The Zombies reveal new single and video 'Dropped Reeling & Stupid'

Exciting news! The Zombies are back with a new single, and the legendary band plans to release the studio album "Different Game" on March 31, 2023. Listen to the great new jazz-rock track "Dropped Reeling & Stupid" and get more details on the upcoming album below...Robert Kinsler

THE ZOMBIES REVEAL NEW SINGLE & VIDEO “DROPPED REELING & STUPID” FULL ALBUM ‘DIFFERENT GAME’ RELEASING WORLDWIDE MARCH 31st, 2023 ON COOKING VINYL RECORDS NEW TOUR DATES & SXSW APPEARANCE ANNOUNCED

Album pre-order link: https://thezombies.lnk.to/differentgamePR 

“Dropped Reeling & Stupid” streaming link: https://thezombies.lnk.to/DRASPR 

Animated lyric video link: https://thezombies.lnk.to/DRASPR/youtube 

Media release 

January 12, 2023 - Rock & Roll Hall of Famers The Zombies have released a brand new track and animated lyric video, “Dropped Reeling & Stupid”, on streaming services ahead of a full album CD, vinyl and digital release March 31st worldwide on UK indie label Cooking Vinyl Records. 

In support of the release, and a forthcoming feature documentary, the band will resume their “Life Is A Merry-Go-Round” Tour in 2023 with appearances at Austin’s famed music & film festival, South by SouthWest (SXSW), new concerts announced in Texas and New Orleans, followed by a full UK run in the Spring, and more extensive touring planned throughout the year. The Zombies began work on the album, titled Different Game, after their 2019 induction into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a USA tour with Beach Boys auteur Brian Wilson. 

The band, which features founding keyboardist Rod Argent and lead singer Colin Blunstone, along with drummer Steve Rodford, guitarist Tom Toomey and bassist Søren Koch, hoped to finish writing and recording the follow-up to their Billboard-charting 2015 album Still Got That Hunger during a busy 2020 touring schedule, but COVID-19 had other plans for them. 

As primary songwriter and producer Rod Argent relates, the band was not content to record remotely: “Making this album has been a joy from start to finish. Post-lockdown, we were absolutely determined to come together and record in as “live” a way as we could - to capture that magical, fleeting quality of energy and immediacy of performance.….“Dropped Reeling & Stupid” is our first streamed release …… Can’t wait for you to hear it!” 

Despite the Pandemic, The Zombies made the past three years productive, finishing the album, and giving fans previews of their new songs with a live-streamed concert from Abbey Road Studios London in 2021, and 65 concerts across North America and Europe in 2022 for the launch of their “Life Is A Merry-Go-Round” Tour. Along with rockers like “Dropped Reeling & Stupid”, Different Game will also feature tender acoustic ballads with classical string arrangements, and is produced by Rod Argent together with the band’s longtime live audio engineer Dale Hanson. The album cover for Different Game exemplifies the independent and hard-working spirit of a band that refuses to rest on the laurels of a 6-decade career, and comes from a photo taken by Rod Argent during a touring misadventure in the Arizona desert this past Summer. 

Singer Colin Blunstone explains: “We were traveling from Southern California to Tucson, when our tour van’s engine suddenly caught fire! We spent about 5 hours stranded in the remote Arizona desert, but thanks to our intrepid team and crew, we were rescued and made it to our next show! It was a harrowing experience, but also beautiful and surreal.” The animated lyric video for “Dropped Reeling & Stupid”, produced by Animind Studio, is inspired by the band’s desert mishap. The album is being released in advance of a new feature documentary entitled Hung Up On A Dream, directed by musician and filmmaker Robert Schwartzman, and co-produced by Schwartzman’s Utopia Films, The Ranch Productions, and Tom Hanks’ Playtone, slated for release later in 2023. 

