Search - The Zombies :: The Decca Stereo Anthology

As close to perfect as you're gonna get for these

Zub | Forks Twp., PA | 03/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When the recordings of artists have been reissued ad nauseum over the years, in an effort to milk a little more out of the tape vaults record labels have sometimes resorted to issuing remixed versions or musically insignificant scraps that would otherwise not warrant release. Thankfully, Big Beat, part of Ace Records' family, has constructed this new collection of Decca-era Zombies recordings with intelligence, care and balance. In this two-CD collection is first an anthology of the recordings done for Decca in the years 1964-66. Beyond just another collection of songs though, here, the previously available stereo versions of these songs have been replaced with newly remixed versions done with utmost care and attention to retain as much of the original sound of the mono mixes while yielding the dynamics of the stereo soundstage. In some cases though, that replication is impossible in that some of the instrumental or vocal overdubs that were added to the mono mixes were never put in the original multi-tracks and therefore are lost to time when trying to reconstruct the final mix from these component tracks. These missing entities were, by necessity, disregarded when creating these new mixes except in a few cases where the omission left the remixed version harshly lacking as with the missing drum overdub on "She's Not There". To get this signature song up to snuff, the Zombies' drummer Hugh Grundy, using the original snare, superimposed the missing drum track onto the multitrack. While anyone can argue then, that this is not the "original" song, one listen tells the story. There are plenty of original mono versions of these songs available for the purist but for those who seek a greater sonic experience with these tracks, this is a top-notch accomplishment and worthy of any Zombies fan's attention. Beyond the music, included with the package is a twelve-page liner notes booklet devoted mostly to the concerns of how the music was originally constructed and how this new perspective on it came to be. This is an exceptional effort in bringing some classic tracks to greater potential for appreciation by casual and avid fans alike."

Even A Few Minor Flaws Can't Knock This From The 5-Star Rank

Zub | 01/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first learned of this release forthcoming, I just crossed my fingers and hoped the stereo remixes would not be butchered, as had been the case a few months earlier with the remix of The Who's first album. Well, no need to worry: For the most part, these tracks have received the royal treatment this brilliant quintet deserves. The advertisement that each track was freshly rremixed is not quite correct: The time-trained Zombies fan's ear can pick out at least four exceptions (most notably "Kind Of Girl" and "She Does Everything For Me," both distinct drop-offs in quality and stereo separation from the tracks around it), but you will still get most everything you expect from this set. Well over a dozen of these songs are in true stereo for the first time ever, including absolute gems like "She's Coming Home," "Remember You" (single version), "Gotta Get Hold Of Myself," and the undubbed masters of "I'll Keep Trying" and "She'll Be For You." The musical intro to "I Love You," completely amputated from the old stereo mix, has been fully restored--but sadly, the "hey hey hey"s omitted from the old stereo mix of "Is This The Dream?" still are. One thing the chronological placement of these recordings does, particularly on disk two, is bring into stronger focus the rapid growth and maturation of Chris White's songwriting: Heartfelt ballads like "I Must Move" and "Don't Go Away" rank up there with any works of his British writing contemporaries. It's not at all surprising that, just a short time later, it would be White who graced the masterpiece "Odessey & Oracle" with seven of his compositions, and with the exception of Argent's "Hung Up On A Dream," White's songs really gave that album its more haunting, ethereal qualities. As for this two-cd set, even with the small holes I mentioned (and a couple I did not), it is a quintessential must-have for all fans of British pop music--or great music in general, as this band managed to incorporate so many elements of popular music. Indeed, if you have this set, along with "Odessey & Oracle 30th Anniversary Edition" and the "Zombie Heaven" boxed set, you've got it all by this band--and every penny you've spent will be well worth your while."

Zombie Heaven

J. R Sategna | Martinez, California United States | 05/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Zombies in True Stereo--what a treat! This album has very clear true stereo the way it was meant to be recorded back in the sixties. I rate this album a must have with a plus 10 rating- The stereo is incredible with all tracks excellent--Zombie fans must all get this album (the Decca recordings) and play it loud!!!!! This beats any other Zombie out as far as stereo sound- Buy it now-----"