VA – Diggin' In The Goldmine Dutch Beat Nuggets (2019)

This brand new eight CD box set issued by premier league Dutch reissue specialists Pseudonym, and helmed by the label’s head honcho Hans Van Vuuren, is an exhausting, exhilarating labour-of-love style project … and then some! Diggin’ In The Goldmine has been categorised, broadly speaking as “Dutch Beat” but what purchasers are subject to are around two hundred tracks of exciting, multi-genre, early-days rock music which spans from the immediate post-Beatles and ‘Stones fallout of 1963-64 – not forgetting the wild, anarchic R&B proclamations of such British groups as the Pretty Things, Kinks, Animals and Them (these would prove to have significant bearing, and influence upon the whole “Nederbeat” group scene which began to formulate across the towns and villages throughout Holland over the next few years and more) – and on through to heavier, weirder and also not-so-weird progressive pop sounds tailing off here around the turn-of-the-decade.

As a nation, and although small in size, the Netherlands nevertheless spawned thousands of rock-type music groups going back to the early days of rock’n’roll and the then efforts of the huge Indonesian population, which birthed the “Indo-rock” scene of the late 1950s and early 60s. But Nederbeat (sometimes “nederbiet”) took things to a different level, this was a newer, looser categorisation for those groups that wanted to play the kind of modern stuff favoured by beat-loving youngsters– who in their free time danced to records that were played in church youth clubs and community halls, bars and cafes across the land, and were now being adopted by the mass of embryonic groups who were by now popping up everywhere. Usually this meant loud guitars, crashing drums, throbbing bass notes, maybe even some squealing organ, and either a melodic, or screaming wild vocalist who could match the intensity and keep pace with the strident rhythms being pumped out by fellow instrumentalists, or both. And of course this included all the patter, posturing and fashion-following that went hand in hand with the whole teenage and twenties shebang! Oh yeah, and, wherever and whenever possible, long hair (on boys and girls) and the sound of wailing blues harmonicas; this wasn’t to everyone’s taste, but boy oh boy when it was done with the right amount of passion, free spirit and an obsession for R&B, the Dutch groups had very few competitors who could match them for wildness and genuine intensity during that tumultuous decade!

Almost all the groups now considered some kind of Dutch Beat heroes are here, from the barnstorming Outsiders, Q65, Cuby+Blizzards, the Softs, Sound of Imker, Jenny & the Rascals, Peter & the Blizzards, 4PK, Dragonfly and the Bintangs, to the more melodic strains of the Motions, the Torero’s, Sandy Coast and the Golden Ear-rings, and not forgetting all the maverick sounds as demonstrated by the likes of Nicky & the Shouts, the Fashions, Gee Bros, Group $oall, the Counsellors, the Inn-Sect and the Sparklings. So yeah, although “Beat” is the overarching umbrella which draws all these sound strands together, this whole compendium of delights stretches far beyond and includes everything from R&B, garage punk, freakbeat, psychedelia, folk-rock and many other progressive type sounds, plus, here and there, odd strains of novelty shop flower pop, folk-styleintrospection, post-psychedelic hard rock, blues and well just plain pop really.

What is also rather incredible as regards a near-definitive box set such as this, is the fact that, although there are still one or two omissions that, for some of us, may behuge – the non-showing of two particularly killer sixties Nederbeat nuggets: ‘Don’t You Remember’ by the Sound Magics and ‘Please Come Home’ by the Scarlets … – the overall impact of Diggin’ In The Goldmine is truly outstanding, and with so many great tracks on offer this will remain so for many years, and decades even to come. This is a colossal statement of just how excellent, innovative and incredibly special the whole Dutch 1960s group scene was, and still is! Furthermore, Diggin’ In The Goldmine also comes with an astonishing 200+ page hardback book containing a treasure trove of group photographs, and other assorted promotional images; flyers, record covers, music magazine adverts and a wealth of insightful reading too, covering the studios, and engineers that helped create many of the records selected for inclusion on the CDs, also the magazines which helped promote many of these young groups, plus there’s also track-by-track annotations and a thrillingly informative introductory text by Ugly Things magazine editor Mike Stax, a leading authority on Dutch Beat matters, who also happens to be lead vocalist with San Diego-based psych-beat quintet the Loons. Happy listening all you already clued-up, and potential nederbiet freaks.

