|
I got to interview one of my favourite bands, the Zombies, last
Saturday (17 April) on my 94.9FM radio show - how much do I love
my job?!
| "The
sublime voice of Blunstone - coupled with the songs of keyboardist
Argent - is one of the most potent combinations in my book of
pop..." |
Well,
two of the band anyway: Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent.
The
guys were in to talk about the St. Albans-based quintet's rich history
and also their impressive new album As Far As I Can See (released
on 27 April).
The
sublime voice of Blunstone - coupled with the songs of keyboardist
Argent - is one of the most potent combinations in my book of pop.
interested?
catch
the interview in full below:
The Zombies interview part 1 
(9'
22")
Colin and Rod talk about their debut single "She's
Not There" which became an instant worldwide hit.
Click
here to listen>>
(the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ is not responsible
for the content of external websites)
The Zombies interview part 2 (5' 33")
The
pair chat to Gary about travelling across the US with The
Velvelettes and The Shangri-Las.
Click here
to listen>> |
classic
album
For
further proof just ask the likes of REM, Paul Weller, The Thrills,
Beck, Belle And Sebastian and the Super Furry Animals, all of whom
cite the band as a major influence.
 |
|
New
listeners start here: the Zombies' classic Odessey And Oracle
album
|
In
fact it was the Weller fella who first turned me on to their 1968
classic album Odessey And Oracle back in the early 90s, and
for that I'll be eternally grateful as it's now one of my favourite
long players of all time.
If
there's a British equivalent to the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds
then this is it. A tender, soulful collection of classic English
pop with harmonies that tug at the heartstrings and much, much more.
interested?
the interview continues below:
The Zombies interview part 3
(8'
55")
Colin and Rod talk about the making of their classic album
Odessey & Oracle.
Click here to listen>>
The Zombies interview part 4 (6' 49")
The
pair finish the interview chatting about their latest release
As
Far As I Can See.
Click
here to listen>> |
fine
testimony
A
question I was dying to ask Colin and Rod was if they'd be interested
in performing the album in its entirety, along the same lines as
Brian Wilson did recently with Pet Sounds and Smile,
and Arthur Lee's Love did with Forever Changes.
They
said they were - and the answer had me on the floor, snapped into
the foetal position in anticipation!
 |
|
A
classic publicity shot of the group in the mid-60s
|
But
the poignant thing is that original guitarist Paul Atkinson won't
be able to take part, if and when it happens, as he sadly passed
away a few weeks back after a long illness.
Fingers
crossed though, that Colin and Rod and bandmembers Chris and Hugh
will all be up for it: it'd
be a fine testimony to their friend and former colleague.
I'll
be reviewing the new album in depth next week...
interested?
hear The
Zombies and 'Time Of The Season' from Odessey And Oracle
(listen
in Windows Media Player -
)
add
your opinion
email me direct at: yourlondon@bbc.co.uk
more
music
free cd and
dvd offers
live reviews index
useful links
|
Listen live
Click
through amazing shots of London from high up in a helicopter!