At Home (Shocking Blue album)

Background

This is the group's first record with singer, Mariska Veres. Robbie van Leeuwen acquired Veres in the attempt to assimilate to the form Jefferson Airplane did by adding a female singer. With Veres's notable vocal performance and stunning looks, the band finally had someone to front them. The band's second album was a mixture of influences ranging from pop rock to psychedelic rock. There is also early evidence of their interest in Americana with tracks like "California Here I Come" and "Harley Davidson". Overall, it is best known for its hit single "Venus" which reached number one on the American national charts. Never again did the band achieve such success in the US.

The John Mayer version of the song "Acka Raga" was used as the theme song for the BBC1 quiz show Ask the Family.

The track "Love Buzz" gained notoriety when it was covered by grunge band Nirvana.

Track listing

All songs were written by Robbie van Leeuwen, except for "Acka Raga" by John Mayer.

LP version

As originally released on the Pink Elephant label in the Netherlands in 1969, the album ran as follows:

1. "Boll Weevil" – 2:40
2. "I'll Write Your Name Through the Fire"– 2:50
3. "Acka Raga" – 3:10
4. "Love Machine" – 3:15
5. "I'm a Woman" – 3:00

1. "California Here I Come" – 3:15
2. "Poor Boy" – 4:50
3. "Love Buzz" – 3:40
4. "The Butterfly and I" – 3:50

Later pressings of the album would often append the hit single "Venus", as well as other contemporary tracks.

CD version

Repertoire Records re-issued the album in CD format in 1989:

1. "Boll Weevil" – 2:40
2. "I'll Write Your Name Through the Fire"– 2:50
3. "Acka Raga" – 3:10
4. "Love Machine" – 3:15
5. "I'm a Woman" – 3:00
6. "Venus" - 3:07
7. "California Here I Come" – 3:15
8. "Poor Boy" – 4:50
9. "Long and Lonesome Road" – 2:44
10. "Love Buzz" – 3:40
11. "The Butterfly and I" – 3:50

Bonus tracks:

1. "Harley Davidson" – 2:39
2. "Fireball of Love" – 3:00
3. "Hot Sand" – 2:35
4. "Wild Wind" – 2:15

Personnel