

•••
MOJO
NEW ALBUM "ON THE AIR TONIGHT" REVIEWED IN OCTOBER ISSUE 228
Re-energised, newly respected the ex (?) -Zombie is back with his 11th. solo album. Of late there's been a new appreciation of Blunstone and the voice that gave us everything from She's Not There to I Don't Believe In Miracles. This outing doesn't detract. Opener Turn Your Heart Around is classic, anthemic soft rock given meaning by Blunstone's nuanced edge; the guitar break alone (Tom Toomey) is so soaringly perfect, you know you're in the hands of genius. The title track, a deft soulful ballad, is classy, too. The big surprise is a number of sparer numbers. Though You Are Far Away channels Scott Walker's late-period haiku; Not Our Time is a tender, Carpenters style lament.
I'm proud to announce that I have been invited to become a patron of Megan Baker House, which does such wonderful work providing free Conductive Education Service for children, teenagers and adults with special educational needs and physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, head injury, stroke, dyspraxia and early on-set Parkinson's disease. I'll keep you up to date as I find out more about their methods and their successes and in the meantime why not check out their website?
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UNVEILING OF THE BLUE PLAQUE TO COMMEMORATE THE FIRST MEETING
OF THE ZOMBIES AT THE BLACKSMITH'S ARMS, ST.ALBANS, IN APRIL 1961. 
Many thanks to everyone who made the unveiling of the blue plaque on Friday 27th. April such a success. Especially to Tony Dawson Hill and his wife Gill who's idea it was in the first place and to The Blacksmith's Arms landlord Mark and his magnificent staff for keeping the hundreds of people who came happy, fed and watered!!!
It's incredible to think that 51 years ago the 5 original members of The Zombies met outside The Blacksmith's Arms before their very first rehearsal and now here we are today preparing for our next tours in the U.K., U.S. Holland, Japan and The Philippines. I had absolutely no idea that I was starting a musical career that would last for the rest of my life and am forever grateful for the opportunities that music has given me.
I'm not sure when the original members of The Zombies will have a chance to meet up again as Hugh is moving to Spain shortly and I wish him and his wife Tracy every happiness in their new life on the Mediterranean. Meanwhile the present incarnation of The Zombies will be rehearsing this week prior to beginning a U.K. tour in Cardiff at "The Garage" on Monday 7th. May (details of all dates are on the gigs page).
Later this week I will be hearing the finished version of my new solo album "On The Air Tonight" and we will then be mastering and finalising the artwork ready for a September release. Of course everything we're doing today is only happening because of that first meeting in St.Albans all those years ago and I know I will go back to the Blacksmith's Arms from time to time to look at the blue plaque and remember what a wonderful adventure began in St.Albans in April 1961.
all the best,
Colin.
The Zombies UK tour begins May 7th www.thezombies.net

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