The Zombies - Odessey and Oracle｜Vinyl Monday 

This is my favourite album of all time, it deserves to be talked about in the same breath as Sgt. Pepper & Pet Sounds as one of the best albums of the 60s. Also “Hung up on a Dream” is my favourite Zombies song & I feel like it never gets enough love, I don’t believe it was ever released as a single but it is in my opinion the point where the album is most engrossing, I can get lost in that song.

12/21 UPDATE: YES, the closet is fixed.

The first time I heard "Butcher's Tale," it scared me out of my mind due to the organ. Now, the description of PTSD is really driven home. On the Zombies tour in Spring 2022, Rod Argent stated the budget for the album was 1000 GBP. He also said that the Beatles were using 8 track that was somehow built from two 4 tracks, so The Zombies wound up using 7 tracks for the album. There are tracks of Kenny Everett championing the album as "Album of the Century!" on the "Zombies Heaven" box set.

I love The Zombies, although they have hits like Time of the Season, She’s Not There and Summertime, they still feel like such an underrated band

Perfect album. Hung Up On A Dream is one of my favorite songs of all time. Pretty much every song on it is melodically gorgeous with wonderful textures. Colin Blumstone is a brilliant vocalist, a voice like a warm breeze.

I'm a child of the Sixties, and heard the Zombies hits a million times, but never heard this album as a whole until last night. It was a little surprisingly, though only a little. There's a certain…preciosity about this album. In some ways it reminds me of early Pink Floyd, when it was, you could say, Syd Barrett's group. Other times, it reminds me of the Hollies. Stuff like that was in vogue in 1967. Then 1968 came, and the Summer Of Love was over. Not that the zeitgeist totally changed, far from it, but you could feel a bit of a cold draft from a door that had just cracked open. Something was just different, here and there.

One of the greatest pop albums of all time and horrendously underrated. Every cut on this album is magnificent!

the song that always gets stuck in my head (for better or worse) is the “butchers tale” song. I think it’s crazy that they chose THAT song to be a single. It’s got basically no commercial appeal whatsoever. Im not saying it’s a bad track or anything, but I would never think of it as having the potential to be a “Hit” Personally, my favorites from the album are “hung up on a dream” and “time of the season” … but the whole album is a masterpiece.

Strawberry Alarm Clock was another groovy psychedelic band which you're probably aware of. They had one big song- Incense and Peppermints. Their first album had this song as the title track. Rainy day mushroom pillow was another trippy song on the album. Worth trying.

One of my favorite albums of all time. First listened to it in the 2000's when numerous anonymous hipsters on music forums kept mentioning it. As huge a Beatle fan as I am, I think it's tied with the Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society as the best album of 1968. Yes, even better than the White Album. I think "Time of The Season" almost sounds out of place. My favorite songs are "Care of Cell 44," "Rose For Emily," "Maybe After He's Gone," "Brief Candles," "Changes," and "This Will Be Our Year." A good half of it. And the other half is no slouch.

Brief Candles burn so fine.

I lost my entire collection in a house fire in 2015. I just started collecting again last year and this was the very first album I purchased. (Well this and The Beatles Revolver, I bought them both the same day).

Geoff Emerick also engineered 'Revolver' as well.

Hi Abi I’ve just seen the front cover of Odessey & Oracle and found a great new channel. I bought O&O when it first came out after hearing it on the Kenny Everett show I had the mono version simply because on my UK school boy pocket money I couldn’t afford the stereo. Kenny was a one off he played stuff no one else was I remember going to a record shop to buy Lady Samantha by somebody called Elton John all I got was “Elton who?” he also introduced me Harry Nilsson he obviously knew Harry because he knew the Beatles, he’s definitely someone you should research Abi. I don’t listen to much 60s music these days 90s more my thing but O&O is still on my phone. Right now to start binge watching all you back videos Abi, thank you so much John………..

Odessey is a fascinating. Not as good as Pet Sounds.....but pretty close. Brief Candles is my fave on this one, followed closely by TWBOY. Great video!

LOvely lady, I really like Colin Blunstone's voice and Rod's keyboards. These coupled with your enthusiasm could sell ice to the Inuit. Thanks for a great run-down on the tracks, your research is always productive and informative. Keep them coming.

Hi Abby! I agree with you, "Hung up on a Dream" is hauntingly beautiful. It's beauty has brought tears to my eyes more than once.

You want a dark album, S.F Sorrow (1968) by the Pretty Things is heavy.

