Shocking Blue

A few years ago, while generally idling and listening to the radio, I discovered what is now one of my favourite tracks, 'Send Me A Postcard'. It's two and a half minutes of blistering Acid Rock, with a full voiced female singer. Being convinced I was listening to Jefferson Airplane, I was a little surprised when I found out who it was; Shocking Blue.

Here's the track with someone's home made attempt at a video (Not Mine).



Formed in 1967, they were from Holland and had a few hits in their homeland before their worldwide breakthrough, 'Venus'. The band was fronted by the powerful Mariska Veres, who many at the time compared to Grace Slick.

I had to hear more so I got hold of one of their compilations and was even more surprised when I found Nirvana's 'Love Buzz' from the album 'Bleach' was originally Shocking Blue's too. Too many tracks on their compilations are a little weak for me to recommend them, unless you're a real fan, but no worries. 'Send Me A Postcard' appears on Ladytron's Softcore Jukebox compilation, a real eclectic mix of some of Ladytron's personal favourite tracks plus a couple of their own. The bold ones are must haves.

1. "Soon" - My Bloody Valentine
2. "Hit the North, Part 1" - The Fall
3. "What's a Girl to Do" - Cristina
4. "Peng" - Dondolo
5. "The 15th" - Wire
6. "Blue Jeans 2.0" - Ladytron
7. "Saviour Piece" - Snap Ant
8. "Big" - New Fast Automatic Daffodils
9. "Feel Good Hit of the Fall" - !!!
10. "Teenage Daughter" - Fat Truckers
11. "Hey Mami (Sharaz Mix)" - Fannypack
12. "Manila (Headman Remix)" - Seelenluft
13. "You Got the Love" - The Source/Candi Staton
14. "Crazy Girls" - Codec and Flexor
15. "Oops Oh My" - Ladytron
16. "Send Me a Postcard" - Shocking Blue
17. "Twins" - Pop Levi
18. "Some Velvet Morning" - Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra