SSB Update, Concert Reviews, Music Box Review

From: Donna

Hello Brad & All!

Sorry for the late notice, but “Dirt Duel”, the Adam-12 episode that
features Micky is on today on TV Land. Times are 10:00 a.m. Thursday 3/23
(eastern), and it repeats at 3:00 a.m. Friday 3/24 (eastern). It’s a good
episode and Micky is in quite a few scenes.

Donna “I know the plans I have for you, to give you a future and a hope, says the
Lord” Jeremiah 29:11

(ed: quoting davy “I was a bit late on that one” – watch for it, we’ll
catch it next time.)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: “Bonnie Verrico”

Hi Everyone,

The venue for Shoe Suede Blues’ performance in Portland,
Maine has been changed due to the overwhelming response from
fans! Here is the new location of the show on Tuesday,
April 24, 2001:

State Theater
609 Congress Street
Portland, ME
Club 207-879-4525
Ticketmaster 207-775-3331
Tickets $12 advance/$15 door (same as before)

Also, because the venue is larger, the band will be
performing one long show instead of the
preveiously-announced 2 short shows that night.

Hope to see some of you there!
Bonnie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter Tork & Shoe Suede Blues
Spring Tour! April 20-May 6, 2001
www.petertork.com
www.shoesuedeblues.com
http://electricbubbles.com/shoopies

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: C. Brian Jasper

Below is my Goldmine Magazine review for the music box. your people will
get to read it first!

Monkees Music Box. Rhino R2-76706

With the Monkees latest reunion, Rhino has sure flooded the market with box
sets. This one coming on the heels of last fall s “Headquarters Sessions”,
and on the dawn of the “Summer of 1967: The Complete U.S. Concert
Recordings”, due May 9th.

The big question from fans, surrounding this box set is this: do I have to
do this all over again? Literally a reissue of a reissue, are the
remastered differences in these songs strong enough to merit us all to buy
these tracks, albeit loved and cherished as they are, again? The smaller
question is: if I do buy it, can I – on a clear conscience – take my old
Rhino box set Listen To The Band to the second hand shoppe as trade bait? I
can answer these questions in quick order.

Mike Nesmith was once quoted as siting the reason he didn t listen to, or
value very highly, the Monkees records was because of the lackluster sonic
range of the recordings. Nesmith felt like the Beatles “Rubber Soul” was
filled with depth and clarity compared to the Monkees efforts which (in
comparison, mind you) just sort of sounded flat and lifeless. Well, this
new revamped Rhino box set alleviates that feeling for Monkee aficionados
partially, but not entirely.

This set, nearly a mirror image of the 1991 rhino box, (save for a track or
two plus and/or minus), boasts sound quality improvement on a number of
tracks, however surprisingly not all; Rhino would have done themselves a
favor to have taken a closer listen to the old box, and maybe have
revisited some of their original production notes.

Right away the good work of finding the true original masters to these
songs coupled with new millennium mastering technology shines on cuts like
” The Monkees Theme”, “Last Train To Clarksville” and “Take A Giant Step” –
the latter which is laughably superior in clarity and detail over the old
box version, with the weightier presence you d purchase a remaster for.
Then comes “Papa Gene s Blues”. Huh-oh. What happened? Somebody dropped the
ball. The 1991 box version rips this one!

Most of these tracks are punchier than the single CD issues of the Monkees
catalog, as Rhino admittedly sacrificed in places on those CDs for the sake
of continuity. However, on this new box, the sky was supposed to be the
limit; yet some songs here just aren t as strong as their now said-to-be
out-dated old version masters. Take for example the case of “Sweet Young
Thing”. On this new box the stereo spectrum on this cut is flipped – with
the drums largely on the right channel instead of the left; and the
separation is not as dramatic. No clear cut winner here, just a huge
difference depending on your listening preference. There s no need to
continue track by track. This is pretty much my point for the remainder of
the set: if you ve grown accustomed to the mixes and masters used on 1991
box, then you will definitely want to hang on to it; if you ve never bought
the 1991 box – you probably ought to invest in one, as it is now, with this
release, officially out of print.

As for the remaining aspects of the Monkees Music Box, the art work is
again – as with the 1991 box – sadly adolescent. In fact, the nice cover
shot is a wash when you flip the set over only to see the track listing in
the same cartoon-ish font and color scheme – literally – as last years
Archies compilation (Repertoire 4804-WG). Open the box up, and worse:
cartoon characters of the individual Monkees are printed on the face of
each CD!