Different Game track listing: 

Different Game 

Dropped Reeling & Stupid 

Rediscover 

Runaway 

You Could Be My Love 

Merry-Go-Round 

Love You While I Can 

I Want to Fly 

Got to Move On 

The Sun Will Rise Again 

Tour dates are listed below, with more shows to be announced for 2023.

USA Shows:
Jan 28-Feb 2, 2023 - Caribbean Sea - On The Blue Cruise
March 11-17, 2023 - Austin, TX - SXSW Film & Music Festival
March 18, 2023 - San Antonio, TX - Aztec Theatre
March 21, 2023 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues
March 22, 2023 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
March 24, 2023 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
March 26-30, 2023 - Caribbean Sea - Flower Power Cruise

UK Shows:
April 05, 2023 - Wimborne Minster, UK - Tivoli Theatre
April 06, 2023 - Exmouth, UK - Exmouth Pavilion
April 07, 2023 - Fletching, UK - Trading Boundaries
April 08, 2023 - Fletching, UK - Trading Boundaries
April 09, 2023 - Fletching, UK - Trading Boundaries
April 12, 2023 - Pontardawe, UK - Pontardawe Arts Centre
April 13, 2023 - Bristol, UK - The Fleece - SOLD OUT
April 14, 2023 - London, UK - Islington Assembly Hall
April 15, 2023 - Bury St. Edmunds, UK - The Apex
April 18, 2023 - Norwich, UK - Epic Studios
April 19, 2023 - Felixstowe, UK - Spa Pavilion
April 20, 2023 - Harpenden, UK - Eric Morecambe Centre
April 21, 2023 - Harpenden, UK - Eric Morecambe Centre
April 23, 2023 - Kinross, UK - Backstage at The Green Hotel - SOLD OUT
April 24, 2023 - Kinross, UK - Backstage at The Green Hotel
April 26, 2023 - Glasgow, UK - Òran Mór - SOLD OUT
April 27, 2023 - Holmfirth, UK - Picturedrome
April 29, 2023 - Taunton, UK - Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre
April 30, 2023 - Bury, UK - The Met
May 03, 2023 - Stockton-on-Tees, UK - ARC
May 04, 2023 - Carlisle, UK - Old Fire Station
May 05, 2023 - New Brighton, UK - Floral Pavilion
May 06, 2023 - Milton Keynes, UK - The Stables - SOLD OUT

Check out the band's upcoming tour dates via The Zombies' website HERE.

About The Zombies: 

The second UK band following The Beatles to score a #1 hit in America, The Zombies infiltrated the airwaves with the sophisticated melodies, breathy vocals, choral back-up harmonies and jazzy keyboard riffs of their 1960’s hit singles “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No.” Ironically, the original lineup disbanded just prior to achieving their greatest success – the worldwide chart-topping single “Time of the Season,” from their swan-song album Odessey and Oracle, ranked in the Top 100 of Rolling Stone’s ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time.’ To this day, generations of new bands have cited The Zombies’ work as pop touchstones, and the band continues to be embraced by new generations of fans. Following the break-up of the original band, Blunstone went on to develop an acclaimed solo career, while Argent rocked arenas in the 1970’s with his eponymous band ARGENT, but the legend of The Zombies continued to take on a life of its own. By the start of the new Millennium, Blunstone and Argent were inspired to resurrect The Zombies, which has led to several critically-acclaimed new albums and 2 decades of worldwide concert performances. 

For More Information On The Zombies: 

https://www.thezombiesmusic.com/

About Cooking Vinyl Records: 

