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The album that The Jam’s Paul Weller said everyone should hear
Best known as The Jam‘s frontman, the multi-instrumentalist and singer Paul Weller is one of the most influential British artists from the Punk Rock and New Wave scene. During his career the musician explore many music genres as a member of the Style Council, on his solo work and contributions with other artists.
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In an interview with NME back in 2018, Weller named the album that in his opinion people should listen at least once.
The album that The Jam’s Paul Weller said everyone should hear
The musician chose “Odessey & Oracle” (1967) by the British band The Zombies, saying: “When it came out in 1968, no-one bought it. By the time it had come out the band had split. I didn’t hear it until the mid-’70s. But when I did it just blew my head off.”
“Me and my mate used to sit around in his flat, as teenagers, in the Autumn with leaves on the ground everywhere in Woking park, listening to this, writing songs, making plans. It’s obviously a very English-sounding record, and melancholic. There’s jazz and classical influences in there, as well as the psychedelic touches,” Paul Weller said.
One of the most influential bands from the 60s, The Zombies were led by the famous keyboardist and vocalist Rod Argent, later known for the band Argent. Even with a short career, with only two albums and one EP released in the 60s, the records had many hits that peaked on the charts in the United States and United Kingdom.
The EP “The Zombies” (1964), the albums “Begin Here” (1965) and “Odessey and Oracle” had famous songs like “Time Of The Season”, “Care of Cell 44”, “This Will Be Our Year”, “She’s Not There” and “Summertime”.
After the break-up in 1968 the band reunited in the early and late 90s and then returned again in 2004 reamingin active until nowadays with the two classic members Rod Argent (Keyboards, backing and lead vocals) and Colin Blunstone (Lead and backing vocals).
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame back in 2019 by Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles. She said in her speech: “Their music moves me with its poignancy to tears, it reminds me of what it is to be alive”.
