It's remarkable when you really think about it – with the release of the CD/DVD set captured live at Metropolis Studios in London, singer Colin Blunstone and keyboardist Rod Argent marked their fiftieth anniversary of playing together under the Zombies moniker. In that time, they had some successes which few could even hope to enjoy (and some of them happened right in the beginning – one of The Zombies' biggest hits, “She's Not There,” was recorded the very first time they ever entered a studio ) and made myths and played shows which have made them legendary. The history of the band is incredible and that stature is one of the things which makes this presentation so special; playing before a small room of (maybe) a couple hundred people, The Zombies – Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent and a few family members who fill in for the absent and/or departed Paul Atkinson, Chris White and Hugh Grundy – rock the hell out of a set of nineteen songs that everyone knows because every last one of them is a classic.
Now, saying that The Zombies rock through this set is one thing (right – before a couple hundred father figures passing a bottle of mucilage around like they used to pass a joint), but those who haven't seen it before will be surprised to see how good the band still is, fifty years on.
The Zombies get their set started just right as, with little in the way of pomp or ceremony beforehand, they just push off on their way with “I Love You.” The song (originally released on the band's self-titled breakthrough album in 1965) proves to still be limber as the band makes its way through, and Colin Blunstone's vocal shows no age as he nails every note without needing to play around with the song's melody to make it work. The band continues on its roll through “Can't Nobody Love You,” “Mystified” and up through “This Will Be Our Year” easily, showcasing the vintage keys and rock n' soul vibes which have won listeners easily over the decades. By “This Will Be Our Year” though, the band has already knocked through a couple of hits (including “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted”) as well as given a casino sheen to several other numbers masterfully, but when they make it both to and through “Beechwood Park” (which originally appeared on Odessey and Oracle in 1968) that is when they prove they've aged well.
“Beechwood Park” is one of the more vocally complicated songs in The Zombies early songbook without question, and Blunstone does start a little rough in his performance of it here – but is in fine form before the end of the first verse. The whole song ends up coming together perfectly and plays through like a real treat to hear. From there, the gravy starts rolling smooth and creamy as even those who might still be skeptical fall headlong into “Time Of The Season” and then fall in love with “I Do Believe” before being dazzled by “I Don't Believe In Miracles.” In each of those songs, the gray hair on the bandmembers' heads does not stand as proof of The Zombies' age because they play with the strength and passion of men one third their age – it's beautiful to see it play out like it does.
After the credits roll, those taken by the performance can check out a tastefully brief interview segment of this DVD, but it's really just an added frill to a surprising gift of a show. While other bands of their vintage (see the surviving members of The Who, ed Zeppelin and, of course, Ringo Starr) have proven that they can each play the roll of elderly shills passably well for the right price, The Zombies make their efforts look shameful by really playing well and like they still feel – not just see the potential value in recreating – their music. Because of that, this DVD/CD set is absolutely worth experiencing.
Artist:
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DVD:
The Zombies featuring Colin Blunstone & Rod Argent Recorded Live In Concert At Metropolis Studios, London DVD/CD set is out now. Buy it here on Amazon .
