Picks of the Week
The Zombies come to Canyon Club
07/17/2008
The Zombies In the exalted canon of 1960s rock, there are few artists not named Dylan, Jagger or Lennon-McCartney often cited as having released one of the greatest albums ever. But in 1968, Colin Bluntstone and Rod Argent — the primary minds behind English group the Zombies — did just that. Odessey & Oracle features some of the most sublime melodies to emerge from the so-called British Invasion, with the airy, slightly foreboding final track, “Time of the Season,” standing out as one of the most striking anthems of its era. Ironically, by the time the record hit shelves, the Zombies had effectively broken up. It wasn’t until 1997 that the five original members, including singer Bluntstone and keyboardist Argent, legitimately reformed for a round of concerts. They have continued to tour since, with a performance earlier this year in London commemorating the 40th anniversary of their crowning work. And now, they hit the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills on July 19.
The Cash Prophets It might seem counterintuitive to think a country icon like Johnny Cash would be revered as a musical saint in an area tied to beach culture, but the spirit of the Man In Black is as much a part of Ventura-Santa Barbara as reggae and surf rock. Just look at the inordinate number of tribute acts dedicated to his memory floating around local bars and clubs. The best of the bunch might be the Cash Prophets, who perform Cash’s early work in stripped down Tennessee Two fashion. They are as authentic as you can get for a covers project, and the singer’s voice nails that famous rumbling baritone. And they do a killer version of “Ace of Spades,” too. The Prophets play O’Leary’s on July 18.
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