Record #0842: She’s Not There / Tell Her No – THE ZOMBIES

London 5N-59029 (re-issue) USA, 1979
Words & Music by:  Side A – Rod Argent; Side B – Rod Argent
Musicians: Colin Blunstone (lead and backing vocals), Rod Argent (keyboards), Chris White (bass and backing vocals), Paul Atkinson (guitar), Hugh Grundy (drums)
Recording sessions: Produced by Ken Jones at the Decca Studios, London, UK; Side A - on 12. June 1964; Side B – 25. November 1964
Highest chart positions: None with the re-issue. Original: Side A – US #2, US Cash Box #1, Canada #2, UK #2, Australia #11; Side B – US #6, US Cash Box #6, Canada #6, UK #42, Australia #60

This re-issue has the first two hits of the Zombies. The original release of “She’s Not There” (Parrot 45-9695 in September 1964) had “You Make Me Feel So Good” as its B-side, whereas “Tell Her No” (Parrot 45-9723 in December 1964) had “Leave Me Be” on the flip.

When recording “She’s Not There”, the lead singer Colin Blunstone was incredibly nervous in the studio. To cope, he used a breathy, whispered vocal delivery. Ken Jones loved the eerie, jazz-like atmosphere it created and kept it. This "whisper-singing" became the band's trademark sound.

The flipside has the word “no” sung 63 times in 2 minutes and 9 seconds. That’s got to be a world record. Message delivered. 😊

List price: This is not in any of my catalogues. I wouldn’t pay more than $2 for this re-issue. Don’t get me wrong; the songs are good.