THE ZOMBIES | LIVE REVIEW
Tramshed, Cardiff, Tue 12 June
There’s only a handful of Brit bands from the early/mid-1960s pop/rock explosion still gigging with at least two original members, and The Zombies are in that fraternity, thanks to lead singer Colin Blunstone and keyboardist/vocalist Rod Argent. The group are comfortable in their skin – damn tight and definitely not an oldies act who are past it.
Argent wrote the bulk of the material played tonight which was shorn up by a couple from former member Chris White with non-originals scattered throughout. If there’s a cover the relaxed Blunstone was born to sing with those breathy tones, it’s the Bacharach/David seductive swooner The Look Of Love. Oh behave, my adolescent-acting heart! Also performed early in the set, from their 2015 album Still Got That Hunger, was the excellent bluesy single Moving On, with particularly smooth playing by the rhythm section of drummer Steve Rodford and Soren Koch (taking over bass duties from the late, great Jim Rodford – Steve’s dad and Argent’s cousin).
Included was a quartet from the Zombies’ masterpiece, the incredible Odessey And Oracle: Care Of Cell 44, This Will Be Our Year, I Want Her, She Wants Me and Time Of The Season – all sublime. The album, 50 this year, is ranked number 100 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time list. Blunstone still has those heavenly vocals which attest to the choirboy he once was. He was absolutely brilliant on the Alan Parsons Project’s Old And Wise (beautiful keyboard and guitar work by Argent and Tom Toomey, respectively) and, on his solo hit I Don’t Believe In Miracles, both incredibly touching and lovely.
Argent is truly a keyboard wizard and master of his domain, coaxing glorious notes from his trusty Hammond organ and dipping into freeform jazz and psychedelic riffing. He’s the ying to Blunstone’s yang: a little flamboyant while Blunstone’s much more laid back. The only real quibble was that during their second big hit, the elegant Tell Her No (another impeccable jewel), Blunstone was lost some in the mix. This has occurred at other shows, with the sound overpowering him.
The bewitching and baroque She’s Not There, which nabbed the top two spots on US charts in 1964, was presented exquisitely. I personally prefer the softer version to the rockier one done nowadays, but it’s still an all-time fav pop classic. Two from Argent’s former self-named band, Hold Your Head Up and God Gave Rock And Roll To You, also closed out the night. Terrific! The seated crowd – which looked to be sold out – gave them a deserved standing ovation.
Thank God for the Zombies and their music: they make the world a more beautiful place.
words RHONDA LEE REALI photos JON HERRON