In the pantheon of great British bands of the 60s, The Zombies seem to take a back seat to many of the more obvious choices.
What a massive oversight. I've just spent the day listening to "The Decca Stereo Anthology" and I've been marveling at the consistent brilliance of their output.
They could rock, they could write the perfect pop hook, they could throw in some jazz grooves, they had one of the most velvet voiced singers in Colin Blundstone, and brilliant song writers in Chris White and Rod argent. An added bonus was that they were really well recorded at Decca, so that even all of these years later they sound absolutely fantastic.
Anybody else a fan of this brilliant group??
10 replies to this topic
#2
Zen Mister
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Posted 01 August 2012 - 09:34 PM
Yes, class all the way. Every collection should have a copy of 'Odyssey and Oracle'. The singles, 'Time of the Season' and 'She's Not There' sound so fresh and contemporary, they could have been recorded today.
ZM.
ZM.
Sum testis carpo mens nunc insisto.....
#3
cfcjb
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Posted 01 August 2012 - 09:38 PM
I have "Odyssey and Oracle" and it is one of the GREAT albums of the 60s. If you like that, seek out "The Decca Stereo Anthology" it pretty much provides you with all of the rest of their recorded output.
One little aside that you probably know is that the group had actually split well before "Odyssey and Oracle" was released.
One little aside that you probably know is that the group had actually split well before "Odyssey and Oracle" was released.
Edited by cfcjb, 01 August 2012 - 09:39 PM.
#4
Zen Mister
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Posted 01 August 2012 - 09:59 PM
Yes, rather sad. It took off in America, and there was no band left to tour it. From the ashes rose the trash and treasure that was ARGENT.
ZM.
ZM.
Sum testis carpo mens nunc insisto.....
#5
progladyte
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Posted 01 August 2012 - 10:04 PM
Odyssey & Oracle is a great album, no doubt.
There are 3 levels of intelligence amongst humans today.
The most intelligent learn by listening to other intelligent people.
The second most intelligent learn by reading intelligently written books.
The rest of us learn by pissing on the electric fence.
The most intelligent learn by listening to other intelligent people.
The second most intelligent learn by reading intelligently written books.
The rest of us learn by pissing on the electric fence.
#6
audiohobbs
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Posted 01 August 2012 - 10:15 PM
Argent was a superb muso and The Zombies sure could write. Some classics came from their attic, that's for sure!
#7
LogicprObe
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Posted 01 August 2012 - 10:27 PM
We were discussing The Zombies and Argent over in the prog thread.
They're great!
They're great!
Give me ambiguity or give me something else.
#8
cfcjb
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Posted 03 August 2012 - 08:29 PM
We were discussing The Zombies and Argent over in the prog thread.
They're great!
I'll have to investigate Argent (I don't know why I haven't before, given my love for The Zombies).
I have to admit that a cold shiver ran down my spine when I found out that they had written "God gave rock 'n' roll to you". I remember Kiss covering it and mistook it for one of their god awful songs. I still think it's god awful. ;-)
#9
Zen Mister
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Posted 03 August 2012 - 11:20 PM
Like I say, trash and treasure.
ZM.
ZM.
Sum testis carpo mens nunc insisto.....
#10
cfcjb
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Posted 04 August 2012 - 07:35 AM
Like I say, trash and treasure.
ZM.
I definitely found the trash.
Which of their albums would you recommend?
#11
Zen Mister
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Posted 04 August 2012 - 01:53 PM
The debut album holds up well, and includes the essential track 'LIAR'. Second album 'Ring of Hands' has aged well. Later albums were less consistent, if by consistent you mean, shooting for an obvious U.S.FM radio Hit.
A lot of people love 'God Gave....." and "Hold Your Head Up" - but they were pitched for commercial rather than artistic success. The latter, I suspect, was to tap into the stoner market that made ' INNA GADDA DA VIDA" such a monster. You have to picture them in the live context with a swarm of stoned college kids having a great night out, but you would need a similar inhalant boost to get the same kick now.
Perhaps it is telling that those two singles were later co-opted by the Christian music scene as exemplars of good clean values- good grief- roll another number indeed!
The live albums are hard to find, but have some great moments, but really, get on your server and try before you buy.
Either way, you must hear 'LIAR'- still thrilling in it's restraint, all these years later.
ZM.
A lot of people love 'God Gave....." and "Hold Your Head Up" - but they were pitched for commercial rather than artistic success. The latter, I suspect, was to tap into the stoner market that made ' INNA GADDA DA VIDA" such a monster. You have to picture them in the live context with a swarm of stoned college kids having a great night out, but you would need a similar inhalant boost to get the same kick now.
Perhaps it is telling that those two singles were later co-opted by the Christian music scene as exemplars of good clean values- good grief- roll another number indeed!
The live albums are hard to find, but have some great moments, but really, get on your server and try before you buy.
Either way, you must hear 'LIAR'- still thrilling in it's restraint, all these years later.
ZM.
Sum testis carpo mens nunc insisto.....
