- Rod Argent -- vocals, keyboards, violin (1963-68)
- Paul Arnold -- bass (1963-64)
- Paul Atkinson -- guitar, harmonica, violin (1963-68)
- Colin Blunstone -- vocals, percussion, guitar (1963-68)
- Hugh Grundy -- drums (1963-68)
- Chris White -- vocals, bass (replaced Paul Arnold)

  (1964-68)

 

- Rod Argent (solo efforts)
- Argent
- Colin Blunstone (solo efforts)
- Keats (Colin Blunstone)
- Neil MacArthur (Colin Blunstone) 

- Chris White (solo efforts)

Genre: psych

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Odessey & Oracle

Company: Date

Catalog: TES 4013

Year: 1967

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG+

Comments: minor edge and corner wear; initials on back cover

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5284

Price: $60.00

Increasingly frustrated with Decca's lack of support and unwillingness to finance a second album, in late 1967 the group switched to Columbia's recently formed Date subsidiary. The self-produced (and partially self-financed), "Odessey and Oracle" (their spelling, not mine), was a clear effort to shed their 'pop' reputation in order to gain respect as 'serious' musicians. Given extensive creative freedom, working separately Argent and White were again responsible for all of the material and while tracks such as 'Butcher's Tale: (Western Front 1914)' and 'Brief Candles' occasionally bordered on the pretentious (can't think of a lot of bands writing about World War 1 attrocities), thankfully the group's trademarked etheral melodies and restrained, keyboard dominated sound remained intact. An overlooked era classic, the entire set was worth hearing; to my ears highlights included the weird 'Care of Cell 44' (girlfriend about to be released from jail), the pseudo-psychedelic 'Beechwood Park', 'Changes' and the delicious pop-oriented 'I Want Her She Wants Me'. Considering the album too uncommercial for American audiences Date initially decided not to release the album in the States. Date's decision saw the frustrated group elect to call it quits. Ironically, after constant prodding from fan Al Kooper, Date relented, releasing the set in the States posthumously. Unexpectedly the album's first single 'Time of the Season' b/w 'I'll Call You Mine' (Date catalog number 2-1628) went top-5. Propelled by the single, the parent album hit # 95.

Date executives hastily offered the band a large cash bonus to reform and tour in support of the album. Already involved in a new project Argent refused the offer, but did agree to complete several previously written and partially recorded Zombie tracks. Working with guitarist Rick Birkett, drummer Grundy and bassist Jim Rorford the quartet returned to the studio recording several previously written, but unrecorded numbers. Unfortunately, after 'Imagine the Swan' b/w 'Conversation on Floral Street' (Date catalog number 2-1644) was released as an unsuccessful single (it peaked at # 109), enthusiasm within the band and within Date faded and the follow-up album project was shelved.

"Odessey and Oracle" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Care of Cell 44   (Rod Argent) - 3:54
2.) A Rose for Emily   (Rod Argent) - 2:17
3.) Maybe After He's Gone   (Chris White) - 2:32
4.) Beechwood Park   (Chris White) - 2:43
5.) Brief Candles   (Chris White) - 3:30
6.) Hung Up On a Dream   (Chris White) - 3:01

(side 2)

1.) Changes   (Rod Argent) - 3:15
2.) I Want Her She Wants Me - 2:48
3.) This Will Be Our Year   (Chris White) - 2:06
4.) Butcher's Take (Western Front 1914)   (Chris White) - 2:47
5.) Friends of Mine   (Chris White) - 2:15
6.) Time of the Season   (Rod Argent) - 3:30

Genre: psych

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Time of the Zombies

Company: Epic

Catalog: KEG-23861

Year: 1973

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Comments: double album set; gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5286

Price: $20.00

Released by Epic, 1973's "Time of the Zombies" was a comprehensive two album, 28 track retrospective. In addition to their American hits, the set included all 14 "Odessey and Oracle" tracks. Up until the release of the boxed set, it stood as the most comprehensive retrospective (it remains the most affordable compilation for the curious and casual fans.) Sporting one of the year's uglier covers, the set manage to squeak to # 204. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)

