Showing posts with label Monkees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monkees. Show all posts

Monkees' 'Headquarters' Super Deluxe Edition Announced


Out Nov. 18. 

Details from the official Monkees store:

"After completing our first tour as a four-piece band in late 1966, Nez perceptively remarked that, 'Pinocchio had become a real little boy.' By the end of March 1967, Pinocchio had actually become quite a cool little dude (if I do say so myself) with the completion of Headquarters, the first studio album that we had been allowed to create entirely amongst ourselves. Monkee music was great music. Terrific songs crafted by gifted writers and produced by skilled producers. But Headquarters will always hold a special place in my heart. I remember the camaraderie, the collaboration, the enthusiasm and the occasional creative angst. And I particularly remember lying on the floor behind my drumkit between takes eating sunflower seeds.”

 - Micky Dolenz

We're honoring the landmark recording’s 55th anniversary this year with an expansive new set that shows the genesis of the HEADQUARTERS project in full. It boasts 69 previously unreleased recordings, including the entire album newly mixed from the original multitrack elements which were resynched to create the best fidelity version of the album ever available. It also features the debut of backing tracks made for an abandoned Don Kirshner-led version of the album, as well as the band’s earliest surviving demos, plus recordings that would be completed in 2016 for The Monkees’ final studio album, GOOD TIMES!.

The creative journey that led to HEADQUARTERS unfolds chronologically on the new Super Deluxe Edition. It documents The Monkees’ struggle for artistic control with Don Kirshner, the group’s music supervisor. The group wanted to write and perform its own music, while Kirshner preferred to continue using outside songwriters and studio musicians to record backing tracks, with the band adding vocals later.

In January and February 1967, Kirshner oversaw sessions in New York where more than an album’s worth of backing tracks were recorded for the band’s planned third record. At the same time, in Hollywood, The Monkees – Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork – began recording songs with producer Chip Douglas. The Super Deluxe Edition includes the debut of the band’s earliest demos for “The Girl I Knew Somewhere” and “All Of Your Toys.” The band recorded them in January 1967 at Gold Star Studios to convince Kirshner the group should have more creative input.

Kirshner balked at the idea, and the showdown continued until late in February when he was dismissed from The Monkees’ project after unilaterally removing Nesmith’s “The Girl I Knew Somewhere” as the B-side on the band’s new single and replacing it with a different song. With Kirshner gone, the band quickly took creative control and began recording the album at RCA Victor Studios in Hollywood with Douglas producing (credited as Douglas Farthing Hatlelid).

While previous reissues like HEADQUARTERS SESSIONS (released by Rhino Handmade in 2000) have focused exclusively on The Monkees’ time in the studio, the new collection is the first to revisit the songs Kirshner planned to include on the album. The Super Deluxe Edition introduces 23 previously unreleased backing tracks from those sessions.

Many were recorded by producer Jeff Barry in New York early in 1967. They include several songs he wrote or co-wrote (“99 Pounds” and “Gotta Give It Time”), plus contributions from other songwriters, including two from Neil Diamond, who penned “Love To Love” and “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You.”

Along with selections from HEADQUARTERS SESSIONS, the new Super Deluxe Edition digs deep into the vault to uncover even more unheard outtakes from the band’s time in the studio in February and March 1967. The unreleased highlights from those sessions include “Detuned 12-Bar Jam,” an informal recording of Tom Paxton’s “The Last Thing On My Mind,” and different versions of album tracks, like “You Just May Be The One,” “Forget That Girl,” “No Time,” and more.

Grammy-nominated producer/engineer, Andrew Sandoval compiled and remixed the audio and penned the detailed liner notes that accompany HEADQUARTERS: SUPER DELUXE EDITION. In them, he writes: “Rather than plunder the previous reissues...the entire three-month period surrounding the creation of Headquarters has been reexamined to offer a deeper view…The primary goal has not been modernizing or reinventing what is now a legendary work but rather presenting it in the best possible light.”

HEADQUARTERS: SUPER DELUXE EDITION contains 4 CDs and a 7” vinyl single with “All Of Your Toys” b/w “The Girl I Knew Somewhere.” Limited to 4,000 copies worldwide, the set will be released on November 18th, exclusively at Monkees.Com.

Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart - Vinyl Release of Live and Studio Releases on the Way


Coming up from 7a Records. Check for it here on Amazon.

Details:

One of our biggest releases to date; the release of Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart’s original studio and live albums! We have tracked down the original master tapes and remastered both albums. Released on July 8 as deluxe 2CD and 2LP sets, the CD version will include a massive 40 page colour booklet featuring extensive liner notes and previously unseen photos. The 2LP version comes in a gatefold sleeve and is pressed on special 180g Green, Black and Yellow Quad Vinyl.

