More of The Monkees
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| More of The Monkees | ||
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| Studio album by The Monkees | ||
| Released | January 10, 1967 | |
| Recorded | June - November 1966 | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 33:00 | |
| Label | Colgems Records | |
| Producer(s) | Various Producers | |
| Professional reviews | ||
|---|---|---|
| The Monkees chronology | ||
 The Monkees (1966) |
 More of The Monkees (1967) |
 Headquarters (1967) |
More of The Monkees is the second full-length album by The Monkees. It was recorded in late 1966 and released on Colgems label #102 on January 10, 1967.
Monkeemania had reached full swing by the time the album was released. The Monkees' second single, "I'm a Believer", held the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 and they were about to embark on a highly successful concert tour, breaking records at nearly every stop.
As a collective unit, the group began to grow concerned over their musical output, since this album and their debut, The Monkees, featured them limited to just vocals with scattered instrumental contributions. Musical supervisor Don Kirshner had a strict rule that The Monkees were to provide only vocals on his productions, though separate sessions produced by Michael Nesmith himself usually featured Peter Tork on guitar.
Another factor added to the tension between the band and Kirshner. Unbeknownst to the four members, More of The Monkees was rushed to be released (to cash in on the band's popularity) while the group was out of town. Individual members of the band, particularly Nesmith and Tork, were upset with the songs selected for the record, leading Nesmith to later say that More of The Monkees was "the worst album in the history of the world." The public didn't seem to mind, as the album later went on to sell more than 5 million copies.
Contents |
[edit] Musical content
The musical content of More of The Monkees was assembled by Don Kirshner from a total of 34 songs. With 12 slots to fill the competition to land a spot on the album was fierce.
The second of the band's four consecutive US number-one albums in a 12-month period, More of The Monkees remained at the top for 18 weeks and, like their debut, hit number one in the UK. The album includes Neil Diamond's "I'm a Believer" – one of the biggest-selling singles of the decade – and another notable Diamond composition, "Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)". The album kicks off with the gutsy track "She", which rests squarely in the pop-rock camp, as does Boyce and Hart's 1960s garage-rock classic "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone". The tune gets a ferocious treatment from Micky Dolenz.
[edit] The Monkees rebel
Within weeks of the release of More of The Monkees, Nesmith lobbied successfully with the group's creators, Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider, for The Monkees to be allowed to play their instruments on all forthcoming records, effectively giving the quartet clear and complete artistic control. To make his point clear to Kirshner, who was balking at the idea, Nesmith proceeded to punch a hole in the wall of the Beverly Hills Hotel during a group meeting with Kirshner, who was later unceremoniously dumped from the project altogether.
Nesmith subsequently referred to More of the Monkees as the "worst record I've ever heard," and the rest of the band were equally disparaging, never wishing for it to be released.
[edit] Track listing
- "She" (Boyce/Hart)
- "When Love Comes Knockin' At Your Door" (Sager/Sedaka)
- "Mary, Mary" (Nesmith)
- "Hold On Girl" (Carr/Keller/Raleigh)
- "Your Auntie Grizelda" (Hildebrand/Keller)
- "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" (Boyce/Hart)
- "Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)" (Diamond)
- "The Kind Of Girl I Could Love" (Nesmith/Atkins)
- "The Day We Fall In Love"(Linzer/Randall)
- "Sometime In The Morning" (Goffin/King)
- "Laugh" (Margo/Margo/Medress/Siegel)
- "I'm A Believer" (Diamond)
[edit] Session info
"She"
- Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
- Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones & Peter Tork, Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton, Organ: Bobby Hart, Bass: Larry Taylor, Drums: Billy Lewis, Percussion: Norm Jefferies
- Recorded at RCA Victor Studio A, Hollywood, August 15, 1966
- Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Covered by The Dickies in 1978 on their debut LP The Incredible Shrinking Dickies.
"When Love Comes Knockin' (At Your Door)"
- Written by Neil Sedaka and Carole Bayer Sager
- Lead vocal by Davy Jones
- Guitar: Al Gafa, Nillard Suyker and Donald Thomas, Piano: Neil Sedaka, Bass: Russell Savakus, Drums: Herbert Lovell
- Recorded on November 23, 1966 along with The Girl I Left Behind, which popped up on The Monkees' Instant Replay album in 1969
- Produced by Neil Sedaka and Carole Bayer
- Engineered by Ernie Olerich
"Mary, Mary"
- Written by Michael Nesmith
- Lead and backing vocal by Micky Dolenz
- Guitar: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Michael Deasy, and Don Peake, Piano: Michael Cohen, Bass: Larry Knetchtel and Bob West, Drums: Hal Blaine and Jim Gordon, Percussion: Cary Coleman
- Recorded at Western Recorders, Hollywood, July 25, 1966
- Arrangement: Don Peake
- Produced by Michael Nesmith
- "Mary Mary" appeared on the Paul Butterfield Band's "East-West" release a year before the Monkees' version was released.
