Paul Weller on The Zombies' Odessey And Oracle
In the run-up to the release to his new album, Saturn's Pattern, Paul Weller sat down with the people at The Quietus to discuss his top 13 albums. Read what he had to say about The Zombies' "Odessey And Oracle".
"In my mind it conjures up those crisp autumn days. The first time I ever heard this record wasn't at the time [of release], it was a few years later. They put it out as part of a double album. That was the first time me and my mate [and early Jam member] Steve Brookes heard it. Steve lived near Woking Park and it was autumn time, so I guess that's always been part of it for me in terms of the sensations that it brings up.
It's almost like a concept album in sonic terms. Like a suite almost. I went to see them about five or six years ago where they played three nights at Shepherd's Bush Empire - I went to at least two of them - where they played the whole album with the original line-up. That was really special. So many people that I talk to love that record, from all over the world as well. It's amazing that it's taken over 45 years for it to sink in. I like the English melancholic thing to it. It's something that's in the English psyche anyway, innit? Something to do with our appalling weather. It's probably my all-time favourite record. Whenever I've spoken to people who've never heard it I always try and go and buy them a copy."
To read about Paul's 12 other choices, and more great music writing, too, visit The Quietus.