Cooking Vinyl, established in 1986, is home to an eclectic mix of artists including The Darkness, Professor Green, Ladytron, Dave Rowntree, Don Letts, Passenger, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Billy Bragg, The Fratellis, Del Amitri, BABYMETAL, The Waterboys, Ron Sexsmith, The Jordan and many more. Recent successes include: Shortlisted for the 3rd year running for the Music Week Awards - Best Label/Artist Services Company. Nina Nesbitt surpassing over 1 billion career streams and gaining 278 New Music Fridays across her most recent album campaign. Passenger securing #2 UK Album, #2 Swiss Album, #3 German Album, #6 Australian Album, Del Amitri #5 UK Album and highest German chart position of their career and BABYMETAL securing #2 Current Albums, #1 Rock & Indie and #13 Billboard Top 200 in the US. Cooking Vinyl has consistently been at the forefront of the digital revolution and evolution. In 2005 the label set up its own online distribution company, Uploader, which was sold to the Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA). Subsequently Cooking Vinyl then set up the independent distribution company Essential Music which was bought by Sony Red in 2016 and soon after became The Orchard UK.

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New Music: Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy, Maple Mars, The Zombies

In this column, I highlight three outstanding new titles.

Artists: Phil Lynott, Thin Lizzy

Titles: "Phil Lynott Songs For While I'm Away"; "Thin Lizzy The Boys Are Back In Town Live At The Sydney Opera House October 1978" (Mercury Studios)

You might like if you enjoy: Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore, music documentary films

Tell me more: Regardless if you are a hardcore or casual fan, or know very little about Irish singer-songwriter-bassist Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy fame, a wonderful new dual title marks the perfect chance to learn more about the groundbreaking artist. Available as a Blu-ray+DVD+CD (reviewed here) or as a 2xDVD+CD, Mercury Studios' release of "Phil Lynott Songs For While I'm Away" and "Thin Lizzy The Boys Are Back In Town Live At The Sydney Opera House October 1978" is one of the year's most important classic rock-minded titles. "Phil Lynott Songs For While I'm Away" is a compelling feature-length documentary that explores the rich life and music of Lynott, a black boy raised in Dublin who became one of the Emerald Isle's most beloved music artists. Written and directed by Emer Reynolds, the film uses film footage, new and historic interviews, and Lynott's memorable songs to chronicle his life (sadly, he passed away at the age of 36 in January 1986). Among the notables who share insights into Lynott are bassist Adam Clayton (U2), Huey Lewis (Huey Lewis & The News), James Hatfield (Metallica), members of Thin Lizzy, and Lynott's wife and two daughters. "Thin Lizzy The Boys Are Back In Town Live At The Sydney Opera House October 1978" was previously released via VHS, Laserdisc and DVD, but the new version on this title presents the concert with cleaned up video and remixed audio from multi-track recordings. Additionally, five songs from the performance never before seen are among the bonus features. Thin Lizzy is seen in a rousing performance with Lynott, guitarists Scott Gorham and Gary Moore and drummer Mark Nauseef delivering powerful versions of "Jailbreak," "Bad Reputation," "Waiting For An Alibi," "The Boys Are Back In Town" and other winning originals. Information: MercuryStudios.co or ThinLizzyOfficial.com. 

Artist: Maple Mars

Title: Someone's Got To Listen (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, Fountains of Wayne, The Move

Tell me more: Maple Mars is back! The Los Angeles-based quartet has released Someone's Got To Listen, a terrific 10-track effort that also marks the outfit's first new full-length album since 2010's Galaxyland. Loaded with an intoxicating mix of psychedelic rock, tuneful songcraft and artful arrangements, Someone's Got To Listen extols '60s influences while tapping into modern day heft. There is truly no filler on the outstanding disc, which boasts one must hear original after another. My faves include the irresistible opener "Useless Information," luxurious "Gliding," soaring harmonies-adorned "Teenage Dream," nuanced "Goodbye California," and driving "Silver Craft" (bolstered by some fantastic guitar work). The ambitious closer "Redemption" caps the outstanding return. Maple Mars' talented lineup includes Rick Hromadka (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Steve Berns (guitar), Ron Pak (drums, vocals) and Joe Giddings (bass, vocals). Someone's Got To Listen is set for release on Friday, July 22. Information: BigStirRecords.com. 

