Colin Blunstone, lead singer of The Zombies and an acclaimed solo artist, is on a sixteen date tour of the UK
with the Believe In Miracles Tour, his first national solo outing in seven years. The tour title is a nod to his 1972 hit `I Don’t Believe In Miracles`. The artist celebrated his eightieth birthday last June at the London premiere of Hung Up On A Dream: The Zombies Documentary, the first-ever feature film chronicling the band’s journey from teenage friends to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees.
Special guest this evening is West Virginia-born Houston-raised Jesse Lynn Madera who shared a really engaging forty minute showcase of what she has to offer musically. The opening number `Sweet Pretender` was delightfully contemplative on maybe a relationship that seems on its last legs. There was what the singer called her fight song with `This is What We`ve Become` and her latest single `Woke Up in L.A` which because of the word “crap” had to be remixed as the British censors wouldn`t allow it on the radio. Tonight, it was shared in all its uncensored glory. `Austin`, her saucy number was her last song with her accompanying musicians violinist Martin Sedlak a native of Benesov, Czech Republic but living in Kew West, Florida these days and Nashville, Tennessee’s Jesse Cole an accomplished guitarist. Jesse Lynn rounded off her set with a stripped back strummed guitar version of `That House` about a mean stepfather. Jesse`s latest album `Speed of Sound` has a fair number of the tracks she shared this evening and really exhibits the depth that this soulful Country tinged artist can offer.
There`s little fuss as Colin and his five piece band take to the stage and head into the rhythmic `Indication`.
He then shares that the next song `I Love You` was written by the Zombies bassist Chris White and offered to `People!` an American psychedelic rock band who scored a major hit in America with it. The audience were encouraged to sing along with the expansive `Tell Her No` from the Zombies debut album. Then the singer explains that most of the first part of the show will be Zombies numbers and the latter, songs he has recorded solo or in collaboration. Rod Argent, Colin`s long time musical partner retired in 2024 after a heart attack and Colin feels he should carry on their legacy, which I have to agree.
The rocky `Its Alright With Me` we learn came from the band’s first ever session at Decca while `I Don’t Believe In Miracles` highlights the rich texture and depth of the singers vocals but it’s a cover Denny Laine’s `Say You Don’t Mind` that has everybody clapping along. `What Becomes of the Brokenhearted` a hit for both Colin and Jimmy Ruffin has all and sundry singing along but for me it was the tender `Hung Up On A Dream` where Colin`s vocals were almost breathtaking.
The iconic and slightly psychedelic `Time of the Season` from the `Odessey and Oracle` album is not only my favourite Zombies number but also my favourite Zombies album and Colin coaches us in not only clapping along but supplying the breathy “aaahs” which we all did with vigour. We enjoy an acoustic section with the dreamy `Misty Roses` penned by Tim Hardin, `Any Other Way` and `Caroline Goodbye` but one of the most incredible songs this evening was `Old and Wise` an Alan Parsons Project number which featured the singer. I have to admit it had me close to tears. To top it all the band closed the night out with `She’s Not There` which Santana covered and almost made it their own. Its staggering to think that an eighteen year old singer could produce such a classic song.
Colin asked us if we wanted one final number, which obviously we did and finished with `Just Out Of Reach` a song that he himself wrote. This evening was an absolute masterclass in how to structure and present a show and Colin`s band were the cream of the crop with Steve Rodford on drums, a long-time member of the Zombies, Søren Koch on guitar who has also played in the Zombies for a number of years, Dean Anschutz on percussion and also Dave Bainbridge keys and guitar and Chas Cronk on bass who were also members of folk rock legends The Strawbs.
There are only three dates left on this tour so if you want to catch this amazing living legend in the flesh you`ll need to get a step on. There`s a new album planned and an intimate show in St Albans in October which will be worth investing in. I was really blown away with this evenings show and know that if its not my gig of the year come December, it will be pretty close.
