News

On March 17, Varese Vintage adds a new chapter to the odyssey of The Zombies’ landmark Odessey and Oracle.   The album – released in April 1968 but recorded in sessions between June and August 1967 – will see the label’s new, expanded reissue timed to the 50th anniversary of its recording.   Although the band had dissolved by the time of the original release, the surviving members are back together and celebrating Odessey on the road with a 26-date spring tour of North America kicking off on March 17 and going through April 29.

Initially rejected by Clive Davis and then championed by Al Kooper, Odessey and Oracle grew in stature over the years to become not only the British band’s most beloved album, but a landmark in album rock.  Rod Argent reflected on it in the liner notes to Rhino’s 1987 reissue: “The songs were inspired by a variety of influences, but they were songs which came from our hearts. They were not the result of a producer or record company imposing their views of what a hit single might be. Some of the songs were romantic, others sparked by literature (‘Butchers Tale,’ ‘Brief Candles’) – ‘A Rose for Emily’ was inspired by a Faulkner short story. Chris reflected on his experience growing up near Beechwood Park in his song of that name. ‘Time of the Season’ was actually influenced by Smokey Robinson’s ‘The Tracks of My Tears.'”  All of these diverse influences added up to a haunting, intricate song cycle with baroque orchestration, psychedelia, blues and rock hand-in-hand.

Varese’s upcoming edition of the oft-reissued title has been freshly remastered at d2 Mastering and adds seven bonus tracks as well as new liner notes by co-producer Andrew Sandoval and rare photographs.  The bonuses comprise the mono mix of “I’ll Call You Mine” and “I Want Her She Wants Me;” alternate takes and mixes of “Care of Cell 44;” a version with cello of “A Rose for Emily;” a non-overdubbed stereo mix of “This Will Be Our Year;” and a remix of the hit single “Time of the Season.”

Look for the newly-expanded Odessey and Oracle on March 17 at the links below!

The Zombies, Odessey and Oracle: 50th Anniversary Edition (Date LP TES 4013, 1968 – reissued Varese Vintage, 2017) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

1. Care of Cell 44
2. A Rose for Emily
3. Maybe After He’s Gone
4. Beechwood Park
5. Brief Candles
6. Hung Up on a Dream
7. Changes
8. I Want Her She Wants Me
9. This Will Be Our Year
10. Butcher’s Tale (Western Front 1914)
11. Friends of Mine
12. Time of the Season
13. I’ll Call You Mine (Mono Mix)
14. Care of Cell 44 (Takes 1 & 2 Backing Track)
15. Care of Cell 44 (Alternate Mix)
16. A Rose for Emily (Cello Version)
17. I Want Her She Wants Me (Mono Mix – with backing vocals)
18. This Will Be Our Year (Stereo Mix – without overdubs)
19. Time of the Season (Remix)