SONG OF THE DAY - The third of ROCTOBER, and that makes it 1968 with todays album pick from The Zombies in our theme of favorite albums through the years. The Zombies are an English rock band, formed in 1962 and led by Rod Argent (piano, organ and vocals) and Colin Blunstone (vocals). The group scored several British and American hits in the mid 1960s with songs such as Shes Not There and Tell Her No as part of the British Invasion of bands at the time. ODESSEY AND ORACLE was the second studio album by The Zombies. Because the album was recorded to a tight budget and deadline, the Zombies worked quickly in the studio, having rehearsed rigorously beforehand. This meant that there would be no outtakes or unused songs recorded during the sessions. The album was recorded using a Studer four track machine, the same type of tape machine used on The Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Argent and White mixed the album down into mono, but when they handed the master to CBS, they were informed that a stereo mix was required. The recording budget having been spent, Argent and White used their own money to pay for the stereo mix. The album was released in the UK on 19 April 1968 and in the US in June. The single Time of the Season became a surprise hit in early 1969, and Columbia Records (in the US) re-released ODESSEY in February, with a different album cover that severely cropped the original artwork. American CBS boss Clive Davis initially decided not to release ODESSEY AND ORACLE. However, at the urging of staff producer Al Kooper, the US CBS/Columbia Records label was eventually persuaded to release the album on their small Date Records subsidiary label. Kooper had picked up a copy of the album during a trip to London and, when he returned to America and played the album, loved it and believed it contained three hit singles. CBS chose to release Butchers Tale as the first single in the States, feeling the songs anti-war theme would resonate with record-buyers due to the Vietnam War. After its release, Time Of The Season slowly gained popularity before finally hitting big on the US charts in 1969, by which time Rod Argent and Chris White were busy with their new band, Argent. While the record was received indifferently upon its release, it has since gone on to gain a cult following and become a critically respected album. Back in 2008, BBC Music wrote To this day it remains a word-of mouth obscurity. But by those who know, its held in such regard that the remaining living members of the band are to perform it in its entirety this year, on the fortieth anniversary of its release. Todays song pick, however, is the albums opening track, Care of Cell 44, and one of my very favorites by the band. It tells the story of a person writing to their partner in prison, as they await their release. Rod Argent, the Zombies main songwriter said It just appealed to me. That twist on a common scenario, I just cant wait for you to come home to me again. Given the subject matter, the music accompanying this is very upbeat and jaunty, and has been described as the sunniest song ever written about the impending release of a prison inmate. Despite its lyrical content, its certainly the type of tune that can instantly put me in a good mood. At its time of release as the UK lead single for ODESSEY AND ORACLE in 1967, the track was surprisingly not a success, causing some of the tension that led to the eventual breakup of the band in December of that year. Colin Blunstone, the groups vocalist said, I thought that Care of Cell 44 was incredibly commercial. I was really disappointed when it wasnt a hit. However, subsequent critical reappraisal of the album, following both the success of Time of the Season the following year and the albums later cult following has led to the track becoming much more popular, resulting in several cover versions from modern artists. youtu.be/afrdo2qneoI
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 11:22:17 +0000
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