7A Records are proud to present Davy Jones’ “Incredible!”. A deluxe reissue of Jones’ “lost” ‘80s album, remastered and expanded with bonus tracks. The limited edition gatefold Vinyl release is limited to 1,000 copies. Pressed on 180g transparent blue vinyl, it features extensive liner notes from Monkees historian Mark Kleiner and rare and previously unseen pictures by photographer Henry Diltz.
The CD comes with a big 36 page colour booklet, extensive liner notes from Monkees historian Mark Kleiner and rare and previously unseen pictures by photographers Henry Diltz and Michael G. Bush.
Fuelled by MTV’s re-runs of the original Monkees TV series, “Incredible!” was recorded at the height of mid-‘80s Monkees comeback-euphoria. Given the flurry of activity happening on multiple fronts for the Monkees throughout 1986, especially the grueling demands of their touring schedule, the fact that Davy Jones managed to record a full album amid the chaos is somewhat staggering. “Incredible!” features several songs that could well have reached the Billboard charts, had things played out differently. However, Jones decided to hang on to the album and it ended up being self-released on cassette on his own mail order label. The minimalistic promotion and treatment of the original release belie the considerable studio and artist firepower behind these recordings. This deluxe repackaging allows this chapter in Jones’ fascinating journey to finally more fulsomely shine.
1. Look Inside Yourself 2. Make The Woman Love Me 3. Only Dreaming 4. Black And White 5. Valleri 6. After Your Heart 7. Incredible 8. I’ll Love You Forever
Side Two
1. Hippy Hippy Shake 2. She Believes In Me Bonus Tracks: 3. King Lonely The Blue (Later, Alt. Ver.) 4. Hangin’ By A Thread (Studio Ver.) 5. Don’t Go 6. Fallen Hero 7. Can You Whistle? 8. Free (The Greatest Story Ever Told)
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CD Track Listing:
1. Look Inside Yourself 2. Make The Woman Love Me 3. Only Dreaming 4. Black And White 5. Valleri 6. After Your Heart 7. Incredible 8. I’ll Love You Forever 9. Hippy Hippy Shake 10. She Believes In Me
Bonus Tracks: 11. King Lonely The Blue (Later, Alt. Ver.) 12. Hangin’ By A Thread (Studio Ver.) 13. Don’t Go 14. Fallen Hero 15. Can You Whistle? 16. Hangin’ By A Thread (Live) 17. Free (The Greatest Story Ever Told)
• Remastered With 7 Bonus Tracks • Rare & Previously Unseen Photos • Big 36 Page CD Colour Booklet • Extensive Liner Notes
7a Records continues to honor the memory and legacy of Davy Jones with the vinyl and cd reissue of his 1971 self-titled album, his first post Monkees LP and solo record since the 1965 ‘David Jones’ release. Remastered from the original Japanese Bell Records master tapes supplied by Sony, the album has an early 70’s Pop sheen courtesy of producer Jackie Mills who was also producing Bobby Sherman and the Brady Kids at the time. Davy worked with Mills on the record which included a minor hit with ‘Rainy Jane’ written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield that reached number 32 on the Cashbox charts.
While Jones had hoped to move on from his “teen idol” image, recording some more mature demos (a collection found on the self released ‘Just For The Record” box set and 7a Records ‘Manchester Boy – Personal File’ 2022 release), Davy was guided by Mills and Bell Records for the 1971 sessions. While the album has some good tunes tailored towards Jones Pop and Broadway background, the album was a commercial disappointment which Davy later disowned.
The extensive liner notes found on the 7a Records cd release, written by Monkees expert the Rev. Mark Kleiner, goes into the low status of Davy Jones post Monkees career leading up to the Bell sessions. It’s a fascinating read of where Davy was at as an artist during this down period and how, despite his later dissatisfaction, approached the project with professionalism which shows on how he tackled some of the songs with a theatrical flair. Songs that really benefit include ‘Rainy Jane’, David Gates ‘Look At Me’, the album’s second single ‘I Really Love You’, ‘Road To Love’, ‘Welcome To My Love’, ‘Pretty Little Girl’ and ‘Take My Love’. The Jackie Mills production is fine, though Kleiner does note that Mills himself was not very happy to find himself producing recordings for teen idols like Davy Jones and Bobby Sherman.
Six Mono bonus tracks have been included on the cd and vinyl editions of this 7a Records release. (Note: the 2012 Friday Music cd, released after Davy’s passing, includes the same bonus tracks). They include the original single mix for ‘Girl’ from the movie ‘Star Spangled Girl’ and later featured prominently in the famous Brady Bunch episode ‘Getting Davy Jones’. While it flopped commercially at the time, ‘Girl’ is today considered Jones’ most popular solo song after The Monkees. The non-LP single ‘I’ll Believe In You’ is a beautiful song that should have gotten a big push from Bell Records. The remaining bonus tracks are Mono mixes of the album cuts ‘Take My Love’, ‘Road To Love’, ‘How About Me’ and ‘I Really Love You’.
Besides Mark Kleiner’s incredibly informative and detailed liner notes, the 36-page cd booklet is packed with rare 70’s era photos of Davy Jones, singles picture sleeves, a promotional ad for ‘Rainy Jane’, Davy in clown makeup from the 1972 ‘Pop!’ special and a beautiful centerfold of Davy that should make stars shine in the eyes of many fans! The LP edition come in a gatefold sleeve and is pressed on 180g transparent green vinyl.
While not a commercial success at the time, this remastered reissue of the 1971 ‘Davy Jones’ album is deserving of a reassessment of a nice slice of 70’s Pop that Davy was so good at. 7a Records has done an excellent job in the production and presentation of these recordings. Even if you have an original copy of the 1971 album and singles or the 2012 Friday Music cd, Monkees and especially Davy fans should have the 7a Records edition of the ‘Davy Jones’ album in their collection, the historic liner notes alone are worth it. To paraphrase the ad for the 1972 ‘Pop!’ special, rediscover ‘Davy Jones’, you may end up falling in love with him again!
Track listing:
1. Road To Love 2. How About Me 3. Singin’ To The Music 4. Rainy Jane 5. Look At Me 6. Say It Again 7. I Really Love You 8. Love Me For A Day 9. Sitting In The Apple Tree 10. Take My Love 11. Pretty Little Girl 12. Welcome To My Love
Bonus Tracks:
13. Girl (Mono) 14. I’ll Believe In You (Mono) 15. Take My Love (Mono) 16. Road To Love (Mono) 17. How About Me (Mono) 18. I Really Love You (Mono)
• Remastered With 6 Bonus Tracks • Rare & Previously Unseen Photos • Big 36 Page CD Colour Booklet • Extensive Liner Notes
Fred Velez is the author of the books ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective’ and ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You 2: The Monkees From International Fan Perspectives’.
7A Records is proud to present Davy Jones “The Bell Records Story”. A lavish reissue of Davy Jones’ self-titled album remastered with 6 bonus tracks. Released on February 23rd, the CD version comes with a big 36 page colour booklet, extensive liner notes from Monkees historian Mark Kleiner and rare and previously unseen pictures. The vinyl version comes in a gatefold sleeve and is pressed on 180g transparent green vinyl. This reissue gives fans the opportunity to reassess an album that was unfairly neglected by record buyers at the time of its initial release in the fall of 1971. Pre-order your copy now from:
More territories and pre-order links to follow soon.
Prior to entering the studio with producer Jackie Mills, Jones had recorded a batch of more somber and adult contemporary-sounding demos than the eventual Bell recordings of big band sunshine pop. While the latter played quite squarely into Jones’ established image; the former suggested another path that may (or may not) have launched Jones into a more fecund musical and commercial direction. Who can say? At the end of the day, we have these recordings and their manifold (and for too long overlooked) pleasures to enjoy, a worthy entry in the broad category of early seventies sunshine pop and in the specific canon of Davy Jones and Monkees-related recordings. Here is primetime Davy Jones, singing like an angel, and pointing to a love that leads to joy for all mankind.
R.E.M. were one of the great alternate Rock bands of the 1990’s. With an innovative style and presentation, augmented by the distinctive vocals of Michael Stipe, the band from Athens, Georgia left an indelible mark in the history of Rock & Roll.
One of the band’s major influences were The Monkees, their big hit ‘Shiny Happy People’ is an homage to the infectious Pop of the 60’s group. So it’s only fitting that Micky Dolenz, a great admirer of R.E.M., should release the new 7a Records EP ‘Dolenz Sings R.E.M’. Produced by Christian Nesmith, the son of the late Michael Nesmith, Micky covers four of the 90’s band songs, avoiding a karaoke approach and giving the songs a new twist while retaining their unique identities. Assisting Dolenz on background vocals are his sister Coco and Christian’s wife and musical partner Circe Link. Christian preformed the majority of the music with Christopher Allis on drums.
The approach to the music Dolenz and Christian take breathes a 60’s feel into the songs. ‘Shiny Happy People’ is a fun listen with Coco complimenting Micky’s vocals similar to the way Kate Pierson did for Michael Stipe on the original song. R.E.M.’s first single ‘Radio Free Europe’ starts with chugging guitars that pushes the song at a quick pace with a bit of jangling guitars and psychedelia thrown into the mix.
The jangling guitars return in R.E.M.’s tribute to Andy Kaufman ‘Man On The Moon’, Circe Link’s backing vocals adding to the tunes’ quirkiness. The final song ‘Leaving New York’ has a Brian Wilson musical quality with Micky’s emotive vocals giving the song an added poignancy, making it a fine closing track.
