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Hear The Zombies Perform 'Odessey And Oracle' Live

Imagine creating the best work of your life, some of the best music of its day, and no one cares. Now imagine playing those songs 47 years later to a screaming and loving bunch of fans and getting what seems like a hero's welcome. That's part of the story of The Zombies, who played the classic 1968 album Odessey and Oracle, along with a set of other hits and brand new songs, live in Washington, D.C. last month. Now we have their nearly note-for-note live reproduction of Odessey and Oracle for you here.

Odessey and Oracle is now thought of as a masterpiece of pop, in the same vein as The Beatles' Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds. But shortly after the album's release, The Zombies broke up. Rod Argent went on to form the popular band Argent, Colin Blunstone received some love as a solo artist and over time Odessey and Oracle found an audience and critical acclaim.

You can listen to the full audio of The Zombies' two-set D.C. concert here, including a set of new songs and favorites and then Odessey and Oracle in full. We also have video of two songs, one the classic tune "Time of the Season" and the tune "Chasing the Past" from the group's brand new album Still Got That Hunger. We also have an interview with Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone about how it differs to write songs at twenty as opposed to being seventy years and a bit about the making of Odessey and Oracle.


Set 1: Old Favorites And New Songs [Audio Only]

  • I Love You
  • Can't Nobody Love Me
  • I Want You Back Again
  • Moving On
  • Edge Of The Rainbow
  • Tell Her No
  • You Really Got A Hold On Me/Bring It On Home To Me
  • Maybe Tomorrow
  • New York
  • Caroline Goodbye
  • Chasing The Past
  • Hold Your Head Up
  • She's Not There
  • Set 2: Odessey and Oracle

  • Care of Cell 44
  • A Rose for Emily
  • Maybe After He's Gone
  • Beechwood Park
  • Brief Candles
  • Hung Up On A Dream
  • Changes
  • I Want Her, She Wants Me
  • This Will Be Our Year
  • Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)
  • Friends Of Mine
  • Time Of The Season
  • She's Not There
  • Featuring: Rod Argent, Colin Bluntstone, Viv Boucherat, Hugh Grundy, Tom Toomey, Jim Rodford, Darian Sahanaja and Chris White.

    Credits

    Audio engineers: Dale Hanson, Josh Rogosin; Editor: Cameron Robert; Director: Mito Habe-Evans; Producers: Saidah Blount, Mito Habe-Evans, Bob Boilen; Executive Producer: Anya Grundmann; Videographers: Mito Habe-Evans, Morgan McCloy, Julia Reihs, Cameron Robert; Photography: Alex Schelldorf; Special Thanks: Lincoln Theatre.

    Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

    In 1988, a determined Bob Boilen started showing up on NPR's doorstep every day, looking for a way to contribute his skills in music and broadcasting to the network. His persistence paid off, and within a few weeks he was hired, on a temporary basis, to work for All Things Considered. Less than a year later, Boilen was directing the show and continued to do so for the next 18 years.
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