TommyRude Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Couldn't find the what are you listening to thread, so popping this in [video:youtube] Quote Some music I've recorded and played over the years with a few different bands Tommy Rude Soundcloud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 That's groovy, semi hot, rockin' music. I love that tune, but I would not label it cool (e.g. chill) style music. It makes me want to dance. They used it recently in Queens Gambit when Beth gets loaded and dances around in her underwear. Hot... until she barfs. ||: E- A :|| Bsus Quote Find 660 of my jazz piano arrangements of standards for educational purposes and tutorials at www.Patreon.com/HarryLikas Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analogika Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 I am in constant awe of that track. The song structure is incredibly good. A hook, one of the most catchy yet universal vamps in the history of pop, a verse that's a hook, a run, a chorus that's a lift, a guitar solo that is actually another hook, but you don't realise it until they repeat the exact same guitar solo, and the whole thing just scorching. I mean, just wow Quote "The Angels of Libra are in the European vanguard of the [retro soul] movement" (Bill Buckley, Soul and Jazz and Funk) The Drawbars | off jazz organ trio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adan Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Agreed, pop genius, embracing simplicity, balance, and the always elusive undiscovered "hook." Wurlitzer or rhodes? I think the latter, but I'm not sure. Too bad the keys player couldn't make the lip sync gig, he's a key part of the sound. Additional thoughts: Always interesting to see a stage full of women dancing in that hippy style. It's a dance style that belongs to the ages, no one does those moves anymore. I'd still rather listen to the Meters! Quote Gigging: Crumar Mojo 61, Hammond SKPro Home: Vintage Vibe 64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analogika Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Wurlitzer or rhodes? I think the latter, but I'm not sure. Too bad the keys player couldn't make the lip sync gig, he's a key part of the sound. Hohner Electra, I believe. Quote "The Angels of Libra are in the European vanguard of the [retro soul] movement" (Bill Buckley, Soul and Jazz and Funk) The Drawbars | off jazz organ trio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adan Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Wurlitzer or rhodes? I think the latter, but I'm not sure. Too bad the keys player couldn't make the lip sync gig, he's a key part of the sound. Hohner Electra, I believe. Yes, I thought it must be something else, didn't quite sound rhodes or wurly. Sounds great though. Quote Gigging: Crumar Mojo 61, Hammond SKPro Home: Vintage Vibe 64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamanczarek Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 The Hohner Piano on "Venus" is credited to Cees Schrama. Singer Mariska Veres could play Piano but only sang with the band. "Venus" was inspired by "The Banjo Song" by The Big 3 with Mama Cass Elliot. The opening suspended guitar chord was taken from The Who's "Pinball Wizard" and other elements of the song are said to have been inspired by The Beatles' "Get Back". [video:youtube] Quote C3/122, M102A, Vox V301H, Farfisa Compact, Gibson G101, GEM P, RMI 300A, Piano Bass, Pianet , Prophet 5 rev. 2, Pro-One, Matrix 12, OB8, Korg MS20, Jupiter 6, Juno 60, PX-5S, Nord Stage 3 Compact Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analogika Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 "Inspired". Heh. Quote "The Angels of Libra are in the European vanguard of the [retro soul] movement" (Bill Buckley, Soul and Jazz and Funk) The Drawbars | off jazz organ trio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rod76 Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 The song has a Doors vibe... never had that impression before and just hit me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyRude Posted May 6, 2021 Author Share Posted May 6, 2021 Forgot to mention - I was brought here by The Handmaid's Tale. Quote Some music I've recorded and played over the years with a few different bands Tommy Rude Soundcloud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Harrison Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 This documentary (in Dutch) about Shocking Blue presents a breakdown of Venus, including a segment on the keyboard part (5:05-7:00) with a demonstration by the original session player Cees Schrama himself (from 5:36). [video:youtube] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o0Ampy0o Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 I had heard this song countless times. Even though I liked it I managed to miss all opportunities to observe the band performing it. Until I read this thread I would have sworn this was sung by a male vocalist, not that there is anything about the vocals to confuse like say Niel Sedaka's voice. If someone had asked me whether the vocalist was male or female while the song was playing I am sure I would have said female. I just have never focused on it enough to consciously think about it. I suspect it may have something to do with it being similar (in my mind at least) to several pop songs of the era, each of which I believe were sung by men. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRollins Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Ya gotta love "live" performances where the guitar and bass aren't even plugged in... That said, I haven't heard that song in years. Loved it. It was on the juke box at the pool I went to and we'd all sing along when someone put in a dime. Grey Quote I'm not interested in someone's ability to program. I'm interested in their ability to compose and play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyRude Posted May 6, 2021 Author Share Posted May 6, 2021 The song has a Doors vibe... never had that impression before and just hit me The Doors had Light my Fire, so there you go! It's definitely from the same era. She sounds like Grace Slick at certain moments. I dig the vocal, rich, dark, husky Quote Some music I've recorded and played over the years with a few different bands Tommy Rude Soundcloud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cphollis Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 My current band has been doing Venus for a while with awesome results. We have a female vocalist that nails the range, inflection etc. My keys are mostly compressed/chorused wurli and a bit of Vox organ. The real fun is at the end where I use a massively layered Vox-heavy organ sound to do a jamming outro with a big finale. Smokin' hot. Easily one of our top three songs. Quote Want to make your band better? Check out "A Guide To Starting (Or Improving!) Your Own Local Band" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 The Hohner Piano on "Venus" is credited to Cees Schrama. Singer Mariska Veres could play Piano but only sang with the band. "Venus" was inspired by "The Banjo Song" by The Big 3 with Mama Cass Elliot. The opening suspended guitar chord was taken from The Who's "Pinball Wizard" and other elements of the song are said to have been inspired by The Beatles' "Get Back". [video:youtube] That's just crazy!!! It's practically a one on one copy - I had no idea. I hadn't heard the original in ages, so just played it. The big surprise is how in the background the Hohner EP is. It would prominently stick out on AM radio at the time - just the right frequency range for that technology. For better or worse, if I'm doing an oldies night as a DJ I use the Bananarama version - simply because it's the one most people remember. The original is now over 50 years old, and they had a big hit with the song too. The EP part we all love is replaced by a more generic muted polysynth riff - so I can understand why you guys would all rather cover the original. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo Verelst Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 When I was a boy this was one of the national songs with hot singer, there were just a few of those. There's striking comparison with the above original (?), I didn't know that. T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 This revived it [video:youtube] Quote Find 660 of my jazz piano arrangements of standards for educational purposes and tutorials at www.Patreon.com/HarryLikas Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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