Artist: The Zombies

Title: The Zombies - Live From Studio Two (Red House Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Zombies 

Tell me more: Concertgoers attending any of The Zombies forthcoming live dates — including the highly anticipated appearance at Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown on July 21 — will want to pick up a copy of The Zombies - Live From Studio Two, a CD+DVD release that features the group's live performance captured at Abbey Road Studios in London on Sept. 18, 2021. The only performance staged by the British rock group in 2021, the 90-minute performance shines as both a concert film and audio-only affair. At the Sept. 18, 2021 concert, the quintet thrilled with a mix of enduring classics, artful covers, deep cuts as well as the live premiere of new songs set to be included on an as-of-yet untitled album likely to be released sometime this year. Led by founding members Rod Argent (keyboards, vocals) and Colin Blunstone (lead vocals), the group also includes guitarist-backing vocalist Tom Toomey, drummer Steve Rodford and bassist-backing vocalist Søren Koch. The five members have a strong chemistry and together display top-tier musicianship and resplendent harmonies bringing the Zombies signature masterful style blending classic rock, baroque pop, jazz and blues to life throughout their 90-minute performance. Blunstone's vocals defy time, and his soaring tenor remains a true wonder. The release is also available for purchase on the group's website. Information: TheZombiesMusic.com. 

Robert Kinsler

Colin Blunstone celebrates The Zombies' enduring power ahead of Pappy and Harriet's concert

Who: The Zombies, Rooney

Where: Pappy and Harriet's, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown, CA

When: July 21, 2022 (doors open at 6 p.m.; show at 8 p.m.)

Information: pappyandharriets.com

Colin Blunstone performing with The Zombies at Abbey Road
Studios in London on Sept. 18, 2021.
Photo: Jules Annan

Ahead of The Zombies' forthcoming headlining performance at Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown on July 21, lead singer Colin Blunstone discussed the enduring power of the pioneering English rock troupe. Blunstone — who celebrated his 77th birthday on June 24 — remains one of rock music's greatest vocalists and is as passionate about making music today as he was when the Zombies were formed more than 60 years ago.

When the Zombies perform in the California high desert on July 21, they will perform their beloved 1960s material as well as top-tier songs from recent albums and their not-yet-titled ninth studio album.

"It’s finished, actually – it was finished about 8-10 weeks ago," Blunstone said of the group's forthcoming album in a recent interview. 

"We’ve already been to America once this year – mostly on the East Coast. Just before we landed for that first tour (of 2022) — we flew on the 26^th of March and the album was finished in that week before we left. So it’s completely finished. I don’t have a release date and I don’t even have a title. I do know the album is finished and it’s interesting because we realized that we like to record with everyone in the studio at the same time... It just gives you that extra energy that we’re playing off one another’s performances." 

The Zombies, from left, are keyboardist Rod Argent, bassist Søren Koch, singer
Colin Blunstone, drummer Steve Rodford and guitarist Tom Toomey.
Photo: Jules Annan

In addition to Blunstone and original keyboardist-vocalist Rod Argent, the Zombies lineup includes drummer Steve Rodford, guitarist Tom Toomey and bassist Søren Koch. Because the Zombies record in the studio together, the pandemic impacted the process of completing their latest album.

"Because of the pandemic it wasn’t really that easy," Blunstone said of the effort to complete a follow-up to the acclaimed 2015 album Still Got That Hunger. "None of us live close to one another in the U.K. And our bass player Søren Koch actually lives in Denmark. There were only specific times we could get together because a lot of the times in those first two years it was very difficult. You weren’t really allowed to mix (together) in a studio situation. So one way or another, we managed to get an album done. We’re really excited about it."

The Zombies previewed several of the new songs in their only appearance of 2021, a global livestream of their concert live from Abbey Road Studios. That concert event was filmed and is now available as a CD+DVD release titled "The Zombies Live From Studio Two"; the title is available for sale exclusively at the band's concert dates.

The upcoming date in Pioneertown will mark the Zombies' first-ever appearance at legendary Pappy and Harriet's.

