Shocking Blue
The Blue Box (13CDs) - Red Bullet 2017 Comments:The Blue Box is a complete 13 CDs collection of what Dutch Shocking Blue recorded in the period 1967-1974 - plus a little more. The group is definitely worth a closer look, not least because of the group's musical main power, Robbie van Leeuwen, who, as a songwriter and musical director, shines on most albums. Of course, we must not forget front figure Marijska Veres, whose vocals often may remind you of Grace Slick’s. For collectors of the group, like myself, there may not be as much ”new” tracks to get as you might have wanted. For example, there are virtually no outtakes, and no "new" titles. Perhaps the group really did finish everything they started recording; It is not evident from the otherwise very nice and informative booklet of 56 pages that comes with the set.
All singles released by the group are found on two separate CDs and a jazz solo release released by Marijska Veres after the group's break-up is included – In my opinion this could have been saved it, as it fell completely next to the rest and in my judgement, though fairly limited knowledge of jazz, it is really not very good.
Several singles are quite rare; Especially those released as a reunion, and a song like "Louise" has not been released on CD earlier.
For me, the CD "Ham" is probably the most interesting. For a different reason, this album was pulled back shortly after the release in 1973 and has therefore become a major rarity. Most songs, however, are found in remixed versions onthe group's next album "Dream on Dreamer", the last one with Robbie van Leeuwen onboard.
Also the group's live album from 1972 was new to me. This album shows the group as an extremely competent live band.
All CDs are in small cardboard sleeves and are reproduced with the original covers.
And, I almost forgot, the music sounds great
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