It’s hard to believe … the Prefab Three (Davy, alas, unavailable) are making a new album! It’s called Good Times! Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Mickey Dolenz are all on board, writin’ and playin’ a bunch of new songs for their now sexagenarian pre-teen fanbase! Hoboy! And there’ll be a tour! Oboy! Except Mike “call me Michael” won’t be doing the tour. Because Michael. But he’s on the album!
We’re the old generation, and we’ve got something to say!
H.P. Saucecraft says
… breaking news! Monkee Davy phones in a vocal from heaven for one track, Neil Diamond’s Love To Love!
DrJ says
HP, you’ve forgotten the big news: Andy Partidge is writing songs for the album. Andy Partidge! And Adam Schlesinger is producing! And Noel Gallagher’s involved too, apparently.
H.P. Saucecraft says
This just keeps on getting excitinger by the minute! Andy Partridge! Adam Sandler! [PSE. CHECK THIS] Noel Gall- wait a minute …
Junior Wells says
And here is me thinking it is just HP taking the piss, not that he does that much.
Well blow me down
http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2016/0209/766577-the-monkees-to-reform-with-new-album-and-tour/
dai says
Well, they are hardly reforming , there have been a few tours in the last few years. I saw them with Davy and without Nesmith in 2011. After he passed away there were a couple of tours with Nesmith and the upcoming one will feature only one of the main 3 original singers.
I believe Nesmith’s involvement in the album is limited. Interesting that Andy Partridge has written a single thought.
dai says
Though
H.P. Saucecraft says
But
Sniffity says
First single will be “You Bring The Summer” by A. Partridge
deramdaze says
If the Beeb acquired the rights (can’t be that pricey, can it?) to the Monkees TV series, made a big fuss about it on the 50th Anniversary, and put them out every evening on BBC 2 at 7.00 p.m., they’d have a retro hit that would be more popular than Dad’s Army.
DrJ says
The TV series has been overhauled. This will set it up for the next 20 years of syndication. Once these sell out, I’m sure the show will pop up on Netflix.
http://www.rhino.com/article/the-monkees-the-complete-series-on-blu-ray-at-last
deramdaze says
Yeah, but why don’t the BBC etc. etc……
They want audiences, this would be an open goal.
And remember, a sizable percentage of the potential audience are in the enviable position of (a) having lived through the 60s, and (b) not having a clue what Netflix is.
H.P. Saucecraft says
That tour will be something else – all their female fans throwing their diapers up on stage …
H.P. Saucecraft says
… all the men shouting “play that one that goes, er …”
Vulpes Vulpes says
…all the Alzheimer girls screaming”Where’s Davy?”….
H.P. Saucecraft says
… and the men shouting “which one’s Davy?”
Martin Hairnet says
I feel a bit queasy about the album’s title, but the cover is surprisingly retrotastic. Be nice if this was more than just a cheap and cheerful reboot.
H.P. Saucecraft says
I have a Monkeetastic feeling about this one. After the inconsequential “Pool It” and the shoulda-coulda-been-better “Justus”, the group needs a shot in the arm if that new TV series is to be commissioned …
The Monkee House is now a care home for the elderly. Mike, Mickey and Peter entertain the inmates with a singalong concert every week, in addition to foiling arch criminals intent on cornering the Werthers market …
DrJ says
Right, now I’m convinced that HP is *not* taking this seriously. Or am I paranoid?
Martin Hairnet says
I read somewhere that the special edition will feature “selections from Peter Tork’s extensive catalogue of home recordings, including a spirit journey with guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen.”
I’m in.
H.P. Saucecraft says
None more Monkeefan than me, DrJ, although I hope I can see the funny side of the youthful teen combo’s return to showbiz!
(I have all their albums, all their expanded/extended/deluxe editions. a slew of bootlegs, all Nesmith’s solo stuff … just to establish my bonafides. And I am really looking forward to Good Times!)
H.P. Saucecraft says
Oh yeah … and I listen to the audio track (not the soundtrack) of the Head movie – which I’ve seen more that any other movie – on my iPod.
@henpetsig
H.P. Saucecraft says
@henspetpig
H.P. Saucecraft says
Sod it.
GCU Grey Area says
@henpetsgi
H.P. Saucecraft says
@pigstungun
GCU Grey Area says
@hingepest
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Someone called? I loved The Monkees (especially the TV Show – haven’t watched for decades just in case – a rather large case I suspect, a case roughly the size of Canada- it’s lost it’s sixties charm) but, as is well-documented, for me they lost it when trying to get too, like, serious. Some drug-crazed fool from the Mekong Delta got me to view Head a while ago: loved every minute….
