The Zombies and Beyond

by

The Zombies

Edit

This sadly overlooked and neglected group (Formed soon after they left school) at last get's the chance to shine, and I say hallelujah it's about time.

These songs by The Zombies, Colin Blunstone(AKA Neil MacArthur)and Argent have never been collected on the same album before, probably the fact that they had so many different record companies didn't help simplify things. Four of the songs on here are from the highly regarded Zombie album; "Odessey* and Oracle" (1968). That's worth a listen of anybodies time.(It's also number 80 in Rolling Stone magazines 500 all time greatest albums chart.)

Two highly regarded Blunstone solo albums are; "Ennismore", and; "One Year".

Regarding Argent I would say; "In Deep" and; "All Together Now", show them at their best.

It's worth checking those albums out if you like these offerings.

If; "I Don't Believe in Miracles", and; "Old and Wise", doesn't make you teary, you have no soul!

(*Trivia:~ Odyssey was misspelt on the album by one of the production staff, and not spotted until too late.)

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As for the songs on here I've played this album many times already and I can honestly say I like them all, but I'll always regard Colin Blunstones solo effort's; "I Don't Believe in Miracles", and; "Say you Don't mind", as extra special. That man has such a distinctive singing style, it was great to hear him again. (Plus 1972 was a good year for me.)

There's also two Rock classics by Argent; "God Gave Rock and Roll to You", and; "Hold your Head Up".

Zombie band members were:- Rod Argent-keyboards, Paul Atkinson-guitar (Died 1/april/04), Colin Blunstone-vocals, Hugh Grundy-drums, Chris White-bass.

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Here's what you get for your money.

Not in album order.

The Zombies:~

1/ Time of the Season (Album version 1968). Written by R Argent.

2/ She's not There (1964). Written by R Argent. A big hit for Santana in 1977.

3/ Tell Her No (1964). Written by R Argent.

4/ Summertime (1964). Lyrics by Ira Gershwin/Du Bose Heywood. Music by George Gershwin.

5/ Indication (1966). Written by R Argent.

6/ I Love You (1966). Written by Chris White.

7/ This Will be Our Year (1968). Written by Chris White.

8/ A Rose For Emily (1968). Written by R Argent.

9/ Friends of Mine (1968). Written by Chris White.

Colin Blunstone:~

10/ I Don't Believe In Miracles (1972). Written by Russ Ballard.

11/ Say You Don't Mind (1972). Published by Denny Laine.

12/ Caroline Goodbye (1971). Written by Colin Blunstone.

13/ Old and Wise (1982). Written by Eric Woolfson/Alan Parsons.

14/ What Becomes of the Broken Hearted (1981). Written by J Dean/P Riser/W Henry.

Argent:~

15/ God Gave Rock and Roll to You (1974). Written by Russ Ballard.

16/ Hold Your Head Up (1972). Written by R Argent/C White.

17/ Keep On Rollin' (1974). Written by R Argent/C White.

18/ Pleasure (1976). Written by R Argent/C White.

19/ I Want to Fly (single edit, 2004). Written by C Blunstone/R Argent.

20/ Southside of the Street (2004). Written by C Blunstone/R Argent.

Well, what we have here is music from possibly the greatest sixties band and their off-shoot projects, Colin Blunstone's solo career and Argent. While that may sound like a good thing, I have a fairly simple problem with it and that is this; it was packaged and sold as if it is some rare gem. To say that this collection is worth the money because it is the only time the Zombies hits, Blunstone's solo hits and Argent's hits were all on the same disc (which the liner notes boast) is foolish- it is like saying the Beatle's disc "1" (released about 5 years ago) is worthwhile because it is the only place to get the Beatles #1 hits. What does that mean exactly? Isn't it just a category to place a song in? Does that diminish the value of other Beatle cuts that didn't make that disc? And by that same logic, does the list of #1's on this Zombies collection (which I feel was an unnecessary release in case you can't tell) mean that this disc is suddenly "a must have"? I say no.

As a matter of fact, the exclusion of so many other Zombies tunes makes the ones offered here just a small sampling of greatness, which accomplishes two things: 1. it reminds the listener of what was NOT included and 2. it eats up precious space on a disc that could've delved more into either Blunstone's or Argent's careers, or for that matter, unearthed truly rare gems like the Zombies Into the Afterlife album (I recommend that one by the way) did, borrowing from Blunstone's Neil MacArthur period.

The Colin Blunstone material on this cd is good but it is well worth just getting his first two solo albums (One Year and Ennismore). Those two total are about $25. Then you could pick up an Argent Greatest Hits album for about $7 and you're just a little over the total of what it costs to buy Zombies and Beyond (only you have A LOT more music and in the case of Blunstone, you'll be very happy). As for the Zombies, trying to pick 9 or 10 songs for a compilation is just absurd. Again, it's like the Beatles. So what if they're #1's- when you're dealing with bands like this even their not so good days were better than many bands' best moments.

So why three stars? Well, because the music itself can't be denied (except for some Argent tracks which just reek of 70's testosterone) and if you don't feel like buying the Zombies in Heaven boxset or the 2 disc Decca stereo remasters (a good alternative to the boxset) then I guess you'll hear some (italicize that some) good music. It just seems insulting to the artists to offer what is ultimately a sampler package.