"I remember first hearing 'She’s Not There' on the radio in my bedroom. So ethereal. So spooky ... the DJ said it was The Zombies from England. 'Of course,' I thought. 'That is exactly what a zombie rock group would sound like.'” -Tom Petty
1960s British invasion band The Zombies are best known for their hits "She's Not There", "Tell Her No" and "Time of the Season" /li>
Odessey & Oracle was the last Zombies record. It wasn't released until April 1968, four months after the band had broken up. The misspelling of "odyssey" in the title was the result of a mistake by the designer of the LP cover, the band tried to cover this up at the time of release by claiming the misspelling was intentional.
Now considered a cult classic of British Psychedelic Pop and is ranked number 100 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Includes the lyrics to each of 22 songs on the record, 1960s photographs and ephemera of the the group, including posters and record covers. Interview with 3 surviving original members
Introduction by Tom Petty of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
By The Zombies. Foreword by Tom Petty. Text by Scott B. Bomar, Cindy da Silva. Contributions by Brian Wilson, Carlos Santana, Paul Weller.
Released 50 years ago, and celebrated in this new book, the Zombies' final album Odessey and Oracle is a masterpiece of '60s rock
I remember first hearing 'She’s Not There' on the radio in my bedroom. So ethereal. So spooky ... the DJ said it was The Zombies from England. 'Of course,' I thought. 'That is exactly what a zombie rock group would sound like.'” -Tom Petty
To mark the 50th anniversary of the recording of their classic Odessey and Oracle album, The Zombies have assembled an eclectic collection of rare and unseen photos, original artwork and personal memories that offer readers an intimate snapshot of one of the more influential bands to emerge from the UK music scene of the 1960s.
The superbly illustrated book includes handwritten lyrics for 22 songs. From early hits “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No,” through every song on Odessey and Oracle—including the hit single “Time of the Season” —and all the way up to today, each selection is accompanied by a running oral history by original band members Rod Argent, Colin Blunstone, Chris White and Hugh Grundy.
Renowned artist Terry Quirk, who created the look of Odessey and Oracle, designed the book’s cover and contributed new artwork throughout, while Vivienne Boucherat created a unique piece of art to accompany each of the 22 songs. Additionally, The Odessey is rich with reflections from music journalists, friends and fans, including Tom Petty, who wrote the foreword, Brian Wilson, Carlos Santana, Susanna Hoffs, Paul Weller, Graham Nash, Clive Davis, Nate Ruess of FUN and members of Cage the Elephant and Beach House.
Featured image is reproduced from 'The "Odessey": The Zombies in Words and Images.'
PRAISE AND REVIEWS
The Week
Colin Blunstone
Odessey and Oracle sounds like a quintessentially 1960s album, yet has a timelessness to it that makes it unique.
Modern Vinyl
Nick Spacek
Gorgeously illustrated throughout with original artwork from the original cover artist, Terry Quirk, as well as Vivienne Boucherat, who created mixed media artwork for each song.
Mojo
Phil Alexander
Odessey And Oracle - Widely proclaimed a work of genius comparable with The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds and The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper, it is also, simultaneously somehow, a well-kept secret.
I'm Music
Lavishly illustrated with rarely seen photos from throughout the band’s career.
in stock $39.95
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FROM THE BOOK
Foreword by Tom Petty
I remember first hearing “She’s Not There” on the radio in my bedroom. It was incredible really. So ethereal. So spooky. This guy was hurt and he wanted to tell me about it. As I wondered who this was, the DJ said it was The Zombies from England. “Of course,” I thought. “That is exactly what a zombie rock group would sound like.” I should add that the word was far less used in those days, making it even better.
Not long after hearing the record I attended my first rock concert in Jacksonville, Florida. It was 1965, or was it ’64? It doesn’t matter. The way they did the rock show in that time (I still can’t see why it ever changed) was to line up a number of acts who would come on, do their two or three hits, and get off. The more hits you had the longer you played, or something like that. All to be followed by a mammoth superstar to do the last 30 minutes. It was such a religious experience I still remember the running order. It went like this:
The Premiers – of “Farmer John” fame – opened and were the house band.