Geoff Emerick also engineered Revolver and parts of the White Album

You revived my obsession with this album and inspired my extravagant purchase of the Newbury clear vinyl/psych release. Can't wait to receive it! I wonder if you have heard Love's Forever Changes. I know you will want to review it. Thanks for your great vids!

One of my favourite album of all time! But the Zombies didn't have a rotating lineup in the 60s. They were a very stable band!! Great video nevertheless!!

I love this album one of my all time favorites. I love the way they use the Mellotron to create those beautiful textures, just like on King Crimson's first albums or like The Moody Blues.

Time of the season......really has the free love 60s feel.

I first heard this record in the 90's when I bought it at Tower because of the cover. I have gone back to it ever since. Time of the Season is on a lot of jukeboxes to this day. For me, O&O is one of the last great old fashioned pop records, and it's fun. Nothing wrong that.

I saw them play an anniversary show at the Shepherds Bush Empire featuring the whole album. The Butchers Tale was an emotional trip.

As a kid, still trying to get into rock music after years of classical-only, everything from before that year sounded old (I know, I know) and when I heard Time of the Season on radio I was both haunted by its musical beauty and fascinated by what I heard as its sinister atmosphere. I imagined some Leopold and Loeb type in a suit with a pomaded '50s quiff chatting someone up in a darkened side room at a club ("who's your daddy? is he rich, like me?"). And after I heard that I heard nothing until the mid '90s when I picked up a cheap compilation that included Season and Dream. I got the re-release of Odessey and sank into it from the first track. The sad story of its delayed release and the band's misfortunes was in the booklet and it made me wince. Such a great piece of work virtually tossed in the bin (along with SF Sorrow, Long Day's Flight, and a host of others under the radar when released). While I did at least get to hear and own a copy I just wish it had been there way back when we were getting into the then obscurities of Piper at the Gates of Dawn, The Doors, The Who Sellout etc. that completed the auld post-punque experience. I remember a note on the back of the Teardrop Explodes album Wilder that mentioned Butcher's Tale which was a mystery at the time. When I heard more of the Zombies I realised how influential they'd been over that band (look up Great Dominions or Tiny Children). Another danged fine video, for which thanks.

When I was middle school-age (cannot remember which one) over 10 years ago I was in a rock music ensemble at a place called the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, CT. The guy who the lead ensembles introduced me to Odessey and Oracle and I was sincerely hooked. I was a huge Beatles fan up to that point, but the Zombies just had something different compared to them. Also a fan of a lot of 80s goth, I like how strange and off-putting some of the songs are, and how prototypically gothic some of it is too. Favorites "Maybe After He's Gone " is so damn haunting, and "Beechwood Park" darkly dreamy. Nice to see a fellow New Englander also enjoy this record, and that I'm not the only person in my 20s who adores this masterwork of British psych!

I don't know if you came across this during your research but because the band had broken up before the album became a hit a promotions company had two fake Zombies touring the US. One of them included Dusty Hill and Frank Beard from ZZ Top which I thought was hilarious.

If you like Colin Blunstone's voice, you should check out th work he did with Alan Parsons Project... also, a German band called Fool's Garden has a lead singer that somewhat reminds me of Colin.

What a review! You almost brought tears to my eyes when I realized how blessed we are to even have this masterpiece. Fantastic research. I have an original release from "69" with the dark cover. The "new" physic cover is so much more appropriate. I have a much higher appreciation of this record now. Thank you!

The only song I know from that album is Time Of The Season. And that's what I've heard on oldies radio.

What's unique about the Zombies *still* is that you can still see them perform live on tour and Colin and Rod are still at the top of their game They even have a new album that compares well to their earlier work. Same with Tommy James -- also still good. That mellotron you speak about ought to be in a museum -- it had some good mileage!

I don't collect vinyl, but a lot of these albums are listed in the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die reference book. "She's Not There" is one of my favorite songs.

Another favorite of mine! Full of Mark II Mellotron sounds on that one! 😎

Love this album and voted for it in your poll. Time of the Season was the only song I remember getting any radio play back in the day, but this album is so much more. Care of Cell 44 has become my favorite track followed by A Rose for Emily. But in reality, there are no weak songs. Pop psych masterpiece.

Really enjoyed your detailed review of this excellent album. Well done!

Faces debute - The First Step. Bought it as a wee lad in 1970. Sheesh, time flies. I moved to Japan in 1980, been here since, time does fly,

The Kinks `Waterloo Sunset` was never seen as `Psyche` in the U.K; but if those in the U.S see it that way- fair enough. The Davies Brothers had no time for `Flower Power - Psychedelics; they really did not like it. Hence their next single in October 67 "Autumn Almanac" which was the complete anthesis to that genre.

