CLEAN 1969 Orig THE SHOCKING BLUE AT HOME FEM VOCALS PSYCH Fuzz Sitar VENUS

$

71

        1969 GERMAN METRONOME FIRST PRESSING!           ..|/\|...............................................|/\|..                          
  
   = THE  S H O C K I N G  B L U E =
                   "At Home "                    ..|/\|...............................................|/\|..                                   Germany - Metronome - MLP 15353

plays clean

High Quality German Original 1969 first printing in NICE laminated gatefold of the seminal Dutch beat/psych/prog band SHOCKING BLUE and one of their BEST Lp's (not released in the USA!) ...

The second SHOCKING BLUE album which was NOT released in the USA ... it is produced in a lavish laminated gatefold cover and contains perhaps the best array of the bands tracks

Formed in 1967, Shocking Blue were an influential Dutch rock band from The Hague. Center stage to the groups popularity was lead singer Mariska Veres, whose powerful, exotic vocals transcended the group from a merely superb psychedelic rock group to something incredibly special.

1969's At Home is the groups best known release, often confused for their first album but in fact their second album....however, it is their first album with Mariska (they were a male 4-piece on their first Lp, a strong beat-rock Lp and nothing like their further Lp's...) Though it is an incredible call to make it is no far stretch to say At Home is one of the best rock albums of the late sixties. Shocking Blue is rarely spoken of in the same breath as say, The Beatles or The Rolling Stones (the bands output just wasn't as longlasting and all encompassing as these groups managed to be) but they ended up scoring a gigantic hit with Venus (everybody has heard at least one cover of it) and writing at least two strongly underrated albums along the way. At Home brings across a sense of the exuberant energy of the 60's, the band sounding completely fresh despite an archaic production quality. Musically, it feels quite varied though the bulk of tracks consist of the same instruments being used (guitar, bass, piano). With clever, satisfying arrangements that range from fun, mid-paced rockers (Boll Weevil, Love Machine, California Here I Come, Harley Davidson), to slower, downtempo affairs (I'll Write Your Name Through The Fire, I'm Your Woman) to offbeat, psychadelic experiments (Acka Raga, Love Buzz) the group always keeps an infectious rhythm happening. Throwing enough curveballs to the listener through guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen's electrifying guitar leads and fills, the band never fails to be entertaining though the entire duration of At Home. Then there is Mariska Veres to deal with. Quite simply, she is sensational. Throughout much of the album she has a playful presence, her powerful voice full of a unique passion which perfectly compliments the energetic sounds of the band. However, it is her vocal delivery on tracks such as I'll Write Your Name Through The Fire, Long And Lonesome Road and California Here I Come which creates something so achingly right expressing it into words could do it no justice. A perfect marriage is made between the music and vocals, Mariska providing an unmatched heart and soul to Shocking Blue that would be sorely lacking otherwise. At Home never lets up, from start to finish it is a completely engaging 60's rock album that entertains in the best way possible. Any aficionado of this particular era would do well to check it out, as well as it's follow-up Scorpios Dance.

A:
Boll Weevil
I'll Write Your Name
Through the Fire
Acka Raga
Love Machine
I'm a Woman
B:
California Here I Come
Poor Boy
Love Buzz
The Butterfly and I




                 CONDITION: The cover: rated: VG++ (laminated gatefold downgraded a bit for light crinkle line at bottom right but not bent and not on back cover (light) ...The fragile highly colorful cover is adorned with outstanding group photos inside and back cover ... there are no split seams, no delete marks no writing... (see photo)  fresh original colors remains a collection worthy rarity

The vinyl: Rated: VG++ to "EX" (excellent) shiny with only very hard to see inner sleeve paper like scuffs (if one can see at all) so plays with excellent audio! The record was play graded and provided full enjoyment, excellent audio ...no problems ... both Metronome labels are clean           
      A cool addition to anyone's music library!






  SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...   EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING All imperfections are noted both cover & record   NOTE: All Items backed by  money back guarantee! IF you have a problem PLEASE let us solve for you BEFORE leaving ANY negative feedback. Thanks!   GRADING SCALE: M, M-, EX, VG++,VG+, VG, VG- M    Completely clean, no marks M-   Carefully used, looks clean, plays clean, shiny gloss, no marks EX   Faint scuff or superficial mark, near M-, high gloss, plays clean VG++ Glossy with minimal scuffing or light mark playing very nice, clean VG+ a bit more scuff or markls still plays well with very minimal surface at worse VG   more marks/scratches only minor, nothing deep, no loud clicks or pops         this grade is abused by many, VG here does not mean "trashed" VG-  surface noise present, will not have skips or jumps     ALL PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN 5 DAYS Of AUCTIONS END   BIDDERS PLEASE = Do Not Bid If You Are Not Serious About  Following Through The Transaction!   ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED FOR WINNING BID - LESS SHIPPING!