The word ‘Legendary’ is thrown around with reckless abandon these days, so much so that the word has lost much of its currency, yet when it comes to rock band The Zombies, no other word will suffice. They forever changed the face of music with a handful of albums and singles whose impact and influence is only just begun to be fully appreciated. With a host of special guests and a few surprises promised, tonight’s gig is being billed as the 60 Years On Tape tour and The Zombies are here to rewind the clocks and reels.

There’s a crowd spanning several generations filling the Barbican Hall, it attests to the band’s enduring appeal and ensures there’s an excited buzz crackling the air as we await the band. That buzz turns into a huge cheer as Paul Weller appears and introduces The Zombies who arrive in typical understated style and launch into a spicy rendition of ‘It’s Alright With Me’. It’s been 60 years (count ‘em!) since The Zombies’ initial session at Decca Records and the first portion of this set comprises songs played at that legendary session. When vocalist Colin Blunstone quips that the band are going to turn back the clock and pretend they’re 18, he’s only half joking; the band play with an energy that would put many younger bands to shame and while they might not have the frenetic stagecraft from days of yore, they perfectly recreate the sense of urgency which characterised ‘I Want You Back Again’ and their cover of ‘Sticks And Stones’. Rod Argent provides plenty of keyboard gravy and gives things an otherworldly feel, and if you want to know where The Doors’ Ray Manzarek learned a thing or two (or three), look no further.

The first of several guest appearances, Sarah Brown adds her silky vocals to a run through of George Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’ (from their debut album Begin Here), and while The Zombies are often classified as “quintessentially English” this cover evidences just how pliable they were and evidences the wide palette from which they painted their sound. From their first album to their latest (Different Game), the 58 years that separate ‘Summertime’ and ‘Dropped Reeling & Stupid’ just melt away, they sit together rather well and make a nice way to take us to the interval.

Suitably refreshed, the crowd return and are greeted by vocal trio The Wandering Hearts who serenade us with a version of The Zombies’ ‘I Remember When I Loved Her’. It’s an interesting addition to proceedings, but as the evening progresses, it makes perfect sense; their sublime harmonies foreshadow what will come over the next hour, and especially as what follows are six cuts from the opulent and beautifully baroque Odessey And Oracle record. As to why it’s still a word-of-mouth album remains a mystery, and a guest spot from Irwin Sparkes (The Hoosiers) makes that quandary all the greater. Paul Weller has been a big champion of Odessey and he joins the band for a lively ‘Beechwood Park’, although he’s billed as a special guest you get the feeling he’s hanging back and doesn’t want detract from The Zombies’ evening. Original member Chris White joins the band for a sombre ‘Butcher’s Tale (Western Front 1914)’ while an extended workout of Argent’s ‘Hold Your Head Up’ gets the whole venue up and grooving.

In a moment of pure celebration all the guests (minus Paul Weller) join the band for a run through of ‘She’s Not There’ and turn it into a musical carnival. That would have made for a fitting finale, but when Rod and Colin return for a haunting rendition of ‘The Way I Feel Inside’, it makes for a much more powerful conclusion and one that will live long in the memory.

Set List:

Set One: (Introduced by Paul Weller)

1. It’s Alright With Me
2. I Want You Back Again
3. Sticks And Stones
4. I Love You
5. Different Game
6. You Could Be My Love
7. Tell Her No
8. You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me / Bring It Home To Me
9. Summertime (with Sarah Brown)
10. Dropped Reeling & Stupid

Set Two: (Opened by The Wandering Hearts with ‘I Remember When I Loved Her’)

1. Care Of Cell 44 (with Irwin Sparkes)
2. This Will Be Our Year
3. Beechwood Park (with Paul Weller)
4. Butcher’s Tale (Western Front 1914) (with Chris White)
5. A Rose For Emily
6. Time Of The Season
7. Merry-Go-Round
8. Hold Your Head Up (Argent cover)
9. She’s Not There
10. The Way I Feel Inside