I just picked up a picture disc copy at a great price. And this disc sounds good with little if any surface noise. Your colored disc is very fantastic.

Great video - your love of music is infectious.

This album is a masterpiece

What an an incredible album. I love "Brief Candles" and "Hung Up On a Dream" 🙂

So my lone Time's Arrow journey through Vinyl Monday's back catalogue brings me to Odessey. What a numpty of an artist to misspell the text what a brilliant artist for producing that painting! The coloured vinyl here is stunning. A great analysis, with loads of detail. I wonder if Butcher's Tale was argued over because of its themes but as you highlighted the album has an undercurrent of loss. Melotrons melotrons so good I've mispelled them twice. Much to say about this great video but no one's listening. Stop.

TALLY HALLLL

They're one of the most underrated rock groups of the '60s

Thank you

I am super chill! LOL. I had Odessey & Oracle in my hands at Barnes & Noble & didn't take it home. Now I'm kicking myself. It's amazing how long it took for that album to get the respect & admiration it deserves. It's so cool you have a UK connection. I love your stories behind the music. It will be fun to listen to these groovy tunes today.

Definitely take your necessary time off, girl…and keep rocking those BEAUTIFUL 60s outfits in 2023! 😍

WOW............( think your bedroom's...........well......... HAUNTED!!!??? Talk about a DEEP DIVE!

Fab review Abi - You may also like to check out some of Colin Blunstone's solo albums. Apparently when the album was released he had already gone back to his 9-5 job in an insurance brokers office in London. He didn't have to work there long thankfully. Thanks again for your review of a super album.

Enjoyed the vid. I had garaged that one a while ago, and this was a good reminder to put it back in the collection. Man, that "Hung Up On A Dream" is a killer.

Ok, I'm a minute in and needed to say before going further, this is my most favorite outfit of yours Abby. And 1/2 of my closet collapsed in Spring of 2020. Obviously, I picked everything up but I've not put the rod back up and my wallet had thanked me as it made me cut back on my consumption.

I feel so lucky! I have the RSD Essentials version (in Teal) and it has the horns in “this will be our year”

That vinyl is drop dead gorgeous. Thank god the LPs weren't stored in the closet!

You looked extraordinarily psychedelic this Monday. The Zombies live Odessey and Oracle DVD is a must watch. Meticulously faithful reproduction of the whole album. I love listening to this album on rainy days.

One of my faves, thanks! Love yer outfit, I’d like to find a jacket like that. I swear I’d wear it proudly!

First time here, love it, one of my favorite albums of all time, as a musician and a mod this topic is near and dear to my heart, im usually the one boring everyone to death with all the 60s trivia, at last I've found a kindred spirit, love the dress too, will you marry me😅

I have that one and their first record. A friend brought over the double best of album in the mid-seventies, but I didn't listen closely-- remembering the mescaline instead. It has most of but not all of the best songs from Odyssey and Oracle. Nice review! Interesting comment about the horns in "This Will Be Our Year". I think it's fine either way.

An album that didn’t cross my path until the late 70’s when I started working in the local independent record shop. One of the guys there was totally in love with this album, and is, in the main responsible for my love of Psych Rock/Baroque Pop. A recommendation for a possible feature if I may, the ‘Nuggets’ compilation album which is a weird and wonderful collection of Psych Rock from the mid to late 60’s. Yet another excellent episode, loving the detail you go into for this album.

I love "Tell her no"

I love the hits, of course (funnily, as a kid I envisioned them as black clad, turtleneck cats), but this album is amazing. I really, really dig "Beechwood Park".

Loved this episode. The best one yet. I just listened to This Will Be Our Year with horns. I prefer the verion without horns, but it's always great to hear something I've never heard before. I really apppreciate the hard work you put in researching these episodes.

I got the 68 original....the album cover is different.....that is a album that grows on you.

Enjoyed this. An album I saw listed for years in favourite album articles. Eventually bought it in later life and wish I'd had it sooner. Very catchy, dreamy and melancholic. Most people will have heard 'Time Of The Season' a classic track but compared to the rest of the album it's a bit more sexy and like the band's earlier stuff. 'Hung Up On A Dream' is also my favourite. Tracks 3 to 6 are perfection: Maybe, Beechwood, Candles and Dream.

