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| The Monkees perform "Sweet Young Thing" |
I’ve been a fan of The
Monkees since I was four years old. In 1986, when the band’s popularity rose
again (due in part to MTV’s celebration of the television series), I saw them
perform for the first time. It was a great show, but it was without Michael
Nesmith. I saw them again in 1987, and in 1998 and in 2011 – every time without
Michael Nesmith. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, I was able to see them with
Michael Nesmith, at the Casino Ballroom, in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. But sadly, this time of course they were without David Jones.
As I was hoping, they did
a lot of Nesmith tunes (though they didn’t play my request, “Love Is Only
Sleeping”). The show started at 8:10 p.m., with some filmed interviews on
screen (footage I remember as bonus material from the Criterion Collection
release of Head). The band then came
out and immediately launched into “Last Train To Clarksville,” Micky Dolenz on
acoustic guitar, Michael Nesmith on electric guitar, and Peter Tork on electric
guitar. They followed that with “Papa Gene’s Blues,” one that has long been a
favorite of mine. I’d seen them perform it before, but not with Michael on lead
vocals.
They did a very cool,
slow version of “Sweet Young Thing,” with Peter playing banjo. They followed
that with two of their biggest hits – “I’m A Believer” and “(I’m Not Your)
Steppin’ Stone.” And then there was more footage on the screens, including some
bloopers from the television series.
One of the best sections
of the show for me was directly after that footage. Three Nesmith songs in a
row: “You Told Me” (with Peter on banjo), “Sunny Girlfriend” and “You Just May
Be The One.” The show could have ended right there and I would have been happy.
Another highlight was “Shades
Of Gray,” with some excellent backing vocals (one of the vocalists being Micky’s
sister). I also loved “For Pete’s Sake," with
Michael playing keyboard. The screens behind the band showed the closing credits
to the television show (as this song was used during the closing credits in the
show’s second season).
It was fantastic getting
to see Michael Nesmith do “The Door Into Summer,” from Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., my favorite Monkees
album. They followed that with “Words,” a song that never fails to please me
(and one from that same album). Michael Nesmith also did “Tapioca Tundra,” from
The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees.
They only did two songs from that album. (Someday I hope to see them perform “Auntie’s
Municipal Court,” another favorite of mine.)
When I saw The Monkees in
2011, the highlight of that show was the section of songs from Head, including my all-time favorite Monkees
song, “As We Go Along.” This time around they also did some selections from
that album, and again it was excellent. And this time they performed “Circle
Sky.” It was such a total joy to see them do that song. They also did “Porpoise
Song,” “Can You Dig It,” “As We Go Along” (wonderful, wonderful, wonderful)
and “Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again.”
After that, they showed
the footage of Davy Jones singing “Daddy’s Song” from Head (though interestingly, it was the album version that played,
not the film version of the song, and so didn’t include that slow section). The
band then played a sweet rendition of “Daydream Believer” as a tribute to David
Jones, with each of the three band members taking turns singing lead. The
audience then sang the chorus twice. They wrapped up the set with “What Am
Doing Hangin’ ‘Round?” with Peter once again on banjo.
The encores were “Listen
To The Band,” with Micky introducing the band, and “Pleasant Valley Sunday.”
The show ended at 10:06 p.m. It was a bit shorter than the show I saw in 2011,
and didn’t include any big surprises (the 2011 show included “When Love Comes
Knockin’ On Your Door,” “All Of Your Toys,” “She Hangs Out” and “Someday Man”),
but it was an excellent concert.
Set List
- Last Train To Clarksville
- Papa Gene’s Blues
- Your Auntie Grizelda
- The Kind Of Girl I Could Love
- She
- Sweet Young Thing
- I’m A Believer
- (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone
- You Told Me
- Sunny Girlfriend
- You Just May Be The One
- Mary, Mary
- The Girl I Knew Somewhere
- Shades Of Gray
- Randy Scouse Git
- For Pete’s Sake
- No Time
- The Door Into Summer
- Words
- Tapioca Tundra
- Goin’ Down
- Porpoise Song
- Can You Dig It
- Circle Sky
- As We Go Along
- Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again
- Daydream Believer
- What Am Doing Hangin’ ‘Round?
Encore
- Listen To The Band
- Pleasant Valley Sunday
Here are a few photos from the show:
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| "She" |
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| "You Told Me" |
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| "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" |
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| "Shades Of Gray" |
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| "Randy Scouse Git" |
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| "For Pete's Sake" |
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| "For Pete's Sake" |
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| "The Door Into Summer" |
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| "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?" |
