Excellent Package.
Robert Alan Bryan | Waldorf, Maryland USA | 11/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Beautiful Package. Lots of Photos. Informative Track Listing.
And the price is not too bad for a European Release. This 2 Disc set is in a tri-fold Digipack from Repertoire Records. ( www.repertoire.de ). I checked out the review on AllMusic.com before buying this set.
It was recommended though they quibbled about 5 tracks being from an EP rather than a proper single. That being said all the singles are here. The sound is very very good. The package for this set is superb. All the great songs are here. CD1 is fully mono. CD2 has 7 mono tracks.Put this set next to Begin Here and the 30th Anniversary of Odyssey and Oracle and you have all The Zombies you will ever need.
I think starting with this set wouldn't be a bad idea."
Innovative, Provocative, and Phenomenal
BellevueWA | Bellevue, WA | 09/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Zombies were, by far, a tremendously brilliant band, and clearly ahead of their time. Their music, must be one of the most truly unique in all of music history.
I wanted to include as many of their songs as possible, so I selected this CD.
I had researched which CD to choose, for two days, since there were many from which to choose, and reviewers' concerns about some albums. It is possible that the box set would probably be the best, but I finally selected this one, due to selection and the comments by other reviewers, plus the fact that it was one-third of the price of the box set. I really did not want mono, of course, but decided that it was better to have all selections, and sound quality, rather than to sacrifice selection for stereo, although a few tracks are in stereo on this one, on disc 2.
From the instant I played Singles A's and B's, I became very joyful over the CD, as well as the music. It is absolutely brilliant. Each and every song is highly creative, new and exciting. Small wonder that the Zombies were not a commercial success, and that they lasted but a few years as a band. It was just too much for the public at that time.
I now believe, as others stated, that The Zombies could in fact, be better musically than the Beatles, or other bands of the British Invasion. The vocals, tricky time signatures, fascinating organ, and everything else, makes this a virtual music paradise. The name, The Zombies, does not seem to be a good choice, and the earlier appearance of the guys, was in fact, somewhat square. But this CD is a gem, from beginning to end, and contains more than enough songs for me. I am not for the mono, but I knew it ahead of time, and enjoy it anyway, for the wonderful cultural and historical significance that it brings. If there was any way to revive this, and other styles of that era, as today's sounds, that would be a breath of fresh air, to be sure."
Worth the money?...
nicjaytee | London | 04/28/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"What makes The Zombies so interesting is that they produced three oddly syncopated, jazz-infused and wonderfully different singles: "She's Not There", "Tell Her No" and the beautifully atmospheric "Time of the Season"... so good that no 60s collection is complete without them... plus two further "you really should have them" singles in "Whenever You're Ready" & "Care of Cell 44". Problem is how do you find them on the same CD. Well here's one of a couple of compilations that include all five, surrounded by several other equally distinctive tracks and a large amount of intriguing, but probably "destined to be played only a couple of times" stuff. Worth the money?... well that depends on how many of their "classics" you already own."