A golden opportunity to bring some deserved respect to this body of work,
and re-define Monkees legend for a new generation, blown again to crass and
(calculated?) commercialism. Final synopsis: mixed and remixed and
remastered, over it s predecessor, the Monkees “Music Box” is at best a
mixed bag.

-C. Brian Jasper, Goldmine

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: ” Sally Carpenter”

Two interesting items from the LA Life section of Los Angeles Daily
News. The “industry shutdown” mentioned in the first article refers to
possible strikes this summer by the screenwriters and screen actors.

ON THE BIG SCREEN
Another film likely to be cutting its production schedule close,
with the industry shutdown breathing down movie producer’s necks, is Samuel
L. Jackson’s “No Good Deed.”:
It has a targeted start date of May 9 with Bob Rafelson
directing. That’s the Rafelson remembered by baby boomers as one of the
producers of the original “Monkees” TV show and the director of “Five Easy
Pieces.”
Jackson–who has been hurrying from project to project since last
summer–will play a San Francisco cop who tries to help a friend find her
missing daughter and winds up taking on an international ring of bond
thieves in the flick.

MONKEEING AROUND
Kristin Hersh says her admittedly broodings could’ve been penned
by the Monkees, “But only is something really horrible had happened to them.”
Don’t tell singing simians Davy, Peter, Micky and Mike, but Hersh
appears Saturday in a free show at Borders in Westwood.
Hersh, a founder of Boston’s now-defunct Throwing Muses, will
perform material from her fifth solo album, “Sunny Border Blue,” in which
she plays all the instruments.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: “Steven Bradley”

‘Morning Glory: The Tim Buckley Anthology’ is released this week by Rhino.
The review in this week’s New Musical Express describes it as “two CD’s, 37
songs, one infinitely creative madman”.
Spanning nine of Buckley’s albums from 1966 to 1974, the set includes “the
original ‘Song To The Siren’, still stunning, reprieved here with it’s
never-before-released version from the Monkees TV show. Tim Buckley, dead at
28, was a unique voice and here’s the chart of it’s full progression”,
reports the NME, giving the album 8 out of 10.

As this is the first ever official release, we can expect a vastly improved
sound quality over the bootlegged versions, taped straight from the TV. Tim
was Micky’s guest on the ‘Frodis Caper’ episode that Micky directed, and was
the last programme to be shown in the Monkees second season.

meanwhile, in rainy England…

‘The Definitive Monkees’ compilation CD slips down the chart. Having entered
at number 15 two weeks ago, it dropped to 27 last week and 59 this week. The
boys are in good company, though, with the Beatles’ ‘1’ next to them at
number 59.

finally…

I reported on 4 February about the group ‘Hear Say’ manufactured by and for
television, drawing parallels with the Monkees. This week their debut single
is number one, and they are all over the newspapers. A successful
experiment, then, but I wonder if like the Monkees they will still be with
us 35 years after the launch…..

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: “Mary Scheib”

Brad,

Did you see the review by Theresa Wiltz
in the Washington Post? She trashed the Monkees.
It’s terrible. She says they shouldn’t be out
touring, that they are has beens with no talent.
Even talks about receding hairlines.
Was in March 16 edition of Post.

I saw them at the State Theatre in Easton, Pa.
and I thought it was the best show since they
regrouped in ’86.
I wanted to email Ms. Wiltz but she did not
have an email address at the Wash Post website.

Thanks,
Mary

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: Lindsay

At CNN.com there is an article about the group “O-town” that compares them to
the Monkees (No, I’m not an O-Town fan. I was supposed to be looking for a
book review, and somehow the word “Monkees” made its way to the search
box…). There are several Monkee mentions:

“Think “Real World” meets the Monkees. That’s the roundabout way O-Town, the
latest boy band, was created.”

“Just as the Monkees were created as much for their TV personas as their
musicianship, so did the O-Town Boys come together.”

For the full article:
http://cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/01/o.town.o.boy/index.html

Enjoy!

~Lindsay

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Show Reviews:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: Dori & Tara

My sister and I saw your concert at the Taj in Atlantic City on St.
Patrick’s’ Day. It was fabulous. This is the third time we saw them. Our
first time was in Atlantic City at Rum Point (Harrah’s stands there now). We
saw Davy, Mickey and Mickey’s sister Coco. Then we saw them again in
Atlantic City on there reunion tour in 1986. I guess we are fans that love
them. We are older as well as they are, but they sure look good and I think
they always will.

