The legendary English rock pioneers the Zombies have been having a great year. In addition to recording a Talkhouse Music Podcast with Hollis Brown after releasing their new album Still Got That Hunger (in 2015), the group is closing out the year with a couple of big announcements. Songwriter and singer Rod Argent put together this playlist to celebrate. Enjoy!
–Dave Lucas, Talkhouse Marketing Manager
This has been such a great year for us, starting from the point where Billboard actually phoned us while we were on tour to tell us our new album, Still Got That Hunger, had made the top one hundred album sales chart! The first top one hundred entry in fifty years as the Zombies. We had a terrific touring year, too. We loved being able to play lots of our new material to enthusiastic audiences, along with all the classics, of course.
Now, just twelve months later, we’ve received our second fantastic piece of news: our second nomination for induction into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! Everything crossed now for second time lucky… Thanks so much to everyone who has supported us, and continues to support us so brilliantly!!
Yes – “Yours Is No Disgrace”
I loved most of Yes’ output, and of course all the slightly later stuff with Rick Wakeman, but I’ll never forget the impact of hearing them for the first time. They were supporting Janis Joplin at The Royal Albert Hall in London, and played these live. I was bowled over and bought the album the very next day.
The Cars – “Just What I Needed”
I like this because it’s a great example of their trademark pulsing sound, and it’s just a beautifully constructed pop record.
The Cars – “Drive”
One of those really magical records that stands alone. Emotionally successful in its sound, performance and musical content. And I can’t forget how enormously moving it was when married to the Ethiopian footage on the U.K. Live Aid footage.
Joan Baez – “Diamonds and Rust”
Joan mostly covered other artists’ material, but I find this song, one of her own compositions, charming and touching in the way it recalls her relationship with the young Bob Dylan
Chaka Khan – “I Feel for You”
Just a great groove and a great record. How can you lose with a Prince song sung by Chaka Khan and including Stevie Wonder’s harmonica?
Journey – “Don’t Stop Believing”
Iconic voice, great song and a sound that sums up the eighties!
Electric Light Orchestra – “Mr. Blue Sky”
The song that, I feel, best captures the band’s original ambition: to take off from the Beatles’ later material characterised by songs such as “I Am the Walrus,” fusing real orchestral instruments successfully with traditional rock & roll. A beautifully inventive arrangement and a record that sounds like nobody else.
The Zombies – “Time of the Season”
This is a song that means so much to me. It came right at the end of our first incarnation in the sixties, and went on to be a chart-topping record in most countries in the world … It’s now one of the most played British records ever on U.S. radio.
(Photo credit: Payley Photography)
