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Review: Micky Dolenz Live In Japan
May 29, 2020 by fred.velez
Filed under Albums, blogs, Fred Velez, micky, monkees alert, music, news, news feed
By Fred Velez
Micky Dolenz was in a whole different place in the late 1970’s, early 1980’s. Having parted ways with his performing partner Davy Jones after the run of Harry Nilsson’s ‘The Point’ in England, Micky started a new career as a television director. He achieved enough success to be able to credit himself as Michael Dolenz, his way of distancing himself from his past life as a Monkee. He felt comfortable enough in his new profession of working behind the cameras that he didn’t feel the need to perform in front of them again.
Fate intervened with the huge Japanese Monkees revival of the late 70’s/early 80’s. Thanks to a Kodak commercial in Japan that featured the song ‘Daydream Believer’, a whole new generation of Japanese fans discovered the group, with The Monkees television show in reruns and their records back in print and selling well enough that a demand emerged to see the members of The Monkees perform live in concert again.
Davy Jones was the first Monkee to return to Japan for a tour of concerts (see my review for ‘Davy Jones Live In Japan’). Peter Tork would follow touring with his band The New Monks. Dolenz would be next, the results of his tour can be enjoyed in the new 7a Records release ‘Micky Dolenz Live In Japan’.
Outside of some rare occasions, Micky had never toured as a solo performer before. The 7a Records set documents the shows on both CD and a rare live video performance on a all-region DVD. The Japanese band Marlboro nicely backs Dolenz on these shows which features female background singers. Micky was nervous performing on his first solo tour. He needn’t had been.
The performances capture Micky Dolenz as an energetic and exciting performer. On these shows, he proves himself to be as excellent a front man as Mick Jagger and Elton John at their peak. His set list is pretty diverse, including not only the well known Monkees hits, but also some Mike Nesmith written songs like ‘Sunny Girlfriend’, ‘You Just May Be The One’ and ‘Mary, Mary’ sprinkled in (a sort of preview of the future ‘Mike & Micky Show’). Some rarities at the time, ‘Zor and Zam’, ‘Pillow Time’, and the first time live appearance of ‘No Time’ are also included. Micky also takes a turn at songs he didn’t originally sing lead on; ‘Shades of Gray’, ‘Daydream Believer’ and a very charming version of ‘I Wanna Be Free’ that in the video he sings to and is joined by a sweet Japanese girl he pulls from the audience, providing a very charming moment in the show. His performance of ‘Randy Scouse Git’ on timpani is particularly energetic and fun.
At the time of the tour, Micky recorded a new single, ‘To Be Or Not To Be’ with the self written B-side ‘Beverly Hills’. Both songs are performed as part of the encore, and Micky puts as much energy into them as he did to the familiar Monkees tunes.
The CD contains an excellent, high quality recording of one of the shows that includes Micky’s between show patter. The screams from the Japanese fans adds to the level of excitement of the concert. Bonus tracks include both sides of the ‘To Be Or Not To Be/Beverly Hills’ single, and the first time on CD appearances of three extremely rare songs. Two versions of ‘I’m Your Man’ which Micky had performed in finals competition at the 1978 World Popular Song Festival/Yamaha Music Festival. (This was actually Micky’s first live Japanese solo performance prior to the 1982 tour)
The British single ‘Tomorrow’ makes its digital CD debut here too. Featured in the musical stage version of ‘Bugsy Malone’ that Dolenz directed for the West End in England in 1983. It’s a fine, dramatic song with Micky ably assisted by a chorus of background singers.
The DVD featuring the live video of one of the concerts was taped by a single camera, unlike the video in the ‘Davy Jones Live In Japan’ set which was professionally taped. The audio is not as sharp and clear as the CD, but very listenable. Despite the technical limitations, Micky’s energetic performance is beautifully captured, the screaming fans tossing confetti ribbons at him, a couple of times beaning him on the head and Micky feigning unconsciousness, at one point while singing ‘Beverly Hills’, placing his maracas in front of his face to protect himself from the paper missiles. I’ve had a bootleg version of this video for years and it’s so nice to have a version in much better quality. (The limited edition vinyl version of the album is on yellow splattered colored vinyl).
The packaging of the Japan set meets the high standards of quality set by previous 7a Records releases. The cover is designed in the style of Japanese record releases and features a beautiful photo of Micky taken by Henry Diltz. Wonderful photos of Micky in Japan are sprinkled inside the booklet with a very informative essay by Monkee Historian Mark Kleiner. (Thanks for the shout out, Guys!)
‘Micky Dolenz Live In Japan’ is a perfect companion piece to the ‘Davy Jones Live In Japan’ set. Both sets give an excellent overview of an important part of Monkees history that precedes the astounding 1986 20th anniversary reunion tour by several years.
Another quality release from 7a Records that deserves a space in any Monkees fans collection.
Fred Velez, 2020.
Fred Velez is the author of the book ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fans Perspective’.
Deep Discount Link for ‘Micky Dolenz Live In Japan’: https://www.deepdiscount.com/search?q=Micky+Dolenz+Live+in+Japan+&mod=AP
Fred Velez Monkees Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Bit-Me-You-Perspective-ebook/dp/B00IS7JYFY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=fred+velez&qid=1590763023&s=books&sr=1-1
