Zombie Heaven [Box set]

If you are contemplating buying this, you must already be a Zombies fans. So all I need to say is this is a lovingly compiled set of everything the Zombies ever did, complete with out-takes and alternative versions. A real must.

The Zombies were one of the most talented British bands of the 1960's. You could say that this band had it all: Two prolific songwriters, two outstanding singers and four great musicians.

This 4 CD box contains all their released material ( singles, EP's, albums etc. ) + a vast amount of rarities; demos, outtakes, alternate takes and live recordings.

Most of their original output is well-known, and the majority of it is simply outstanding.

They only released two albums in their time. Their first. "Begin Here" is an uneven mixture of rhythm'n blues standards and Zombies originals.

Their covers of songs like "I Got My Mojo" and "Roadrunner" I have always thought their weakest output. Their vocals simply do not fit the r&b style. But apart from these few exceptions, all their released material is first class.

Unfortunately their success in the singles charts was short-lived; even though they released great singles throughout their career. They experienced an unexpected come-back in 1969 with "Time of the Season", but this was at a time, when they had practically split-up.

Their second ( and last released ) album "Odessey and Oracle" is considered a rock-classic - which is very well-deserved.

A third album was planned for release, to cash in on the success of "Time of the Season", but this album called "R.I.P" was unfortunately never released. All tracks from this abandoned album are also included on "Zombie Heaven".

Try to programme your CD player and hear how it would have sounded. Personally I think it comes very close to the high level of "Odessey and Oracle"

CD 1 contains their first album and early singles.

CD 2 contains "Odessey and Oracle" and "R.I.P" + a few alternate version.

CD 3 is the rarities CD featuring Previously unreleased demos and various rare recordings.

CD 4 is all BBC live recordings, showcasing the Zombies as a terrific live-band.

The 64 pages booklet ( high-quality paper and print ) is sheer pleasure. The book simply has it all: Foreword by Tom Petty, biography, extensive discography, notes to all tracks, plenty of photos, reproductions of single-covers etc.

This CD box is simply highly recommendable.

At last the Zombies music is allowed to be heard for what it is -a collection of unique and distinctive songs which are up there with the best of 60s pop. As the previous reviewer states, you're probably already a Zombies fan if you own it - but even if you're a fan of the more melodic side of that era, you should still treat yourself. There are so many songs on here that should be better known - and several should have been hits in their time. Unfortunately, their story is a familiar one - as the excellent accompanying booklet states - that of the great band undone by bad management and a record company which had no idea how to promote and nurture them. Sad stuff and the music is a constant reminder of what might have been. Buy this and discover a band for whom long-overdue respect is growing all the time.