Customer Reviews

One Year

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The post Zombies album recorded with 3/5 of them after they broke up. If you're a fan of their music this is the one solo record you absolutely need to buy. The album can be split into two parts: The pure pop songs of Mary Won't You...,She Loves The WAY They love Her, Caroline Goodbye and the absolutely beautiful sting arrangements of such songs as Misty Roses and Say You Don't Mind. Very Crafty! The current Zombies Touring group (Featuring Colin and Rod Argent) played two songs from this LP in LA and brought a string Quartet with them. Misty Roses and Say You Don't Mind Live will be a memory I'll never forget. There is a reason why they played two songs off this LP: It's one of the BEST! Buy it and love it!

One Year, so named for the year Colin Blunstone took off from the music business after the Zombies' failure to translate their incredible musicianship, songwriting and recording into commercial success, is nearly the equal (in quality) of the band's masterpiece, Odessey and Oracle. Not surprisingly, though, the album was even less successful than the Zombies' swan song. Luckily, all these years later, it's at last gaining some of the respect it deserves.

Essentially, the album is half finely-crafted 70's pop rock, half quirky ballads and more atmospheric tunes featuring primarily Blunstone's voice and incredibly compelling string arrangements. Of course, Blunstone's voice is the key draw--any fan of the Zombies is familiar with how ethereal, ghostly, and liquid it is, and One Year doesn't disappoint on the vocal front. The opener, "She Loves The Way They Love Her," is the first of several tracks that should have been hit singles, replete with a hook-laden vocal part and some screaming electric guitar. "Misty Roses" is a jazzy ballad; halfway through, the strings are introduced for the first time on the album, playing unusually dissonant lines, but it really works. When the vocal returns, it's backed only by the strings, and it's heavenly. "Smokey Day" is another slow-burner, with dual Blunstone vocals breathily harmonizing with one another in the darkness. "Caroline Goodbye" is another should-have-been hit single--the way Blunstone sings "no use pretending/I've known for a long time/your love ending," then wordlessly sighs is pure pop magic. Add "Mary Won't You Warm My Bed" to the list, with its springy beat and Blunstone's high-register vocal acrobatics. "Her Song" is one of the most successful string collaborations; instead of taking center stage as they do on other songs, they smoothly set a foundation for the singer's romantic pleadings. "I Can't Live Without You" is another of my string favorites--the cellos lay down a Gershwin-esque groove, and the soaring, wordless refrain is glorious (seriously). The album ends with the upbeat, searching "Say You Don't Mind," which displays more peppy strings and some of Blunstone's most hair-raising vocals. A fitting end to an emotionally-genuine and all-around catchy pop record.

Not only does he perform excellently on the album, Blunstone also reveals himself as a capable songwriting talent, independently penning four of the album's tracks (former Zombies Rod Argent and Chris White co-write three others). Although it doesn't really fit the bill of the psychedelic/baroque/jazz/ragtime/classical blend that made the Zombies tick, fans should be warmly rewarded by Blunstone's familiarly breathtaking pipes and the high standard of songwriting associated with the former group's members. The next one to check out is Ennismore, and after that, Journey--luckily they were both just released on a 2 on 1 (Ennismore/Journey)!

What a gorgeous, gorgeous album this is!
Unlike many others, Colin Blunstone was not someone I knew or loved back when he fronted The Zombies nor when this album originally came out, yet I fell under its spell immediately upon the first listening.
I don't know if this has ever happened to you but this is one of those albums that, even as you hear each song for the first time, makes you feel that you are meeting again with an old friend or, more accurately, that you has just met a kindred spirit.
"Misty Roses," which you may know through Tim Hardin's original already, is simply breathtaking. In this version, it starts almost in a hush, a gentle guitar hinting bossa nova-like chords, as Blunstone glides over the melody, and then evolves into a string quartet interlude that, when you stopped expecting it, returns you to the original melody as he sings "If I believe in love forever / I'll forget the past / You are too lovely not to try."
The beauty does not end there, the self-penned "Caroline Goodbye" and Though You Are Far Away" ?in different ways? may remind you of Nick Drake's phrasing except than here the singing is backed by a full orchestra, ever so tastefully arranged.
"Her Song" and "Let Me Come Closer To You" are also gems, perfectly accompanied by Rod Argent and others ?who' together would go on to form the band Argent? and, again, showcasing the extensive, unforced emotional range of Blunstone?s voice.
All in all, as other people have already mentioned, this album is both a masterpiece of its time and unusually relevant by any current musical standards. Ultimately, this is an absolute, timeless beauty. Buy it now, and await with bated breath.

I can't believe how modern this album sounds. Brimming over with strings and emotion, it's absolutely essential for anyone who loves music.

I originally had this album on vinyl many years ago. Admittedly, I lost track of Colin Blunstone's extraordinary solo career upon arriving stateside. Having said that, I am now happily rediscovering the material that I have missed, as well as replacing the vinyl with cd format. "One Year" is among the list.
Upon listening to this album again after many years, I was immediately struck by the depth and breadth of the quality of Colin's voice. He is still able to replicate many of these songs live (and even better) with his old pal, Rod Argent.
Having said that, this album is, in many ways, an extension of The Zombies/Argent projects. Many of those ingredients are in place here. For instance, Rod Argent, Russ Ballard, Bob Henrit, Jim Rodford of Argent contribute to this masterpiece.
Chris White, bass player in the Zombies along with Rod Argent are the producers. Ths songs; "She Loves The Way They Love Her". "Smokey Day", "Her Song", a stunningly beautiful song, were written by Chris White and Rod Argent.
Because the sound that the band Argent produced during this same time period, is so vastly different, one can see the immense diversity of musical styles and ranges that all these fine musicians have on display. And then there is Colin,who wrote the songs "Caroline Goodbye", "Though You Are Far Away", and "Let Me Come Closer To You".
Yes, this album deserves a listen, and yes I absolutely cannot say enough what a contribution these talented players have made to music. It is highly recommended, trust me, these guys do not dissapoint.

Admittedly, when I bought this CD, it was shortly after my buzz from the Zombies box set. Though I was familiar with the jazz and classical leanings, I was blown away by this project and its heavy use of symphonic strings. The intimacy Colin's vocals emote is staggeringly breathtaking once the shock wears off, and the album became addictive after 2 plays. It is short, but packs a beautiflly romantic wallop, and his take on "Misty Roses" just makes me...well, plain misty.

The album opens with the rocking "She Loves the Way They Love Her,' but the venture is basically a lushly baroque, and individual expression on his part that is almost a 180 degree turn from his former group. "Caroline Goodbye," a song about an old girlfriend, is also a very beautiful and touching number made all the more intimate by his soft, yet deceptively strong, voice. The Denny Laine song, "Say You Don't Mind" is also a favorite, playful and serious at once, emphasizing Colin's love of hitting high notes when you don't often see them coming.

I love this album. It is sexy, romantic, individualistic in every way, and it has turned me into one of his biggest fans. The only complaint I have is that it isn't longer!

First, there's the voice, familiar from all those wonderful Zombies singles ... wispy yet passionate, deceptively casual yet intense, the slightest whisper conveying subtle & complex emotion. It's a voice that manages to hold both innocent exuberance & wise worldweariness in the same note.

And then there are the songs: some of his own, some written by his former bandmates, and some by other writers. But he makes them all his, so that the collection flows seamlessly from song to song. The arrangements are sophisticated without ever being overbearing, the perfect complement to his vocals. His cover of Tim Hardin's "Misty Roses" is sublime, worthy of the original, and his own "Caroline Goodbye" has got to be one of the most beautiful, gentle, aching & heartwrenching songs about the end of a love affair that I've ever heard.

They simply don't make albums like this any more, and that's a pity. It's a treasure, not to be missed, perfect for a quiet summer evening, or a lonely autumn day -- most highly recommended!

As a Zombies fan it was about time I got this and I'm glad I did. The details have been gone over already so no need to go there but I did want to be added to the list of those who recommend. Standouts IMO are "She Loves The Way They Love Her" "Caroline Goodbye" and "Misty Roses". The first two are in the Zombie tradition of poppy rock sounding but much classier than the average, and MR is an extended mellow acoustic with some nice and unexpected turns...really a great track.

Speaking of mellow I should mention that this album is very laid back...it's nicely done but the two rock tunes I mentioned, while great, almost seem out of place or is it that the other tracks contrast too much in their acoustic atmosphere?

The good thing is it doesn't matter since it's all good, but I did want to mention it is mostly a fairly quiet album, but again, nothing wrong with that. Colin's vocals are excellent throught, BTW. Enjoy!

TB

The post Zombies album recorded with 3/5 of them after they broke up. If you're a fan of their music this is the one solo record you absolutely need to buy. The album can be split into two parts: The pure pop songs of Mary Won't You...,She Loves The WAY They love Her, Caroline Goodbye and the absolutely beautiful string arrangements of such songs as Misty Roses and Say You Don't Mind. Very Crafty! The current Zombies Touring group (Featuring Colin and Rod Argent) played two songs from this LP in LA and brought a string Quartet with them. Misty Roses and Say You Don't Mind Live will be a memory I'll never forget. There is a reason why they played two songs off this LP: It's one of the BEST! Buy it and love it!

For a complete collection, rare non-LP bonus tracks and excellent sound quality, I recommend that fans buy the Colin Blunstone Original Album Classics 3 CD Boxed Set released by Sony in 2010.

The new collection includes re-mastered versions of Blunstone's first three albums, One Year, Journey and Ennismore. Original Album Classics also features 2 rare bonus tracks which were originally released as non-LP b-sides. This set features excellent artwork for each album, faithful reproductions of the original LP graphics on the front and back of each album.

The sound quality is far superior to any previously released version of One Year, Ennismore or Journey. I'm a longtime fan of The Zombies/Colin Blunstone and this release has been in the works for several years. Due to popular demand, Sony has completed the project and released this extraordinary boxed set, which might be one of the all-time best boxed sets ever to be released by Sony.

Although Colin Blunstone continues to perform solo concerts with his own band, he and Rod Argent are also working on an album of new material with The Zombies. The current lineup of The Zombies includes Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent, bassist Jim Rodford and drummer Steve Rodford. The Zombies are still a band and continue to make quality music with new albums and high-demand world tours.

COLIN BLUNSTONE ORIGINAL ALBUM CLASSICS TRACKLIST:

One Year

01.Colin Blunstone - She Loves The Way They Love Her 02:49
02.Colin Blunstone - Misty Roses 05:04
03.Colin Blunstone - Smokey Day 03:13
04.Colin Blunstone - Caroline Goodbye 02:55
05.Colin Blunstone - Though You Are Far Away 03:25
06.Colin Blunstone - Mary Won't You Warm My Bed 03:11
07.Colin Blunstone - Her Song 03:31 reinhören
08.Colin Blunstone - I Can't Live Without You 03:29
09.Colin Blunstone - Let Me Come Closer To You - (Album Version) 02:25
10.Colin Blunstone - Say You Don't Mind 03:18

Ennismore

01.Colin Blunstone - I Don't Believe In Miracles 02:56
02.Colin Blunstone - Quartet 10:55
03.Colin Blunstone - I Want Some More 03:05
04.Colin Blunstone - Pay Me Later 02:46
05.Colin Blunstone - Andorra 03:18
06.Colin Blunstone - I've Always Had You 02:30
07.Colin Blunstone - Time's Running Out 02:40
08.Colin Blunstone - How Could We Dare To Be Wrong 03:24

Journey + 2 bonus tracks

01.Colin Blunstone - Wonderful - (Album Version) 05:03
02.Colin Blunstone - Beginning - (Album Version) 01:21
03.Colin Blunstone - Keep The Curtains Closed Today - (Album Version) 03:16
04.Colin Blunstone - Weak For You - (Album Version) 05:20
05.Colin Blunstone - Beware - (Album Version) 03:24
06.Colin Blunstone - Smooth Operator - (Album Version) 04:05
07.Colin Blunstone - This Is Your Captain Calling - (Album Version) 04:17
08.Colin Blunstone - Something Happens When You Touch Me - (Album Version) 03:56
09.Colin Blunstone - Setting Yourself Up - (Album Version) 03:25
10.Colin Blunstone - Lover Brother - (Album Version) 03:43
11.Colin Blunstone - Shadow Of A Doubt - (Album Version) 03:45
12.Colin Blunstone - It's Magical - (Album Version) 03:25
13.Colin Blunstone - You Who Are Lonely - (Album Version) 03:55