Monday, September 13, 2010

JDIZZY's 365 # 127: Listen To The Band

Listen To The Band - The Monkees (1969)

On his last album with the group, Mike Nesmith gave The Monkees one of his strongest songwriting efforts to date. Magnificently produced, double value was given to it because it was available in two versions. The album track featured blistering horns in the bridge, while the b-side gave off a country-rock vibe that Mike had been perfecting for years . In my eyes he is one of the leaders of the alt. country movement that should be mentioned in the same breath as Gram Parsons. Alas, this will probably never be. The Monkees were a television creation, and no matter how many brilliant sides they put out over the course of their 4 year run, the respect of their peers and critics will always be waning. Fortunately,we know better.

The Horns Version



The Alt. Country Version



And just for good measure, a live version just to prove these boys could play!

No comments:

Post a Comment