Monkees Appreciation thread

[punkinhead]

No matter what you think of the early politics of 'playing their own instruments' or writing their own songs, you have to admit that first Monkees about is fantastic! It's prolly one of the better first albums by my favorite artists. I recently downloaded their discography, I originally owned Head  (album and movie), but I'm loving their stuff, Birds Bees Monkees is really good...and Headquarters, to me is like their Rubber Soul, it's fantastic. Shame a lot of their later albums are by half of them.

[the captain]

They're great. And even if all they ever did was sing on their albums (which, much like the Beach Boys reputation, is not true), they'd still be no worse off than plenty of other well regarded pop stars.

[A Million Units In Jan!]

The Monkees don't get the recognition they deserve. The Headquarters thru Head era is their best, although Instant Replay has some gems on it. I just listened to Porpoise Song  today, and still love it as much as I did when I first heard it. A few year ago Rhino put out a Headquarters sessions box set, and it's top notch.

[punkinhead]

Yeah, I got those, good stuff...I've came to love their version of Cuddly Toy, though I love Nilsson's, I just love me some Monkees vocals...

Circle Sky is really good, it's like a tour de force type of song

[SG7]

I love the Missing Links series!!!!

[punkinhead]

got that, good stuff....I was actually shocked to hear the original version of I Wanna Be Free, it's really good, why'd they slow it down?

[A Million Units In Jan!]

got that, good stuff....I was actually shocked to hear the original version of I Wanna Be Free, it's really good, why'd they slow it down?

That fast version of 'I Wanna Be Free' was actually used on the pilot version of the series.  And my favorite version of Circle Sky is the live one that was used in Head.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Love the Monkees, both the albums and the TV series. I appreciated their diversity, from pop to rock to country to psychedelia. I hope they get into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, while they're all still around. Of course, knowing them, somebody probably wouldn't show up, but let's not get into that. Seriously, I think Peter Tork has had some recent  health concerns.

[SG7]

Mike does a great job on How Insensitive on that as well.

[punkinhead]

I was recently watching an episode that Mickey directed, they used Good Morning Good Morning on it, I thought that was a nice piece of trivia

[Paulos]

I've recently been watching season one of The Monkees and whilst it's kinda lame and dated it's also very funny! I only have their first album which I really enjoy, especially Last Train To Clarksville. Is it worth getting the rest of their albums? And if so which ones would people recomend?

[SG7]

Later Monkees period isn't all that bad. Try getting Instant Replay. That is actually a very good album!

[Steve Mayo]

if you want to watch a mike nesmith involved film...  Timerider - The Adventure of Lyle Swann (1982).. here's your chance... 



link: http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2009/12/sunday-cinema-timerider---the-adventure-of-lyle-swann-1982/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Sfsignal+%28SFSignal%29

[SG7]

Tapeheads is also amazing too!

My Baby Doll haha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnTUSgHzZx0

[Malc]

I've recently been watching season one of The Monkees and whilst it's kinda lame and dated it's also very funny! I only have their first album which I really enjoy, especially Last Train To Clarksville. Is it worth getting the rest of their albums? And if so which ones would people recomend?

It kind of varies as to whom you are talking to I guess. Me ? I'd go for their 4th album - the masterful 'Pisces Aquarius Capricorn & Jones Ltd" anyday, tho' "Headquarters" may come close. My suggestion would be to go for a decent 'hits' package to start off (pick one with at least 20 or so tracks on it) and then decide which 'style' you pick up on most - the early 'pop' stuff, the slightly wacky 'psych' stuff, the country stuff ... or Davy's Broadway-styled rehashes ... then again, the 4-CD set from Rhino is the obvious starter as its got a fantastic booklet to boot !
Good luck, persist with it ... you won't regret it I guarantee !!

[monkee knutz]

I employ Davy Jones for personal use as my singing ottoman.

[Aegir]

ZILCH

[Paulos]

I got Headquarters (deluxe edition) a week or so ago and it is indeed a fine album, I have Zilch stuck in my head permanently now!

[Alex]

I never get tired of watching Head! The Coke machine in the desert scene is what sold me.

[SG7]

I picked up the Music Box boxset of theirs and that sucker is amazing!

[Sound of Free]

I haven't dug as deeply into their must as most of you, just having the 25 songs on the Best of the Monkees, but I think it's a terrific collection. I would rate the Monkees vocalists as 1. Mickey, 2. Mike, 3. Davy, 4. Peter, but my favorite on song on Best of the Monkees is Shade of Gray, with Davy and Peter alternating verses and harmonizing on the chorus.

[Nicko]

I love a lot of The Monkees' stuff with Headquarters being my favourite album. Mike's songs are always interesting though and a lot of his solo albums are genuinely superb.

Btw if people think that Mike is arrogant, then that is nothing compared with the opinion that Davy Jones has of himself.

[Music Machine]

I'm really into the Monkees too, I've made myself a three disc compilation of their stuff. I especially like You Just May Be the One, Tapioca Tundra, Porpoise Song, As We Go Along, I Won't Be the Same Without Her and While I Cried.

[rogerlancelot]

HEAD is my favorite movie of all time and has been since I first saw it in 1985.

That being said, it's amazing how much Monkees I have (deluxe sets, concert recordings, etc.). Nowhere near as large as my Beatles collection for instance but very large nonetheless.

For a really good "later" Monkees album, check out JUSTUS (1996) for Nesmith's and Tork's song in particular. Also I love almost all of PRESENT (1969). Also I am a huge fan of solo Nesmith!

[punkinhead]

I find the Monkees' Head film a lot better than Magical Mystery Tour, the only thing I dig about MMT is the 'music videos' to the songs.

I love their cut of Cuddly Toy, I'm so used to the Harry Nilsson cut that I love this version even more.

My fav cut on Headquarters is Randy Scouse Git...I'm tryin to decide what album to compare Headquaters to in the Beach Boys/Beatles world...I was thinkin: Summer Days/Rubber Soul-esc