"I have heard of the reputation of this place and how unusual it is. I’m very much looking forward to going there," Blunstone said.

Colin Blunstone, seen second from right in this 1960s photo, is
with (from left) bassist Chris White, keyboardist Rod Argent, the late guitarist Paul Atkinson and drummer Hugh Grundy. Photo courtesy of The Zombies

The Zombies' original run lasted from their formation in 1961 until they completed the recording of their 1968 masterwork Odessey and Oracle (the album was ranked number 100 on Rolling Stones' 2012 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time). Incredibly, the group returned in 1999 and has now soared to new heights that included their well-deserved induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. Blunstone admits he is amazed at the band's celebrated second act.

"I’ve learned in the music business that you never know what’s gonna happen. And literally, anything can happen anytime. You’re quite right. The Zombies first got together in ’61 and we finished in ’67. So I think it was about (another) year before ‘Time Of The Season’ was a hit in the States. Kind of strange that it was a hit a year after the band ceased to exist. 

"With this band what happened really was I had a solo band and my keyboard player – a lovely bloke, a great player – he had an Achilles Heel in that if anybody asked him to play a concert of his songs he would just go off and just forget about all these other obligations. So I kept showing up to concerts and not having a keyboard player. I had six dates left on a tour and I thought, I’ll just take a chance and see if Rod (Argent) would do these six dates. He was very much involved as a producer at that time. He was having a lot of success and I had no idea if the thought of playing live again would appeal to him and I think he had mixed feelings but he said to me ‘I’ll do those six dates but I think that will probably be enough for me.’ And he really enjoyed it. Who would know from a chance phone call that we would be touring again for the next twentysomething years – 23 years."

Colin Blunstone at the Greek
Theatre in September 2018.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

The Zombies continue to inspire new generations of musicians and fans with their luxurious and signature style of psychedelic rock that is fused with jazz and baroque pop elements. Indeed, the band was invited to open for Arcade Fire at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in September 2018 (read a review of that concert HERE).

"One of the things that really excites us is the new songs get the same sort of reaction as the classic hits, and – also – we can see the people are singing the words to the new songs and that really lifts us when we realize that," Blunstone noted. 

"I think from my point of view the most exciting time for me in the Zombies has been seeing this band grow just through touring and playing live – because we haven’t been particularly active in the charts – just word of mouth through our live performances seeing this band grow from a band playing in rooms in the back of pubs to playing really big venues. It has been definitely the most exciting and fulfilling part of my life to see this band – the second incarnation of The Zombies – to see them grow in the way they have." 

For more information on The Zombies, visit the band's official website at TheZombiesMusic.com.

The Zombies bring magic to a global audience via performance from Abbey Road Studios

The Zombies

Where: Studio 2 at Abbey Road Studios in London

When: Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021

Learn more: www.thezombiesmusic.com

Review by Robert Kinsler

Photography by Jules Annan

The Zombies took advantage of every single moment of their only public performance of the year on Sept. 18, 2021 to celebrate a 60-year legacy that continues to grow and thrill fans across the globe.

The Zombies, from left, are keyboardist Rod Argent, bassist Søren Koch,
singer Colin Blunstone, drummer Steve Rodford and guitarist Tom Toomey.

It is hard to believe that the British band — whose inception dates back to a jam held in St. Albans, England in 1961 — continues to be among today's most exciting rock groups. The growing parade of the band's admirers includes everyone from Paul Weller and the late Tom Petty to Paramore singer Hayley Williams, Arcade Fire and Susanna Hoffs (the famed Bangles singer-guitarist famously inducted the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019). At the worldwide livestream staged in Studio 2 at Abbey Road Studios on Sept. 18, the quintet thrilled with a mix of enduring classics, artful covers, deep cuts as well as the live premiere of new songs set to be included on an as-of-yet untitled album likely to be released in 2022.

Colin Blunstone at Abbey Road Studios on Sept. 18.

