British rock hits Spokane
Spokane is getting a British rock re-invasion of sorts, as three greats from Great Britain come to the Knitting Factory.
On Tuesday the Rock Royalty Tour brings together the Zombies and the Yardbirds. The very next day Robin Trower plays a rescheduled show from his concert that was cancelled in May.
Original Zombies members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent – along with longtime bandmates Keith Airey on guitar, John Rodford on bass, his son Steve on drums – are touring in support of their “Odessey & Oracle 40th Anniversary Concert” album.
The album was recorded in London last year to mark the 40th anniversary of the Zombies’ psych-rock masterpiece, “Odessey and Oracle” (and yes, they really did spell “Odessey” that way).
Following the death of guitarist Paul Atkinson, the four surviving members of the Zombies participated in the three-night performance, kicking off a sprawling world tour, now in its North American leg.
The anniversary performance marked the first time the founding, surviving members had been on a public stage together since their split in 1967, before the album was released.
“Odessey and Oracle” contained the surprise sleeper hit, “The Time of the Season.” The closing track of the album, it was this song that ultimately led to the band’s breakup, as the group was constantly butting heads while recording the album. No one knew it would go on to be a rock classic.
Rolling Stone Magazine placed “Odessey” at No. 80 in its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list in 2003. New Music Express named it the 32nd greatest British album ever.
The predecessor to Led Zeppelin, the Yardbirds celebrate the same level praise for launching the careers of three of rock’s most worshipped guitarists: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, all of whom made Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Guitarists list.
It was Jim McCarty and Chris Dreja who have kept the Yardbirds name in the air throughout the last 30 years, playing in several reformations, side projects and supergroups. While bassist and lead vocalist John Idan had been active with the band over the last two decades, he officially resigned from the band in April and has since been replaced by David Smale, brother of virtuoso guitarist Jonathon Smale.
While Robin Tower may not receive the same level of praise as Page, Clapton, or Jimi Hendrix, with whom he is often compared, he remains one of the most respected guitar gurus through the generations. He is famous for work in his own trio as well as numerous bands and collaborative projects.
Releasing about one album per year for the last four decades, Trower is as prolific as he is inventive, and is continuously venturing into new territory in his arranging, writing and recording styles. Trower released two albums last year, and his latest, “Seven Moons” was his third recording with former Cream legend, Jack Bruce, the Scottish bassist and multi-instrumentalist.
Trower’s forthcoming album, “What Lies Beneath,” is an intimate album, different from his band work. The 64-year-old Trower handles all of the vocals himself.