– Lenny Helsing

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Dutch Beat Nuggets 1965 CD One

 01. Beatniks - Wouldn't You Like To Know  (2:42)

 02. Beatniks - She's About A Mover  (2:53)

 03. Counsellors - I'll Be Your Man  (2:21)

 04. Competitors - Long Tall Shorty  (3:04)

 05. Phantoms - Jack The Ripper  (3:15)

 06. Johnny Kendall & Gli Heralds - Tu Cammini (See See Rider)  (2:11)

 07. Bintangs - You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover  (2:59)

 08. Bintangs - I'm A Man  (3:02)

 09. Nicky & The Shouts - Don't Be A Fool  (2:13)

 10. Nicky & The Shouts - It's Time  (2:15)

 11. Motions - It's Gone  (2:32)

 12. Entertainers - Searching  (2:51)

 13. Entertainers - Down Home Girl  (2:55)

 14. Outsiders - You Mistreat Me  (1:59)

 15. Outsiders - Sun's Going Down  (2:42)

 16. Condors - Little Girl  (1:54)

 17. Golden Earrings - Please Go  (2:59)

 18. Gamblers - Dead...  (2:03)

 19. Cuby + Blizzards - Stumble And Fall  (1:58)

 20. Cuby + Blizzards - I'm So Restless  (2:36)

 21. Peter & The Blizzards - A Picture Of You  (1:59)

 22. Phantoms - I'll Go Crazy  (2:09)

 23. John Hatton & The Devotions - I'm Comin' Home  (2:17)

 24. Losers - Since You're Gone  (2:55)

 25. Mods - Baby Please Don't Go  (2:41)

 26. Mods - Don't Bring Me Down  (1:57)

 27. Les Mystères Ft. Mariska Veres - Summertime  (2:15)

Dutch Beat Nuggets 1965-1966 CD Two

 01. Peter & The Blizzards - Bye Bye Baby  (2:39)

 02. Peter & The Blizzards - Why  (2:05)

 03. Golden Earrings - Lonely Every Day  (1:44)

 04. Thunders - Take Me The Way I Am  (3:53)

 05. Sandy Coast - Subject Of My Thoughts  (2:50)

 06. Het - Ik Heb Geen Zin Om Op Te Staan  (3:08)

 07. Het - Alleen Op Het Kerkhof  (3:23)

 08. Motions - Love Won't Stop  (1:58)

 09. Phantoms - Tormented  (2:58)

 10. 4 PK - Down And Out  (2:29)

 11. 4 PK - So There  (2:10)

