Zombies - Ferry, Glasgow, 19/11/2011
by Andy Cassidy
published: 26 / 11 / 2011

intro
Andy Cassidy watches 60's veterans the Zombies, who are currently on their fiftieth anniversary tour, strike an excellent balance between nostalgia and their more contemporary and recent material at a show at the Ferry in Glasgow
It is hard to believe based on physical appearance, but the Zombies are currently touring in commemoration of their fiftieth anniversary. To watch them perform at Glasgow’s the Ferry on a Saturday night, one would have been forgiven for thinking that one was watching a band of thirty year olds. They may be in their mid to late sixties, but these guys are still rocking. The Ferry is moored on the side of the River Clyde, and has a terrific reputation as one of Glasgow’s best, and more unusual, venues. We opted to have dinner aboard, thereby ensuring that we had a table from which to watch the gig. The venue is split over two levels – an upstairs level overlooking the stage where food is served and a lower level where the majority of the audience are standing. Throughout the venue, there are numerous closed circuit TV screens in order that one can watch the band even if one’s view is blocked. The Zombies came on-stage around 8.30 p.m. to an incredible reception from an enthusiastic crowd made up of baby-boomers and younger fans in equal number. Musically the show was exceptional – the band is one of the tightest that I have ever seen and they simply ooze professionalism. Unlike so many of his peers, Colin Blunstone’s voice is as powerful today as it was on the records of the 1960s. The first half of the gig finished with a selection of tracks from 1968’s seminal 'Odessey and Oracle', ending with an exceptional performance of 'Time of the Season'. After a short break the rocking resumes, the band mixing tracks from their new album, 'Breathe Out, Breathe In' with such classics as 'She’s Not There' and 'Tell Her No'. The highlight for me came towards the end of the show with a blistering version of 'God Gave Rock and Roll to You'. By the end of the show, the entire audience was on its feet and singing along with the seemingly endless stream of classics. After the gig, founder members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent mingled and chatted with fans and signed merchandise. Unlike many other acts, the Zombies treat their audience with what seems like genuine affection and generosity. Blunstone and Argent are utterly charming and one can tell that both men clearly adore what they are doing. The gig had something for everyone. Musically it was superbly executed and the balance between nostalgia and more contemporary material was spot-on. The Ferry is an exceptional venue and one that I hope to visit again very soon. As for the Zombies, the Colin Blunstone Band is touring in February 2012 and I for one can’t wait.
Band Links:-
https://www.thezombiesmusic.com/https://en-gb.facebook.com/thezombiesmusic/
https://twitter.com/TheZombiesMusic
http://www.colinblunstone.net/
https://en-gb.facebook.com/colinblunstone
https://twitter.com/colinblunstone
Have a Listen:-
Picture Gallery:-

interviews |
Interview (2021) |
![]() |
Colin Blunstone, the frontman with The Zombies, talks to Lisa Torem about their plans for a worldwide stream on September 18th, an upcoming album and how their classic hit ‘Time of The Season’ is being used to promote the launch of the new Chelsea FC kit. |
Interview (2020) |
Interview with Colin Blunstone (2018) |
Interview (2016) |
Interview (2016) |
Interview (2015) |
Interview (2011) |
profiles |
In the Beginning (2019) |
![]() |
Adam Coxon profiles 'In the Beginning', a new five LP vinyl only only box set of early Zombies recordings. |
live reviews |
City Winery, Chicago, 20/3/2018 |
![]() |
Lisa Torem watches the Zombies dedicate an enthralling set at City Winery in Chicago to their late bassist Jim Rodford on their 'Edge of the Rainbow' tour which includes classic and contemporary hits. |
Mayne Stage, Chicago, 1/8/2012 |
photography |
Photoscapes (2015) |
![]() |
Darren Aston takes photographs of iconic 60's band the Zombies at the Arts Club in Liverpool |
digital downloads
reviews |
Breathe Out Breathe In (2011) |
![]() |
Occasionally effective latest album from influential 60's act the Zombies, which, however, doesn't unfortunately match up to the classic work of their past |
most viewed articles
current edition
Douglas MacIntyre - InterviewSarah Cracknell - Interview
Jann Klose - Sugar My
Jimmy Webb - (With support from Ashley Campbell and Thor Jenson), Cadogan Hall, London. 27/5/2022
Loop - Interview
Tom Newman - Interview
Jarvis Cocker - Good Pop Bad Pop - An Exhibition of Objects and Keepsakes of Jarvis Cocker
Simply Red - La Marina, Valencia, Spain, 7/6/2022
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Rolling Stones - Anfield, Liverpool, 9/6/2022
previous editions
Stewart Copeland - Police Deranged For Orchestra - Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, 11/9/2021Music Festivals - Profile 2022
World Party - Interview
Cliff Richard - Vs Elvis Presley
Sam Brown - Interview 2008
Gypsy Dave Mills - Interview
Ruskin Arms - The Image That Made Me Weep
Cathal Coughlan - Interview
Dire Straits Legacy - Interview
This Mortal Coil - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Def Leppard - Diamond Star HalosLucky Ones - Slow Dance, Square Dance, Barn Dance
Various - Heroes & Villains – The Sound Of Los Angeles 1965-1968,
Bonnie Raitt - Just Like That...
Gabi Garbutt and the Illuminations - Cockerel
Girls At Our Best! - Pleasure
Soup Review - Go and See
Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway - Crooked Tree
Dave Stewart - Ebony McQueen
Norah Jones - Come Away With Me: 20th Anniversary Edition
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart