Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Absolute Beauty, July 22, 2004
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.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very pleasing album in unexpected format, November 30, 2005
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
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Post-Zombies LP That must be owned!!, August 28, 2005
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!
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by Colin Blunstone 