Again, we had a great time, it brought back childhood memories as well as
a great night out with the girls and seeing old friends. Thank you for the
memories, the Monkees will always shine on and live in our homes forever.
Thank you and hope this is not the end of the tours. Maybe you can do it
again soon. But always come back to Atlantic City so we can see you again
and again.

Fans from New Jersey.
Dori & Tara
Sisters

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: Ronald L Cohen

I never thought the opportunity would again arise but I had the
pleasure
of seeing the Monkees in concert once again at the Westbury Music Fair on
March 13. I’ve lost track of how many times I have seen them in person.
They just get better and better. Despite the aging — Micky being bald
and Davy going gray — It’s always a pleasure to see them.
Aside from the music being terribly loud, I loved it. They performed a
total of 26 songs from their own albums plus another 6 they did
individually. They performed five of Mike’s songs including a couple I
had never heard them do in concert before — “Papa Gene’s Blues” and
“Circle Sky”. They even took turns with the stanza’s with another one of
Mike’s leads — “What Am I Doing Hangin’ Round?” Another surprise was
“It’s Nice to be with You”. It’s not one of the standards and, if you are
not a great fan, you would not know where to find it in their
discography.
It was great watching each for their strengths in performing. Micky
bounced around the stage on only two songs. He generally stayed in one
place playing the guitar and singing although he did play the drums
twice. Davy continued to bounce around the stage almost continually
having a great time. Peter went from one instrument to another — various
guitars, banjo, keyboards. he even played his little Bach number. It was
great watching his professionalism.
It was announced that one of their concerts during this tour may be
taped for release on video. If this is actually done, it would be the
crowning addition to any Monkee fan’s collection. This is the way they
should be remembered. There is even talk that, if this tour is
successful, they might even play on Broadway.

basenji72000

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: mandy

hello
my name is mandy and i am 15 years old. I saw The Monkees last night at the
Uncas Pavillion ( connecticut) and it was GREAT!!!! im still recovering! I
went through hell and back to see this concert since i live so far away. ( i
live in Rhode Island). But it was well worth it. Ive been a huge fan since 97
and never did i think i was going to be able to see them live!!! I certainly
can say that i am the happiest girl living! Since i lived so far away i didnt
get to listen to the local radio stations to win backstage passes, so that
bummed me out. but seeing them being happy and doing what they do best paid
for that. I was so busy taking pictures last night that i couldnt wait to get
them developed. Well i just came back from CVS and only about 2 pictures came
in clear enough( since i took the pictures with a cheesy disposable). so im
begging any of you munkee fans out thier if you have got any concert pictures
of the boys please send them to me at stellerangel116@aol.com. you will make
my mlife happier than it already is!! tyhanx. and peace out!!!
a very, very, very, very, very, very, HUGE fan:
~*MaNdY*~

(ed: a number of show photos are now online at www.monkees.net)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: Doris

I have to tell everyone about the show at the 9:30 club in DC, and ask a
favor!

I was so psyched to be in the second row, just 18 inches from the stage,
dead center! There were no seats, so we were all just standing, pressed
up against the stage. They sounded great! They looked great! And they
allowed cameras!

I had bought 3 pink roses, and had them each separately wrapped in clear
plastic and put individual cards in each one. I had read that Davy was
opposed to hunting, so I bought an anti-hunting bumper sticker and stuck
it in with his flower. The bumper sticker was facing out, so you could
read it from a distance, crystal clear. When “Girl” started, several
people who were too far back threw their flowers on stage, or had other
people pass them up and throw them on stage. But I was so close, I held
the flower out and he came forward and took it from me!!! Then he held
the flower up to his chest and sighed! The bumper sticker was facing
straight out towards the audience! I tried to take a picture, but I
wasn’t fast enough, and he leaned the flower up against a speaker and
kept singing. At the end of the song, someone scooped up all the
flowers and took them off stage.

***If anyone has a photograph of Davy holding flowers from the 9:30 Club
show, please get in touch with me! I saw a few flashes go off while he
was holding my flowers. Email me at sweetvegan@hotmail.com Thanks!***

At the end of the concert, I still had Micky’s and Peter’s flowers in my
hands. There just wasn’t a good time to hand them their flowers, since
both of them had guitars in their hands most of the time. As they were
taking their bows, I held the flowers out and yelled “Micky!” “Peter!”
Davy looked right at me, and really looked puzzled as to why Micky and
Peter wouldn’t take their flowers. Then they all left the stage, but it
was clear that they would come back for an encore, because Micky kept
egging us on to keep clapping. So I thought they would take the flowers
during the encore.

