Colin Blunstone: the Innerviews interview

photo: Andre Eccles

Anil Prasad interviewed singer Colin Blunstone about the mono reissue of The Zombies classic Odessey and Oracle, still hitting the notes at 80, and longevity of The Zombies for his Innerviews website. About the reissue:

This is how it was mixed when we first recorded it. And I think it has got something special to it. It certainly seems more to the point with me, and crisper and warmer. I just think it's fantastic.

There's been interest in going back to the original tapes and remastering this record as we heard it way back. We first started recording this in 1967 and it wasn’t released until 1968. I think it's wonderful that there's the interest and commitment from people that want to go back and do this.

It's been a thrill for me to hear it as it was originally conceived. It's almost like a historical document when you go back and hear it as accurately as you possibly can.

For me, all those memories come back of those very, very hurried sessions in Studio 3 at Abbey Road, where we were trying to make this album for a recording budget of £1000.

About taking care of his voice:

I think one of the main things was being introduced to a singing coach in my fifties. He made it clear from the beginning that he wasn’t trying to change my voice but make it more accurate and stronger. He was someone who worked a lot with singers from London’s West End, which is the equivalent of Broadway in New York. We’re talking about people who have to sing every night. So, he understood the singing techniques they used.

He gave me a set of exercises I should do every day. Those have helped me enormously. When I’m on the road, I do those exercises without fail, before soundcheck and then before the show. If we’re not touring, I’ll do them a few times a week.

The other important thing is looking after yourself. That’s not something anyone does when they’re 18 or 19. Above all, you must stay hydrated. It’s really important to drink lots of water, as well as eat well and get plenty of sleep. It’s just common sense, really.

» colinblunstone.net