 Davy and The Edge Last Friday evening, Micky and Peter debuted their new concert show in Palm Springs, California. "I'll Spend My Life With You" and "Tear The Top Right Off My Head" made their live Monkees concert debuts. "I'll Spend My Life With You"This song, long a favorite of Peter's, was written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. The Monkees recorded the track for their third album, Headquarters. "I'll Spend My Life With You" was first put to tape during sessions for More of The Monkees, but this version remained unreleased until 1991's Listen to the Band box set: "Tear The Top Right Off My Head"One of several songs Peter wrote and recorded during sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees, "Tear The Top Right Off My Head" was relegated to the vaults in the late '60s, finally receiving an official release in 1991. I've always thought this track should have made the cut for the Birds LP. "Tear The Top" was first previewed on the second season episode, "Hitting the High Seas." Check out Henry Diltz (on banjo), Chip Douglas (on bass), and company performing on the music variety show in 1965. That's Monkees session drummer Eddie Hoh on drums. They are performing "Come On In," a song Peter tackled in 1968 as a member of The Monkees: This article was originally published in the December 1967 issue of Tiger Beat.    The Monkees recorded at RCA Nashville in the summer of 1967, and Michael later returned for his famed 'Nashville Sessions' in May and June of 1968. The musicians who supplied backup for Michael's sessions, which produced songs like "Listen to the Band," "Good Clean Fun," "Some of Shelly's Blues," and "St. Matthew," will be honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Nez in RCA Studio A in Nashville, Tennessee in 1968. Left to right: Sonny Osborne [seated], Lloyd Green, Kenny Buttrey, Norbert Putnam, Felton Jarvis, Michael, and Wayne Moss. (Photo courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)  Michael poses with Nashville musicians in 1968. Pictured are (back row, left to right): Mickey Newbury, Bobby Thompson, Jerry Carrigan, Roy Shockley, Michael, Felton Jarvis, David Briggs, Harold Bradley, Lloyd Green and Wayne Moss; (front row, left to right): Al Pachucki, Benjamin Pachucki, and Norbert Putnam Here's a sampling of some of Michael's Nashville '68 work:
 (Photo by Henry Diltz)  Micky & Peter live in Palm Springs, California on March 27, 2015 (Photo by Kevin Fitzgerald) Thanks to Iain Lee for uploading the rare footage he put together for a special screening at the 2014 Monkees Convention. You'll see a lot of great stuff here, including Davy on The Roger Whittaker Show from the UK on June 22, 1971, and his appearance with U2 in Los Angeles in 1997. Be sure to head over to Monkee Bootlegs on Facebook and like the page. Iain has a lot of new material on the way! Iain Lee of Monkee Bootlegs recently provided an update about his upcoming project, an official collection of Micky's early 1970s singles on MGM Records.  Just tidying up the transcript of the interview I conducted with Micky on the 17th. Man, it's good! Some great new stories from him. He seems to think Mama Cass is singing on "Oh Someone"...can anyone verify that? He talks about having parties with Bolan, Lennon, Cass, and Brian Wilson round and just recording the whole thing...man...those tapes would be awesome! Thanks for your patience on this...we really are in the home stretch now...promise... Iain recently gave us a preview of the track listing by revealing a page from the booklet:  (Click to enlarge)  (Photo by Kevin Fitzgerald) I’m sitting in my hotel room after tonight’s show, mulling over the evening’s event. Tonight, for the first time, Micky and I went on stage, here at the Fantasy Springs hotel and casino, just the two of us, as the Monkees.
Before virtually every show the Monkees ever did, starting with the very first show we did in Hawaii in 1967, the four of us, or three of us, had a little huddle and said, “hober reeber sober sokin’,” or words to that effect, as a way of affirming we were on a team. Tonight Micky and I looked at each other, and, since you can’t have a huddle with two people, we had a hug, and said “hober reeber…” etc. Having a hug instead of a huddle was a bit strange, but Michael didn’t want to do any more touring, and we thought there might be demand for the Monkees anyway, and so, nervous and cautious, Micky and I went out, just the two of us, as the Monkees. Well, I guess we needn’t have worried. The show went very well, particularly for a first show in a new format. Micky sang as well as he ever has, and I sang maybe better than I ever have. We sang a few of Mike’s songs, and of course, no Monkees concert would be complete without Daydream Believer, which Micky and I sang in unison, mostly, so Davy was represented as well. Micky and I also sat down with acoustic guitars and sang some songs in a more relaxed way than usual. Later, Micky sang his version of “Sugar, Sugar,” which he’d recorded on his solo CD, “Memories,” and I sang “Even White Boys Get the Blues,” which, as you know, I’ve done with Shoe Suede Blues for years. These last two were by way of each of us having a solo spot, as we used to do in Monkee concerts of old. The audience, apparently about 1500 strong, were enthusiastic, and we got the standing ovation we always hope for. I felt that a great time was had by all, certainly myself and Micky. I surprised myself by being pretty comfortable up there, and I think it came through in my performance. I surely hope you get to see the show. We’ve got a show in Edmonton, Alberta, and two near Toronto, Ontario, on April 22nd and 24th and 25th. We are looking at some dates in the northeast in September followed by a trip to the UK, and even though nothing is solidly scheduled just yet, we’re going to be there for sure. So you better get ready, we may be coming to your town…to quote a song. Heheheh Thanks, Team, as always, for your fabulous affection and help. I love you all. Peter  (Photo courtesy of Jeff Gehringer) Here's what was for sale last night at the Palm Springs, California concert with Micky and Peter. Check out the poster in the top right corner. The rest of the merchandise appears to be leftovers from the 2014 tour. Thanks to Jeff Gehringer for submitting this photo!  Here's another look, courtesy of The Monkees Tour Facebook page:  (UPDATE: There were a few errors in the original reporting of the set list from last night's show. Thanks to Andrew Sandoval for sending the correct running order.) Video: Introduction Last Train to Clarksville Your Auntie Grizelda She Mary, Mary The Girl I Knew Somewhere I'll Be Back Up On My Feet For Pete's Sake Randy Scouse Git Video Interlude: You Just May Be The One/Tear The Top Right Off My Head Acoustic Set: Tear The Top Right Off My Head Take a Giant Step Sometime in the Morning Papa Gene's Blues I'll Spend My Life With You Cuddly Toy (As a tribute to Davy, the performance of "Cuddly Toy" is accompanied by the original video of the song from the TV show with Davy’s vocal only on the track; Micky and Peter sing the harmony part live to Davy on film.) D.W. Washburn No Time Words Goin' Down Can You Dig It Solos: Sugar, Sugar (Micky) Even White Men Get the Blues (Peter) Video Interlude: Valleri Do I Have To Do This All Over Again That Was Then, This Is Now Daydream Believer Listen to the Band Steppin' Stone Encore: Pleasant Valley Sunday I'm a Believer "I'll Spend My Life With You" (from Headquarters) and "Tear The Top Right Off My Head" (previously unreleased but heard briefly in the second season episode "Hitting the High Seas," and later available on various compilations) made their live concert debuts when they were performed last evening by Micky, Peter, and the band.
Also of note is "I'll Be Back Up On My Feet," making its return to the set for the first time since 1997. "That Was Then, This Is Now" wasn't a part of the show during the tours with Michael in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Adding to the overhaul were both "D.W. Washburn" (last played in 1996) and "Take a Giant Step" (last played in 2001). The acoustic set is also a new addition, and hasn't been utilized in a Monkees show since the 2001 spring tour and the 1989 stops in Europe, Japan, and North America. Thanks to Jeff Gehringer for sending along the set list from last night's concert! |
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