The Singles Collection: A's & B's, 1964-1969 (CD - 1990)

Photographers: Chris White; Hugh Grundy; Alec Palao; Paul Atkinson .

This double-CD set isn't a substitute for the four-CD box from Big Beat, but it does provide a slightly leaner and less-expensive way of running through the band's history. It's difficult to believe that a group whose recording history lasted just a little more than three full years could account for the 22 single A- and B-sides on disc one of this set, but that was the pace of the business in those days, and it wasn't unheard of for a band to get four or five singles out in a year, especially if they'd enjoyed a major hit early on, as the Zombies did with "She's Not There," topped off by a huge U.S. hit ("Tell Her No"); the second disc, however, is a bit of a cheat, with five of its 20 songs consisting of EP tracks. But that first disc, made up of the songs that the group wrote and recorded for 5" platters, is a glorious listening experience -- the Zombies only experienced a fraction of the success of the Beatles, but their harmony-based, more heavily soul-influenced brand of British beat music nearly matched the Fab Four in sheer quality and inventiveness. The state-of-the-art remastering isn't a huge improvement over the excellent sound on Big Beat's box, but for those on a budget or just desiring to hop, skip, and jump through the most visible of the group's efforts, this is the place to start and finish, transcending any prior hits compilation in its range and sound quality, as well as its annotation. The keyboard solo and the harmonies on "Just out of Reach," as an example -- a white soul-shouter par excellence -- are so close they sound almost like part of a live performance. The songs off of Odessey & Oracle have even better sound, though at this stage of the game there are so many good digital editions of the latter album that this isn't a huge selling point for this set. ~ Bruce Eder

This presents, in chronological sequence, both sides of all 14 of the Zombies' British singles. The Zombies were one of the most consistent British '60s bands, so it's no surprise that this is a great compilation, containing nothing mediocre and little that's even average. In addition to the three well-known hits "She's Not There," "Tell Her No," and "Time of the Season" (all present), there's an abundance of gems from B-sides and flop singles: "I Must Move," "Indication," "She's Coming Home," "Gotta Get a Hold of Myself," and "Beechwood Park" are just the very best of those. However, the absence of the great U.S.-only 1965 single "I Want You Back Again"/"I Remember When I Loved Her" and, to a lesser degree, some standout LP-only tracks (particularly "Changes" from Odessey & Oracle) prevents this from being the definitive single-disc best-of. Collectors should note that all tracks are presented in their mono versions, as they were originally issued. The differences between these and other versions in circulation are usually minor, but occasionally noticeable, as in the strange guitar reverb on "I Must Move" and the more prominent organ lines in "Time of the Season," although in the latter case the mono mix is actually inferior to the more familiar one. There are no liner notes, but the insert contains lots of press clippings and reprints of original press reviews of the singles, if you're looking for another reason to buy tracks that you might already have. ~ Richie Unterberger

While "She's Not There" and "Tell Her No" are the only well-remembered mid-'60s Zombies singles, they recorded quite a few great non-hit 45s as well during this period. This outstanding collection (now available on CD) features all 22 of the sides they released on singles between 1964-67, and shows the group to be among the most superbly inventive pop-rock composers of their era, exploring moody minor-key melodies more than anyone before or since. Colin Blunstone's delicate, neurotic vocals and Rod Argent's biting electric keyboards pace the band on this set, which features the two big hits and such great lost classics as "Remember When I Loved Her," "I Want You Back Again," "I Must Move," "Indication," and "Gotta Get a Hold of Myself." Essential British Invasion music. ~ Richie Unterberger

Possibly the best of the many single-disc Zombies compilations that exist, and certainly the most concise, SINGLES A'S AND B'S contains both sides of all 11 Zombies singles released between 1964 and 1968. The Zombies only released two albums in their three-and-a-half year existence, 1964's BEGIN HERE and 1968's classic ODESSEY AND ORACLE. Given that Rod Argent and Chris White did not blossom as songwriters until late in the Zombies' career, SINGLES A'S AND B'S combines original Argent/White compositions like "She's Not There," "Tell Her No," "I Love You" and the underrated "She Does Everything For Me" with excellent covers of R&B classics like Little Anthony and the Imperials' "Going Out of My Head." This compilation, plus reissues of the band's two proper albums, will give all but the most fanatical Zombies fans everything they need.

The Zombies found chart fame in 1964 with their very first single, "She's Not There," and went on to influence countless groups on both sides of the Atlantic. Fronted by ace keyboard player Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone, a singer with a breathy voice guaranteed to make the little girls swoon, St Alban's finest played a brand of intelligent pop music (how the press loved their 50 O-levels!). Essentially a singles band, the Zombies consistently issued quality pop sides that, although they may not have set the charts alight, were certainly testament to the musicianship and vocal talent within the group.

This complete collection of Zombies' singles is presented in the original mono for reasons of authenticity (later stereo mixes lacking essential overdubs were created without the group's input). "She Does Everything for Me" and "Just Out of Reach," its flashy organ solo worthy of Alan Price, show the Zombies at their upbeat best. The fragile "The Way I Feel Inside" is the pick of their sensitive side. File ODESSEY AND ORACLE's magnificent opener "Care of Cell 44" under "Singles That Should Have Made It." The same goes for most of this fine collection.

This presents, in chronological sequence, both sides of all 14 of the Zombies' British singles. The Zombies were one of the most consistent British '60s bands, so it's no surprise that this is a great compilation, containing nothing mediocre and little that's even average. In addition to the three well-known hits "She's Not There," "Tell Her No," and "Time of the Season" (all present), there's an abundance of gems from B-sides and flop singles: "I Must Move," "Indication," "She's Coming Home," "Gotta Get a Hold of Myself," and "Beechwood Park" are just the very best of those. However, the absence of the great U.S.-only 1965 single "I Want You Back Again"/"I Remember When I Loved Her" and, to a lesser degree, some standout LP-only tracks (particularly "Changes" from Odessey & Oracle) prevents this from being the definitive single-disc best-of. Collectors should note that all tracks are presented in their mono versions, as they were originally issued. The differences between these and other versions in circulation are usually minor, but occasionally noticeable, as in the strange guitar reverb on "I Must Move" and the more prominent organ lines in "Time of the Season," although in the latter case the mono mix is actually inferior to the more familiar one. There are no liner notes, but the insert contains lots of press clippings and reprints of original press reviews of the singles, if you're looking for another reason to buy tracks that you might already have. ~ Richie Unterberger minimize