The Zombies "Begin Here" The Complete Decca Mono Recordings 1964-1967 (2010)

The superb 1965 Zombies beat classic is now available remastered in glorious original Mono sound and presented in our popular Digipak format as a 2CD set with bonus tracks on a separate disc.
CD 1 features all the original 14 tracks, just as originally released and raved about back in the 60s Beat Boom era.
CD2 features 22 tracks – all the other Decca Mono recordings – Singles A-sides, B-sides and EPs from the 1964-67 period, including a soundtrack version of a song featured in the Otto Preminger film ‘Bunny Lake Is Missing’. 24 page expanded booklet with authoritative and extensive liner notes by respected author and former Decca archivist John Tracy, plus detailed data on the recordings. Expertly remastered by Jon Astley (who has worked on recordings by the Who, Led Zeppelin, George Harrison and many others). These classic Mono recordings now sound truly brilliant! --repertoirerecords.comOf the literally dozens of memorable bands that emerged from the British Beat scene in the early to mid-'60s, the Zombies were one act that stood out: there was a smart, slightly arty aura to their clever and beautifully crafted melodies, superb vocal harmonies, and a distinct instrumental sound, highlighted by Rod Argent's keyboard work, often using electric piano to memorable effect. Even when the Zombies rocked out or sunk into a tough R&B groove, they could convey a keen intelligence along with their energy, and their more introspective moments gave them a sound and feel that was unique. As good as they were, the Zombies didn't have much luck on the charts -- while "She's Not There" and "Tell Her No" were hits in 1965, most of their subsequent recordings attracted little notice on initial release, and some of the band's finest work was barely heard in its day. Begin Here: The Complete Decca Mono Recordings 1964-1967 confirms how baffling this is in retrospect. It includes the group's 1965 album Begin Here as well as 22 songs that appeared on singles and EPs, and it's disc two, with those non-LP sides, that makes the case for the Zombies' strengths. The album was divided half and half between covers and originals; all but two of the extra tracks are group originals, and Rod Argent and guitarist Chris White were excellent songwriters, crafting top-notch pop and R&B tunes with a clever twist, and if lead singer Colin Blunstone didn't write as much material, the songs that appear here are fine stuff. The group clearly knew how to make their music work in the studio, and the crisp monophonic remastering by Jon Astley gives these recordings plenty of punch without blurring the sonic details. The Complete Decca Mono Recordings 1964-1967 preserves a great group in their heyday, and John Tracy's liner notes and a beautifully designed package make this as much a treat for the eyes as for the ears. Short of picking up the box set Zombie Heaven, you're not going to find a much better presentation of this band's Decca years than this. --Mark Deming, AllMusic.  Score: 4,5/5 stars

trax disc 1:

01. Road Runner 02. Summertime 03. I Can't Make Up My Mind 04. The Way I Feel Inside 05. Work 'N' Play 06. You've Really Got A Hold On Me 07. She's Not There 08. Sticks And Stones 09. Can't Nobody Love You 10. Woman 11. I Dont Want To Know 12. I Remember When I Loved Her 13. What More Can I Do 14. I Got My Mojo Working

trax disc 2:

01. You Make Me Feel Good 02. Leave Me Be 03. Kind Of Girl 04. Sometimes 05. It's Alright 06. Tell Her No 07. She's Coming Home 08. I Must Move 09. I Want You Back Again 10. Whenever You're Ready 11. I Love You 12. Is This The Dream 13. Don't Go Away 14. Nothing's Changed 15. Remember You (Soundtrack Version) 16. Remember You 17. Just Out Of Reach 18. Indication 19. How We Were Before 20. Gottta Get A Hold Of Myself 21. Goin' Out Of My Head 22. She Does Everything For Me

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