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This was the group debut album and the music is of pop happy style. The Monkees reached #1 on the U.S. The Monkees is thirty minutes was originally released on October 10, 1966. The music is great, though not dance music. Billboard 200 Album charts (13 weeks at #1) and #1 on the Cashbox Charts. Only one song charted from the album. I am giving it an AA++.Side 1The MonkeesSaturday's ChildI Wanna Be FreeTomorrow's Gonna Be Another DayPapa Gene's BlueTake A Giant StepSide 2Last Train To Clarksville#1 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles#1 Cashbox SinglesThis Just Doesn't Seem to be My DayLet's Dance OnI'll Be True to YouSweet Young ThingGonna Buy Me a Dog
Were they that good.My answer, in my reviews, will be "yes." There is a sense of unreasoned hate that comes into play, when discussing the Monkees. The question is: are Davy, Micky, Peter and Michael talented enough, to merit the monstrous sales of their first five LPs. Did the show simply accelerate what would have been sure artistic respect. We will never know what might have been, had Rolling Stone, MTV, and the Rock Hall been more encouraging of these guys.This album gives you your first glimpse of the Monkees: Micky's superb pop interpretations, Davy's sense of making a hook work, Michael's "out there" individuality, and just a touch of Peter. Again, I say resoundingly, YES.The suits made one mistake - they were too good in their selection of actors/singers as their cast of the Monkees TV show. So, it is hate rooted in hypocrisy.Did they play their own instruments. No - but who does. This is how they wanted it, what they insisted on - they took on the suits and won artistically, while losing commercially.There would be other Monkees climactic moments: 1967 just after the release of Headquarters, in 1986 at the short-lived reunion, and again in 1996 at their 30th anniversary.
There is plenty of history to be found on other reviews, and the album liner notes. The Monkees have had a Sysiphusian career. Did they bring some of what makes Rock music unique, into their interpretation of the TV show and its music. Not all of them, but what they did produce was of an excellent quality. Even the Beach Boys celebrated Pet Sounds album had a lot of help with the same artists that are playing on the Monkees' first two albums.No - we come back to the question: were they good.
Not one. They would up with some really talented, albeit musically unsuited to be in the same group, group of typical counter-culture Sixties rockers.What did I just say about being unsuited. Did they write all their own music. There isn't a Rock Hall of Fame artist alive, that wouldn't have given their left arm for a chance to be a Monkee. My reviews will not rehash all of that.This first album gave them their first enormous blast of respect.
The sound is unified, but soon it will spread out into four distinct musical interpretations. But you do not pick up on that in this first album. Well, yes, there are four distinct styles in the Monkees. Yes, but not all the time (but who does). Were they an artificial group, put together by corporate suits. But even that is not all bad.
These four artists were pulled together from hundreds of applicants, for their experience, talent, musical and comedic background, and ability to sell records, in 1965-1966.Their trajectory to fame was shortened, perhaps artificially, due to casting call and auditions conducted by Colgems and NBC. But you do get elements of each of the boys. It is as much a Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart album as the Beatles first album is a George Martin album. Most people's mp3 playlists are conglomerations of different musical styles.
But in each case, the haters organized themselves to stop any respectability to come their way.Too bad - these four gentleman are truly talented. But even the Beatles were not immune to a little of this, when George Martin replaced poor Pete Best with Ringo Starr. Would they have made it without the Monkees TV show. And here again, the Monkees are ahead of the industry.
Did they arrange or produce their own records. Yes, indeed. By the time of the Pisces album, a Monkees LP sounds very much like an Itunes shuffle play. Enjoy this album, and "More of the Monkees," the last period in their career, when the corporate world had much control over them.
Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day 5. I'll Be True to You 11. I Wanna Be Free 4. Saturday's Child 3. Track Listings 1. I Don't Think You Know Me [Previously Unissued Alternate Version][Alter 15. Let's Dance On 10. This Just Doesn't Seem to Be My Day 9.
Gonna Buy Me a Dog 13. Take a Giant Step 7. (Theme From) The Monkees 2. Sweet Young Thing 12. Papa Gene's Blues 6. Last Train to Clarksville 8. I Can't Get Her Off My Mind [Previously Unissued Early Version][*] 14. (Theme From) The Monkees [Previously Unissued Early Version][*]
Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork DID in fact play on this album on Nesmith's songs Michael played guitar and Peter played second chair guitar.check out the session notes for this album.they are listed as muscicians
Great album, despite the lack of group member performance on guitar, bass and drums. Let's see.The Beach Boys, The Supremes, CSN&Y, The Temptations, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, AND Elvis all had #1 singles (and some had multiple top ten albums) in which none of the group's members play ONE LICK AT ALL.This is one of the top 50 albums of all time.from writing to production.you can't go wrong.
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