 12. Groep 1850 - Misty Night  (3:30)

 13. Groep 1850 - Look Around  (2:36)

 14. Les Baroques - Such A Cad  (2:35)

 15. Les Baroques - Summerbeach  (2:40)

 16. Bintangs - Splendid Sight (Glaciation World)  (2:36)

 17. Bintangs - $60 Boss  (2:56)

 18. Nicky & The Shouts - Tears Inside  (2:26)

 19. Nicky & The Shouts - Guilty Man  (2:00)

 20. Torero's - Bald Headed Woman  (2:07)

 21. Outsiders - Felt Like I Wanted To Cry  (2:51)

 22. Outsiders - I Love Her Still, I Always Will  (3:27)

 23. De Maskers - Three's A Crowd  (2:59)

 24. De Maskers - Living In The Past  (2:37)

 25. Tee-Set - Early In The Morning  (2:26)

 26. Tee-Set - Nothing Can Ever Change This Love  (2:47)

Dutch Beat Nuggets 1966 CD Three

 01. Mods - Brown Paper Sack  (2:35)

 02. Chapter II - East Of My Place  (3:08)

 03. Entertainers - Crazy Miss Daisy  (2:48)

 04. Entertainers - Little Girl  (1:56)

 05. Hunters - Russian Spy And I  (2:40)

 06. Linda Van Dyck With Boo & The Boo Boo's - Stengun  (2:55)

 07. Ro-d-ys - Tomorrow  (2:31)

 08. Zipps - Highway Gambler  (2:10)

 09. Zipps - Roll The Cotton Down  (2:46)

 10. Jenny & The Rascals - You Told Me A Lie  (2:28)

 11. Heralds - I Wish I Was Strong  (2:38)

 12. Alleycats - You Went Away  (2:17)

 13. Les Baroques - I Know (That You'll Be Mine)  (2:33)

 14. Les Baroques - She's Mine  (2:59)

 15. De Maskers - Masters Of War  (3:29)

 16. De Maskers - As Long As I Have You  (2:47)

 17. Comets - My Generation  (2:41)

 18. Kwyet - No Time For Tears  (2:56)

 19. Clungels - Dat Had Ik Nog Nooit Gedaan  (2:11)

 20. Clungels - Geen Cent!!!  (2:24)

 21. Johnny Kendall & The Heralds - Girl  (2:05)

 22. Bumble Bees - Day By Day  (2:46)

 23. Bumble Bees - You  (2:06)

 24. Hamlets - Looking In Your Eyes  (2:08)

 25. Humbugs - Go On Home, Little Girl  (2:48)

 26. Humbugs - A Little Bit Time  (2:34)

Dutch Beat Nuggets 1966 CD Four

 01. St. John & The Crew - I Am A Man  (3:11)

 02. St. John & The Crew - You Belong To Me  (3:05)

 03. Q'65 - I Despise You  (2:26)

 04. Lords - In The City  (2:28)

 05. Lords - Day After Day  (2:16)

 06. Sect - Mrs. Lovesick  (2:25)

 07. Rolling Beats - Sweeter Than You  (3:40)

 08. Fallouts - De Vlieg  (2:43)

 09. Sparklings - Seven Jump  (1:54)

 10. Sparklings - Now It's Your Turn To Cry  (2:55)

 11. Beatnicks - Loneliness  (2:43)

 12. Outsiders - Lying All The Time (demo)  (3:24)

 13. Outsiders - If You Don't Treat Me Right (demo)  (2:42)

 14. Twilight Kids - A Wondering Man  (2:18)

 15. Fun Of It - Silly Baby  (2:28)

 16. Zipps - Kicks & Chicks  (3:15)

 17. Sound Specials - It's In My Mind  (2:32)

 18. Peter & The Blizzards - Sittin' In My Room  (2:08)

 19. Peter & The Blizzards - All I Want  (3:11)

 20. Eurfians - Waaro?  (2:49)

 21. Linda van Dyck - Baby What Am I Doing  (2:08)

 22. Haigs - Never Die  (2:15)

 23. Cheese Town Jewels - No One Else  (2:34)

 24. Condors - Tomorrow  (3:00)

 25. Selfkick - Gosh! I'm Your Woman Not Your Wife  (2:19)

 26. Selfkick - Blues For Strawinsky  (2:16)

Dutch Beat Nuggets 1966-1967 CD Five

 01. Torero's - Daddy Loves Baby  (2:15)

 02. Torero's - Come  (2:06)

 03. Dat En Wat - I Can Live Without You  (2:16)

 04. Dat En Wat - Dead Man Blues  (4:38)

 05. Sparks - Come Back  (3:09)

 06. Softs - Kassie Kijken  (2:10)

 07. Softs - Paarse Broek  (2:40)

 08. Fallouts - I'm Sick Of Living (demo)  (2:46)

 09. Phantoms - After Tomorrow  (3:01)

 10. Riats - Run Run Run  (3:10)

 11. Groep 1850 - I Want More (Finger Tips)  (2:05)

 12. Groep 1850 - I Know (La Pensée)  (3:13)

 13. Nicky & The Shouts - Think  (2:43)

 14. Tee-Set - Don't You Leave  (3:15)

 15. Tee-Set - Long Ago (Now It Ain't So)  (2:42)

 16. Mother's Love - Highway To Heaven  (3:25)

 17. Bonny St. Claire - Tame Me, Tiger  (2:51)