Still blows my mind that The Professor of Rock got these guys rounded up for an interview...

jeeeez i was so obsessed with "changes" off this album for a while, its such a lovely song oh my god (also your coat is so cool whoa!!! vinyl monday is one of my fav things on yt currently you rock my dude)

I have never heard "Hung Up..." so I have it playing right now. It's like almost Beatles outtakes but different. I like it, thank you Abigail. I only knew what I heard on the radio (Time of the Season) which I love.

I have been collecting albums, and studying rock'n roll for decades. I absolutely LOVE your channel, deep details and discussion on all these classic albums!! You always bring out well researched, relevant points. (Quite a lot I never knew!) Take this album for example - never heard it (*except for Time of the Season) or got into the Zombies, but now - 💥BOOM💥 you really opened my eyes to this. There's always another gem or golden nugget to uncover. For me, this is one of them!! Also, your outfits are awesome!!

This was another excellent video. I see these albums such a different light after your vids. Always looking forward to your next one. Have a great holiday.

Great band and music, just saw them live couple of months ago in Pa. Sounded Great! I have been a fan since "Tell Her No" and was one of my early 45 purchases. Thanks for the info.

Two weeks in a row with a record l know nothing about that you inspired me to explore. I always trust your opinion so I am looking forward to listening to it. Thanks! Love the episode… 🔨🔧🪛🧰!!!

Huge fan of the band. Remember hearing "Time of The Season" as a kid. Didn't hear the entire album until buying the CD in the 90's. I also own it on vinyl.🙂🙂

Good Album their best of all times i've have the 30th Anniversary album.

Definitely my fav album by them! I need to get that version! 🤗🙃! That cover is so great! Totally dig your jacket; definitely on point for this episode! As for your closest, on each side nail a 2-4 “ 2/4 under the bar! Will fix the stability issue! Have a great day☺️!

Nice vid Abby!!!! I love The Zombies!!! They are such a cool psychedelic group.. I love their songs... I'll been wait the next vinyl Monday. Have a nice week. I hope your closet it would be fixed....

Love this album!! Great video Abby! I have the original Date pressing with the black border. I also have the remastered pressing.

Cheers v.much. Great video. I just recently ordered a new stereo reissue on Big Beat UK a few weeks ago based on many positive reviews (I am actuallu trying to go in 'blind' for once which I rarely ever do anymore after 30 years of vinyl collecting). I watched another video where the song with the mono and stereo horns anomaly was discussed but really explained as to why (they just honestly didn't know why), so I appreciate your insightful research. I'm sure it will still be great, but I do love me some horns for extra texture! I really dig your enthusiasm and deep dive approach. Cheers from Ipswich, QLD Australia!

As I said over on the community channel - anyone who hasn't heard Colin Blumstone's 'One Year' should really check that out - chamber pop made after Blumstone's break up, beautiful haunting melancholy that follows directly on from this masterpiece.

Great 👍

watched again enjoyed it twice as much what a wonderful advocate for this music Abby is one of my favourite episodes shame about that wardrobe though too much stuff probably yeah that'll be it

This is a fun record....great review....You go with your Zombies wax, girl...Rod Argent's 1970's solo records are overlooked gems as well.

That mistaken for "stereo" was typically recorded all music on one track and all vocals on the other -- because the actual intent was that the final release would be MONO, because the MARKET was MONO, and the promotional medium, radio, was MONO. That recording standard -- with the "hole in the middle" -- is not result of "panning". "Panning" requires that the sound to be "panned" is recorded on at least two tracks.

Great show. Like Pandora, all your fears have escaped out of your closet. ..except hope.

As always I enjoy your vids. Back when this record came out it was hard to get info on what was out there. I would buy albums by the jackets. Plus, I knew the Zombies from their early hit. I loved it on first listen. I saw the Zombies a few years ago on the 50th anniversary of "Odessey". They played the album through. Great show. I got the repress then. Thank you for your vids. They make me feel young again.

