Well I had seen the reviews of 'Odyssey and Oracle' on another music website and then I also happened to come across this, which i listened to first, as i wanted more of a thorough overview of this band which i knew not much about, apart from the songs 'Time Of the Season' and 'She's Not ... Read review
Advantages: Original singles, B sides and rarities in stereo for the first time Disadvantages: That you hadn't known about this group earlier!!!!
Well I had seen the reviews of 'Odyssey and Oracle' on another music website and then I also happened to come across this, which i listened to first, as i wanted more of a thorough overview of this band which i knew not much about, apart from the songs 'Time Of the Season' and 'She's Not There.'
It's pretty easy to skim thru a load of short and snappy pop songs to decide if you like them or not. I knew I HAD to own this
after ... ...have no idea what the original mono songs sounded like, but i am not worried. Clarity counts for a lot when i listen to music.
Yes, Colin Blunstone certainly had an 'incomparable' voice. -Some people of around my age (30 -something) may recall some of his solo tracks from the 70's, his hit record with Dave Stewart in the 80's "What Becomes of The Broken Hearted" and his guest appearances on a few Alan Parsons Project albums from ... more
Well I had seen the reviews of 'Odyssey and Oracle' on another music website and then I also happened to come across this, which i listened to first, as i wanted more of a thorough overview of this band which i knew not much about, apart from the songs 'Time Of the Season' and 'She's Not There.'
It's pretty easy to skim thru a load of short and snappy pop songs to decide if you like them or not. I knew I HAD to own this after just skimming thru the first CD.
I have no idea what the original mono songs sounded like, but i am not worried. Clarity counts for a lot when i listen to music. Yes, Colin Blunstone certainly had an 'incomparable' voice. -Some people of around my age (30 -something) may recall some of his solo tracks from the 70's, his hit record with Dave Stewart in the 80's "What Becomes of The Broken Hearted" and his guest appearances on a few Alan Parsons Project albums from the 70's -80's. Excellent stuff also!! The Zombies' sound was basically beat-pop, with the added bonus of groovy keyboard backing on many of the tracks. (Another thing in common with The Animals, I guess!)
It was so fantastic to hear how much the Zombies could rock!! If you like "she's not there" there are MANY other such gems on this compilation, many singles that sadly failed to dent the charts. -What a fantastic, wild song is 'Sticks and Stones' quote: "I've been abuuuuuuuuuuused" and others. One minute Blunstone is all sweetness and light, the next he snarls or goes way up the scale to dizzy heights. Somewhere i once read "they sing like angels, and play like demons." I could compare them to The Animals for their raw energy and vitality and 'laddish' sound, but i feel i would be doing them an injustice. I think they are MUCH better. They like their harmonies, and they like their rock 'n' roll too. Once I had listened to the first CD, I was just struck dumb.Just about every track was pretty darn excellent, just classics. (admittedly, some were just cover versions of old standards, but who cares when they are played and sung as good as this?? ) -The word 'Awesome' came to mind. I nearly cried to think of how little success they had had in the U.K. It is CRIMINAL that the record buying public overlooked their precocious talent. They were at least as good as The Hollies, infact, arguably better than them too. More Rhythm n Blues.
When i listened to the 2nd CD i felt it didnt have quite the same energy and power and melody of the earlier songs, but at least the first 5 songs hold up well in comparison, I also love 'I'll Call You Mine' , 'if it Don't Work Out', 'Indication' (dig that groovy keyboard ending!!!) and 'Is This The Dream'. Also check out 'Gotta get a hold of Myself' which is one of the saddest pining- for- a -lost -love songs ever, and also 'She Does Everything for me' which comes directly after, and makes you feel glad he has found someone to replace the girl in the former song. "now I can say goodbye, and I DON'T CARRRRRREEEEEEEE!! You can go your own way, go ANYWHERRRRRRRRREEEEEEE!!" -wild and mad and full of youthful new love joys.
I give the collection five stars for value for money and for exhilerating entertainment, it is in my opinion a MUST-BUY for all 60's beat -band fans EVERYWHERE! SPREAD THE WORD!!! PLEASE!!!!!!
Product Information for "Decca Stereo Anthology, The - Zombies (The)" »
Product details
Title
Decca Stereo Anthology, The
Performer
Zombies (The)
Genre
Oldies
Sub Genre
British Invasion
Release Date
04/11/2002
Recomended Retail Price
17.99 GBP
Original Release Year
2002
Label / Distributor
Big Beat / Ace Records Sales & Distribution
Producer
Ken Jones
Pieces in Set
2
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
29667422529
Catalogue Number
CDWIK2 225
Additional notes
Album Notes
The tracks on this collection were remixed in stereo from the original four-track session masters. Includes four previously unissued, work-in-progress backing tracks and snippets of studio chatter. Recorded between 1964 and 1966. All tracks have been 24 bit digitally remastered.
Album Reviews
Uncut (2/03, p.96) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...The original multi-tracks have given the keyboard textures a lustrous clarity and afforded the three-part harmonies new depth..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
It's Alright With Me
2.
She's Not There
3.
You Make Me Feel Good
4.
Summertime
5.
Woman
6.
Leave Me Be
7.
Kind Of Girl
8.
Sometimes
9.
I'm Goin' Home
10.
Roadrunner
11.
Sticks And Stones
12.
Walking In The Sun
13.
I Don't Want To Know
14.
Tell Her No
15.
What More Can I Do
16.
I Remember When I Loved Her
17.
I Want You Back Again (alternate)
18.
Can't Nobody Love You
19.
Way I Feel Inside
20.
I Got My Mojo Working
21.
You've Really Got A Hold On Me/Bring It Home To Me
22.
I Can't Make Up My Mind
23.
Work 'n' Play
24.
I Want You Back Again (single version)
Titles on disc 2
1.
She's Coming Home
2.
I Must Move
3.
Just Out Of Reach
4.
Remember You (soundtrack version)
5.
Nothing's Changed
6.
I'll Keep Trying
7.
Don't Go Away
8.
Whenever You're Ready
9.
How We Were Before
10.
I Love You
11.
If It Don't Work Out
12.
I Know She Will
13.
Don't Cry For Me
14.
Remember You (single version)
15.
Is This The Dream
16.
Indication
17.
I'll Call You Mine
18.
Gotta Get A Hold Of Myself
19.
She Does Everything For Me
20.
Goin' Out Of My Head
21.
Leave Me Be (backing track take 1)
22.
Work 'n' Play (takes 2 & 3)
23.
Just Out Of Reach (backing track take 4)
24.
Whenever You're Ready (backing track take 1)
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
25/04/2005
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