- "Mary, Mary" became a rap hit for Run-DMC in 1988
"Hold on Girl"
- Written by Jack Keller, Ben Raleigh and Billy Carr
- Lead vocal by Davy Jones
- Backing vocals by Micky Dolenz
- Other personnel unknown
- Produced by Jeff Barry and Jack Keller
- Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, September 10, 1966 and American Studios, Studio City, October 23, 1966
- Slower version can be found on Missing Links Vol. 2
"Your Auntie Grizelda"
- Written by Jack Keller and Diane Hilderbrand
- Lead vocal by Peter Tork
- Other personnel unknown
- Produced by Jeff Barry and Jack Keller
- Engineered by Richard Podolor
- Recorded at American Studios, Studio City, October 23, 1966
"(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone"
- Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
- Backing vocal: Tommy Boyce, Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, Louie Shelton, Organ: Bobby Hart, Bass: Larry Taylor, Drums: Billy Lewis, Percussion: Henry Levvy
- Produced and Arranged by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Recorded at Western Recorders, Studio #1, Hollywood, July 26, 1966
- Appeared on the flip side of "I'm a Believer"
- Reached number 20 on the pop charts, making it the first Monkees b-side to chart
"Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)"
- Written by Neil Diamond
- Lead vocal by Davy Jones
- Backing vocals by Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz & Peter Tork
- Other personnel unknown
- Produced by Jeff Barry
- Recorded in New York City, October 15 and 23, 1966 (studio unknown)
- First of the two Neil Diamond songs performed by The Monkees on this album
"The Kind of Girl I Could Love"
- Written by Michael Nesmith and Roger Atkins
- Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
- Backing vocals by Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones & Peter Tork
- Guitar: James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Michael Deasy, and Don Peake, Bass: Larry Knetchtel and Bob West, Drums: Hal Blaine and Jim Gordon, Percussion: Cary Coleman
- Arrangement: Don Peake
- Produced by Michael Nesmith
- Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, June 25, 1966
- Last Nesmith collaboration with another composer
"The Day We Fall in Love"
- Written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell
- Lead vocal by Davy Jones
- Guitar: Al Casey, Harpsichord and Organ: Don Randi and Michael Rubini, Bass: Carol Kaye and Ray Pohlman, Drums: Hal Blaine, Percussion: Frank Capp and Julius Wechter, Violin: Louis Haber, Irving Spice, and Lousi Stone, Viola: David Sackson and Murray Sandry, Cello: Seymour Barab, Conductor: Arthur Butler
- Arranged and Produced by Jeff Barry
- Engineered by Ray Hall
- Recorded at RCA Victor Studios Hollywood, October 28, 1966 and RCA Victor Studio B, New York, November 23, 1966
"Sometime in the Morning"
- Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
- Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
- Backing vocals by Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones & Peter Tork
- Other personnel unknown
- Produced by Gerry Goffin, Carole King and Jeff Barry
- Recorded at New York City, October 13 and 25, 1966 (studio unknown)
"Laugh"
- Written by Hank Medress, Phil Margo, Mitchell Margo and Jay Siegal
- Lead vocal by Davy Jones
- Guitar: Al Casey, Harpsichord and Organ: Don Randi and Michael Rubini, Bass: Carol Kaye and Ray Pohlman, Drums: Hal Blaine, Percussion: Frank Capp and Julius Wechter
- Produced and Arranged by Jeff Barry
- Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, October 28, 1966
- Written by Neil Diamond
- Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
- Backing Vocals by Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones & Peter Tork
- Other personnel unknown
- Produced by Jeff Barry
- Recorded in New York City, October 15 and 23, 1966
- Reached number 1 on the pop charts
- Andrew Sandoval says that Diamond played guitar in the session, and Buddy Salzman played drums
[edit] 1994 CD Bonus Tracks
"Don't Listen to Linda" (unissued version)
- Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Lead vocal by Davy Jones
- Intended for More of the Monkees, then put aside and re-cut for The Birds, The Bees, & The Monkees, but then again put aside later for the Instant Replay album.