Two Odessey-era kindred UK singles : "3.30 am" - Unit 4 + 2 (1969) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-itvzE8wrYYk.html "Say You Don't Mind" - Denny Laine (1967) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Dwg534G-TFU.html (Later covered by Colin Blunstone)

What a beautiful listening experience, and truly an “odessey.” So many moods and textures, such wonderful arrangements and instrumentation. It’s everything you said it is and more! It’s its own very special world to get lost in, to surrender to. This is one of those albums I will probably get very obsessed with. It is sublime. I listened to it twice. The second time I drove all around Austin TX and took some mental notes as the songs got more familiar. Wow. I find myself in total agreement with your insights! I hear Pet Sounds, in snippets here and there mostly. “Maybe After He’s Gone” and “Hung Up on a Dream” contain snatches of odd “Wilsonesque” melody changes - like there’s a tiny bit of “God Only Knows” in Maybe After He’s Gone,” but it’s like a deft turn of phrase - and “Hung up in a Dream” has some sunnier Beach Boys harmonies. To continue that analogy, I’d say that “Time of The Season” is to this album as “Sloop John B” is to Pet Sounds. The fat bass sounds throughout are also reminiscent of Pet Sounds. Emerick was right to feature it prominently. I wonder if Love’s “Forever Changes” inspired it a little as well. “Beechwood Park” and “I Want Her She Wants Me” have fractured melody lines similar to Arthur Lee’s all over that album. His “She Comes in Colors” definitely inspired the St “She’s a Rainbow,” so Love’s music was over there (unless Jagger/Richards caught them in LA). I also wonder how much Nick Drake may have listened to this album. You really came out with a mind-blower, and again I thank you for the introduction and vivid analysis. I like that you pointed out the juxtaposition between the “happy” sound of the music and it’s sad lyrics (which totally FIT the music). I can hear a song a hundred times and come away from it not having retained a single lyric unless I try very hard. With that in mind, my favorite song (so far) is the opener, “Care of Cell 44.” What an absurdly beautiful song! You never disappoint, Abi. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Keep it up!

I searched for this album for 7 years and when I finally got a copy it didn't leave my turntable for a week. The first time I heard it my mouth was hanging open the entire time. I now have three US first pressings all are in stereo. The original cover art is all there the cropped cover was for the reissue in 69, and as far as This Will Be Our Year the horns are present. If you want to hear a cool story about Pet Sounds type in Bruce Johnston pet sounds the video is 3:36 and the poster is Will Archer.

whether barrel or paper, i just love it

One of my favourite albums of all time. If you enjoy Odessey and Oracle, I can thoroughly recommend picking up Colin Blunstone's solo albums "One Year" and "Ennismore", both very strong records.

You need to do a review of the Left Banke's first LP from 1967. "Walk Away Renee" and "Pretty Ballerina" are baroque heaven.

Great video, Abby. That is a gorgeous copy, I recently picked up the new RSD Essentials version and its not nearly as pretty.

Thank you for introducing me to an album I knew nothing about. I’ll give it a good listen today and get back to you with my thoughts. I think The Zombies were as original in their way as The Doors and Love - with a similarly eerie edge. Can’t wait to hear this! And, speaking of baroque pop/folk, I’d be very interested in your take on Judee Sill, in particular her recording of “Lady-O” (which she wrote and sold to The Turtles). Judee has been THE most significant musical find for me in the last decade.

Beautiful album. Beautiful review. Pity about the closet!!

Abby I Know You Have Heard This Before, But You Are An "Old soul" Great Video On Such A Masterwork!!! Thanks Girl!!!

Great review, Abby! Checked the album out and enjoyed it. Was playing thei Zombies version of I Love You (which was awesome) and realized that the band People had a hit with it. People had a guy by the name of Larry Norman, who went on to be a pioneer and legend of Christian rock and roll with Only Visiting this Planet in 1972. Produced in part by George Martin (uncredited). Love you and your vids! Merry Christmas 🎅🤶⛄️and Happy New Year!🎉🥂😘💕

Hey Abby. Just an FYI---This album _was_ released in the U.S. with the full cover artwork back in 1968, but it was issued on Date records rather than Columbia. (Discogs prices suggest it's pretty scarce.)

If you like this album, maybe consider checking out Elton John's lost 1968 lp "The Regimental Sgt Zippo", which came out back in 2020 or 2021. It has those similar psychedelic vibes (and is where I got my name from) I'd also recommend checking out The Zombies' lost 1969 lp "R.I.P.", it's really quite nice and has quite a few bangers.

You did it again. You nailed it with the Zombies. Very good show. Smart girl! Rod Argent's later band; which was called Argent; was a very different band also. The song by Argent called; "Hold Your Head Up", has been one of my heroic laments, as I've traveled times. I first heard it, when I was 14yrs old, in 1972. I do believe that in the Zombies song; which is entitled; "A Time Of The Season; that they coined the phrase: "Who's Your Daddy". That phrase was used alot in that movie "The Master Of Disguise" also. Am I wrong?

Great video sorry about your closet

I love you.