One Year is the debut solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Colin Blunstone, a member of the Zombies. It was released by Epic Records in 1971. It includes "Say You Don't Mind", which peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]

One Year
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 1971
Recorded1970–1971
StudioAbbey Road Studios and Sound Techniques, London[1]
GenreChamber pop, rock
Length33:17
LabelEpic
ProducerRod Argent, Chris White
Colin Blunstone chronology
One Year
(1971)
Ennismore
(1972)
Singles from One Year
  1. "Mary Won't You Warm My Bed"
    Released: 1971
  2. "Caroline Goodbye"
    Released: 1971
  3. "Say You Don't Mind"
    Released: 1972

Production

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After the Zombies disbanded in 1968, Blunstone left the music business only to return after the surprise success of "Time of the Season".[3] Recorded between 1970 and 1971, One Year was co-produced by Blunstone's former Zombie colleagues Rod Argent and Chris White.[3] Some of the songs had previously been recorded during the last days of the Zombies, although they were re-recorded for this album.

The album chronicled a year in Blunstone's life, during which he broke up with his then-girlfriend, actress Caroline Munro, to whom "Caroline, Goodbye" is obviously addressed.

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [3]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [4]
The Rolling Stone Record Guide     [5]

Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Fred Thomas wrote: "Marked by a thoughtfulness that’s always on the brink of despair, One Year is an understated masterpiece. It drifts by quickly but connects immediately, capturing the same stir of conflicting feelings as remembering a time that will never happen again, or a romance you wish hadn’t ended quite so soon."[3] Neil Tennant said: "It's an incredibly romantic album, which is why it's been with me such a long time."[6] Thurston Moore called it "a gorgeous example of classic British pop music."[7] He added: "It's very personal, very sophisticated in its sentiment."[7]

In 2007, The Guardian included it on the "1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die" list.[8]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."She Loves the Way They Love Her"Rod Argent, Chris White2:49
2."Misty Roses"Tim Hardin5:04
3."Smokey Day"Rod Argent, Chris White3:13
4."Caroline Goodbye"Colin Blunstone2:54
5."Though You Are Far Away"Colin Blunstone3:24
6."Mary Won't You Warm My Bed"Mike d'Abo3:11
7."Her Song"Rod Argent, Chris White3:31
8."I Can't Live Without You"Colin Blunstone3:27
9."Let Me Come Closer to You"Colin Blunstone2:24
10."Say You Don't Mind"Denny Laine3:20
2006 reissue edition bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."I Hope I Didn't Say Too Much Last Night" (mono single version)Colin Blunstone3:30
2010 reissue edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."I Hope I Didn't Say Too Much Last Night" (mono single version)Colin Blunstone3:30
12."Mary Won't You Warm My Bed" (mono single version)Mike d'Abo3:06

Personnel

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Credits adapted from liner notes.

Musicians

Technical personnel

  • Chris White – production
  • Rod Argent – arrangement (1, 4 & 6), production
  • Chris Gunning – arrangement (2, 3, 5, 7, 8 & 10)
  • Tony Visconti – arrangement (4 & 6)
  • John Fiddy – arrangement (9)
  • Jerry Boys – engineering (1 & 2)
  • Peter Vince – engineering (2-10)
  • Paul Ostrer – photography

References

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  1. ^ "The Making of One Year - featuring Colin Blunstone". Life of the Record. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Colin Blunstone". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d Thomas, Fred. "One Year - Colin Blunstone". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  4. ^ Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195313734.
  5. ^ The Rolling Stone Record Guide. Random House. 1979. p. 40.
  6. ^ "Music's secret weapons (part two)". The Guardian. 6 October 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  7. ^ a b Barker, Emily (19 September 2014). "Foo Fighters, The Killers, St Vincent – 30 Huge Artists On Their Favourite 'Lost' Albums". NME. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  8. ^ "Artists beginning with B (part 1)". The Guardian. 17 November 2007. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
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