Absolutely The Best

by

The Zombies

Edit

In a recent article that I wrote for a local zine, I argued for the inclusion of the Zombies as one of the most important acts of the 1960's, no less the "British Invasion" (ranking, in my view, only behind the Beatles, with the Kinks a close 3rd)- this despite the fact that they only made 2 proper lps, the severely underrated "The Zombies Begin Here," and the legendary "Odessey and Oracle," as well as the fact that most of their singles either did not chart or reached paltry rankings in Billboard or Cashbox. Despite the obvious lack of insight by buyers, reviewers, or both, the Zombies were a brilliant band well ahead of their time. Their fusion of jazz, blues, and pop sensibilities set them apart from all of their contemporaries. Who else sang even close to a "She's Not There," or a jazzed up "I Want You Back Again"?! Rod Argent and Chris White's superior writing skills (and equally muscular chops on organ and bass, respectively) are perfectly accentuated by Colin Blunstone's immaculate, wispy lyrical style, guitarist Paul Atkinson's underappreciated, sometimes angular, style, and drummer Hugh Grundy's inate sense of timing. Here was a band with superior musicianship that even the Beatles couldn't match.

While personally not a fan of "greatest hits" packages, this cd offers the newcomer or nostalgia buff many of the great Zombies hits, ranging from the well known "She's Not There," "Tell Her No," and the astounding "Time of the Season," (and the brilliant "I Love You," a minor gem that I hear on oldies radio from time to time, though, alas, the cover version by the People). The rest of the package is the real deal, as well, showcasing the full range of talent that this band had to offer, from the jazz of "Whenever You're Ready," to their r&b roots on Argent's "Is This the Dream," to White/Argent's post Zombies, pre-Argent nugget "Imagine the Swan."

While I highly recommend both of their lps, or the glorious "Zombie Heaven" box set, this cd is an excellent way to be introduced to one of the most important bands of the 1960's, who's music still sounds fresh today- the Zombies.

Granted, I don't know if some or most of these songs were only recorded in mono (I doubt it), and that format is true to the 'transitor radio' ethos of that era, but still, the label should have acknowledged on the outside CD packaging that all but one or two songs are in mono. Okay, enough whining. The Zombies were among the greats, IMO, in Britpop. Someone said Partridge family-esque. Say what?! Listen to these gems. Great melodies, great harmonies. In addition to the obvious Rod Argent-penned hits - "She's Not There," "Tell Her No" and "Time of the Season" - there's Chris White's "I Love Her," an incredible song that was taken to the charts by "The People" (who?!) in '68. All in all, an exceptional slice of the 60s, except...