Back from their recent US tour, it’s the perfect time of the season to see the Zombies…
REVIEW by Ian Woolley
The Zombies 2023
If the recent sell-out Tivoli Theatre opening night of their postponed 2020 tour is anything to go by, Zombies fans around the UK are in for a treat.
Starting in Wimborne, Dorset the 22-date ‘Life Is A Merry-Go-Round’ Tour is selling well.
The musicians on this new tour are Steve Rodford (drums) renowned session guitarist Tom Toomey, and the newest member, bassist Søren Koch, who joined the band following the untimely passing of their beloved bassist Jim Rodford in early 2018.
In their 2023 lineup, there are no weak links but then with Argent and Blunstone in their ranks, they complement each other perfectly.
Rogers & Butler
Support on this tour is the US combo of Rogers & Butler. The unique melodic songwriting talents of Edward Rogers (lead vocals) and Steve Butler (lead vocals, guitar) warmed the audience up in the first half of the show.
Songs from their 2021 album “Poets & Sinners” included my personal favourite “Olde Store Fronts” with comparisons to Kinks’ Ray Davies.
With their new single “Brighter Day”, it’s clear that in Edward Rogers, they possess a talented songwriter that understands life’s trials and everyday problems of their home in New York City.
As Rod announces after the crowd’s warm applause has died down, “We may be a little jet-lagged after getting back from the States”.
The crowd needn’t have worried as from the opening chords of “Movin On”, it was evident the man hadn’t lost any of his keyboard skills. Curly-haired Blunstone, dressed in black smiles as he begins to belt out their first number.
The Zombies set included 15 songs, old and new with the odd thrown-in cover for good measure (You Really Got A Hold On Me” and “Bring It On Home”).
From their new album, four songs were chosen “Different Game”, “You Could Be My Love”, “Dropped Reeling And Stupid” (their recent single) and “Merry Go Round” which will be their new single.
All were well received by the appreciative crowd through their 1968 masterpiece “Odessey & Oracle”, post-Zombies solo favourites, and their latest offering “Still Got That Hunger”.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Rod Argent, founding member of The Zombies, performs onstage during the ‘Something Great from ’68 Tour’ at The Greek Theatre on September 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
Rod Argent’s slick keyboard skills complement every song and stand-out moments were the instrumental breaks in “Hold Your Head Up”, “Time Of The Season” and the last number “She’s Not There”.
Rod Argent paid tribute to fellow Zombies songwriter and former bass guitarist Chris White* who was in the audience and dedicated “I Love You” to him.
Blunstone’s sublime and sometimes angelic voice is still remarkable for his 77 years and moves around the stage effortlessly.
Zombies 2023 UK tour
If the reaction of the Wimborne audience was anything to go by, the Zombies’ love shows no sign of dimming.
A standing ovation from the sell-out crowd certainly got what they came for. As one fan told me “Colin Blunstone still can belt out a good tune can’t he?”
Yes, he can…and he does it with a smile!
The Zombies UK 22 date LIFE IS A MERRY-GO-ROUND TOUR finishes on 6th May 2023 in Milton Keynes.
For tickets go to www.thezombiesmusic.com/live
*We’ll be exclusively talking with former Zombies bassist Chris White about his career and the new documentary from director Robert Schwartzman, Hung Up on a Dream on the band’s 60 years of pop history coming later this year.