Begin Here
Begin Here is the debut studio album by the English rock band the Zombies, released on 9 April 1965 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom.[1][2] The album consists of 14 tracks, blending original compositions by keyboardist Rod Argent and bassist Chris White with covers of rhythm and blues standards such as "Road Runner", "Summertime", and "You've Really Got a Hold on Me".[3][1] It prominently features the band's breakthrough single "She's Not There", written by Argent, which became a major international hit upon its release in July 1964.[3] Recorded in a period of rapid success following the band's formation in 1961, Begin Here captures the Zombies' early style rooted in the British Invasion, characterized by harmonious vocals, melodic pop structures, and subtle psychedelic and baroque influences that would evolve in their later work.[2] The record's production, handled by Ken Jones, emphasizes the group's tight instrumentation and Argent's distinctive organ playing.[1] An American counterpart, titled The Zombies and issued in January 1965 by Parrot Records, altered the track listing by omitting some UK originals and adding U.S. singles like "Leave Me Be" and "She's Coming Home" to better suit the market.[2] Despite modest initial commercial performance in the UK, where it failed to chart highly, the album has since been reevaluated as a foundational work in the Zombies' discography and 1960s British pop-rock.[2]Background
Band formation
The Zombies were formed in 1961 in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, by schoolmates Rod Argent, Paul Atkinson, and Hugh Grundy, who initially played together as an amateur group covering American rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll standards.[4] The lineup expanded when they recruited bassist Paul Arnold, who in turn suggested adding vocalist Colin Blunstone; Arnold was later replaced by Chris White on bass before the band turned professional.[5] This core quintet—Blunstone on lead vocals, Argent on keyboards and backing vocals, Atkinson on guitar, Grundy on drums, and White on bass and backing vocals—would define the group's sound through its emphasis on close vocal harmonies. The band initially operated under names like the Mustangs and the Sundowners during their high school years, rehearsing in local halls and garages while performing at school dances and small venues around St Albans to hone their rhythm and blues-inflected style.[5] They adopted the name The Zombies in 1961, suggested by Arnold as a striking alternative to more conventional monikers; according to Argent, the choice stemmed from the term's exotic and mysterious connotations, evoking vague notions of the occult without any prior familiarity with zombie films or lore, which were virtually unknown in Britain at the time.[6] This distinctive name helped the group stand out when they entered the Herts Beat Contest in 1964, a local talent competition sponsored by the London Evening Post, where fan support propelled them to victory and secured a recording contract with Decca Records.[7]Pre-album success
In 1964, The Zombies achieved their initial breakthrough by winning the Herts Beat Contest final on 10 May at Watford Town Hall, a competition that drew strong local support from fans in St Albans and awarded them a cash prize of £250. This victory directly led to a recording contract with Decca Records, arranged through executive Dick Rowe, marking the band's transition to professional status. Shortly thereafter, in July 1964, they signed a management agreement with the Tito Burns Organisation, which handled their burgeoning tour schedule despite later disputes over financial terms.[8] The band's debut single, "She's Not There", written by keyboardist Rod Argent, was recorded during their first Decca session on 12 June 1964 and released on 24 July 1964. It climbed to number 12 on the UK Singles Chart in August 1964, providing early domestic recognition. In the United States, where Parrot Records handled distribution under a licensing deal with Decca, the single became a major hit, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1964 and spending 15 weeks on the chart, which significantly boosted the band's international profile ahead of album production.[9][10][11] Their follow-up single, "Leave Me Be" (also known in some regions as "Leave Me Alone"), another Argent composition, followed in October 1964. While it achieved only modest performance in the UK, failing to chart significantly, it offered limited continental exposure.[12] Their third single, "Tell Her No", written by Argent, was released in the UK on 29 January 1965 and peaked at number 42 on the UK Singles Chart, while achieving greater success in the US at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The US market continued to build momentum through Parrot's promotion of the earlier singles, generating buzz that positioned The Zombies for wider success without yet delving into full-length recordings.Production
