Colin Blunstone – One Year

Lead singer of The Zombies (who despite a couple of hits broke up in 1968) decided to go solo.  He released the album One Year in 1971.  I saw him that year at The Roundhouse with Joy, and was blown away.  His voice always was beautiful and on this album it had room to dominate.  The album’s songs chronicle a year in Colin’s life, and while highly personal, and featuring a sad breakup ‘Caroline Goodbye’, some very sad songs ‘Misty Roses’ (with a sparse classical backing) and eventual recovery ‘Say You Don’t Mind’ – the songs are hauntingly beautiful.  Backed in part by Chris White and Rod Argent (ex Zombies, who wrote three of the tracks) there is a completeness to the album, every song seems to flow from one to the next, and Colin’s voice, yearning and sad and yet very intimate, has never sounded better.  The album never flags and has a presence and delicacy combined with subtle power and such warmth; I played this to death when I first got it, and return to it again and again.  This was a time when record companies gave artist’s the freedom to create.  Colin has recorded many albums and collaborations ever since – solo, as part of the Alan Parson’s Project, and lately re-uniting with Rod and The Zombies; a unique voice and talent.  I have almost everything he has ever recorded, and eagerly buy the next instalment – though nothing quite matches this first album.