Led by founding members Rod Argent (keyboards, vocals) and Colin Blunstone (lead vocals), the group also includes guitarist-backing vocalist Tom Toomey, drummer Steve Rodford and bassist-backing vocalist Søren Koch. The five members have a strong chemistry and together displayed top-tier musicianship and resplendent harmonies to bring the Zombies signature masterful style blending classic rock, baroque pop, jazz and blues to life throughout their 90-minute livestream. Blunstone's vocals defy time, and his soaring tenor remains a true wonder.

Rod Argent performing on Sept. 18, 2021.

Opening with a luminous version of "Moving On," the band's performance was equaled by the fantastic high-resolution visuals and great sound provided via the livestream. The band's 1965 single "I Want You Back Again" followed, this rendition a nod to the version covered by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers featured on their The Live Anthology released in 2009. Argent's wistful keyboard solo and Blunstone's soaring tenor bolstered the classic.

The jazzy "Edge of the Rainbow," driving "I Love You" and rocking cover of Denny Laine's "Say You Don't Mind" were other early standouts. 

From left, Søren Koch and Tom Toomey.

The Zombies then premiered several new songs, bringing the Q Strings quartet to the stage to further boost the new selections. The first of the songs, a beautiful chamber pop gem titled "Different Game," featured Argent playing a Mellotron; the song ended with the strings sans the rest of the group in a beautiful instrumental section. The lovely "You Could Be My Love" followed, bolstered by the strings and Argent's playing on a grand piano. A version of "I Want To Fly" also benefitted from the work of the quartet (sisters Laura, Ellie and Amy Stanford, and Jess Cox).

Throughout the event, Argent and Blunstone often shared interesting insights into the background of the creation or recording of their songs. For example, Blunstone noted that while in the studio recording "Tell Her No" around Christmas in 1964 they learned that they had just scored their first number 1 hit in America ("She's Not There"). 

They then performed a four-song set of tracks from their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle, noting that when they entered Abbey Road Studios to begin work on the LP in June 1967 they literally were there right after The Beatles completed work on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Zombies were able to use some of the same instruments used by the Fab Four on their sessions.

A divine "Care of Cell 44," joyful "This Will Be Our Year" and melodic "I Want Her She Wants Me" were performed first, with the band's beloved "Time of the Season" expanded with an extended solo by Argent. 

From left, Rod Argent, Søren Koch and Tom Toomey.

The winning rock original "Merry Go Round" and debut performance of the reflective "Run Away (For All My Life)" followed.

A marathon-length version of Argent's "Hold Your Head Up" was dedicated to Jim Rodford (the long-time bassist of the Zombies and former member of Argent and the Kinks died in January 2018). 

The main set ended with a sweeping take on "She's Not There" complete with Argent and Toomey dueling on their instruments before Steve Rodford and Koch were featured in a rhythm section break-out.  Before leaving the studio, a tender version of "The Way I Feel Inside" focusing on Blunstone's vocals and Argent's skillful work on the grand piano provided the perfect close to the latest chapter in the Zombies' singular journey.  

The Zombies' setlist at Abbey Road Studios on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021

Drummer Steve Rodford of The Zombies.

Moving On

I Want You Back Again

Edge of the Rainbow

I Love You

Say You Don't Mind (Denny Laine cover)

Different Game (live debut, with string quartet)

You Could Be My Love (live debut with string quartet)

I Want To Fly (with string quartet)

Tell Her No

Care of Cell 44

This Will Be Our Year

I Want Her She Wants Me

Time of the Season

Merry Go Round

Run Away (For All My Life) — (live debut)

Hold Your Head Up (Argent cover)

She's Not There

The Way I Feel Inside

Concert review: Brian Wilson and The Zombies bring classics to Fantasy Springs Resort

"Something Great From '68" Tour
Who: Brian Wilson, The Zombies
Where: Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, CA
When: Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019


Less than a week after catching The Rolling Stones thrill a packed State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ, I was able to catch a decidedly more intimate bill celebrating '60s-spawned rock courtesy of a promising bill featuring Brian Wilson and The Zombies at the Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio on Sept. 1.

The Zombies performing in Indio on Sept. 1, 2019.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Fresh off the band's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year, England's Zombies have continued to enjoy a well-deserved resurgence because of a number of fortuitous factors including burgeoning interest in the band's 1968 masterwork Odessey and Oracle and a slew of high-profile performances showcasing the fully-intact talents of singer Colin Blunstone and keyboardist-composer Rod Argent. In fact, prior to catching The Zombies in Indio on Sunday night, this writer last caught the band earn a standing ovation opening for Arcade Fire at the Greek Theater in Hollywood in September 2018.

The crowd at Fantasy Springs was rewarded with a special set that covered the band's stellar range of intoxicating material. Opening with the blues rock nugget "Roadrunner" (the Bo Diddley cover was the first song on the band's 1965 debut Begin Here), the Zombies covered plenty of sonic territory over 65 minutes. With a style that seamlessly blends rock, pop, jazz, classical and R&B, the Zombies (also featuring drummer Steve Rodford, guitarist Tom Toomey and bassist Søren Koch) showcased beloved classic material highlighted by a mini-set from Odessey and Oracle including an extended "Time of the Season." However, concertgoers seemed to really appreciate the group's newer tracks (including "Moving On" and "Edge of the Rainbow" off 2015's Still Got That Hunger); a definite highlight was when the Zombies debuted a newly-written song titled "Merry Go Round," a stellar and infectious rock track complete with some shining harmony vocals. Every time Blunstone's amazing tenor would fly or Argent would take off on a virtuoso keyboards solo, crowd members would cheer.

The Zombies' closed out their magical set with a terrific version of their first hit "She's Not There," which featured Argent and Toomey trading flashy solos before Koch and Rodford got into the act showcasing their artful chops too. 

Brian Wilson, lower left, joined by Al Jardine, lower right, in Indio.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Wilson's headlining performance was more complex for the audience — as well as yours truly — to process. Wilson, 77, had postponed a two-week tour in June 2019 focused on "Pet Sounds," noting his long-running bout with mental illness was behind the decision.

Brian Wilson behind the piano. Photo: Robert Kinsler

Watching Wilson wheeled on stage and positioned behind a piano (often motionless during parts of the 95-minute performance) was surprising and unsettling for many in the crowd, but the good news is that the celebrated singer-songwriter brought a terrific ensemble with him to recreate a parade of timeless classics from the 1960s and early '70s.

Al Jardine performing at Fantasy Springs Resort.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Chief among the contributors who brought the classics to life were his Beach Boys bandmates Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin. Jardine, 76, was particularly strong throughout the show with his excellent work on rhythm guitar and vocals adding to the effectiveness of the set. Indeed, Jardine conjured up magic when nailing the lead vocals on "Help Me, Rhonda," a 1965 hit that first showcased his vocals in the group. Chaplin's vocals and fiery guitar work was put in the spotlight during a rousing take on "Sail On Sailor."

A total of 29 songs were performed, with the biggest hits coming at the beginning of the set and later to close things out. In the middle of the set were 17 mostly-unknown gems pulled primarily from under-the-radar LPs Wild Honey (1967), Friends (1968) and Surf's Up (1971). Particularly stirring of these lesser-known songs was the melodic "Darlin' " (featuring fantastic vocals from keyboardist Darian Sahanaja) psychedelic surf rocker "Meant For You," probing "Til I Die," and vocally-dense "Heroes and Villains."

The night ended on a high note with Wilson and company unleashing many of the Beach Boys' best known top hits including a faithful rendition of "Good Vibrations," the aforementioned "Help Me, Rhonda," "Barbara Ann," "Surfin' U.S.A.," and night-ending "Fun, Fun, Fun."

Review by Robert Kinsler