It was over three years ago when I last saw The Zombies play Music City. The sparse crowd then at the War Memorial led to a downsizing for their return in 2014 at Third & Lindsley: a show that I sadly missed.  There was additional venue shrinkage for the Zombies again this year with their move to the classy and intimate City Winery. All I can say is that local music fans don’t know what they are missing.

The band worked from a similar set list structure to the 2013 show I saw. The main difference was weaving in six songs from yet another great new Zombies’ LP, 2015’s Still Got That Hunger.

The lead Zombies, Argent and Blunstone are now both 71 years old. Their faces may show their age, but their playing and especially their solid singing doesn’t show it one bit.

Later this year, many Baby Boomer rock fans will be travelling west to what has been dubbed “Oldchella.” There they will see some artists from the Zombies era who have not aged as well as this band—especially vocally. Too bad they didn’t invite some lesser acts like The Zombies to participate. They would have really helped everyone get their money’s worth.

One of the acts playing that festival, Sir Paul McCartney, had a vital role to play on new The Zombies record. The track, Maybe Tomorrow, closes with Colin singing the following lines, the last of which he sang in the style of Macca’s classic song:

We should forget about today
Just like the Beatles used say
I believe in yesterday

Well, Colin told us the story of how days before the new record’s scheduled release, things abruptly came to a halt since any use of Beatle’s lyrics like this is strictly prohibited. However, the happy ending came when Sir Paul himself got to hear the song and give a last minute thumbs up.

The Zombies continue to prove themselves as a band solidly holding on to its past while at the same time continuing to produce great new music. I suggest you join the fan club and support these guys when they come to your town. You won’t be disappointed.

SETLIST:

1. I Love You
2. Can’t Nobody Love You (Solomon Burke cover)
3. I Want You Back Again
4. Goin’ Out of My Head (Little Anthony & the Imperials cover)
5. Moving On
6. Edge of the Rainbow
7. I Don’t Believe in Miracles
8. Care of Cell 44
9. This Will Be Our Year
10. I Want Her She Wants Me
11. Time of the Season
12. Tell Her No
13. You Really Got a Hold on Me / Bring it on Home to Me (Smokey Robinson / Sam Cooke covers)
14. Maybe Tomorrow
15. New York
16. Caroline Goodbye
17. Chasing the Past
18. Hold Your Head Up (Argent cover)
19. She’s Not There
20. God Gave Rock & Roll to You (Argent cover)

BAND:
Colin Blunstone – Lead Vocals
Rod Argent – Organ and Vocals
Jim Rodford – Bass and Vocals
Tom Toomy – Guitar and Vocals
Steve Rodford – Drums