The Magical Sound of The Zombies Odessey & Oracle

A flop on its release in April 1968, The Zombies Odessey and Oracle has become a psyche-pop masterpiece and 50 years later has achieved cult status. In this video we look at the history of the album and track by track find out why it is now regarded as one of the best albums of all time.

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Thank you!

[MarshGooch]

I'm just an aging semi-pro musician from Seattle. My band got to open for the Zombies in 2007 or 8 and it is still among the top 5 highlights of my career. (Also up there are opening for The Damned and X.) Somewhere there is a photo of me, a bandmate, Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone from that night. And I still have a signed poster from that gig. I LOVE the Zombies!

[dogratco]

The pump organ on "Butcher's Tale" was the same one John Lennon used for "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite."

[alantranter]

It was this video that introduced me to this album. What a revelation! I can't believe I got to 60 years old without having even heard of this LP. Within days of seeing this video, I purchased the CD, and it is now one of my favourite LPs of the 60s.

[markusweienhorn]

Thank you for honoring one of the 10 best albums of the sixties.

[EmeraldWoodArchives]

It's absolutely one of the great, great albums. The mellotron magic, the glorious harmonies, the fantastic songwriting, the beautiful sounds Geoff Emerick achieved... it's got it all. Along with the 13th Floor Elevators' "Easter Everywhere" (released October, 1967), it's always been my go to Autumn soundtrack. Thanks for another fantastic video, Andrew. Also, really looking forward to your Mellotron episode! I've had the pleasure of recording on a 70's M400, and after years of using software, playing a real one was mind blowing. I recall one violin D key sounding like a dying bee before the tape rewound. Beautifully weird sound.

[MrCimryadeal]

Couples from Friends Of Mine are: Joyce Vale & Terry Quirk (designer of the cover), Paul Atkinson (guitarist of the band) & Molly Molloy, Liz Evans & Brian Baldwin, Joy Whitman & David Jones, Kim Elliott & Maggie Downing, June Browne & Duffy Coke, Jean & Jim Rodford, Jim & Christine Oakley.

And by the way, if you find This Will Be Our Year lightweight, try the mono version, you're in for a surprise!

[wheatonna]

I got to see Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone as the Zombies in a smallish room a couple of years ago, playing many of the tracks on this record, as well as "Hold Your Head Up". Unlike so many nostalgia acts, it was pure delight.

[samguberman]

I only discovered this album about 10 years ago sitting in a coffee shop and the young barista had music playing that intrigued me as I couldn't work out who it was by. The barista mentioned he came across it on a radio programme highlighting lost classic albums, immediately had to but this on cd first then vinyl, it's such a ray of sunshine, and this album is in my top ten but Sgt Pepper and Revolver tops my list. I was lucky to see The Zombies live in 2018 on their 50th anniversary tour of the album, they were outstanding but Colin Blunstone's vocals were amazing, fantastic album. Great harmonies .

[stevekirk]

Brilliant video, love the details and trivia you manage to unearth. Keep them coming Andrew.

[michaelharrington]

Jean and Jim in the song 'friends of mine' were Jim and Jean Rodford. Jim played with the Kinks for a while, and with the Zombies in the 2010's. Both Jean and Jim were backup singers for the 2008, 40th Anniversary concert of Odessey and Oracle (which is amazing if you can find it!).

[jimmyoconnor]

❤Fantastic video! We saw them perform this gem of an album in its entirety when they opened up for Brian Wilson in NYC a few years back. Glad I captured it!

[lupcokotevski]

In 1968, the album that the music industry was obsessed with was Laura Nyro's art pop masterpiece and seismically influence Eli and the Thirteenth Confession, a contender for the best pop/rock ever made based on all songwriting and musical elements. Nyro "probably influenced more successful songwriters than anyone" Elton John, 2007. Her writing and vocal delivery was revolutionary for pop. In November 1969, covers of her songs were at Nos 1, 2 and 10 on Billboard.

[fernandogastelomusic]

Thank you for reviewing this masterpiece of an album in detailed. The Zombies, Beach Boys and Beatles have shaped so much the type of music I make today

[ronbo]

"Odessey and Oracle" stands at the peak of my favorite 60s albums along with Love's "Forever Changes", The Kinks "...Are the Village Green Preservation Society", The Beach Boys "Pet Sounds", The Beatles "Abbey Road", "The Band" by The Band and a dark horse I discovered about a decade ago called "Begin" by The Millennium.

A lot of times if I have long road trips, I'll be sure to include The Zombies, Love, The Band and The Millennium in my road CDs (along with "The Darlings of Wapping Wharf Launderette" by The Small Faces that has 50 of their Immediate recordings including every track from the LP "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake"). Great traveling companions that you can sing along with.

[SQDLVR]

Another awesome video of one of my favorite albums from childhood. My Dad bought me the US lp which was on the Date label back in 1969. I found a reel tape of it while going through his tapes.

[phillippope]

That copy of Days of Future Passed just keeps tempting us in the background. Really hope that album is waiting in the Parlogram queue.

[truthstillmatters]

I bought a copy of this album back in 2010 and was shocked that such an excellent album managed to slip past my radar. Of course I was familiar with Time of the Season, but was blown away by how well the album flowed. There isn't a bad song on it. Unlike you, I was able to see the Zombies in 2019 open for Brian Wilson. They performed the album in its entirety which was pretty damn cool!

[KingTutNJ]

Thanks for this great video Andrew! To be upfront, I’ve had the privilege of working with The Zombies for the past 25 years (so I’m somewhat biased!). This experience has also given me the privilege of personally seeing how this album has touched generations of people around the world (including those like you who heard the Polish release) from the 1960’s to teenagers today. Thank you for supporting the band.

And I hope I’m not violating community rules by mentioning this, but the original band members have recently reclaimed their rights to the catalog and are planning a definitive mono reissue on vinyl next year, remastered from the original tapes!

[JoJoJoker]

I “discovered” this album back in 2022 and it immediately became a favorite listen. Wonderful stuff, here!

[HartponderJr]

Great video…I hope the Moody Blues are on your short list for amazing music/albums