Gatz says
How about the 1980’s New Monkees?
http://www.willardswormholes.com/archives/category/new-monkees
H.P. Saucecraft says
Why they’re nothing but cheap impostors! I bet Beany has the album.
Beany says
Cheeky monkees. I once had the Boyce & Hart band as a support act. They played some familiar songs what they writ for Metal Micky & chums.
DrJ says
Oh listen, I love ’em too but it’s hugely ridiculous. Did you see the 1997 special, which covered the notion of 50-something Monkees still living in the Beach House, playing at the hops. Great idea, poorly executed.
I met Elvis Costello at a Davy/Micky Monkess gig in 2003. It’s a wonder he hasn’t thrown his hat into the ring.
minibreakfast says
Bless.
Johnny Concheroo says
The best bit about that Irish website report is how Mike Nesmith is credited as “Nesbitt” in the photo caption
Moose the Mooche says
I will tell you this boy…. listen to the band frae Govan… now beat it!
Johnny Concheroo says
I will walk alone! etc
Neilo says
A Monkees iteration fronted up by former newsreader turned leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Mike Nesbitt, would be quite…er…a thing. Clarksville Says No!
davebigpicture says
I’m thinking Mike and Davey can be there via the “magic” of video. They’ve done it with Elvis and er, Nat King Cole. Big screen, VT synced with click track et voila, stay at home members (hur hur) and the deceased are part of the show.
On another note, can The Banana Splits be the support? They were always on before The Monkees when I was a kid.
MC Escher says
Is Rod Stewart involved?
H.P. Saucecraft says
Right. That’s it. Admin please close this thread down. Or at least Mauritz. Peasant.
Tiggerlion says
He’s probably writing a song. He can write songs, can’t he?
ernietothecentreoftheearth says
Disturbingly, I hear Dolenz is reported as saying he feels there was always an Oi ! element to their music.
H.P. Saucecraft says
They invented punk, you know. Brackets I’m Not Your Close Brackets Stepping Stone was the blueprint for everything that followed. Listening to it right now. Wonderful.
ianess says
What a cracking single that was. I’m a Believer as A side, coupled with Stepping Stone. That’s what I call good value for six shillings and eight pence.
H.P. Saucecraft says
I’m A Believer is pure pop bliss.
Moose the Mooche says
So many tip top tunes buried on those albums. This for example.
https://youtu.be/cIBU6SK9zhk
(Yes, it’s in stereo. I like stereo. Two ears, y’see)
Moose the Mooche says
I now think of the Monkees as the characters from the Big Bang Theory,
Mike Nesmith – Sheldon (tall, brilliant, antisocial)
Mickey Dolenz – Leonard (slightly whiney voice, squishy face)
Davey Jones – Howard (short, bowl-cut, wears clothes from the 1960s)
Peter Tork – Raj (….okay maybe this doesn’t work. We’ll have to substitute Penny. Because she’s a blonde babe)
Sewer Robot says
You could rename the show “The Infinite Monkee Cage”
Also: you can’t discuss TV shows about bands from Norn Iron without reffing Moondogs Matinee, the afternoon kids’ show starring the largely forgotten punks from Stroke City:
Junior Wells says
HP – wot’s on the boots ?
Moose the Mooche says
The blood of his enemies, of course.
Oh, bootlegs!
H.P. Saucecraft says
Since Rhino has comprehensively raided the vaults, the bootlegs have been superseded; there’s no real point in having them unless you’re unbalanced.
ianess says
I went to see Peter Tork at The Borderline about 15 years ago. Guess who was having a slash in the loo when I went in to strain the spuds? Yes. The great man himself. I didn’t sneak a peek as he was just finishing off. I held out my hand to shake his. (His hand) He refused to do so, looking rather disgusted at the thought, muttering something about having to wash his hands first. I wouldn’t have cared overmuch about the accumulated piss and herpes residue, but that was that.
Very enjoyable gig, made all the more memorable by the numerous Euroteens, particularly the fräuleins, who queued to get their lovingly handmade scrapbooks signed at the interval. Apparently, the TV series was still being regularly shown in Deutschland.
Archie Valparaiso says
After all these years, I think that in “getting their lovingly handmade scrapbooks signed” we may have a worthy successor to “discussing Ugandan relations”.
Martin Hairnet says
Noel got the memo: Monkee see, monkee do.
Dave Ross says
I love the Monkees, really love them but I don’t want nor need anything new. I can listen to “Randy scouse Git” on a loop and never need another Monkees song. “Headquarters” can’t be topped, leave in the 60’s where it belongs…….