At the end of the encore, as they all took their bows, I again held the
flowers out and yelled “Micky!” “Peter!” They *still* ignored me, and
kept bowing. And again, Davy looked right at me. Finally, *Davy*
stepped forward and took the flowers, and made it a point to look at
the cards inside, and nodded to me like, “OK, I’ll give these to them.”
I nearly fainted! Just as they were leaving the stage, all three of
them stepped forward and we all stuck our hands out and they touched the
fingertips of the people in the front rows. At that point, both Micky
and Peter touched my hand, and I think that maybe they would’ve finally
taken their flowers then.

A fabulous show all around!

Peace,
Doris
—
Help save the NJ black bears!
http://www.savenjbears.com/savenjbearsframeset.html

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: “ginger fitts”

Mohegan Sun Show

Got back from the show last night, Better than the Lowell Show!!! I
actually got to take 2 rolls of pictures
and they came out super! I was on the isle in the 16th row, but I kept
scootin up to the 5th row for pics!
Micky was wack! When he got to the kettle drum for RSG he started doing
the witch scene from Macbeth ,
cackle and all! Peter goes to him and says, “Micky, you’re beginning to
scare me.” to which Davy replies, “What do you mean beginning? he’s been
scaring me for 30 years!” They seemed to have loosened up more, having
more fun, bumping into speakers and stuff. Peter ackowledged his family in
the audience, “They came such a long distance to see me!” Micky wandered
off to his drums, saying “Micky needs drums..Micky need Prozac!” Four
words..Micky in leather pants! I hope they decide to tour again this
summer! I’ll be there!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: ACMRDS2

Here are my two cents about the concert in Washingon DC.

As a fan, and this being my first concert, I thought it was wonderful. Alot
of fun, great music, and the comfort level and chemistry of those on stage
was great. I loved the backup musicians and was particularly impressed with
the saxiphonist/keybordist/ flutist/ etc. I did not catch her name, but she
did a great job (although there was just a slight tendency to be a bit sharp
sometimes).

As a professional musician myself, I also have to say that the show was
pretty tight. All three of the Monkees are obviously solid musicians, and I
personally enjoyed hearing each of them showcase their talents in both the
Monkees standards and with other songs too. It seems unfortunate that many
of the folks were less attentive whenever they did songs that were not
necessarily known as Monkees songs. I think I was one of only a few who was
really into Micky singing “Since I Fell For You”. Now that man KNOWS he can
sing some Blues! He really needs to consider putting out a blues or R & B
album. I have read several times that that is his favorite musical, genre and
it shows. He has a wonderful fluid quality to his voice which makes his
ability to deliver on some of those difficult phrases appear to be
effortless.

Anyway, that’s it for my long two cents. I had a great time, took lots of
pictures, and was nice and close to the stage to boot.

Peace

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: Shelly Peace

just a note about the Mohegan Sun show……

It was awesome!!!!!!! Micky was great! I was really impressed with all three
of them, all the energy and fun they were having. My seat wasn’t that close
to the stage but the huge TV screens on either side made it a real theatrical
event, I brought my boyfriend, it was his first monkees concert ever I
believe I converted him, he had nothing but good to say about them, and him
being a singer himself!!! even the “boyband” Natural, kept us entertained,
they’re style was fresh with the slight metal egde to it. The Monkees were in
top form, It is definatly a must see concert!!!!

Second Generation Monkees lover
Shelly Peace

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: Laura

I went to the concert in Jacksonville and had a
lot of fun. I was also at the concert 5 years ago. I was very impressed
with Peter’s rendition of Bach. I think he is a true artist. But, Micky’s
Going Down blew me away!
Laura

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

One more thing, if any of you have applied for a NextCard credit card and
had any trouble with the image from the Monkees.Net web page, please see
this web page for information:

www.monkees.net/credcard.htm

They have imposed restrictions on what sort of images can be used, but you
should still be able to get The Monkees on your credit card.

thanks!

brad
why can’t wait to see The Monkees in Vegas and Phoenix!

To purchase Monkees CD’s, Videos and Collectable rare items, visit
www.monkees.net

The Monkees Alert list is moderated, meaning you cannot post directly to
the list yourself. To submit an item for the list, send to:
bradpager@monkees.net

For info on posting to, subscribing, or removing yourself from this list,
send an e-mail to: alert@monkees.net for an automatic response. Thanks!