Colin Blunstone – One Year and More Live
Deluxe 2CD + DVD Box Set Review | Now Spinning Magazine
There are some releases that immediately tell you they’re special before you’ve even heard a note. This deluxe edition of One Year and More Live by Colin Blunstone is one of those. From the moment you lift the lid, it feels less like opening a box set and more like uncovering something personal — almost like a keepsake you weren’t expecting to own.
The first impression is striking. The presentation is unlike anything I’ve shown on the channel before. It genuinely resembles a luxurious box of chocolates, and when you open it, you’re met with a gold satin-lined interior that feels closer to a jewellery case than a music release. It’s tactile, elegant, and immediately sets the tone for what this set represents — not just music, but memory, atmosphere, and connection.
Inside, the set centres around a complete live performance recorded at the stunning Union Chapel — a venue renowned for its acoustics and sense of intimacy. You can hear that throughout. There’s space around the music, a natural warmth, and a feeling that the audience is completely absorbed in the moment.
This isn’t just another live collection. What makes it truly special is that it brings Colin’s story full circle. After moving through a career that began with The Zombies and continued through collaborations with Rod Argent and Russ Ballard, the concert reaches a defining moment — a full live performance of his 1971 solo album One Year. Hearing that album in its entirety, performed live with the benefit of decades of experience, is genuinely moving.
What elevates it further is the addition of a string ensemble. The arrangements open up, allowing the songs to breathe in a way that feels natural and unforced. There’s a calmness to the performance — nothing rushed, nothing overplayed — just musicians serving the music.
And then there’s the voice.
At the time of this performance, Colin Blunstone was approaching his 80th year, and yet his voice retains that unmistakable, soulful quality — often compared to Smokey Robinson. It’s expressive, gentle, and completely in tune with the emotional core of the songs. What’s perhaps even more powerful is watching how connected he is to the performance — closing his eyes during instrumental passages, completely immersed, waiting for his moment to return. It’s a reminder that this isn’t just about revisiting old material — it’s about living it.
The setlist is filled with songs that have clearly meant something to people across decades. Tracks like Say You Don’t Mind, I Don’t Believe in Miracles, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, and Mary Won’t You Warm My Bed aren’t just songs — they’re part of people’s lives. They’ve soundtracked relationships, memories, and moments, and you can feel that connection in the room.
This release works on multiple levels. It’s a beautifully recorded concert, a celebration of a remarkable career, and a physical artefact that feels genuinely worth owning. It’s also something more personal — a way of connecting with music that has stood the test of time.
Box Set Contents
- 2CDs featuring the full Union Chapel concert
- Full concert DVD
- Gold satin-lined luxury presentation box
- 24-page booklet with exclusive photography
- Signed and numbered print (limited edition)
- Concert programme-style souvenir
This is very much a collector’s piece, but it’s not exclusive in spirit. Even if you didn’t attend the concert — as I didn’t — there’s a real sense that this set allows you to step into that space and experience it for yourself.
For those new to Colin Blunstone, this also acts as a gateway. You can explore the music through streaming or the standalone CD, but this box set offers something deeper — a context, a story, and a sense of why these songs matter.
Ultimately, One Year and More Live is a reminder of why music still connects in the way it does. It’s about emotion, memory, and the simple act of listening — properly listening.
And in a world that often feels fast and disposable, that’s something worth holding onto.
ORDER COLIN BLUNSTONE ONE YEAR AND MORE DELUXE BOX SET HERE
Verdict
A beautifully crafted and deeply emotional live release — both a celebration of Colin Blunstone’s legacy and a genuine collector’s piece.