In the mid-1970s promoters were trying to reunite the Monkees, but with Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork unavailable, it was suggested that Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones team up with

Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart to tour as ‘The Golden Great Hits Of The Monkees Show – ‘The Guys Who Wrote ‘Em & The Guys Who Sang ‘Em’’. The group signed a deal with Capitol Records

to record a self-titled studio album of new material. They later released a live album from their tour of Japan. Both albums have been unavailable and out of print for many years.

Track listing:

LP 1 (the Studio Album)

Side One

1. Right Now

2. I Love You (And I’m Glad That I Said It)

3. You And I

4. Teenager In Love

5. Sail On Sailor

6. It Always Hurts The Most In The Morning

Side Two

1. Moonfire

2. You Didn’t Feel That Way Last Night (Don’t You Remember)

3. Along Came Jones

4. Savin’ My Love For You

5. I Remember The Feeling

6. Sweet Heart Attack

LP 2 (Concert in Japan)

Side One

1. Last Train To Clarksville

2. Medley:

Valleri/Daydream Believer/A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You

3. I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight

4. (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone

5. I Wanna Be Free

6. Savin’ My Love For You

7. Pleasant Valley Sunday

Side Two

1. I Remember The Feeling

2. A Teenager In Love

3 Cuddly Toy

4. Medley:

Come A Little Bit Closer/Pretty Little Angel Eyes/Hurt So Bad/

Peaches ‘N’ Cream/Something’s Wrong With Me/Keep On Singing

5. I Love You (And I’m Glad That I Said It)

6. Action

So long, Mike Nesmith

Very sad news, Mike Nesmith of the Monkees died today at age 78

Nesmith may've been the most musically self-contained of the made-for-TV group. In addition to appearing on the show, he had success as a songwriter, penning the hit "Different Drum," recorded by the Stone Poney's and featuring Linda Ronstadt on lead vocals. 

He later helped pioneer country rock with his First National Band recordings, and the home video market with his Pacific Arts Video media company.

Here he is with Monkees:

Mickey Dolenz and Michael Nesmith announce Monkees farewell tour

The surviving members of the Monkees, Mickey Dolenz and Micheal Nesmith have announced a farewell tour set to start this fall. Ticket details here.

Dates include:

09/11 — Seattle, WA @ Moore Theater

09/14 — Sacramento, CA @ Crest Theatre

09/15 — San Jose, CA @ San Jose Civic

09/17 — Riverside, CA @ Fox Performing Arts Center

09/18 — El Cajon, CA @ The Magnolia

10/02 — Chattanooga, TN @ Tivoli Theatre

10/06 — Birmingham, AL @ Iron City

10/07 — Knoxville, TN @ Tennessee Theatre

10/08 — Atlanta, GA @ Atlanta Symphony Hall

10/10 — Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live

10/15 — Biloxi, MS @ IP Casino Resort and Spa

10/22 — Bethlehem, PA @ The Wind Creek Event Center

10/24 — New York City, NY @ Town Hall

10/28 — Huntington, NY @ The Paramount

10/29 — Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun

10/30 — Medford, MA @ Chevalier Theatre

11/02 — Detroit, MI @ Masonic Cathedral Theatre

11/06 — Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theater

11/09 — Caint Charlse, MO @ Family Arena

11/10 — Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theater

Out May 21: "Dolenz Sings Nesmith"

Available for pre-order now from Amazon (though priced somewhat high as an import. You may want to hold off for a U.S. release).

Details:

7A Records is pleased to announce 'Dolenz Sings Nesmith' – Micky Dolenz's first new solo studio album in nine years. The album is packed with songs Michael Nesmith wrote throughout his career, all beautifully reimagined by Dolenz. And who better to produce it than Nesmith's son, Christian Nesmith, who has done a brilliant job in coming up with fresh and completely new arrangements for all of the songs. This is the album Monkees fans have waited years to hear. The CD version includes a CD Only Bonus Track, as well as a big colour booklet with extensive liner notes, previously unseen photos and lyrics to all of the songs.

Tracklist

1. Carlisle Wheeling
2. Different Drum
3. Don't Wait For Me
4. Keep On Keeping On
5. Marie's Theme
6. Nine Times Blue
7. Little Red Rider
8. Tomorrow And Me
9. Circle Sky
10. Propinquity (I've Just Begun To Care)
11. Tapioca Tundra
12. Only Bound
13. You Are My One
14. Grand Ennui

So long, Peter Tork

Singer, songwriter and member of television's "The Monkees," Peter Tork died at age 77 today, The New York Times reports. We're big Monkees fans here at PCS and Peter will be much missed.