"Time of the Zombies" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) She's Not There (Rod Argent) - 2:23
2.) Tell Her No (Rod Argent) - 2:04
3.) Whenever You're Ready (Rod Argent) - 2:41
4.) Is This The Dream (Rod Argent) - 2:43
5.) Summertime (George Gershwin - D. Heward) - 2:16
6.) I Love You (Chris White) - 3:21
7.) You Make Me Feel Good (Chris White) - 2:39

(side 2)

1.) She's Coming Home (Rod Argent) - 2:38
2.) She Loves the Way You Love Her (Rod Argent - Chris White) - 3:02
3.) Imagine the Swan (Rod Argent - Chris White) - 3:02
4.) Smokey Day (Rod Argent - Chris White) - 2:25
5.) If It Don't Work Out (Rod Argent) - 2:27
6.) I Know She Will (Chris White) - 2:35
7.) Don't Cry For Me (Chris White) - 2:14

(side 3)

1.) Walking In the Sun (Rod Argent) - 2:38
2.) I'll Call You Mine (Chris White) - 2:42
3.) Care of Cell 44 (Rod Argent) - 3:54
4.) A Rose for Emily (Rod Argent) - 2:17
5.) Maybe After He's Gone (Chris White) - 2:32
6.) Beechwood Park (Chris White) - 2:43
7.) Brief Candles (Chris White) - 3:30

(side 4)

1.) Hung Up On a Dream (Chris White) - 3:01
2.) Changes (Rod Argent) - 3:15
3.) I Want Her She Wants Me - 2:48
4.) This Will Be Our Year (Chris White) - 2:06
5.) Butcher's Take (Western Front 1914) (Chris White) - 2:47
6.) Friends of Mine (Chris White) - 2:15
7.) Time of the Season (Rod Argent) - 3:30

Genre: psych

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  The Zombies Live On the BBC 1965-67

Company: Rhino

Catalog: RNLP-120

Year: 1985

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5287

Price: $15.00

Having acquired rights to the band's catalog, in 1985 Rhino Records released "The Zombies Live On the BBC 1965-67." As reflected by the title, recorded across a two year period, the retrospective pulled together 14 tracks drawn from six appearances on BBC programs including "Tops of the Pops," "Saturday Club" and "The David Symonds Show." Musically the collection offered up a mixture of the band's hits and lesser known covers - many such as Curtis Mayfield's 'It's Alright' and Isley Brothers' 'This Old Heart Of Mine' well known soul chestnuts. While considerably rawer than the studio versions, the differences weren't without their appeal. On material such as 'Tell Her No', 'Just Out Of Reach' (drawn from their soundtrack "Bunny Lake Is Missing") and 'Whenever You're Ready?' the group showed themselves to be a tight rock outfit. Very impressive ...

"The Zombies Live On the BBC 1965-67" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Tell Her No (live)   (Rod Argent) - 2:03
2.) Just Out Of Reach (live)   (Colin Blunstone) - 2:00
3.) Whenever You're Ready? (live)   (Rod Argent) - 2:35
4.) Can't Nobody Love You (live)   (Mitchell) - 2:15
5.) What More Can I Do (live)   (Chris White) - 2:02
6.) This Old Heart Of Mine (live)   (Brian Holland - Lamont Dozier - Eddie Holland) 
- 2:21
7.) For You My Love (live)   (Gayton) - 2:03

(side 2)

1.) It's Alright   (Curtis Mayfield) (live) - 2:40
2.) Gotta Get a Hold Of Myself (live)   Ballard Jr. - Riela) - 2:30
3.) Goin' Out Of My Head (live)   (Randazzo -Weinstein) - 2:30
4.) When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through Her Eyes   (Brian Holland 
- Lamont Dozier - Eddie Holland) (live) - 2:25
5.) You Must Believe Me   (Curtis Mayfield) (live) - 2:15
6.) Soulville (live)   (Turner - Ivey - Glover - Washington) - 2:19
7.) I'm Goin' Home (live)   (Bain) - 2:01