Del Reeves – a country star who sang his one big hit, looking very confused, and scrammed.
Del Shannon – now we’re talking four killer songs, closing with “Runaway.”
Lesley Gore – one of the top female singers – did a lot of big radio songs. Handed out sheet music to The Premiers, but I kinda felt they weren’t reading it.
The Shangri-Las – without a doubt, the sexiest girl group ever. Boys screamed.
Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs – some bad ass Tex Mex with a turban. Closed with his own “Wooly Bully!”
Intermission
ZOMBIES – from out of the dark that unmistakable voice sang “I’m a road runner honey.” Lights up and there they were in their black suits, an honest-to-God British rock and roll band was playin’ in Florida! I remember “Summertime” being unbelievably great with a solo on piano that was so musically over the head of the entire show, yet everyone got chills and fever. Five or six songs later they were gone, but as you can see here, unforgettable. They were followed quickly by: The Searchers – from Liverpool, pro, but a hard spot following The Zombies.
The Beach Boys – the ground shook and you know the rest.
The Zombies, said quite simply and honestly, were an enormous influence on the American musicians of the time. The electric piano and organ had not been manipulated and showcased like that before. The music rocked, but also shimmered with touches of genuine jazz and R&B. Gorgeous two and three part vocal harmonies that rivaled The Beach Boys. Amazing drum and bass arrangements we all stole from. In short, this was so original it hurt.
In ’69 they came with their second LP, Odessey and Oracle. It was, and is, a masterpiece of the highest order. Think Pepper, Pet Sounds, etc.
I’m sold.
Wednesday, March 15 from 7-8PM, Reel Art Press, BMG Books, ARTBOOK | D.A.P and The Strand Bookstore invite you to the book launch and signing of The "Odessey": The Zombies in Words and Images. Panelists for this event include: Rod Argent, Colin Blunstone, Hugh Grundy, Chris White and Cindy da Silva. This panel will be moderated by author Scott B. Bomar, and after the discussion there will be a Q&A, followed by a signing. continue to blog
FORMAT: Hbk, 10 x 10 in. / 152 pgs / 62 color / 43 b&w. LIST PRICE: U.S. $39.95 LIST PRICE: CANADA $53.95 ISBN: 9781909526440 PUBLISHER: Reel Art Press/BMG Books AVAILABLE: 3/30/2017 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Active AVAILABILITY: In stock TERRITORY: NA LA ASIA AFR ME
Published by Reel Art Press/BMG Books. By The Zombies. Foreword by Tom Petty. Text by Scott B. Bomar, Cindy da Silva. Contributions by Brian Wilson, Carlos Santana, Paul Weller.
Released 50 years ago, and celebrated in this new book, the Zombies' final album Odessey and Oracle is a masterpiece of '60s rock
I remember first hearing 'She’s Not There' on the radio in my bedroom. So ethereal. So spooky ... the DJ said it was The Zombies from England. 'Of course,' I thought. 'That is exactly what a zombie rock group would sound like.'” -Tom Petty
To mark the 50th anniversary of the recording of their classic Odessey and Oracle album, The Zombies have assembled an eclectic collection of rare and unseen photos, original artwork and personal memories that offer readers an intimate snapshot of one of the more influential bands to emerge from the UK music scene of the 1960s.
The superbly illustrated book includes handwritten lyrics for 22 songs. From early hits “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No,” through every song on Odessey and Oracle—including the hit single “Time of the Season” —and all the way up to today, each selection is accompanied by a running oral history by original band members Rod Argent, Colin Blunstone, Chris White and Hugh Grundy.
Renowned artist Terry Quirk, who created the look of Odessey and Oracle, designed the book’s cover and contributed new artwork throughout, while Vivienne Boucherat created a unique piece of art to accompany each of the 22 songs. Additionally, The Odessey is rich with reflections from music journalists, friends and fans, including Tom Petty, who wrote the foreword, Brian Wilson, Carlos Santana, Susanna Hoffs, Paul Weller, Graham Nash, Clive Davis, Nate Ruess of FUN and members of Cage the Elephant and Beach House.