7a Records has issued the EP as a digipack CD and in 180g yellow vinyl. The EP cover was designed by Tom Johnson with a 90’s era Micky Dolenz in a yellow car in front of Wuxtry Records in Athen, Georgia with R.E.M. posters displayed in its windows. The quality 7a Records put into this EP is outstanding.
Being major fans of The Monkees, the members of R.E.M. are thrilled with this release. Micky Dolenz is scheduled to do a signing at Wuxtry Records on November 3rd in support of the EP and will be presented with the key to the city.
Micky Dolenz with R.E.M. (Bill Berry, Peter Buck and Michael Stipe) Photo by Jodi Ritzen.
In any case it’s the best of both worlds, the combination of the incredible vocal talents of Micky Dolenz with the brilliant songs of R.E.M. ’Dolenz Sings R.E.M.’ is a treat that should hopefully serve two purposes: introducing Monkees fans to R.E.M., and R.E.M. fans to The Monkees, and perhaps for those on the fence, both bands!
Fred Velez is the author of the books ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective’ and ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You 2: The Monkees From International Fan Perspectives’.
Micky Dolenz has a lot piled up on his plate these days. While currently on tour, he has new releases coming up: his already announced Beatland Book, ‘I’m Told I Had A Good Time’, a surprise 7a Records EP ‘Dolenz Sings R.E.M.’, and a video of the first song off the EP of Micky singing ‘Shiny HappyPeople’ comprised of personal home movies produced by Dolenz and Andrew Sandoval who also put the book together.
Original R.E.M. ‘Shiny Happy People’ video with Kate Pierson of the B-52’s.
The 500 page book with tons of photos from Micky’s personal collection and history can now be preordered on the Beatland Books website in three different editions.
The Micky Dolenz version of the R.E.M. song ‘Shiny Happy People’ is now available on the streaming services and for download purchase.
On top of all that, Beatland Books is making available again the flexi bound edition of Andrew Sandoval’s 740 page book ‘The Monkees: The Day by Day Story’, also loaded with many never before seen photos and in-depth information. For those who missed out the first time, now’s the time to get it!
Fred Velez is the author of the books ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective’ and ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You 2: The Monkees From International Fan Perspectives’.
The songwriting team of Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart are pretty much recognized as the ‘Lennon & McCartney’ of The Monkees, having written several of the groups most popular songs and hits like ‘Last Train To Clarksville’, ‘I Wanna Be Free’, ‘She’, ‘(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone’, ‘Words’, ‘Valleri’, ‘Tear Drop City’ and more. Together and as individual songwriters, they’ve written hits for artists like Little Anthony & The Imperials (‘Hurt So Bad’), Freddie Cannon (‘Action’), Curtis Lee (‘Pretty Little Angel Eyes’), Jay & The Americans (‘Come A Little Bit Closer’) and Helen Reddy (‘Keep On Singing’) among others. It was Boyce & Hart that Screen Gems turned to help write, produce, and shape The Monkees’ sound on record. Seeing the success the Monkees were having inspired Tommy and Bobby to become recording and performing artists as well, getting a taste with their band the Candy Store Prophets backing the solo segments of the Monkees 1967 tour. (Less than a decade later, the duo would team up with Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones as Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart.)
Signing with A&M Records, the duo released their first album ‘Test Patterns’ in 1967. On the strength of the successful single ‘I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight?’, the team recorded and released their second album named after the single in 1968. Considered their best album, 7a Records has remastered ‘I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight?’ in a new reissue with incredible sound to celebrate its 55th anniversary.
The songs have a Beatlesque/Brian Wilson type of production that really benefits the songs with a Pop sheen sprinkled with a bit of 60’s psychedelia. ‘Pretty Flower’ could have fit on a later Beach Boys record with its Pop arrangement enhanced by strings. And the B & H version of ‘Tear Drop City’ is actually better than the Monkees one, which segues with sitar-like acoustics into the ethereal ‘Love Every Day’. ‘Two For The Price Of One’ is a soulful bit of fun with the duo name tagging each other.
‘Goodbye Baby (I Don’t Want To See You Cry)’ is a nice orchestral track with building vocals that evoke the harmonies of The Beatles and The Beach Boys. (Tommy & Bobby were paying attention to what Brian Wilson was doing in the studio.) ‘I’m Digging You Digging Me’ sounds like it could have fit onto the Beach Boys ‘Wild Honey’ album, the melody sort of references the ‘Monkees Theme’ with a wink! Bobby Hart enhances the song ‘Leaving Again’ with his soulful vocals. Tommy Boyce has fun with ‘The Countess’ which has a touch of the Beatles and the Monkees. ‘Population’ has a Bob Dylan improvisational stream of consciousness feel in the lyrics with a wild instrumentation buildup that softly segues into Tommy & Bobby’s version of ‘I Wanna Be Free’ that ends the album on a nice, quiet note.
7a Records has reissued the remastered album on cd in a gatefold sleeve accompanied by a 28-page booklet with informative liner notes written by Monkees historian Andrew Sandoval and many period photos by acclaimed photographer Henry Diltz. The vinyl edition is limited to 500 copies pressed on 180g Red vinyl. As per their past releases, 7a Records excels on the quality and production of this release.
Hopefully this release will lead to more reissues of the Boyce & Hart catalogue with rare bonus tracks included. If you’re a fan of Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart and their work with The Monkees and other artists, then the 7a Records remaster of ‘I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight?’ is a definite keeper.
1. I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight?
2. Pretty Flower
3. Teardrop City
4. Love Every Day
5. Two For The Price Of One
6. Goodbye Baby (I Don’t Want To See You Cry)
7. I’m Digging, You Digging Me
8. Leaving Again
9. The Countess
10. Population
11. I Wanna Be Free
• Deluxe 55th Anniversary Edition
• Remastered
• Previously Unseen Photos
• 28 Page Colour CD Booklet
• Extensive Liner Notes
• Lyrics To All Songs
Fred Velez is the author of the books ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective’ and ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You 2: The Monkees From International Fan Perspectives’.
7a Records 50th Anniversary reissue of Michael Nesmith’s sixth and final RCA album ‘Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash’ marks a transitional period in Nesmith’s musical solo career. Though previously releasing a series of five artistically excellent albums starting with ‘Magnetic South’ to ‘And The Hits Just Keep On Comin’, their commercial success was less than satisfying. While other artists such as Gram Parsons, The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band have received recognition in the field of Country Rock, Nesmith who was one of the earliest pioneers of the genre, his well-crafted albums didn’t get the attention they deserved and floundered commercially. Despite career mishaps, Nesmith took things in philosophical stride while attempting to launch a new label Countryside through Electra Records, who among the artists signed were Garland Frady, Tom Holbrook, Steve Fromholz, J.G. Rafferty and Nez’s cosmic partner Red Rhodes. Despite the promising talents, Countryside Records eventually folded.
During this period Nesmith recorded ‘Ranch Stash’ to fulfill his contract with RCA Records, ending his association with the label where he garnered his greatest success as a member of The Monkees. Using the Countryside house band, Nesmith recorded and completed the album in an amazingly quick, expedient fashion of five days. As with his other recordings, the album contains several Nesmith originals, acoustic tunes like ‘Continuing’ and ‘Release’ which deal with the themes of lost love, are played with great expertise by Nez and the Countryside band that make the songs shimmer. Nesmith’s own version of ‘Some of Shelly’s Blues’ that had been previously recorded by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Linda Ronstadt, is a major highlight of this collection, his singing and the musicianship shows how the song should be done. The song ‘Winonah’ was co-written by Nesmith, Linda Hargrove and James Miner tells the heartbreakingly sad story of a woman and her battle with the bottle that would be a staple played at any honky tonk. The cover songs on ‘Ranch Stash’ include the beautifully played and sung ‘Born To Love You’, and the combination of ‘The F.F.V.’, a somber recitation of a railroad tragedy and ‘Uncle Pen’, a fun rollicking hoe down with the band really shining, are part of ‘Medley: The Back Porch And A Fruit Jar Full Of Iced Tea’. The original album ends on an optimistic note with ‘Prairie Lullaby’, a sweet song you can play as you put your kids to bed, a very charming way to cap off the musical preceedings. As he does with any song he covers, Nez puts his unique mark on them and makes them his own. 7a Records has added as a bonus track the alternate version of ‘Marie’s Theme’, recorded prior to the ethreal version that appears on ‘The Prison’, is presented here in a more countrified arrangement and was originally on the digital version of ‘Ranch Stash’ and the physical releases of ‘Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor Recordings’.
The reissue has been released on 180g grey vinyl and the cd version contains a 36-page color booklet with many photos from the period with extensive and informative liner notes by Monkees manager and historian Andrew Sandoval.
While it may have been a commercial disappointment back in 1973, 7a Records reissue of ‘Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash’ is a handsomely produced package of what is consider one of Nesmith’s best albums which should be in the collection of any Nez and Monkees fan. This 50th anniversary commemorative release, coming close to two years since his sad passing, is a fitting tribute to Michael Nesmith and his music, which the album credits rightfully note, will live on forever.
Track Listing:
Side One
1. Continuing 2. Some Of Shelley’s Blues 3. Release 4. Winonah
Side Two
1. Born To Love You 2. Medley: The Back Porch And A Fruit Jar Full Of Iced Tea a) The F.F.V. b) Uncle Pen 3. Prairie Lullaby
Fred Velez is the author of the books ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective’ and ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You 2: The Monkees From International Fan Perspectives’.