"I'll Spend My Life With You" (alternate)
- Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Unused until Headquarters, when it was re-recorded by The Monkees
"I Don't Think You Know Me" (unissued mix)
- Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
- Lead vocal by Peter Tork
- Backing vocals: Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith
- Intended for use for the television series, but never broadcast
"Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)" (unissued long version)
- Intended by Jeff Barry to give Peter a bigger role on the album
"I'm a Believer" (early take)
- Take 4A, which is slightly slower and features raw vocals from Micky
[edit] 2006 Bonus Tracks
"Apples, Peaches, Bananas & Pears"
- Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Lead vocal by Micky
- Featured on Missing Links Volume 1
"Ladies Aid Society"
- Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Lead vocal by Davy
- Previously Unissued
"I'll Spend My Life With You" (alternate)
- Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Unused until Headquarters, when it was re-recorded by The Monkees/On the 1994 reissue
"I Don't Think You Know Me" (unissued mix)
- Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
- Lead vocal by Peter Tork
- Backing vocals: Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith
- Intended for use for the television series, but never broadcast/On the 1994 reissue
"Through The Looking Glass (First Recorded Version)"
- Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Lead vocal by Micky
- Backing vocal by Davy
- Originally featured on Missing Links Volume 3
"Don't Listen To Linda (First Recorded Version)"
- Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Lead vocal by Micky
- Backing vocal by Davy
- Originally on the 1994 reissue
"Kicking Stones"
- Written by Lynn Castle and Wayne Erwin
- Lead vocal by Micky
- Originally featured on Missing Links Volume 1, titled "Teeny Tiny Gnome."
"Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)" (unissued long version)
- Included on the 1994 reissue.
"I'm a Believer" (early take)
- Same track from 1994 reissue, but in stereo and different studio chatter.
"Mr. Webster (First Recorded Version)"
- Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Lead vocal by Micky
- Originally featured on Missing Links Volume 2.
"Valleri (First Recorded Version)"
- Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Lead vocal by Davy
- Backing vocal by Micky
- Originally featured on Missing Links Volume 2.
"Words (First Recorded Version)"
- Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
- Lead vocal by Micky and Peter
- Backing vocal by Davy
- Originally featured on Missing Links Volume 2.
"Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow) (TV Version)"
- Written by Neil Diamond
- Lead vocal by Davy
- Backing vocal by Micky and Peter
- Originally featured on the Music Box set, remixed in stereo.
"I'll Be Back Up On My Feet (TV Version)"
- Written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell
- Lead vocal by Micky
- Originally featured on Missing Links Volume 2.
"Tear Drop City (Original Mix)"
- Written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell
- Lead vocal by Micky
- Later sped up (and mixed in stereo) for Instant Replay in 1969. Previously unissued.
"Of You (Mono Mix)"
- Written by Bill and John Chadwick
- Lead vocal by Mike
- Originally featured on the Music Box set.
"Of You (First Recorded Version)"
- Written by Jack Keller, Ben Raleih, and Billy Carr
- Lead vocal by Davy
- Backing vocal by Micky
- Originally featured on Missing Links Volume 2.
"(I Prithee) Do Not Ask For Love"
- Written by Michael Martin Murphy
- Lead vocal by Micky
- Originally featured on Missing Links Volume 2.
[edit] Other personnel
- Music supervisor: Don Kirshner
- Music coordinators: Lester Sill and Emil LaViola
[edit] Miscellanea
- The liner notes to the Rhino Records CD reissue state that "The Day We Fall In Love" was the only song from the album not to be featured in the television series. Two songs, "When Love Comes Knockin' At Your Door" and "Hold On Girl" were featured on two first season episodes, but were replaced by later-era Monkees songs for subsequent reruns. (The original episodes featuring the aforementioned songs appear on Rhino's Monkees DVD second season box set.)
- "Your Auntie Grizelda" was the first released Monkees track to feature a lead vocal by Peter Tork, who was distinctly unhappy with the song's novelty flavor.
- The cover photo for More Of The Monkees was pieced together from two separate shots. The Monkees were wearing clothes from J.C. Penney, in an attempt by that store to increase the popularity of their clothing line.
[edit] References
- More of The Monkees CD liner notes
- The Monkees: The Day-By-Day Story of the 60s TV Pop Sensation by Andrew Sandoval
