition , cheers !
Mariska Veres was born in The Hague, The Netherlands. Although her father was born in Hungary and was also a musician. You can say that she had more a gipsy background because of her family.
Hi Fil, This was SO Groovy!! I loved this analysis. Mariska had a very unique vocal ability and sound and it really is epic in this performance. Now she was a really cool cat! Thank you so much for the guitar technique demonstration… and I even know those chords. Very exciting as I am relearning to play guitar. I love these simple yet complex songs, reminds me of White Rabbit (which I Love). This was an awesome analysis! Absolutely one of your BEST and they are all good. Have a great night… Debbie☮️
The missing instrument is not an organ but an electric piano, or according to the Dutch Wikipedia, a special sounding Clavinet that was found in the studio.
Always loved this song as a young kid in the 60s. It was AM radio transistor days and listening to it under the covers at night. Great days of the Beatles, Motown etc getting my mind started. Great song and they Kicked butt on this tune.
Oh yes! Memories of those little transistor radios and listening in bed on school nights. To Radio Caroline and Johnnie Walker doing his good night slow song and sounding all smoochie at 11 o'clock! Gosh those few words of yours instantly took me right back to 14yo awkward adolescence, DJ and pop star crushes and the pirate radio stations. Thanks for the memory!
I love that you recognized that not only was she overcome by the loud band, but her voice was probably shot from doing a lot these appearances. I always have to defend singers because they couldn’t hear themselves or are just road weary. Cool Danelectro guitar too!
Thank you for featuring this underappreciated act ( at least in the U.S.) Mariska's voice reminded me of Grace Slick's. The flip side of the 45 called Hot Sand was great too
I only remember the cover of this song from when I was a teen. It was a massive hit in 1986. This version is way groovier. Her voice gives me Grace Slick vibes too. Thanks for shining a light on this classic. Congrats on 301k🖤🤘!
Love this song! Reminds me of roller skating at the rink in 1970. I always thought it was a guy singing it. We had lots of bubble gum music back then where the male singers had high voices. You can make out the Dutch accent.
If somebody asked me what is a perfect pop song I would say with no hesitation Shocking Blue's Venus. Used to really love playing it in bands when I was young playing the bass line, the other guys did the guitar and drums really well.
Many thanks Fil and you did it again! 'Venus' ... unique vocals ... effortless vivacity ... eternal magic ... one of the great iconic songs of the late 1960s!
That was awesome, but you didn't didn't cover the COMPLICATED VERY BEGINNING PART! What was that? 😂😅❤! I WAS FOOLED! This was a great video. She has a great voice. It kinda reminds me of a low Any Winehouse voice. The song is fantastic and one of the members wrote it? It became iconic. It's still played on a razor commercial in the US for a lady razor/shaver called VENUS ironically. So it has STAYING POWER. I give it two thumbs up! 😂
I listened to this song so many times and didn't realize the lead singer was a lady! What a great voice! There isn't anything better than live music. Thanks, Fil.
Being a teen in the 80s, I knew the Bananarama version first, but then I found out later it was a cover. Very catchy song, and I don't know how I didn't notice before that the melody sounds like Livin' on a Prayer!
@@nightwishlover8913 I wrinkled my nose when Bananarama covered it. It was an ok version but it rankled me that people didn't know the Shocking Blue original.
There's something compelling and wonderful about this hooky song I've remembered since I was q little kid bit its one of those cool songs that seems even better after time Great Song to analyze One of those great songs that stays fresh
Man, they killed this without the keys... nice. Used to do this tune back in the day (with keys! Lol) Always loved her voice too, even though it was many years till I found out it was a girl singing!
Fil your knack for picking out songs is unreal. Mariska Veres died in 2006 . However this song will live on forever. She kind of has the female version of Rod Stewart vocal to my ears. Very Husky voice . Thanks Fil
This is a great dance tune. A band called QUEEN CITY PUNX played it at my HS Spring Dance. They were a psuedo-glitter act from Springfield Mo early/mid 1970s.
Best Dutch band ever. Must have been 8-9 years old. Mariska only Dutch singer singing English without an accent. Every boy was in love with her. RIP. Robbie van Leeuwen was an incredible songwriter, such great popsongs and the famous Dm6 wasn’t it? But other songs also great ink in the ink pot, never marry a railroad man. Memories..