Peter Tork always had a special place in my heart. He was the first member of The Monkees that I got to know when he reemerged onto the music scene in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, playing small clubs, including the infamous CBGB’s in 1977. Peter was making appearances on local cable TV shows, including the local UHF New Jersey television Uncle Floyd Show where he made about 6-7 appearances in which he always had a great time.
I first got to see Peter perform at his old stomping grounds of Greenwich Village in New York City when he played dates at the very intimate Speakeasy Club whose capacity was nearly 200, one of the shows that I attended was a memorable New Year’s Eve show. At these shows Peter performed a variety of different styles of music, from his beloved Folk and Blues to 50’s-60’s Rock including some Monkees tunes, and hard core/Heavy Metal Rock. He at times performed alone or with a band of like-minded musicians who swung to his groove. Three songs from those memorable Speakeasy performances have finally been officially issued on the new 7a Records EP release ‘This Stuff Never Gets Old’.
The title song was written by Michael A. Levine, who wrote the EP’s liner notes, and was originally submitted for The Monkees 2016 album ‘Good Times!’ but was passed over by the late producer Adam Schlesinger. The demo is a rollicking Rock & Roll number which has a George Harrison-like groove to it with a very tasty guitar solo, fine instrumentation and nice vocal harmonies. It’s too bad it didn’t make ‘Good Times!’ or was a bonus track, it’s a fun number and you can hear Peter really enjoying himself on it.
The next three tracks were recorded live during Peter Tork’s residency at Speakeasy’s from November 25-27 1988, shows which I personally attended. Peter appeared with his band which consisted of members Michael A. Levine on electric violin, Mal Stein on drums, the late Jerry Renino on bass and Peter on piano, banjo, keyboards and electric guitar. The first Speakeasy track is ‘Sea Change’ that starts with a playful intro before launching straight into the song that has a great rolling, rhythm beat with an excellent electric violin solo by by Michael Levine.
The next Speakeasy track ‘Vagabond John’ has always been a personal favorite of mine and for the fans who were fortunate enough to hear Peter perform it. Written by Derek Lord, it’s a cautionary tale of a friend who tries to be the life of the party and ends up a lonely loser. I’ve always felt that Peter referenced people he knew as the song’s protagonist like Keith Moon, John Bonham and Peter himself who at the time was a recovering alcoholic. ‘Vagabond John’ has an epic feel to it with excellent musicianship, harmonies and solos which elevates the song’s message, especially with Peter’s poignant, heartfelt vocals. For me this is the best song on the collection, hearing it again brings back memories of sitting in the darkness of the Speakeasy Club watching Peter Tork on stage performing it with great emotion. While it’s a pity this song was never released during Peter’s lifetime, I’m so grateful that it’s finally officially available for many fans to hear and enjoy.
The final live Speakeasy track is ‘Miracle’ with Peter on electric guitar and the band giving it a Hard Rock edge that really hits the sweet spot. Peter was an incredible lead guitar player and he really shines on this track with the band giving him great support. On all the songs Peter is in very good voice, he Rocks on the harder songs and is quite emotive on the slightly slower ones. The performances bring back great memories of magical evenings sitting with the fans in the intimacy of the Speakeasy Club in Greenwich Village where Peter earned his chops as a gifted musician.
The 7a Records EP is a limited edition of 500 CD’s and 800 in 10″ Blue vinyl. The EP will be available digitally as a download and on streaming services like Apple Music/iTunes, Amazon Music and Spotify on December 9th, 2022.
For fan’s of Peter Tork, ‘This Stuff Never Gets Old’ is a nice little sampler of Tork’s multi-instrumental talents as a musician and performer. For the fortunate fans like myself who had the rare pleasure of attending one of Peter’s legendary Speakeasy shows, I dare say fond memories will come flooding back. Hopefully, a complete Speakeasy performance will turn up in the near future. Many thanks to 7a Records for issuing this EP and bringing back to light a little piece of the musical legacy of Peter Tork.
Vinyl/CDTrack Listing:
1. This Stuff Never Gets Old (Michael A Levine) 2. Sea Change (Peter Tork) 3. Vagabond John (Derek Lord) 4. Miracle(Peter Tork)
Fred Velez is the author of the books ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective’ and ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You 2: The Monkees From International Fan Perspectives’and The Monkees themed CD ‘A Little Bit Christmas’.
After the initial popularity of The Monkees waned by 1970, the Colgems label was swallowed up by Bell Records which by that time was issuing recordings by the Partridge Family featuring the new teen sensation David Cassidy. After releasing one final “Monkees” single ‘Do It In The Name Of Love” with Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones intended to continue as a solo artist tackling the more mature music he had developed on the last couple of Monkees album. The Powers That Be at the time however wanted Davy to continue in his ‘Teenybopper Idol’ image. For his first Bell album Davy had submitted several demos that showcased his mature side. These were rejected by Bell Records who teamed Jones with Bobby Sherman’s producer Jackie Mills, the result being the bubblegum heavy 1971 ‘Davy Jones’ album, which featured the Top 60 hit ‘Rainy Jane’. The album itself didn’t chart and Davy continued to record demos, most of which were self-released on the 1990’s ‘Just For The Record’ box set in both cd and cassette editions, now a rare collector’s item.
Original ‘Just For The Record’ Box Set
7a Records has remastered and released 15 songs from the box set in a new compilation ‘Manchester Boy: Personal File’ on cd and for the first time on vinyl. The songs in this collection have a more warm, brighter sound and intimacy due to the sparse instrumentation that Davy incorporated that bring out the mature feel he had originally intended. A digital single featuring “Man We Was Lonely” b/w “King Lonely The Blue” was released on all digital platforms on September 16.
There are so many highlights on the album, such as covers of Paul McCartney’s ‘Man We Was Lonely’, James Taylor’s ‘Fire And Rain’ and ‘Blossom’, Bobbie Gentry’s ‘I Saw An Angel Die (Was It A Dream)’, Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good (Dragonfly)’. Jones also wrote and co-wrote eight of the songs on the album; the title track ‘Manchester Boy’, ‘If I Knew’ with Bill Chadwick, ‘Please Believe Me’, ‘Can’t Believe You’ve Given Up On Me’, I’m Coming Home’, ‘Proud Proud Man’, ‘Leavin’ It Up To You’ and ‘Goodbye Old Friends’.
The acoustic nature of the music adds a powerful intimacy to the lyrics, this is basically Davy Jones unplugged.
The cd edition contains a 28 page booklet filled with many rare photos and an excellent essay by Joe Alterio on Davy’s solo period. The vinyl edition comes in a gatefold sleeve and is pressed on 180g black and white vinyl, the cd replicates the splatter design.
If Davy Jones had had his say, this is the solo album he would have released instead of the more bubblegum 1971 Bell album. This collection truly showcases Jones as a serious artist and it’s a shame things didn’t turn out as he had intended. Thanks to 7a Records, fans can now hear the more serious side of Davy Jones. For those who don’t have the ‘Just For The Record’ box set, ‘Manchester Boy: Personal File’ is a fine sampler of the set. Hopefully, 7a Records will release more gems from the Davy Jones vault on future releases.
1. Manchester Boy 2. King Lonely the Blue 3. Man We Was Lonely 4. If I Knew 5. Feeling Good (Dragonfly) 6. Blossom 7. I Saw An Angel Die (Was It a Dream?) 8. Bluebird (In My Garden) 9. Fire and Rain 10. Please Believe Me 11. Proud Proud Man 12. Can’t Believe You’ve Given Up on Me 13. I’m Coming Home 14. Leavin’ It Up to You 15. Goodbye Old Friends
For more information and to sign up to the 7a Records mailing list, please visit: www.7arecords.com
Fred Velez, 2022.
Fred Velez is the author of the books ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective’ and ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You 2: The Monkees From International Fan Perspectives’.
7a Records are proud to present “This Stuff Never Gets Old”, a brand new Limited Edition EP featuring four previously unreleased Peter Tork recordings. The EP will be released on CD and on pale blue Vinyl on November 17. The CD is limited to 500 copies and the vinyl is limited to 800. You can pre-order from the following sites:
“This Stuff Never Gets Old” was originally submitted for inclusion on the Monkees’ 2016 “Good Times” album, but producer Adam Schlesinger chose not to include it on the album. “Sea Change”, “Vagabond John” and “Miracle” are all soundboard recordings made at The Speakeasy in New York in 1988. It is believed that Tork was once working on releasing a full album from The Speakeasy concert, but these are the only tracks that have been found so far. All recordings have been remastered. These are great recordings and we are delighted to be able to release them and make them available for all the fans to enjoy.
Track listing:
1. This Stuff Never Gets Old
2. Sea Change
3. Vagabond John
4. Miracle
For more information please visit www.7arecords.com and sign up to our newsletter.
7a Records are proud to announce the release of Davy Jones’ “Manchester Boy – Personal File” on October 14, 2022. Available on CD and Vinyl, the album features rare demos, outtakes and self-penned songs made between the 1960s-1980s. 7a Records has spent a lot of time and effort on remastering the recordings and all songs make their first ever appearance on vinyl. You can pre-order now from:
More links for all other territories will be announced soon.
The Album
In the 1970s, Jones was looking to continue to showcase the matured aspect of his music, most recently presented on The Monkees’ “Instant Replay” and “Present” albums in 1969. Jones went to work recording demos to present to Bell Records, two of which are included in this collection (Paul McCartney’s “Man We Was Lonely” and the mid-60s “King Lonely the Blue”. The resulting demos had an earthy and gritty feel, akin to a style made popular by Creedence Clearwater Revival, with a unique presentation that Jones felt best suited him as an artist. The majority of the tracks feature minimal musical accompaniment – in some cases nothing more than just an acoustic guitar. Most impressive is Jones’ ability to carry the songs far beyond their narrow arrangements, with vocals that convey the raw emotion of the lyrics. In fact, Jones himself wrote or co-wrote over half the songs on this collection,
including the autobiographical “Manchester Boy” and the passionate “Can’t Believe You’ve Given Up On Me.” Jones also took difficult vocal material and proved his abilities to powerfully recast established songs in a different light, including James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain,” Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” (aka “Dragonfly”) and Bobbie Gentry’s “I Saw An Angel Die” (aka “Was It A Dream?”).
The songs on this album went unreleased until the mid-1990s when Jones self-issued them as part of a four-volume set called “Just For The Record”, a mail-order only collection that is exceedingly rare today. 7A Records has spent a lot of time and effort on remastering the recordings and they are available for the first time ever on Vinyl. The vinyl comes in a gatefold sleeve and is pressed on 180g black and white Splatter Vinyl. Also available on CD, which comes with a 28 page colour booklet including extensive liner notes.
Track listing:
1. Manchester Boy
2. King Lonely The Blue
3. Man We Was Lonely
4. If I Knew
5. Feeling Good (Dragonfly)
6. Blossom
7. I Saw An Angel Die (Was It A Dream?)
8. Fire And Rain
9. Bluebird (In My Garden)
10. Please Believe Me
11. Proud Proud Man
12. Can’t Believe You’ve Given Up On Me
13. I’m Coming Home
14. Leavin’ It Up To You
15. Goodbye Old Friends
Digital Single:
A digital single featuring “Man We Was Lonely” b/w “King Lonely The Blue” will be released on all platforms on September 16.
For more information and to sign up to our mailing list, please visit: www.7arecords.com
Between the 1989 and 1996 Monkees reunions, Micky Dolenz busied himself with several projects. One was to be his first real Rock and Roll solo album. Collaborating with the late Jerry Corbetta of the band Sugarloaf, Micky recorded demos of the songs he wanted to use for the proposed solo album. Due to other pressing professional and personal matters, the album went through a series of starts and stops. Three of Micky’s songs ended up on the Monkees 1996 reunion album ‘Justus’. Not finding interest from the record companies, Micky privately released a signed limited edition cd of nine of the songs for the album that was eventually titled ‘Demoiselle’ on his own website in 1998.
The original 1998 ‘Demoiselle’
7a Records has reissued an expanded version of ‘Demoiselle’ with three additional songs in a rearranged set order with new cover art, many 1990’s circa photos of Micky and excellent and extensive liner notes by Monkees expert Mark Kleiner. Two of the songs, ‘My Heart Is Failing Me’ and ‘Piston Power’ were issued as a digital single prior to the album’s release. ‘My Heart’ is a nice Pop ballad with a distinct 90’s touch, and ‘Piston Power’ is a fun little Rocker.
Micky gives a wonderful performance on all of the songs. The early versions of songs that ended up on ‘Justus’ have a different feel before The Monkees put their stamp on them. ‘Never Enough’ has the Rock edge of the ‘Justus’ version minus Michael Nesmith’s guitar solo. ‘Dyin’ Of a Broken Heart’ is much more jaunty with a Rockabilly swing. ‘Regional Girl’ has a Techno rhythm with more synths in the mix. ‘We Were Not That Bad’ almost made it unto ‘Justus’, and I think that album would have benefited by its inclusion, a bittersweet song of regrets with a simple acoustic guitar backing that brings out the poignancy of the lyrics.
‘Lonely Weekends’ has a mariachi vibe running through it, you can tell Micky had a good time recording it from his lively performance. ‘Put A Hold On Your Heart’ has a great 90’s beat with a very soulful Dolenz vocal. ‘Torch For Hire’ has a very danceable Techno beat, ‘It’s The Season’ is very organ heavy and Micky does a good job singing it. A live version of ‘Since I Fell For You’ which Micky has done on Monkees and solo shows is a very soulful ballad with an emotional Micky vocal and a great saxophone solo by Aviva Maloney. The album ends with the Dolenz penned ‘Beverly Hills’, making its third appearance on a Dolenz/7a Records release, but still great to hear, and it makes a nice album closer.
As per it’s usual quality standards, 7a Records packaging of the album is excellent in both cd and red 180g vinyl. For those who missed out on the original 1998 limited release, the expanded ‘Demoiselle’ is a great addition to any Monkees and Micky Dolenz fan collection. Let’s hope that Micky will include some of these songs into his live setlist.
Are you listening, George Michael Dolenz? 😉
1. My Heart Is Failing Me 2. Lonely Weekends 3. Never Enough 4. Dyin’ Of A Broken Heart 5. We Were Not So Bad 6. Piston Power 7. Put A Hold On Your Heart 8. Regional Girl 9. Torch For Hire 10. It’s The Season 11. Since I Fell For You 12. Beverly Hills
RELEASED ON AUGUST 12: The deluxe edition of Micky Dolenz’s solo album “Demoiselle”. The album will be available on CD & Vinyl. The CD comes with a big 32 page colour booklet featuring extensive liner notes and previously unseen photos. The Vinyl edition comes in a gatefold sleeve and is pressed on 180g red vinyl. You can order a signed copy straight from Micky. See below for buying options:
US Customers:
Get a signed or unsigned copy straight from Micky Dolenz: www.mickydolenz.com
For all other territories, please check Amazon and local dealers. More websites will carry the album very soon.
The Album
Produced mainly by Jerry Corbetta (Sugarloaf – “Green-Eyed Lady”) and Dolenz, Demoiselle features solo recordings made between 1981-1992 and includes previously unreleased material. Originally planned for release in the early 1990s, the album never received a record deal for a number for reasons. Dolenz privately released nine of the recordings in 1998, but they were only available for a short period of time via mail order. This new and definitive version of Demoiselle has been remastered from the original master tapes. It includes 3 previously unreleased bonus tracks and presents the material in a different sequence.
Dolenz had started off on this solo album trail determined to forge an identity distinct from his Monkees past. Ironically, it would take a Monkees reunion for the fruits of Dolenz’s 1990’s solo music efforts to first see the light of day, as Dolenz recalls: “Nez and Peter and David came over to my house … I played them the [1992 demo] tracks, some of them, and some of those are the ones that ended up on [1996 Monkees reunion album] Justus.” (In the end, the Monkees recorded new versions of “Never Enough”, “Dyin’ Of A Broken Heart”, and “Regional Girl” for Justus; Dolenz recalls “We Were Not That Bad” also getting considered but does not remember why it did not make the final cut).
Glenn Gretlund from 7A Records: “This expanded reissue of Demoiselle has been more than two years in the making. We wanted to ensure that we could do the album justice and we have added everything to the package we possibly could, so that it now comes with three previously unreleased bonus tracks, a big 32 page booklet with extensive liner notes and previously unseen pictures. In addition, the recordings have been remastered from the original master tapes and I am really pleased with how everything has turned out. I remember buying this album when it first came out in the early 1990s. It must have been out of print for at least 20 years and I’m delighted to be able to make this new, superior version available to the public.”
Track listing:
1. My Heart Is Failing Me
2. Lonely Weekends
3. Never Enough
4. Dyin’ Of A Broken Heart
5. We Were Not That Bad
6. Piston Power
7. Put A Hold on Your Heart
8. Regional Girl
9. Torch For Hire
10. It’s the Season
11. Since I Fell For You (Live)
12. Beverly Hills
Digital Only Single:
A “digital only” single from Demoiselle was released on July 8 -“My Heart Is Failing Me”/”Piston Power.” The single is available to download and stream from all digital sites.
For more information and for our other Monkees related releases, please visit www.7arecords.com and sign up to our newsletter.
7A Records announces the release of Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart’s original studio and live albums. In the mid-1970s promoters were trying to reunite the Monkees, but with Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork unavailable, it was suggested that Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones team up with Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart to tour as ‘The Golden Great Hits Of The Monkees Show – ‘The Guys Who Wrote ‘Em & The Guys Who Sang ‘Em’. The group signed a deal with Capitol Records to record a self-titled studio album of new material. They later released a live album from their tour of Japan. Both albums have been unavailable and out of print for many years. 7A Records have tracked down the original master tapes, that were presumed missing for at least 27 years, and remastered both albums for this release. Available as deluxe 2CD and 2LP sets, the CD version will include a big 40 page colour booklet featuring extensive liner notes and previously unseen photos. The 2LP version comes in a gatefold sleeve and is pressed on special 180g Green, Black and Yellow Quad Vinyl.
Micky Dolenz is also making available on his website Signed vinyl copies of the D, J, B & H reissue. The release date for the signed album is July 8th, 2022.
1. Right Now
2. I Love You (And I’m Glad That I Said It)
3. You And I
4. Teenager In Love
5. Sail On Sailor
6. It Always Hurts The Most In The Morning
Side Two
1. Moonfire
2. You Didn’t Feel That Way Last Night (Don’t You Remember)
3. Along Came Jones
4. Savin’ My Love For You
5. I Remember The Feeling
6. Sweet Heart Attack
LP 2 (Concert in Japan)
Side One
1. Last Train To Clarksville
2. Medley:
Valleri/Daydream Believer/A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
3. I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight
4. (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone
5. I Wanna Be Free
6. Savin’ My Love For You
7. Pleasant Valley Sunday
Side Two
1. I Remember The Feeling
2. A Teenager In Love
3 Cuddly Toy
4. Medley:
Come A Little Bit Closer/Pretty Little Angel Eyes/Hurt So Bad/
Peaches ‘N’ Cream/Something’s Wrong With Me/Keep On Singing
5. I Love You (And I’m Glad That I Said It)
6. Action
7a Records is proud to announce the 50th Anniversary Edition of “Tantamount To Treason, Volume One” by Michael Nesmith & The Second National Band – released on June 3rd. The 1972 album has been remastered, expanded with bonus tracks and given a brand new cover painting by Wilson McLean, who also painted the original album sleeve. The CD comes with a 32 page booklet, including extensive liner notes, previously unpublished photos and lyrics to all of the songs. The Vinyl is presented in a gatefold sleeve and is pressed on 180g Aqua coloured splatter Vinyl. The bonus tracks have never previously been released on vinyl. You can pre-order the album here:
The Album
By late 1971, Michael Nesmith found himself confronted with dissenting opinions of his First National Band releases on RCA Records. Though critics generally lauded the music, radio audiences and the record buying public became less interested in the material with each subsequent release. Contemplating his next move under his RCA contract, Nesmith made some significant changes to his approach in recording new material, which would ultimately yield Tantamount to Treason, Volume One. Gone would be a supporting “band” in the sense of a collective partnership of musicians. Rather, an eclectic group of session musicians would be gathered to lay down what were arguably Nesmith’s most free-form, jazz-influenced and psychedelic country tracks of his career.
Track listing:
1. Mama Rocker
2. Lazy Lady
3. You Are My One
4. In The Afternoon
5. Highway 99 With Melange
6. Wax Minute
7. Bonaparte’s Retreat
8. Talking To The Wall
9. She Thinks I Still Care
Bonus Tracks:
10. Six Days On The Road
11. Circle Sky
12. Listen To The Band (Alt. Ver.)
13. Tan My Hide (Instrumental)
14. You Are My One (Instr. – CD Only Bonus Track)
For more information, please visit www.7arecords.com. Remember to sign up to our newsletter for more Monkees related releases.
Following the success of the ‘Dolenz Sings Nesmith’ album, 7a Records has issued a new recording, ‘Dolenz Sings Nesmith: The E.P.’, featuring four songs that were recorded during the original sessions which were left off for space reasons.
Produced by Michael Nesmith’s son Christian, the E.P. continues the format of Micky Dolenz covering songs written by the late Michael Nesmith as a homage to his Monkees partner and friend. As with the previous album, rather than recreate mirror versions of the original arrangements in a “Karaoke” style, Christian and Dolenz approach the material with new arrangements that adds a new dimension to the familiar songs that honors the creativity Nez instilled in them.
The first of the four songs is ‘Soul-Writer’s Birthday’, which Nesmith wrote and copyrighted in 1967 but never recorded. The arrangement is reminiscent of songs like ‘Star Collector’ and ‘Salesman’, with Nez’s esoteric lyrics referencing “the 25th of June”, which after some research, turns out to be the period that Nesmith recorded his first official Monkees tunes in 1966. It’s a fun tune that could have fitted on The Monkees’ ‘Pisces’ album.
The next song is the Nesmith classic ‘Some of Shelly’s Blues’, previously recorded by Linda Ronstadt and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Micky’s version of the song is very close to the original arrangement with some very tasty pedal steel guitar work done by Pete Finney.
‘The Cripple Lion’ has the most radically different arrangement from the original, with a beautiful cello played by Cameron Stone. The slower pace emphasizes the poignant lyrics, which reinforces the loss of Michael Nesmith. Hearing this version makes me miss Nez even more.
The final song ‘Grand Ennui’ was the bonus track on the cd version of ‘Dolenz Sings Nesmith’. It’s a rollicking number with barrelhouse piano and great background vocals by Circe Link.
The E.P. is available on CD, download and streaming, and for a limited time on Blue Vinyl. The cover presents a night time variation of the original cover, with a nice big silver moon in the night sky.
As the first major release after his sad passing, ‘Dolenz sings Nesmith: The E.P.’ is an appropriate salute to the music of Michael Nesmith and makes a fine companion to the previously released album.
Well…a few fans noticed it on the net, so the cat is out of the bag! Here is my next, big 7a project. Released on May 13 🙂
7a Records are pleased to announce the 50th Anniversary reissue of Michael Nesmith’s ground-breaking solo album ‘And The Hits Just Keep On Comin”. Nesmith’s 1972 solo album has been remastered and expanded with bonus tracks. The CD edition comes with a 28 page colour booklet, featuring extensive liner notes and previously
unpublished photos. The Vinyl edition comes in a gatefold sleeve and is pressed on 180g “Honey Coloured Vinyl”.
Track listing:
1. Tomorrow & Me
2. The Upside Of Good-Bye
3. Lady Love
4. Listening
5. Two Different Roads
6. The Candidate
7. Different Drum
8. Harmony Constant
9. Keep On
10. Roll With The Flow
Bonus Tracks:
11. Some Of Shelly’s Blues (Alt.Ver.)
12. Keep On (Alt. Ver.)
13. Roll With The Flow (Alt. Ver.)
14. Cantata And Fugue In C&W (Instr.)
The Album
By 1972 both Nesmith and his then record company RCA were dismayed at Nesmith’s lack of commercial success, following his early 1970 departure from The Monkees. Nesmith took the opportunity to blatantly poke fun at the situation he found himself in, titling his new album – that certainly would not yield a Top 40 hit – ‘And the Hits Just Keep on Comin’. The album was a departure from his previous solo records, as it featured just Nesmith on acoustic 12-string guitar and the excellent Red Rhodes on pedal steel guitar, no other musicians were involved. The approach was simple, but it exposed a beauty in the poetry of Nesmith’s
lyrics which was matched perfectly by Rhodes’ inspired playing. ‘And The Hits Just Keep On Comin’’ became Nesmith’s most critically acclaimed album and it is today generally viewed as an iconic a ground-breaking marvel in the annals of country-rock music. To mark the album’s 50th anniversary, 7A Records have
remastered the album and included four bonus track that will see their first ever release on vinyl. The album is released on CD with a 28 page colour booklet featuring extensive liner notes and previously unseen photos, as well as on 180g coloured vinyl in a gatefold sleeve.
The latest 7a Records release, Dolenz Sings Nesmith, is a dream project Micky Dolenz has been wanting to do for years. Inspired by his friend Harry Nilsson’s‘Nilsson Sings Newman’ (the songs of Randy Newman), Micky has been itching to record an album of the solo songs of his fellow Monkee Michael Nesmith. With Nez’s son Christian Nesmith helming the production, the dream project is now a reality of outstanding quality and creativity.
Rather than do a straight, karaoke-type album of covers sticking to the original arrangements, Christian and Micky decided to put a different twist to the songs from Nesmith’s catalog, giving each track a unique identity and creating a whole new listening experience. There are hints of the old arrangements within the numbers, with a sheen giving the songs a whole new interpretive flavor.
The moments of “psycho-jello” are amazing throughout this album. The opening track of Carlisle Wheeling (later issued as Conversations on the Loose Salute album) sprinkles appropriate Nez weirdness during the middle part of the song, with faint samples of Nesmith’s ‘Rio’ just under the surface, hinting at the kind of ride the listener is in for.
The Pop Country take on Different Drum is a shout out to the Linda Ronstadt/Stone Ponys hit version that also embraces the country roots of Nesmith’s version of his composition. The simple acoustic rendition of Don’t Wait For Me from the 1969 Monkees’ Instant Replay album is spot on perfect, Micky reflecting on the poignant lyrics with a sincere vocal performance. The subtle organ and drum intro with the other instruments joining in for Keep On provides a wonderful dynamic to the song. Marie’s Theme from The Prison separates the song from its original conceptual arrangement and turns it into a countrified Pop love tune. The use of pedal steel guitar on the song is a nice nod to Nez’s late cosmic partner Red Rhodes.
The pairing of Nine Times Blue, followed by Little Red Rider is particularly notable as these songs followed each other on Nesmith’s Magnetic South LP, his first post-Monkees release with the First National Band. ‘Blues’ is done in poignant piano arrangement with a solemn Dolenz vocal, when incredible background vocals come in and the song segues into a hard rocking version of ‘Rider’. The transition is wonderfully brilliant. You can tell that Micky was paying close attention to Nesmith during his solo period.
Micky Dolenz definitely deserves the accolades of being one of the great Pop voices of the 1960’s. His voice sounds amazing throughout the album, expressing exuberance and pathos in the numbers as needed. This is very true with his version of Tomorrow And Me, with a lovely acoustic/orchestral arrangement, Dolenz vocally expressing the tunes’ sweet sadness. The Eastern Music take of Circle Sky is a unique homage to the original number as well a nod to the late Ravi Shankar, George Harrison and Peter Tork. It turns this well known Nesmith penned Monkees tune into a whole new animal in its own right. The harder Country Rock edge given to Propinquity (I’ve Just Begun To Care), provides an element of fun to the song. And the jaunty new spin on Tapioca Tundra, with the layered vocals of Christian Nesmith and his wife and music partner Circe Link, is a subtle and loving tribute to Harry Nilsson, one of the inspirations for this album.
The album starts to wind down with an acoustically cosmic arrangement of Only Bound featuring a gentle vocal from Micky. The vocal phasing adds to the songs elements of ‘pycho-jello’, giving it a 1967 Monkees/Beatles vibe, which transitions into a shorter, freakier version of You Are My One which is reminiscent of a Beach Boys/Brian Wilson type arrangement.
While the turquoise vinyl and the digital version of the album end on this pyschedelic note, the cd version includes the bonus track of Grand Ennui with a cool, boogie woogie Dr. John like arrangement which gives off a joyful party atmosphere that ends the album.
The original Nilsson Sings Newman album
The album artwork and design by Tim Johnson is a nice homage to the original ‘Nilsson Sings Newman’album that inspired it, and the booklet is sprinkled with great archival photos of Dolenz and Nez from the Monkees period and more recent years, as well as introductory notes from Micky and Christian on the origins of the project. The Rev. Mark Stephen Kleiner provides informative liner notes on the early partnership of Dolenz and Nesmith during the Monkees era and Micky’s admiration for the brilliant creativity of Nez’s songs and his desire to cover them. Besides helming the production, Christian Nesmith also played most of the music on the album with additional musicianship that includes members of the First National Band Redux.
Glenn Gretlund and 7a Records deserve a lot of credit for helping to make Micky Dolenz’s dream project come true. Micky’s voice always finely complimented the songs Michael Nesmith wrote for The Monkees. And now, with this album covering Nez’s solo songs with three Monkees era songs thrown into the mix, fans can fully enjoy Dolenz Sings Nesmith and appreciate it for the loving tribute from one friend to another that it is.
Fred Velez is the author of the books A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective and A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From International Fan Perspectives.
Micky Dolenz: Dolenz Sings Nesmith [7a Records; May 21, 2021]
7A Records is pleased to announce the release of ‘Dolenz Sings Nesmith’ – Micky Dolenz’s first new solo studio album in nine years. The album is comprised of songs Michael Nesmith wrote throughout his career, all beautifully reimagined. Produced by Nesmith’s son, Christian Nesmith, this is the album Monkees fans have waited years to hear.
The Album
Dolenz got the idea for the album a long time ago. As Micky says “I think I first mentioned it to Nez years ago, I don’t know where the idea came from, maybe from my friend Harry Nilsson and his Nilsson Sings Newman album. I thought to myself, ‘Wow, Dolenz Sings Nesmith’”.
Original Nilsson Sings Newman Album
The new album, which was recorded between September 2020 and February 2021, features songs written throughout Nesmith’s long career, including many from the critically acclaimed Michael Nesmith & The First National Band albums, as well as a few Monkees deep cuts. And who better to produce the album than Nesmith’s son, Christian Nesmith, who has done an incredible job in coming up with fresh and completely new arrangements for all of the songs.
This is the album Monkees fans have waited years to hear. The LP version is on 180gm Turquoise Colored Vinyl. The CD version includes a CD Only Bonus track, as well as a big colour booklet with extensive liner notes, previously unseen photos and lyrics to all of the songs.
Tracklist 1. Carlisle Wheeling 2. Different Drum 3. Don’t Wait for Me 4. Keep On 5. Marie’s Theme 6. Nine Times Blue 7. Little Red Rider 8. Tomorrow and Me 9. Circle Sky 10. Propinquity (I’ve Just Begun to Care) 11. Tapioca Tundra 12. Only Bound 13. You are My One 14. Grand Ennui [CD bonus track]
Of the solo recordings released by the former members of The Monkees, the solo catalog of Peter Tork was particularly sparse. There are no issued recordings of Release, the band Tork formed after leaving The Monkees in 1968. Peter had the roughest time after leaving the group, having served a prison term for possession and taking on a teaching position before slowly returning to performing music again. He made a couple of guest appearances with first Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart at Disneyland in 1976 and then with Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Coco Dolenz and the Laughing Dogs at the Starwood Club in 1977. Dipping his toes into the performance waters, he gave a couple of rare live performances at the infamous CBGB’s Club in 1977. By the late 1970’s into the early 1980’s, Peter began to tour again on his own and fronting bands like the New Monks, Cottonmouth and the Dashboard Saints. During this period, Tork returned to his Greenwich Village roots performing at clubs like Speakeasy, the Bitter End and the Bottom Line.
The first of his solo recordings also started popping up during this time, with a single with the New Monks featuring his proto-punk version of (I’m Not You) Steppin’ Stone and a rocking version of Jackie Wilson’s Higher and Higher. A rare Folk recording of I Truly Understand appears on the Traditional Folk Revisited album distributed by The Coop: The Fast Folk Music Magazine. With the New Monks, Peter did a tour of Japan in 1981 in connection with the Monkees revival that took place.
The Monkees 20th anniversary tour in 1986 propelled Peter Tork back into the spotlight along with Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones. In between the reunion tours, Peter would continue to perform solo at smaller venues. By the end of 1989, culminating with the Monkees receiving their Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after a sold out performance which brought back Michael Nesmith for a special performance at the Universal Amphitheater, Peter Tork returned to solo performances. Thanks to the insistence of his long time friend and music partner James Lee Stanley, Peter was encouraged to finally record his first and only true solo album Stranger Things Have Happened for Stanley’s label Beechwood Recordings. 7a Records, who have done excellent work on the solo recordings of Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Michael Nesmith, have now added their first Peter Tork recording to their impressive roster.
Original 1994 ‘Stranger Things’ CD.
Originally released in 1994, ‘Stranger Things’ is a wonderful showcase of Peter Tork’s incredible talent as a musician. The title track incorporates Peter’s quirky time changes with a rocking beat and a lush texture to the music and background vocals. ‘Get What You Pay For’ has an ominous beat as the lyrics reflect the song’s cautionary tale. ‘Sea Change’ evokes ocean imagery with its opening effects while using the same imagery in it’s story of a love affair. Peter’s Folk roots are explored in his version of the Monkees song ‘Take A Giant Step’, presented as ‘Giant Step’ on the album. The simple guitar backing and the background vocals by Mackenzie Phillips adds to the songs’ Folky flavor.
The next track is the suggestive ‘Milkshake’ that features backing vocals by Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz. The extensive liner notes written by Monkees scholar Mark Kleiner reveals that Davy Jones was visiting the studios during this recording, and due to time constraints, was not able to provide additional vocals to what would have been a full Monkees track.
The track is followed by ‘MGB-GT’ with Michael Nesmith on background vocals, which Tork had performed on his solo shows and on the 1986 Monkees tour, of which a live recording exists. This is a very playful song and doesn’t stray far from the live version. Next up is ‘Miracle’ which has a very heavy, crunchy beat. ‘Pirates’ follows with a very cool sounding horns-like synth arrangement. The next Monkees track is ‘Gettin’ In’, which originally appeared on the 1987 ‘Pool It!’ album. This is a heavier sounding version of the song with a minimal use of the synths and a tasty backing vocal by Anita Sherman. ‘Tender Is’ is beautifully played by Peter with lyrics of reflection with wonderful backing vocals by Deborah Van Valkenberg. The original album ends with Peter’s version of ‘Higher and Higher’ which closely follows the arrangement he used while performing it live, assisted again on background vocals by Anita Sherman.
The 7a Records deluxe cd of ‘Stranger Things’ features nine bonus tracks that will really please Tork collectors. Among them are renditions of ‘Milkshake’, ‘MGB-GT’, ‘Miracle’, Pirates’ and a live version of ‘Get What You Pay For’ all sung with James Lee Stanley who produced the first four tracks. ‘Easy Rockin’ is a demo produced by Tork that has a very late 60’s sound to it, and could easily have been a B-side to a Monkees single. ‘I Truly Understand’ that was recorded for the Coop Folk album is next, a great Folk tune with Peter accompanying himself on banjo, and should make a lot of Tork completists happy for its inclusion. The album rounds out with both sides of the rare New Monks single ‘Steppin’ Stone’ and ‘Higher and Higher’. Peter sings the majority of the songs in his rich baritone and he sounds great throughout. There’s a quirkiness to Peter’s vocals that is similar to Ringo Starr that adds to the charm of the songs. The musical production is top rate with additional assistance by guitarist Laurence Juber of Wings playing on ‘Milkshake’ and Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles lending backing vocals on ‘Stranger Things’.
A new front and back cover for the album features photos of Peter taken by Henry Diltz. The booklet features extensive liner notes by Monkees scholar Mark Kleiner. I’ve learned more about Peter Tork’s solo career by reading Kleiner’s liner notes than I’ve ever known before. The notes give a very fleshed out look at Peter as a solo artist, his frustrations at being known more as a member of the Monkees and not as a serious musician and how he eventually was able to balance the two. Until a proper biography becomes available, Mark Kleiner’s liner notes are the best source on Peter Tork as a solo artist. Sprinkled throughout the booklet are wonderful photos of Peter Tork during his solo period with a few photos of him during the Monkees reunion years.
The ‘Stranger Things’ cd features the eleven tracks from the original 1994 album with the additional nine bonus tracks. It’s also available as a very limited edition in 180g pink splatter vinyl, the first time the album has become available in vinyl. (The vinyl contains six of the nine bonus tracks, the missing bonus songs are ‘Pirates’, the live ‘Get What You Pay For’ and the ‘Easy Rockin’ demo.)
7a Records have done their usual excellent work in producing a quality music product, and they did a magnificent job on their first Tork release. Here’s hoping more Peter Tork releases will be forthcoming from 7a Records.
Fred Velez, 2020.
Purchase Links for ‘Stranger Things Have Happened – Deluxe Edition:
7a Records will drop a digital release of ‘Davy Jones Sings The Best of The Monkees’ on November 14th, 2020. This is the same album that was issued in 1983 in Australia and are the same bonus tracks that are on 7a Records recent ‘Davy Jones Live In Japan’ set. These are the alternate live tracks with the audience noise lowered down in the mix. Davy Jones had also released this collection on his Bandcamp page. The digital version of ‘Davy Jones Sings The Best of The Monkees’ will be available for streaming and download purchase on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Music/iTunes. Check other streaming services for availability.
Fred Velez is the author of the books ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective’ and ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You 2: The Monkees From International Fan Perspectives’.
7A Records is proud to present the first ever reissue of Peter Tork’s solo album, Stranger Things Have Happened. In essence a collaboration between Peter and longtime friend and co-producer/engineer James Lee Stanley, the record also features performances from members of Peter’s live band at the time, along with several special guests including Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Timothy B Schmit (from The Eagles), Mackenzie Phillips and Laurence Juber (from Wings). The CD version includes no less than 9 Bonus tracks and has a 32 page colour booklet with sleeve notes by Mark Kleiner. The Vinyl release features 6 bonus tracks and is pressed on 180g Neon Magenta Splatter vinyl – limited to only 600 copies. The release date is December 4th in the UK and December 12th in the US – just in time for Christmas!
CD Running order: 1. Stranger Things Have Happened 2. Get What You Pay For 3. Sea Change 4. Giant Step 5. Milkshake 6. MGB-GT7. Miracle 8. Pirates 9. Gettin’ In 10. Tender Is 11. Higher and HigherBonus Tracks 12. Milkshake (with James Lee Stanley) 13. MGB-GT (with James Lee Stanley) 14. Miracle (with James Lee Stanley) 15. Pirates (with James Lee Stanley) 16. You Get What You Pay For (Live) 17. Easy Rockin’ (Demo) 18. I Truly Understand 19. (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone (with The New Monks) 20. Higher & Higher (with The New Monks)
According to the Rolling Stone Magazine website, Micky Dolenz will be recording a new solo album covering songs by fellow Monkee Michael Nesmith. 7a Records, which has issued several excellent solo Monkees recordings, will be releasing the album.
George Bekich II/Las Vegas News Bureau/Getty Images
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.
Micky Dolenz in Japan promoting the ‘To Be Or Not To Be’ single and Japanese Tour
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).
Photo Courtesy of 7a Records
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’.
7A Records are proud to present Micky Dolenz “Live In Japan”. Released, on May 8th in UK and May 15th in the US, as a lavishly packaged CD + DVD digisleeve set, including a 24 page booklet, packed with informative liner notes and many previously unseen pictures. Also released as a special limited edition pressing on 180g splatter vinyl.
Micky Dolenz travelled to Japan in early 1982 to give his first ever tour as a solo performer, towards the end of a massive Monkees resurgence that had sparked there in the fall of 1980. Dolenz’s Japanese concerts marked the closest thing he had ever done (up to that point) to a solo concert tour. While he had toured extensively in 1975 and 1976 with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart, he had seldom set foot on the concert stage post-Monkees ‘on his own’. Dolenz employed a Japanese group of musicians for his backup band, hiring an outfit called Marlboro. The tour provides a revealing look into what he himself, only fifteen years removed from the original Monkees phenomenon, may have considered the crème-de-la-crème of their catalogue. While the practice of playing deep cuts for diehard fans has become more common in recent years, at this early juncture Dolenz makes some captivating choices, including: 1969’s “Pillow Time”, written by his mother Janelle Scott and two killer Nesmith compositions from Headquarters, “Sunny Girlfriend” and “You Just May Be The One”. Also included are the Davy Jones staple “I Wanna Be Free”, “Shades Of Gray” and what might be the first ever concert performance of “Zor And Zam”. The CD + DVD version includes five bonus tracks, including the first ever release of “I’m Your Man” from 1978s World Popular Song Contest in Tokyo, and the first ever reissue of “Tomorrow” from the West End play Bugsy Malone, which Dolenz directed.
1. (Theme From) The Monkees 2. Sunny Girlfriend 3. Last Train To Clarksville 4. You Just May Be The One 5. I’m A Believer 6. Randy Scouse Git 7. Zor And Zam 8. Mary, Mary 9. I Wanna Be Free 10. Pillow Time 11. Shades Of Gray 12. No Time 13. Daydream Believer 14. (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone 15. Goin’ Down 16. Pleasant Valley Sunday 17. Beverly Hills 18. To Be Or Not To Be
CD Only Bonus Tracks: 19. I’m Your Man (Semi-final) 20. I’m Your Man (Final) 21. Tomorrow (from ‘Bugsy Malone’) 22. To Be Or Not To Be (Single Ver.) 23. Beverly Hills (Single Ver.)
180g Splatter Vinyl:
Side One
1. Sunny Girlfriend 2. Last Train To Clarksville 3. You Just May Be The One 4. I’m A Believer 5. Randy Scouse Git 6. Zor And Zam 7. I Wanna Be Free 8. Pillow Time 9. Shades Of Gray
Side Two
1. Mary, Mary 2. No Time 3. Daydream Believer 4. (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone 5. Goin’ Down 6. Pleasant Valley Sunday 7. Beverly Hills 8. To Be Or Not To Be
For a fan to follow the career of an artist like Michael Nesmith is very rewarding when you consider the incredible body of work, from the Monkees to his solo material, he has created in his 50 plus years. So, it’s something special when something new pops up that has never been heard before, especially by Nez himself! That’s the case with the brand new 7a Records release ‘Cosmic Partners’. Recorded at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, California on August 18, 1973, this live performance of the ‘The McCabe’s Tapes’ was recorded direct from the soundboard on two track analogue reel to reel tape with ambient microphones. As this is a direct soundboard recording, you hear the concert exactly as it was recorded that night, ambient crowd noise and onstage antics intact, which adds to the intimacy of the ‘Live’ feel of the performance.
Nesmith is joined on stage by Colin Cameron on Bass, Danny Lane on Drums and his ‘Cosmic Partner’, O.J. ‘Red’ Rhodes on Pedal Steel Guitar. Nez and Red are in a playful mood throughout the concert, joking and laughing and appearing to be having as much fun as the audience. But what really stands out is the music. The whole band are in the pocket and in the groove as they perform songs from Nesmith’s most current album at the time ‘Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash’, his last for RCA, plus songs from the previous ‘And The Hits Just Keep On Coming’ and his earlier RCA recordings. What really grabs your attention is the artistry of Rhodes’ Pedal Steel Guitar playing. Red takes Nesmith’s songs into a whole new, other worldly level. ‘Cosmic’ is an appropriate description for the synchronous rapport between Michael Nesmith’s vocals and lyrics and Red Rhodes atmospheric backing. This is further highlighted when Nez generously puts the spotlight on Red who performs instrumental renditions of ‘Rose City Chimes’, ‘Poinciana’ and a stunning instrumental take on ‘The Cripple Lion’.
The onstage band chatter was retained on the tape, so we hear the playful give and take between Nez, Red and the other musicians and the audience who are cheerfully enjoying the show. On the cd only track ‘The Great Escape’, Nesmith hilariously recounts the infamous Monkees ‘Cincinnati Concert Incident’. Hearing the tale just a few years after the actual event took place is a highlight in itself. The vinyl version of the album will be available as an limited edition picture disc.
Throughout the 58 minute set the music is the grabber. Because of the ambient sounds, you can close your eyes and imagine yourself seated in a small, smoky club surrounded by other patrons while in front of you is Michael Nesmith with Red Rhodes and the band playing some of the most incredible music you’ll ever hear. The songs are all played beautifully and Red Rhodes playing takes them right into the stratosphere. The last two songs, ‘Joanne’ and ‘Silver Moon’ are perfect closers. And you’re reminded that you’re listening to a reel to reel tape when ‘Silver Moon’ abruptly ends in an audible “Bloop!”, an inadvertent, yet somehow appropriate way to end this little glimpse of a magical night of music in 1973.
The original Live soundboard recording was made by Ron Marks and the album was produced by Ed Heffelfinger and co-produced and mastered by Christian Nesmith. Informative liner notes are provided by producer Ed Heffelfinger, Michael Nesmith, Circe Link and a biographical essay on the late Red Rhodes written by Joe Alterio. Archival photographs of Nesmith, Red Rhodes and the band from the period taken by Norman Seeff and Bob Warford are excellent, including photos taken for the ‘Ranch Stash’ album. Monkees Historian Gary Strobl and 7a Records Executive Producers Iain Lee and Glenn Gretlund deserve extra kudos for bringing this long-lost Live Michael Nesmith and Red Rhodes recording to light and available for fans to discover and enjoy.
For the best ‘You Are There’ live listening experience you can possibly have, Nez fans can’t go wrong with ‘Cosmic Partners – The McCabe’s Tapes’.
Here’s a secret little project that ain’t so secret no more. A brand new Nesmith album….
7a Records are delighted to announce the release of their third Michael Nesmith album. Recorded at McCabe’s in Santa Monica, CA, on August 18th, 1973, “Cosmic Partners: The McCabe’s Tapes” is a rare and previously unreleased concert recording featuring Nesmith and a small coterie of fellow musicians, including long time recording partner and pedal steel player Red Rhodes. Released as a lavishly packaged CD set with a 24 page booklet with previously unseen pictures and liner notes by Michael Nesmith. This recording is from a mini concert tour that was in support of what was to be Nesmith’s final record on the RCA label, Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash. Consisting of a rhythm section featuring Danny Lane on drums and Colin Cameron on bass, and the legendary O.J. “Red” Rhodes on pedal steel, this would be the last performance of its kind and the beginning of an almost Homeric journey for Nesmith. On the heels of an inordinately successful Monkees TV show, the hangover from overnight celebrity, and the disappointments that so often follow such ascents, this forgotten and almost lost board mix in all its unvarnished glory (remastered here by Christian Nesmith, Michael’s oldest son) stands as a ready witness to the spirit of a man full of heartache, a performer bruised by the claws of the star-maker machine, and an artist whose songs have become touchstones for our lives. What you hear is exactly as it happened with no overdubs or audio mumbo jumbo. The perfection you hear is totally for real.