 18. Bintangs - Please Do Listen  (3:15)

 19. Bintangs - No Blame  (3:02)

 20. Fashions - There Goes My Baby  (2:55)

 21. Nicols - Lord I've Been Thinking  (2:10)

 22. Nicols - I Can't Forget Her  (2:14)

 23. Zipps - Marie-Juana  (3:18)

 24. Ferrari's - Walk Like A Man  (2:10)

Dutch Beat Nuggets 1967 CD Six

01. Q'65 - Ain't That Lovin' You, Baby  (2:19)

 02. Q'65 - 80% O  (2:49)

 03. Adjéèf The Poet - Lekk! I'm A.... Freak  (2:51)

 04. Ro-d-ys - Take Her Home  (2:34)

 05. Jenny & The Rascals - That's A Man's Way  (2:28)

 06. Jenny & The Rascals - Baby You Know, You Ain't Right  (2:31)

 07. Dukes - Blue Revelations  (2:08)

 08. Tee-Set - We Will Be There After Tea  (2:58)

 09. Coopers - Didn't I  (2:28)

 10. Double Dutch - Your Out Of Sight  (2:38)

 11. Daddy's Act - Eight Days A Week  (3:50)

 12. Daddy's Act - Gonna Get You  (2:20)

 13. Fallouts - I'm Sick Of Living  (2:21)

 14. Fallouts - I've Been Waiting  (1:42)

 15. Golden Earrings - Together We Live, Together We Love  (3:10)

 16. Flash Call - Crying All Day  (2:34)

 17. Driftin' Five - Hard Headed Baby  (3:09)

 18. Nameless - Life  (1:50)

 19. Incredible - Upstairs Downstairs  (1:58)

 20. Lazy Bones - I'm Driftin'  (2:46)

 21. Nona - The Other Side Of The Mountain  (3:41)

 22. Group $oall - Will You Teach Me How To Love (demo)  (3:40)

 23. Group $oall - Adation (demo)  (3:37)

 24. James Mean - Jamie's Blues  (2:58)

 25. James Mean - What Can I Do  (2:56)

Dutch Beat Nuggets 1968 CD Seven

 01. G-Bros - Let Me Find The Sun  (2:36)

 02. Outsiders - I Don't Care (demo)  (2:54)

 03. Outsiders - Misfit (demo)  (3:17)

 04. Amos Tamela & His Mustang Soul - She'll Come Tonight  (2:12)

 05. Locomotion - What A Day  (2:59)

 06. Locomotion - For A Hero  (3:14)

 07. Dragonfly - Celestial Dreams  (4:10)

 08. Penny Wise - Lily Come Near Me  (3:07)

 09. Tower - In Your Life  (4:45)

 10. Rowdies - Winter's Coming  (2:37)

 11. Rowdies - Sunshine Girl  (2:37)

 12. Scouts - I Wonder Why  (2:40)

 13. Inn-Sect - Let Me Tell You About The Things I Need  (2:40)

 14. Inn-Sect - Walking In The Rain  (1:40)

 15. Daddy's Act - Baby's In Black  (3:02)

 16. Roek's Family - Get Yourself A Ticket  (3:54)

 17. Les Baroques - Indication  (2:30)

 18. Les Baroques - When You're Feeling Good  (2:26)

 19. Livin' Blues - Rock Me Baby (demo)  (3:00)

 20. Livin' Blues - One Night Boy (demo)  (5:07)

 21. Gee Bros - Ev'ry Day  (2:34)

 22. De Maskers - Heatwave  (2:51)

 23. De Maskers - Death!!!  (3:43)

 24. John & Henry - Things That Gonna Be  (2:33)

 25. John & Henry - Keep Your Hurts To Yourself Now  (2:22)

Dutch Beat Nuggets 1968-1970 CD Eight

 01. Dragonfly - Celestial Empire  (2:34)

 02. Maddoxs - Searching  (2:50)

 03. Maddoxs - Never Realized  (4:40)

 04. Dream - The Doting King  (2:45)

 05. Brainbox - Down Man  (2:39)

 06. After Tea - Joint House Blues  (2:44)

 07. Dennimaff - You've Gone Away  (3:40)

 08. Human Orchestra - The Silly One  (2:08)

 09. Nicols - She Had A Name To Find Out  (2:49)

 10. Roek's Family - Hurray For The Army  (3:29)

 11. Roek's Family - In My Mind  (3:09)

 12. Sound Of Imker - Train Of Doomsday  (2:41)

 13. Tower - Captain Decker  (4:30)

 14. Zipps - When You Tell It Tell It Well  (3:12)

 15. Dream - Rebellion (Can I Ask You One More Question)  (2:39)

 16. Dream - The Monarchy  (5:02)

 17. Bag - Tripdream  (3:05)

 18. Group 1850 - Don't Let It Be (We Have To Do It Now)  (3:16)

 19. Group 1850 - Sun Is Coming (So We're Callling You)  (3:02)

 20. OPMC - Firechild  (3:43)

 21. OPMC - Communications Breakdown Blues  (4:08)

 22. Phoenix - Ode To Jimi Hendrix  (4:28)

https://www.discogs.com/release/13538144-Various-Diggin-In-The-Goldmine-Dutch-Beat-Nuggets

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