Here's a look at Tork's screen test for the TV series:


And here's a video of The Monkees' "Auntie Grizelda," with Tork on lead vocals:


And, from our sister site, The Glass Onion Beatles Journal, here's a pic of Tork with George Harrison from Harrison's "Wonderwall Music" sessions:



Coming up: "The Monkees Christmas Party"


Out Oct. 12. Pre-order from Amazon now.

Details:

Featuring Newly Recorded Versions Of Classic Christmas Songs
Along With New Songs Written For The Band By Peter Buck And Scott McCaughey, Rivers Cuomo, Andy Partridge, And Album Producer Adam Schlesinger
Celebrate the season with The Monkees’ first holiday album featuring new vocals by Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork. The late Davy Jones’ unmistakable voice – taken from vintage recordings – also appears on two songs.
On CHRISTMAS PARTY, The Monkees put their unmistakable vocal stamp on a wide array of classic Christmas tracks, from the R&B holiday standard “Merry Christmas, Baby,” to Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” and Wizzard’s yuletide classic “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.”
After helming The Monkees’ critically acclaimed studio album GOOD TIMES! in 2016, Grammy® and Emmy®-winning songwriter Adam Schlesinger reprises his role as producer on CHRISTMAS PARTY. All of the album’s 13 songs were recorded this year, with “Silver Bells” and “Mele Kalikimaka” using classic Davy Jones vocals from the archives combined with newly recorded music.
Much like GOOD TIMES!, CHRISTMAS PARTY features songs newly written for the band by a group of talented songwriters, including Rivers Cuomo of Weezer (“What Would Santa Do”) and Andy Partridge of XTC (“Unwrap You At Christmas”). Schlesinger and celebrated author Michael Chabon teamed up to write “House Of Broken Gingerbread.” Guitarists Peter Buck of R.E.M. and Scott McCaughey of The Minus 5 play on two songs – a cover of Big Star’s “Jesus Christ” and the album’s title track, which they wrote together.
CHRISTMAS PARTY also includes two songs with Michael Nesmith on lead vocals, with each track being produced by one of his sons. His take on the yuletide classic “The Christmas Song” was produced by Christian Nesmith while “Snowfall” was helmed by Jonathan Nesmith.

Coming Up: "More of the Monkees" Deluxe Edition

Out Dec. 15 from Rhino:
 Who's ready for even more of MORE? In honor of 50th anniversary this year, we've super-sized MORE OF THE MONKEES with a staggering 91 tracks including 55 previously-unreleased alternate takes, remixes, and newly discovered concert recordings from 1967, the band's earliest-known live tracks, as well as a bonus 7” of “I’m A Believer” (Remix)/”(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” (Vocals Only).

"This is the most exciting archival dig through The Monkees' vault since 2009's THE BIRDS, THE BEES AND THE MONKEES DELUXE EDITION. Every track is newly mastered for this set; the live material is the most historically significant of their career," says Andrew Sandoval, who produced the set and wrote a new essay for its expansive booklet.

MORE OF THE MONKEES: SUPER DELUXE EDITION significantly expands the special edition of MORE OF THE MONKEES released in 2006. Along with mono and stereo mixes of the original album, the SUPER DELUXE EDITION takes listeners into the studio for the making of the album through extensive studio outtakes. Many make their debut here, including the first recorded versions of: "Words," "Valleri," "Hold On Girl" and more. Backing tracks for early version of "Sometime In The Morning," "I'm A Believer" and "Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)" offer a behind-the-scenes perspective on the creative process.

However, the set's most historic aspect is the inclusion of newly discovered unreleased live music. Recorded in Arizona in 1967, these 10 tracks are The Monkees' earliest-known live recordings. The performance highlights songs from the band's 1966 self-titled debut ("I Wanna Be Free" and "Papa Gene's Blues"), along with covers of Ray Charles' "I Got A Woman" and Willie Dixon's "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover."

Limited to just 4,500 numbered copies and housed in a hardbound 7"x7" box, the collection is available exclusively from monkees.com and rhino.com.

Coming Up: Out Of Nowhere By Micky Dolenz & The American Metropole Orchestra

Out Nov. 17. Details:

7A Records are proud to present a brand new album from Micky Dolenz "Out Of Nowhere". Recorded in April this year with the sublime 30 piece American Metropole Orchestra, Dolenz sings all of the Monkees' greatest hits along with some outstanding deep album cuts. The orchestral backing adds a real unique depth to the recordings and Dolenz's voice is as good as ever. To quote Dolenz in his own words: "Words cannot express what a magical night it was. You really had to be there and thanks to this recording, you can be!" Recorded April 15th, 2017 at the Rice Auditorium, Western Oregon University.