1. Welcome To McCabe’s 2. Tomorrow And Me 3. The Upside Of Goodbye 4. The Sock Cymbal Scared Me 5. Grand Ennui 6. Some Of Shelly’s Blues 7. Cosmic Partners 8. Rose City Chimes 9. A Dog Wrote It 10. Poinciana 11. The Crippled Lion 12. Alice Nesmith 13. The One Rose 14. Propinquity (I’ve Just Begun To Care) 15. The Great Escape* 16. Joanne 17. Silver Moon
Recorded at McCabe’s Guitar Shop, Santa Monica, CA, August 18th, 1973
Personnel:
Michael Nesmith – Vocal, Acoustic Guitar O.J. ‘Red’ Rhodes – Pedal Steel Guitar Colin Cameron – Bass Danny Lane – Drums
Executive Producers: Iain Lee and Glenn Gretlund
Produced by Ed Heffelfinger Co-Produced and Mastered by Christian Nesmith Recorded by: Ron Marks
All songs written by Michael Nesmith and published by Screen Gems-EMI Music Ltd, except for: ‘Rose City Chimes’ by John Robert Garrett (Carlin Music Corp.) ‘Poinciana’ by Nat Simon & Buddy Bernier (Francis Day & Hunter Ltd) ‘The One Rose’ by Del Lyon and Lani McIntire (Shapiro Bernstein & Co Ltd)
Photography: Norman Seeff and Bob Warford Artwork by Scott Balcony – www.balconyshirts.co.uk, with thanks to Tim Johnson at Silver Parrot
Special Thanks to: Wayne Griffith, Kora ‘Koko’ Peterson, Lisa Jenio, Nichole Jaymes, Circe Link, Melodie Akers, Gary Strobl, Sophia Heffelfinger, Robin Campbell, Joseph Jones, Jason Chesney, Kinon, Alexander, Katherine and the Zilch Podcast Team
McCabe’s Master of Ceremonies: Bobby Kimmel Mr. Rhodes’ Performance Courtesy of Jif Peanut Butter
“And just think, it’s only taken me a half a century to get back!”, Michael Nesmith says with an audible smile on his face early in his set with the First National Band Redux, on the stage of the world famous Troubadour Club in Los Angeles to a loud and appreciative crowd. This historic event is perfectly captured in the new 7a Records cd release ‘Michael Nesmith & The First National Band Redux Live At The Troubadour’, recorded January 25th, 2018.
When Nez announced that he would be doing a short tour featuring a new version of his second band after leaving The Monkees, performing songs from his first three RCA albums, the enthusiasm from fans guaranteed that all the dates would be sold out. The Troubadour, where Nesmith early in his career was the emcee and where the producers of the Monkees project discovered him, was the ideal setting for this concert, as this was where he debuted the original incarnation of FNB.
The concert opens with a blistering version of ‘Nevada Fighter’, a perfect song to launch with. Next are the trilogy of songs from the ‘Magnetic South’ album, followed by ‘The Crippled Lion’ and a poignant ‘Joanne’ with the audience singing along. Nesmith is in remarkably great voice and charmingly good humor throughout the concert and the FNBR offer spot on recreations of the songs, the band consisting of Nez’s sons Christian and Jonathan on guitar and vocals, Jason Chesney on bass, Jim Cox on keyboards, Christopher Allis on drums, Circe Link and Amy Spear on vocals and percussion, and Peter Finney on pedal steel guitar, doing an amazing job recreating the incredible arrangements of the late pedal steel master, Red Rhodes.
The sound of the cd was mixed and mastered by Christian Nesmith, which sounds wonderful coming through speakers or headphones. The lushness of the song ‘Lady Of The Valley’ really comes through in the mix. The background vocals of Circe and Amy are nicely reminiscent of the vocal stylings of Emmylou Harris. On the track ’50 Years’, Nez tells the story of when he performed these songs a half a century back on that same stage and the favorable reaction he got from the audience then. He then quietly plays and sings the most beautiful version of ‘Propinquity’ I’ve ever heard him perform that made my eyes misty. This is followed by ‘Different Drum’ (which he jokes that the TV producers didn’t see it as a “Monkees” song) which is then followed by a song that did make it into the Monkees first album, ‘Papa Gene’s Blue’, with the audience joining along on the verse, “For I love you, and I know you love me”, and one can tell from the recording that Nez must have been smiling appreciatively at that moment.
As mentioned earlier, Nesmith is in great voice at this show, even handling the high notes and his trademark yodel on the songs like ‘Keys To The Car’, ‘Mama Nantucket’ and a lovely rendition of ‘Silver Moon’, ably assisted by the background vocals of Christian, Jonathan, Circe and Amy. Many of the classic FNB songs were performed at The Troubadour like ‘Grand Ennui’, ‘Dedicated Friend’ and ‘Some Of Shelley’ Blues’.
The concert and the cd ends with ‘Thanx For The Ride’, Pete Finney recreating Red Rhodes classic pedal steel guitar arrangement to perfection. The standing ovation of the cheering audience can be felt as the sound of the cd fades.
7a Records always does a great job packaging their projects and this special cd is no exception. The lettering and cover design are raised giving the cover a nice texture to the touch. The cd booklet features wonderful photos of Nez and the band on the Troubadour stage. Nesmith wrote the liner notes where he recounts his early experience presenting these songs to the “powers that be” on The Monkees project who rejected them, leading to the origins of the original First National Band and the current incarnation of the FNB Redux. It’s a fascinating read that gives one another revealing insight into Nesmith’s career.
Michael Nesmith is considered one of the founding fathers of Country Rock alongside artists like Gram Parsons. The songs on this cd (the two disc vinyl version will include ‘Rio’, exclusive to that release), justifies Nesmith’s qualification. Executive Producers Glenn Gretlund and Iain Lee have produced another fine quality edition to the 7a Records catalog. Not only is this a release that Monkees and Nesmith fans must own, but also lovers of Country Rock should include ‘Michael Nesmith & The First National Band Redux Live At The Troubadour’ into their collections.
7A Records presents a brand new album from Micky Dolenz – Out Of Nowhere. Recorded in April this year with the sublime 30 piece American Metropole Orchestra, Dolenz sings all of the Monkees’ greatest hits along with some outstanding deep album cuts. The orchestral backing adds a real unique depth to the recordings and Dolenz’s voice is as good as ever. To quote Dolenz in his own words: “Words cannot express what a magical night it was. You really had to be there and thanks to this recording, you can be!” It was recorded April 15th, 2017 at the Rice Auditorium, Western Oregon University
Released on CD and limited 12” Picture Disc Vinyl.
7a Records have been very busy with new releases by Micky Dolenz following last years critically acclaimed issue of Dolenz’s MGM Singles Collection.
The two cd set ‘An Evening with Peter Noone & Micky Dolenz’ was culled from conversational sessions recorded in early 2016 at The Space at Westbury and the Memorial Auditorium in Montclair, NJ, where Noone and Dolenz sat before an audience and recounted fun and hilarious stories about their careers. Lots of anecdotes and inside show biz tales were told with the audience enjoying every hysterical moment. The conversations were well recorded so if one closes their eyes they could imagine themselves sitting in the audience with Noone and Dolenz just inches away. For fans who attended these conversation shows this collection makes a great souvenir and for those who weren’t there this is the next best thing to being there.
For record store day in England, 7a Records issued a limited edition 45 vinyl single of two previously unreleased Dolenz songs. Pressed on translucent vinyl ‘Chance Of A Lifetime’ and ‘Living On Lies’ were both recorded in the late 1990’s/early 2000’s when Micky was trying to launch a solo singing career. The songs written by Tom Deluca, Mike Slamer and Dolenz capture the Monkees jangling guitar sound with a harder, rocking edge to the music. Micky is in great voice on these songs, both which could have easily fit on the Monkees ‘Good Times’ album.
Most recently 7a Records slipped out a limited to 500 copies EP (extended play) purple vinyl 45 teaming Dolenz with Christian Nesmith (son of Nez) and Circe Link. Side one features a melody of ‘Porpoise Song’ seamlessly segueing into the Beatles ‘Good Morning, Good Morning’ with Micky singing lead and Circe complimenting Dolenz with her background vocals and Christian providing additional vocal harmonies and guitar backing on the track. Side two is highlighted by a duet between Micky and Circe on the Everly Brothers classic ‘Crying In The Rain’, with their voices blending beautifully with lovely guitar work by Christian. The record ends with a remake of ‘Randy Scouse Git’, done at a slower pace with sparser arrangements and with great vocal harmonies by Circe, this version of the song has a sense of fun to it, especially at the songs conclusion with Micky and Circe breaking out in laughter and giggles.
These new releases from 7a Records all have the stamp of quality that executive producers Iain Lee and Glenn Gretlund have made their trademark since launching the label. All the releases are worth picking up, and I highly recommend folks pick up the limited edition records while they’re still obtainable. Kudos to 7a Records for these great releases. I’m looking forward to the next batch!
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