The Zombie’s classic 1968 album Odessey And Oracle typically lands on the same immortal album lists along with the likes of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, Love’s Forever Changes and Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks — all timeless albums that have been polished up and revisited in recent years for live audiences. On March 8, 2008 at London’s Shepherd’s, to celebrate its 40th anniversary, Odessey And Oracle was rolled out and played live in its entirety for the first time ever. Four of the five original members of the Zombies were on stage, the show was filmed and released as Odessey And Oracle {Revisited}.
The first part of the DVD features the Zombies’ touring band, led by singer Colin Blunstone and keyboardist Rod Argent, who decided to bring the band back in 2001. The touring band features with former Argent bassist Jim Rodford, his son Steve Rodford on drums, and Keith Airey on guitar. Together, the group mixes it up with a selection of Zombies classics like “I Love You” and “Sticks And Stones,” along with songs from Colin Blunstone’s solo career like “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted” (a 1966 Motown hit for Jimmy Ruffin) and “Misty Roses,” which receives some additional instrumentation via a stringed quartet. A truly spectacular stab at the classic Argent hit “Hold Your Head Up” finishes off the nine-song set.
Famed producer Al Kooper steps up to say a few words about Odessey And Oracle before the main event unfolds. Blunstone and Argent are clearly in their element, but even more surprising is how seamlessly original bassist Chris White and drummer Hugh Grundy slip in. Airey stays on guitar (original guitarist Paul Atkinson died in 2004) and keyboardist, arranger and vocalist Darian Sahanaja, who’s gained a wide reputation in recent years for helping to revive Brian Wilson’s career, and an array of vocalists and instrumentalists pitches in to fill the gaps on the note-perfect presentation.
In the midst of textures and passages are gorgeous melodies, one after another. The tender sway floating over “Care of Cell 44” and “A Rose For Emily” gives way to the dreamy swing of “Beechwood Park” and breezy optimism of “Hung Up On A Dream.” A scent of the Beach Boys turns “Changes” into a vocal kaleidoscope, setting the bar high for “I Want Her, She Wants Me” and “This Will Be Our Year.” White delivers a blustery vocal on “Butcher’s Tale,” but it’s “Time Of The Season,” the final track from Odessey And Oracle, and the double-shot encore of “Tell Her No” and “She’s Not There,” that make the whole trip worthwhile.
The years trickle by, and more and more bands are trying to rekindle the fire before it’s too late. But for pros like the Zombies, it’s as if they never quit. Certainly, all of the players have kept up their chops; the additional musicians merely strive to faithfully enhance the music to its greatest potential. For an album like Odessey And Oracle, which became successful after the Zombies broke up, this DVD offers a new lease on life, hidden away for 40 years. No doubt Odessey And Oracle {Revisited}, which also includes a short (and somewhat strange) documentary about the making of the album, resolves to extend that life even further.
~ Shawn Perry