The Monkees meet the Archies!

Here's a comic book cover Michael Allred was born to draw: The Archies meet the Monkees!

The Riverdale rockers will meet the Pre-Fab Four in issue four of a new Archies ongoing series, which starts this month.

According to the Comic Book Reporter: "The meeting between The Archies and The Monkees will take place thanks to some good, ‘ol fashion time travel, which will allow Archie and the Riverdale gang to meet the Monkees — Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, David ‘Davy’ Jones — in their prime."

Mark Pinkus, the president of Rhino Entertainment, owns the rights to The Monkees name, logo and back catalog — which he acquired back in 1994 — and sees the inclusion of the band as a way to introduce the group to new fans. “What a great opportunity to expose a whole new audience to the classic music and antics of The Monkees,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to seeing Micky, Davy, Mike, and Peter in Riverdale!”

Allred's cover is one of a few variants for the issue (and definitely the coolest).

Coming Up: New Monkees best-of compilations

Two new Monkees best-of collections are due out Aug. 26 in celebration of the band's 50th anniversary.

They include a new single-disk collection, Forever, and a more comprehensive three-disk compilation, Monkees 50.

Forever track list:
1. I'm A Believer
2. Valleri
3. You Just May Be The One (TV Version)
4. That Was Then, This Is Now
5. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone
6. Pleasant Valley Sunday
7. Daydream Believer
8. Last Train To Clarksville
9. She Makes Me Laugh
10. A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
11. Porpoise Song (Theme from "Head")
12. Heart And Soul
13. Words
14. Goin' Down


Monkees 50 track list:

Disc: 1

  1. (Theme From) The Monkees
  2. Last Train To Clarksville
  3. Take A Giant Step
  4. Papa Gene's Blues
  5. I'm a Believer
  6. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone [2006 Remastered]
  7. She (2006 Remastered)
  8. A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You (Stereo Remix)
  9. The Girl I Knew Somewhere
  10. Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow) [2006 Remastered]
  11. Mary, Mary (2006 Remastered)
  12. Sometime In The Morning (2006 Remastered)
  13. Randy Scouse Git (2007 Remastered Version)
  14. You Told Me (2007 Remastered Version)
  15. Shades Of Gray (2007 Remastered Version)
  16. For Pete's Sake (Closing Theme) [2007 Remastered Version]

Disc: 2

  1. Pleasant Valley Sunday
  2. Cuddly Toy (2007 Remastered Version)
  3. Words (2007 Remastered Version)
  4. Love Is Only Sleeping (2007 Remastered Version)
  5. Daydream Believer
  6. Goin' Down
  7. Valleri
  8. Tapioca Tundra
  9. P.O. Box 9847
  10. Auntie's Municipal Court
  11. D.W. Washburn (1968 Stereo Mix)
  12. It's Nice To Be With You (1968 Stereo Mix)
  13. Porpoise Song (Theme from "Head")
  14. As We Go Along
  15. Circle Sky (Live)

Disc: 3

  1. Tear Drop City
  2. A Man Without A Dream
  3. You And I
  4. Listen To The Band
  5. Someday Man
  6. Good Clean Fun
  7. Mommy And Daddy
  8. French Song
  9. Oh My My (2015 Remastered)
  10. I Love You Better (2015 Remastered)
  11. That Was Then, This Is Now
  12. Heart And Soul
  13. MGBGT (Live)
  14. Every Step Of The Way
  15. You And I
  16. Regional Girl
  17. You Bring the Summer
  18. She Makes Me Laugh

Complete Monkees on Blu-ray now shipping

Rhino has posted details and a video highlighting its new Monkees Complete TV Series Blu-ray set.



The set includes:
• All 58 episodes, newly remastered in stunning HD from the original negatives for the very first time, plus the 1969 TV Special "33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee."
• Bonus material featuring commentaries from all four Monkees, vintage television appearances, never-before-seen outtakes and behind the scenes footage, original Kellogg's Monkees commercials, and more.
• The 1968 Monkees film "HEAD" in HD with never-before-seen outtakes.
• Unique packaging including a 7" featuring "Star Collector" b/w "Goin' Down" in unique TV mono mixes.
• Strictly limited to 10,000 individually numbered sets.
It's available here.


Hear the Monkees sing a new tune by Andy Partridge

Here's a second preview tune off the forthcoming Monkees album, Good Times! - this one by XTC's Andy Partridge.