Recording process
The recording sessions for Begin Here took place over six months, from 12 June to 12 December 1964, at Decca No. 2 Studio in West Hampstead, London, with breaks necessitated by the band's extensive touring schedule following the success of their debut single "She's Not There."[13][14] Producer Ken Jones supervised the sessions, prioritizing the capture of the band's live performance energy through straightforward mono recordings that limited post-production alterations.[14] The album's tracks were largely drawn from prior single releases and B-sides, including rushed follow-up sessions to capitalize on "She's Not There," such as those for "Leave Me Be" and "Tell Her No," with additional covers like "Road Runner" and "Summertime" incorporated to complete the tracklist.[13] Technically, the sessions utilized basic four-track tape machines, allowing for minimal overdubs—primarily vocal retakes and occasional percussion—while emphasizing group takes that highlighted lead vocalist Colin Blunstone's breathy delivery and keyboardist Rod Argent's piano and organ arrangements.[14][13]Personnel
The Zombies' debut album Begin Here featured the band's core lineup, consisting of Colin Blunstone on lead vocals, Rod Argent on piano, organ, and backing vocals, Paul Atkinson on guitar, Chris White on bass and backing vocals, and Hugh Grundy on drums.[15] Ken Jones served as the producer and contributed piano on "Work 'n' Play".[2][16] The album cover photography was provided by Dezo Hoffmann.[17]Composition
Musical style
Begin Here exemplifies the British Invasion rock sound, incorporating elements of rhythm and blues, beat music, and pop, while introducing subtle early psychedelic touches through intricate vocal harmonies. The album's style reflects the mid-1960s transition in British pop, blending energetic R&B-driven tracks with more sophisticated arrangements that hint at emerging psychedelic experimentation.[18][19] The Zombies drew heavily from American R&B artists such as Bo Diddley and Ray Charles, evident in their covers of "Road Runner" and "Sticks and Stones," which underscore the band's blues roots and rhythmic drive. Additional influences include jazz figures like Bill Evans, whose piano work informed Rod Argent's keyboard approach, and classical composers such as Bach and Gershwin, reflected in the album's arrangements and the jazz-inflected cover of "Summertime." These elements combined to create a distinctive sound that merged soulful R&B energy with jazz and classical sophistication.[19][20][21] Signature to the album's sound are Colin Blunstone's breathy and emotive vocals, which convey vulnerability and depth, complemented by the tight vocal harmonies crafted by Argent and bassist Chris White. Argent's innovative use of keyboards, including piano and organ, adds layers of texture, drawing from his jazz and classical influences to elevate the band's beat music foundation.[22][20] Lyrically, the original songs explore themes of youthful romance, introspection, and the everyday struggles of young love, often portraying emotions with a sense of longing and idealism, in contrast to the raw, energetic vibe of the R&B covers. This thematic focus highlights the band's ability to infuse personal narrative into their pop structures.[19]Track listing
The original UK release of Begin Here was issued as a mono LP on Decca Records in April 1965, featuring 14 tracks across two sides with a total running time of 33:57; it includes 7 original songs written by band members Rod Argent and Chris White, one original written by Ken Jones, alongside 6 cover versions of R&B and pop standards.[3]Side one
- "Road Runner" (Ellas McDaniel) – 2:17[3]
- "Summertime" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, DuBose Heyward) – 2:17[3]
- "I Can't Make Up My Mind" (Chris White) – 2:33[3]
- "The Way I Feel Inside" (Rod Argent) – 1:51[3]
- "Work 'n' Play" (Ken Jones) – 2:10[3]
- "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (Smokey Robinson) – 2:52[3]
- "She's Not There" (Rod Argent) – 2:26[3]
Side two
- "Sticks and Stones" (Titus Turner) – 2:58[3]
- "Can't Nobody Love You" (James Mitchell) – 2:15[3]
- "Woman" (Rod Argent) – 2:26[3]
- "I Don't Want to Know" (Chris White) – 2:16[3]
- "I Remember When I Loved Her" (Rod Argent) – 2:02[3]
- "What More Can I Do" (Chris White) – 1:58[3]
- "I've Got My Mojo Working" (Preston Foster) – 3:36[3]