Background:
The Zombies were one of the first U.K. groups to crack the top of
the U.S. charts after the Beatles secured the beachhead of the British
Invasion in 1964. Their first sally, "She's Not There," made it to #1 or #2
in the States, depending on the chart; "Tell Her No" was also a major
American hit. Curiously, the group was always a bigger success in the U.S.
than in their native land. They continued to release singles, with only minor
commercial success, and toured often, sharing the stage with numerous
American R&B acts whose music they adored (and covered in a series of
wonderfully naive recordings, mostly B-sides).
The Zombies were the first notable U.K. band with a strong feel of classical music in their sound, especially the prominent keyboards and choirboy vocals. They were, however, much more pop-oriented than any of the wave of great English classical-rock bands who followed them -- Procol Harum, Yes, Genesis, the Moody Blues, et al. (I know the Moodies were around early, but they didn't start sounding classical until later!)
By 1967, the Zombies had decided to pack it in as a band. For some unknown reason, CBS Records decided to let them release an album, providing the meager sum of 1,000 pounds sterling ($3,500!!!) to cover the recording costs. The band chose to take the opportunity. Since they had nothing to lose, they made their best effort to create the artistic vision that was in their hearts, without compromising it for commercial reasons.
Somehow, they managed to record twelve songs at Abbey Road-- on budget! -- but the money ran out when they got to the monaural mix. CBS liked the tapes, but wouldn't pay for the stereo mix, so Rod Argent and Chris White had to put up 100 pounds each from their songwriting royalties to cover the additional cost.
The result was a masterpiece, with all the sweetness and energy of their earlier work, but more ambitious, consciously artistic and literary. Five of the songs were composed by Rod, seven by Chris. The music showcased Colin Blunstone's breathy lead vocals, flawless multilayered harmonies, and Rod's no-adjective-does-it-justice keyboard work (including abundant lovely mellotron), with Chris' fluid bass and arranging genius, complemented by the tastefully understated guitar and drum playing of Paul Atkinson and Hugh Grundy respectively.
The album languished on the U.K. charts for months. In a truly moronic move, the record company didn't release it in the U.S., where the band's greatest success had always been. Fortunately for the world, keyboard wizard Al Kooper (of Blues Project, BST, and many Bob Dylan sessions fame) found the record on a trip to England and singlehandedly badgered whoever he could until it was finally released in the U.S. in 1969. "Time of the Season" was put out as a single, and sold nearly two million copies worldwide, the band's biggest hit ever.
Despite temptation to get back together and cash in, the Zombies didn't. Rod and Chris released a follow-up single with members of Rod's new band, Argent, and the Zombies were history. The purity and innocence of their final work still retains its freshness and magic thirty years later.
The album may be available on a 1987 Rhino CD release (RNCD 70186), with illuminating liner notes by Rod Argent; used copies of the LP should be possible for vinyl collectors to track down. It's worth the effort.
PERSONNEL: Composed, arranged, performed, and produced by the Zombies:
Rod Argent -- Keyboards (all 11,386 of 'em)Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, summer 1967.
Paul Atkinson -- Guitar
Colin Blunstone -- Lead Vocals
Hugh Grundy -- Drums
Chris White -- Bass