...............................................album of the week

The Zombies - (1965) Begin Here

Review by Richie Unterberger (AMG)

The tragedy was that throughout 1965 and 1966, the Zombies released a string of equally fine, intricately arranged singles that flopped commercially, at a time in which chart success of 45s was a lot more important to sustain a band's livelihood than it would be a few years down the road. "Remember When I Loved Her," "I Want You Back Again," "Indication," "She's Coming Home," "Whenever You're Ready," "Gotta Get a Hold of Myself," "I Must Move," "Remember You," "Just out of Reach," "How We Were Before" -- all are lost classics, some relegated to B-sides that went virtually unheard, all showing the group eager to try new ideas and expand their approaches. What's worse, the lack of a big single denied the group opportunities to record albums -- only one LP, rushed out to capitalize on the success of "She's Not There," would appear before 1968.

Their failure to achieve more widespread success is a bit mystifying, perhaps explained by a few factors. While undeniably pop-based, their original compositions and arrangements were in some senses too adventurous for the radio. "Indication," for instance, winds down with a lengthy, torturous swirl of bitter organ solos and wordless, windblown vocals; "Remember When I Loved Her," despite its beautiful melody, has downbeat lyrics that are almost morbid; "I Want You Back Again" is arranged like a jazz waltz, with the sorts of sudden stops, tempo shifts, and lengthy minor organ solos found in a lot of their tunes. The group were also, perhaps unfairly, saddled with a somewhat square image; much was made of their formidable scholastic record, and they most definitely did not align themselves with the R&B-based school of British bands, preferring more subtle and tuneful territory.

· Track List:

01. Road Runner
02. Summertime
03. I Can't Make Up My Mind
04. The Way I Feel Inside
05. Work 'n' Play
06. You Really Got A Hold On Me/Bring It On Home To Me
07. She's Not There
08. Sticks And Stones
09. Can't Nobody Love You
10. Woman
11. I Don't Want To Know
12. I Remember When I Loved Her
13. What More Can I Do
14. I Got My Mojo Working
15. It's Alright With Me
16. Sometimes
17. Kind Of Girl
18. Tell Her No
19. Sticks And Stones (Alternate Take)
20. It's Alright With Me (Alternate Take)
21. I Know She Will
22. ll Keep Trying


· Personnel:

Colin Blunstone – vocals
Rod Argent – organ, piano, keyboards, vocals, Mellotron
Paul Atkinson – guitar
Chris White – bass
Hugh Grundy – drums


· About...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Zombies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begin_Here


·Video:

...............................................album of the week

The Zombies - (1968) Odessey And Oracle

Review by Richie Unterberger (AMG)

Aside from the Beatles and perhaps the Beach Boys, no mid-'60s rock group wrote melodies as gorgeous as those of the Zombies. Dominated by Colin Blunstone's breathy vocals, choral backup harmonies, and Rod Argent's shining jazz- and classical-influenced organ and piano, the band sounded utterly unique for their era. Indeed, their material -- penned by either Argent or guitarist Chris White, with unexpected shifts from major to minor keys -- was perhaps too adventurous for the singles market. To this day, they're known primarily for their three big hit singles, "She's Not There" (1964), "Tell Her No" (1965), and "Time of the Season" (1969). Most listeners remain unaware that the group maintained a remarkably high quality of work for several years.

The Zombies formed in the London suburb of St. Albans in the early '60s, and didn't actually entertain serious professional ambitions until they won a local contest, the prize being an opportunity to record a demo for consideration at major labels. Argent's composition "She's Not There" got them a deal with Decca, and the song ended up being their debut release. It was a remarkably confident and original first-time effort, with a great minor melody and the organ, harmonies, and urgent, almost neurotic vocals that would typify much of their work. It did well enough in Britain (making the Top 20), but did even better in the States, where it went to number two.

In fact, throughout their career, the group would experience a lot more success across the waters than they did at home. In early 1965, another piece of classic British Invasion pop, "Tell Her No," went into the Top Ten. Yet that was as much Top 40 success as the group would have for several years.

· Track List:

01. Care of Cell 44
02. A Rose for Emily
03. Maybe After He's Gone
04. Beechwood Park
05. Brief Candles
06. Hung Up on a Dream
07. Changes
08. I Want Her, She Wants Me
09. This Will Be Our Year
10. Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)
11. Friends of Mine
12. Time of the Season


· Personnel:

Colin Blunstone – vocals
Rod Argent – organ, piano, keyboards, vocals, Mellotron
Paul Atkinson – guitar
Chris White – bass
Hugh Grundy – drums


· About...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Zombies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odessey_and_Oracle


·Video: