MONKEES Then and Now Best of LP ASD

the MONKEES THEN & NOW...THE BEST OF THE MONKEES LPCategory / Style / Moods: Rock Rock Pop Pop/Rock Bubblegum Sunshine Pop Psychedelic Pop Moods Innocent Lively Bright Giddy Reflective Naive Theatrical Playful Fun Humorous Energetic Swaggering Dreamy Urgent Refined/ Mannered Brash1986 US ARISTA LPTITLE: THEN & NOW...THE BEST OF THE MONKEESARTIST: MONKEESCONDITIONVINYL: VG+ OR BETTERCOVER: VG+stock photo TRACKS:Disc: 1 1.THEME FROM THE MONKEES2.LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE3.TAKE A GIANT STEP4.I'M A BELIEVER5.I'M NOT YOUR STEPPIN' STONE6.A LITTLE BIT ME, A LITTLE BIT YOU7.ANYTIME, ANYPLACE, ANYWHERE8.THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW9.THE GIRL I KNEW SOMEWHERE10.PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY11.WHAT AM I DOING HANGIN' AROUND12.DAYDREAM BELIEVER13.VALLERI14.KICKSBiography by Richie Unterberger Formed primarily for the purpose of starring in a television series, the Monkees were on one hand a cynically manufactured group, devised to cash in on the early Beatles' success by applying the most superficial aspects of the British Invasion formula to capture a preteen audience. On the other hand, they weren't devoid of musical talent, and at their best managed to craft some enduring pop/rock hits. "I'm a Believer," "Last Train to Clarksville," "A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You," "Pleasant Valley Sunday," "Stepping Stone," "Take a Giant Step," "Valleri," "Words" — all were pleasantly jangling, harmony rock numbers with hooks big enough for a meat locker, and all were huge hits in 1966-1968. Scorned at their peak by hipsters for not playing on many of their own records, the group gained some belated critical respect for their catchy, good-time brand of pop. It would be foolish to pretend, however, that they were a band of serious significance, despite the occasional genuinely serious artistic aspirations of the members. The Monkees were the brainchild of television producers Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson, who decided to emulate the zany, madcap humor of the Beatles' A Hard Day's Night for the small screen. In September 1965, they placed in ad in Variety for four "folk & rock musicians" to appear in a TV series. Over 400 applied for the job, including Stephen Stills and Harry Nilsson, but as it turned out only one of the four winners, guitarist and songwriter Michael Nesmith, actually saw the ad. Micky Dolenz (who would play drums), Davy Jones (who would sing), and Peter Tork (bass) found out about the opportunity from other sources. Nesmith and Tork had experience in the folk scene; Dolenz and Jones were primarily actors (although Nesmith and Jones had already made some obscure solo recordings). From the outset, it was made clear that the Monkees were hired to be television actors first and musicians a distant second. There would be original material generated for them to sing in the series, mostly by professional songwriters like Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, and Neil Diamond. There would be records, as well — had to be, with that kind of weekly exposure, to promote the tunes — but the group wouldn't do much more than sing, although the series would give the impression that they played their own instruments. The TV show was a big hit with young audiences between 1966 and 1968, with slapstick comedy, super-fast editing, and thin plots that could be banded together by almost surreal humor. It wasn't A Hard Day's Night, but it was, in its way, innovative relative to the conventions of television at the time. The irony was that, by the time the series debuted in September 1966, the Beatles themselves had just released Revolver, and had evolved way beyond their mop-top phase into psychedelia.This is a 12" vinyl sound recording, not a CD. This exquisite piece of retro music history is either a multi-track long play LP record album or an extended play EP remix 12" maxi - single disco dance record. Visit the A Sound Deal store for information on grading, shipping, abbreviations and general info. Add me to your favorites for red hot sales bulletins and sneak previews of upcoming products. Combine Items to Save $$$ ©A Sound Deal