H.P. Saucecraft says
Headquarters is a rush of happiness from beginning to end. But I’ve never been worried about who plays what on Monkees songs (or anybody’s songs). It’s the records that matter, and there are other Monkees albums I’d rate alongside this one.
(Shades Of Gray playing right now)
Mousey says
Micky’s working on the beats as we speak…
http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y448/MrMunkie/Micky-Moog_zpsyhvp93pe.jpg
H.P. Saucecraft says
First use of a Moog on a pop record.
“Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees talks about using the Moog modular synthesizer on Daily Nightly, the first pop recording to use the synthesizer:
“Ahh, my little Moog synthesizer,” said Dolenz. “It was actually a pretty difficult thing to use,” he said, recalling how those first-generation synthesizers had to be physically rewired for every different sound the musician might want to use. “I threw a party for John Lennon one night, and he sat there at the Moog for four hours making flying saucer sounds. It was great for flying saucer sounds.”
The lad done good, too, avoiding dominating the track. Great song, groovy video:
H.P. Saucecraft says
… and don’t miss Mickey’s last word!
H.P. Saucecraft says
Here’s @Penhestig’s favourite movie of all time, in a pristine Criterion print:
Lodestone of Wrongness says
That’s Saturday evening sorted then…gallon of red, pinch of blow and then fast asleep before the nonsense starts (nonsense starts around 1 min 20).
deramdaze says
They batted a long way down.
‘Love Is Only Sleeping’, ‘Daily Nightly’, ‘As We Go Along’, ‘The Door Into Summer’, ‘The Girl I Knew Somewhere’, ‘You Just May Be The One’, ‘Forget That Girl’, ‘Words’, ‘Circle Sky’…..
All would struggle to get on a ‘Hits’ album, all as good as 60s pop music (and, by definition, pop music) ever got.
H.P. Saucecraft says
And there is no Greatest Hits greater than the Monkees Greatest Hits.
Martin Hairnet says
Not Monkee music per se, but I wanted to shoehorn this in as it’s been a Nez favourite for some time. More of this kind of stuff would be more than welcome on the new album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVBaohweLXQ
Archie Valparaiso says
***THREAD DRIFT ALERT***
Q: What do you call the Monkees five years later? A: The Partridge Family. Yes, the faces were different, the show itself was unrelenting shite and the very concept of families doing things together was anathema in 1970 (well, unless their surname happened to be Staples), so their cool creds never had a hope in heckit.
And yet … their first album is just a poplicious as the Monkees’ early efforts, Probably because it was in actualaddee performed by Messrs Tedesco, Knechtel, Blaine and Co.
Park yo prejudices, close yo eyes, forget the girly bits (only there to give Shirley “Principal Boy” Jones something, at least ostensibly, to do), imagine that the vocal slapped on it is Mickey D or Davy J rather than David C and it is, withoudashaduvvadoud, the greatest Monkees single never made.
ADDED BONUS! It also features the weirdassest, most diggable middle eight in chart-hit history (from 1:20). So weirdass, in fact, that it’s actually a middle twelve.
H.P. Saucecraft says
Electric harpsichord! Man, am I ever diggin’ these sounds!
Archie Valparaiso says
And with a proper singer on top of it (and almost certainly the same musicians yet again), the song is even better (even if the weirdass middle twelve is replaced by a more conventional, although bassoontastic, middle eight):
It was written by Tony Romeo, who apart from having the most L.A. name evuh was responsible for 150 other recorded songs over a period of about eight years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO_uIgXVqFQ
H.P. Saucecraft says
Tony Romeo. That has to be his real name, right?
Archie Valparaiso says
Turns out I was wrong about the L.A. bit. He was from Backeast, Italian-American, so it may well have been his real name. Or not. Right, Al Martino … or do I mean Jasper Cini?
Hey, that’s a point. What if Dick Cheney’s real name was Riccardo Ceni?
(See? I did warn you about thread drift.)
H.P. Saucecraft says
While you’re here, Arch – can you tell us how “guinea” (perj. “of Italian descent”) is pronounced, and perhaps shed some light on its derivation? I’m pretty sure I once heard it pronounced something like “gwee-noh” in a movie.
H.P. Saucecraft says
(Archie is currently having to run his donkey ride concession at the beach alone, as his intern, the dusky, doe-eyed Conchita, is attending a radicalisation course. He’ll be back when the tourist season is over.)
Archie Valparaiso says
I think it’s pronounced like “guinea” in English, because I’ve seen it written “ginny” more than once. It’s not like “quinoa”, in other words. I’ve no idea where it comes from. “Guinea” as a neffnick slur, I mean. I know where quinoa comes from. The very bowels of Hell.