Bonus tracks you want on Monkees remasters

What bonus tracks do you want to see on the upcoming Monkees remasters? I really want:

"If I Learned to Play The Violin" (Would be nice to have
this on a regular audio CD)

"I Didn't Know You Had It In You, Sally" (Unreleased
but confirmed to exist by Rhino)

"You Can't Tie a Mustang Down" (Released, but on a
budget compilation)

"Ceiling in My Room" (ditto)

 

I want to hear the version of Papa Genes Blues with all of the Monkees providing the backing vocals. Andrew Sandoval said it was some of the best vocals the Monkees ever did. I'm sure that they can fly in Mike's lead vocals to make this a complete version. I also want to hear the instrumental "Omega". This sounds fascinating, according to Andrew Sandoval's description in his book.

Bob T

 

The mono singles mixes.

 

Suspect recording quality (vocals- no vocals?) nonwithstanding, I'd love to hear more of the 5/68 Salt Lake City performance that produced the live CIRCLE SKY.. The guys sound like they were on all cylinders as a live band on that track, like to know if any of the other performances (MARY, MARY, YOU TOLD ME, etc.) are on that level.

Also anxious for PAPA GENE that Bob mentioned, as well as the unused vocal session for MARY, MARY and any "fly on the wall" stuff from the PAC& J sessions.

- Dan

 

The three of those i have heard blow serious chunks. IMO
Why would you want bad songs on these reissues stinkin' up the place?

 

Good or bad is (as always) subjective, but one thing you can't deny is that they're rare tracks which should be made available to a wider audience to hear and form an opinion on for themselves.

 

Live in Japan '68. If the video no longer exists, at least give us the audio, Japanese narration and all, in as good a quality as you can.

There's a track that circulates among collectors called "My Community" that features a Nesmith vocal on a fairly odd track. It's the type of song that normally would suit Davy Jones more, though hearing Nez's version of "Daddy's Song" shows he could have handled the material. It's never appeared on any of the Rhino reissues, and I've never seen it listed in any Monkees session listing. It's not all that great a song, but I've always been curious of its origins, when it was recorded, for what album or episode, and why it wasn't used, or a part of any rarities release.

Most everything else exists only in my dreams, apparently (ie, "Sam & The Goodtimers" live album etc.)

But they already are available, and most fans agree that they'd have been better off staying in the can. More Davy Jones teeny bopper drivel that's given The Monkees a bad reputation for years now. Better to use that space for more worthy outtakes. I'm with namretsam on this one...sorry.

 

You've peaked my curiosity! You might want to join the Monkees List Yahoo Group:

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/monkees-list

Andrew is on the list and he might have an answer for you.

 

Here's my answer: That's not Michael on "My Community." I can't discuss Monkees reissues any further than the fact that in late August you will be able to buy the first two (if you want).

 

Thanks for the info, Andrew.

August can't come soon enough!

 

Fair enough. Quite an imitation though. Thanks.

 

Can anything be done to improve the sound of the first Monkees album? I seem to recall that that multitracks are long gone for that one. Every version of that album I have heard, from original vinyl to the Music Box set tracks is tinny sounding crud. Listen to the drum sound on "Saturday's Child"; I've heard better drums on 4th generation cassette dubs recorded on a Portastudio.

 

Also, even though it's been released before, I'd like to see the Midwest Mono Valleri single.

 

I only have one wish about Monkee songs...something I've wished for since early winter 1967...and that is to hear the intro of "Girl I Knew Somewhere" WITH the click or metronome left in.....I have never been able to count that guitar chaka chaka out...doesn't start on the 2...doesn't start on the 3...doesn't start on any known math numbers....Was it a bad splicing job? I would really like to know!!! Maybe it's as Zappa says to Mike on that hilarious Youtube Monkeeshow interview..."Monkees grooves which occur somewhere between 3 and a half and a c chord"....

 

There's no click track to that song....Mike just starts it off. On the initial breakdowns he slaps the intro on his guitar with a 1, 2...1, 2, 3 count. But by take 3, he just comes straight in, without counting. On the re-make version, he also slaps his guitar on take one....with a 1, 2... 1, 2, 3, 4 start and immediately stops because its off time. On the next take he resumes the intro without any type of count-off. On the session takes heard on Headquarters Sessions, Micky had some serious problems coming in on time after Mike's guitar intros, as did bassist, John London. Ron

 

Oh great...Headquarters Sessions...didn't know a thing about that one and apparently I'm a few years late finding out. Any idea where that one can be found now?

I was really aware of the Headquarters deal in 67 because the flack against the guys not playing was h-u-g-e. I saw them with the Sundowners in July that year and they were pretty good...actually a few magnitudes better than the Doors concert I saw a few months later.

I always liked the way the drums/toms were sorta faded back in as the second verse of "For Pete's Sake" starts...you can really tell Micky..or all of them..were having problems on songs with stops and starts. So the guitar thing on "Girl I Knew" makes sense. Dang, gotta find that Sessions set.

 

Thanks Andrew. I have to admit that I was starting to get a little bit worried.

 

If we can get this one, I'll be happy. My all time favorite Nez tune and one of the songs that instantly makes me think of the TV show, and the joy of spinning that first album circa 1975 when I was six years old.

 

The Mono 45 mixes!!!!!!!! Anything else will be an added plus!!!!

JF