Blog - Monkees Live Almanac

A look inside the vinyl edition of "Live at The Troubadour" by Michael Nesmith & The First National Band Redux

10/14/2018

This August, the ever-prolific 7a Records issued Live at The Troubadour by Michael Nesmith & The First National Band Redux as a limited edition 2LP gatefold set on 180g opaque gold vinyl. The vinyl set also happens to feature a special bonus performance of the song "Rio." A compact disc version was also released.

And now, thanks (as always) to Ben Belmares, you can take a look at the LP version of Live at The Troubadour below. Thanks, Ben!

Before you do, don't forget to order your copy of Live at The Troubadour on Amazon US or Amazon UK!

Nesmith Live at the Troubadour album liner notes

(Click images to enlarge)

First National Band Live at Troubadour liner notes

Nesmith First National Band Live at the Troubadour back cover

7a Records Nesmith First National Band Troubadour gold vinyl

First National Band Nesmith Troubadour gold vinyl 7a Records

Poll: Choose your top 5 favorite songs from "Christmas Party"

10/13/2018

Christmas Party, the first holiday album by The Monkees, was issued by Rhino Records on October 12, and a bonus tracks version will be offered exclusively by Target on October 19.

Take a moment to vote in the Live Almanac's new poll and select your five favorite tracks from the album:

Complete Live Almanac coverage of "Christmas Party" album

Reviews for The Monkees'"Christmas Party"

10/12/2018

Monkees Christmas Party

AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Rock Cellar: Hear New Holiday Albums from Eric Clapton, The Monkees and Michael McDonald

Records, CDs and Music: Christmas in October – The Monkees “Christmas Party” album

(Additional reviews will be added as they become available)

Andy Partridge talks about writing The Monkees' new Christmas single

10/11/2018

Andy Partridge on Unwrap You at Christmas

Peter Tork addresses fans in new message

10/11/2018

Micky Dolenz speaks to Rolling Stone about "Christmas Party," Michael Nesmith’s heart surgery, touring, and Peter Tork

10/10/2018

Micky Dolenz Breaks Down the Monkees’ New Christmas Album

Monkees Christmas

(Photo courtesy of Rhino Entertainment)

Listen Now! Lead single from upcoming Monkees Christmas album debuts

10/9/2018

"Unwrap You At Christmas" is now available for download and streaming! Written for The Monkees by XTC's Andy Partridge, the song features a lead vocal from Micky Dolenz and is the first official preview of the group's holiday album, Christmas Party, set for release this Friday.

"Unwrap You At Christmas" can be downloaded on Amazon and iTunes and is also streaming on Spotify. Listen to it on YouTube below!

Monkees' Christmas album arrives this Friday

10/7/2018

On October 12, Rhino Records will release Christmas Party, the first-ever collection of Christmas music by The Monkees. The album will feature newly recorded versions of classic Christmas songs including "Silver Bells," "The Christmas Song," and "Wonderful Christmastime" along with brand new songs written for the group by Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo ("What Would Santa Do"), Andy Partridge of XTC ("Unwrap You At Christmas"), as well as R.E.M.'s Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey of The Minus 5 ("Christmas Party"). Adam Schlesinger, who produced the LP (and 2016's Good Times!), collaborated with novelist Michael Chabon on "House of Broken Gingerbread." Covers of Wizzard's yuletide classic "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day" and Big Star's "Jesus Christ" will also be heard on the album.

Christmas Party includes new vocals by Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork, plus the late Davy Jones’ voice - taken from vintage recordings - also appears on two songs. It will be available for purchase on compact disc and as a digital download this Friday. A vinyl edition is in the works but will not be issued until 2019.

Retail giant Target will carry an exclusive bonus tracks edition of Christmas Party beginning on October 19 (a week after the release of the standard edition), and it's currently available for pre-ordering. Target's compact disc will feature two additional songs: "Riu Chiu" and "Christmas Is My Time of Year."

While we wait for the video of the first single, "Unwrap You at Christmas," to arrive, take a moment to catch up on all things Christmas Party in the archives of the Live Almanac!

Monkees Christmas Party album

Davy Jones relaxes while on tour in Des Moines, Iowa in August 1967

10/6/2018

Ric Klein documents the 1967 tour

Davy Jones golf club

(From the January 1968 issue of Teen Screen)

Wool Hat Club places spotlight on Monkees instrumental tracks

10/6/2018

Nez with his ride

10/6/2018

Michael Nesmith car

(From the January 1968 issue of Flip)

Mike, Davy, and Micky pose for Henry Diltz

10/6/2018

Here The Monkees pose at Mike's home in the Hollywood Hills in December 1968. They are in a tree house built for Mike's son, Christian.

Monkees tree house

(Photo by Henry Diltz)

Micky Dolenz and friend in Flip

10/6/2018

(From the February 1968 issue of Flip)

Rhino Flashback series highlights The Monkees

10/6/2018

On June 29, Rhino Records released An Introduction to The Monkees Volume 1 as a budget-priced compact disc with ten tracks:

Introduction to The Monkees Volume 1

1. (Theme From) The Monkees
2. I'm A Believer
3. Last Train To Clarksville
4. A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
5. Pleasant Valley Sunday

6. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone
7. Tapioca Tundra (2010 Remastered Version)
8. Daydream Believer
9. Randy Scouse Git (2007 Remastered Version)
10. Valleri

And this week, Rhino issued An Introduction to The Monkees Volume 2:

Introduction to The Monkees Volume 2

1. Words (2007 Remastered Version)
2. Mary, Mary (2006 Remastered)
3. That Was Then, This Is Now
4. The Girl I Knew Somewhere
5. You Told Me (2007 Remastered Version)

6. Goin' Down
7. Listen To The Band
8. Heart And Soul
9. Me & Magdalena
10. Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow) [2006 Remastered]

Peter Tork in the studio during the recording of "Headquarters"

10/6/2018

(Photo courtesy of "Listen to the Band" box set booklet)

Neko Cholis delivers a sugary treat to The Monkees while onstage in Denver in the summer of 1967

10/6/2018

Neko Cholis designed the artwork for various Monkees albums and picture sleeves, and traveled with the group while on tour in 1967. During the August 20, 1967 performance in Denver, Colorado at the Denver Coliseum, Neko treated The Monkees to cotton candy. Note that Mike is shown playing a 12-string Fender acoustic guitar after difficulties experienced with his usual Gretsch.

(From the January 1968 issue of Flip)

Mike and Micky during filming of "Hillbilly Honeymoon" in September 1967

10/6/2018

“Hillbilly Honeymoon” (a.k.a. “Double Barrel Shotgun Wedding”)

(From the February 1968 issue of Flip)

Davy Jones and Friends

10/6/2018

(From the January 1969 issue of Flip)

Micky Dolenz celebrates Neil Diamond on 2018 "Grammy Salute" special (UPDATED)

10/3/2018

October 5: Micky Dolenz To Honor Neil Diamond On "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends"

(Photo courtesy of PBS Great Performances)

UPDATE 10/7/2018: The complete special appears below, and Micky's performance with Neil Diamond begins at 9:30: