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"Early Morning Blues and Greens," written by Jack Keller and Diane Hildebrand, originally appeared on The Monkees' third LP, Headquarters, in 1967. Peter was known to be fond of the song and delivered an inspired rendition of it with Shoe Suede Blues on their 2013 album, Step by Step: The Monkees' version featured a lead vocal by Davy Jones with Peter providing the harmony vocal: "Early Morning Blues and Greens" made its live concert debut on The Monkees' 2012 tour, and here Peter performs the song at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey in July 2013:
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 (Photo by Daniel Coston) Cassette tape sent to Monkees fan by Peter Tork reveals rare backing tracks and live recordings3/18/2019  (Banner designed by Justin Rakowski) This past weekend, longtime fan Scott Erickson shared a very special item from his personal collection with The Monkees Live Almanac: a cassette tape of music sent to him by none other than Peter Tork. Scott's story about the tape goes all the way back to the late 1980s when he had the opportunity to interview Peter for a radio show. "When I was in my teens, I produced a radio show for a local AM station," Scott told the Live Almanac. "In 1989, I contacted Peter's 'people' to get an interview and he agreed. Peter later sent me a cassette containing 3 songs that I could use on the air. He had just finished mixing a live album recorded during his run at The Speakeasy in New York City in 1988. The live songs included on the tape were 'Sea Change,' 'Vagabond John,' and 'Miracle.' The live album was never released. "Back then I was in the habit of always checking both sides of cassettes to make sure I didn't miss anything. And much to my surprise, there were 2 unused and unreleased backing tracks on the other side for 'Gettin In' and 'Sea Change'. I don't think Peter even knew they were there!" Scott relayed that very few people have heard this unique tape, so the Live Almanac is honored to be able to share snippets from it in this very special audio sampler. Enjoy, and thanks again Scott! Don't forget that Peter released official recordings of "Gettin' In" on The Monkees' 1987 album Pool It! as well as his 1994 solo album, Stranger Things Have Happened, which also included "Miracle" and "Sea Change."  (All photos by Michael G. Bush and from the 1989 "Monkees Memories" catalog - click to enlarge) Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith closed out the US leg of "The Mike & Micky Show" tour on Saturday evening in St. Charles, Missouri. Here's a review (with photos) from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, followed by the night's set list.  (Courtesy of Renee Quinn)
And up next:
Monkees photographer extraordinaire Sherri Hansen has shared with the Live Almanac her photos from Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith's performance at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan on March 12, 2019. As many of you know, Sherri's photos are first-class and they have appeared on this website and many, many other outlets over the last several years. You'll also see pictures of the band in this slideshow - enjoy! Next to last Monkees show last night at Four Winds Casino. Thank you very much to Paul Iverson for sharing his footage from The Monkees' November 22, 1996 performance at the Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, Illinois! 1989. from Virginie Poulet on Vimeo.
And here are some photos from the ceremony that I had never seen previously, courtesy of Lisa Duclo:
(Photos by Lisa Duclo)
Last night, "The Mike & Micky Show" stopped at Mystic Lake in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Thanks to Monkees archivist and tour producer Andrew Sandoval for sharing the evening's set list. Tonight, Micky, Nez, and the band will perform in New Buffalo, Michigan. Few tickets remain for this show!  UPDATE: Here is a review of the show that was published by the Star Tribune: UPDATE #2: Music in Minnesota has also reviewed "The Mike & Micky Show" performance in Prior Lake, Minnesota:
This May, Friday Music will release two different vinyl editions of Greatest Hits, the very first compilation of Monkees music originally issued by Colgems Records in June 1969. Here are the details, courtesy of Friday Music, and thanks to Scott Nelson for the heads-up! In 1969, Colgems Records honored their hugely successful recording act The Monkees with their first smash hits album simply titled "The Monkees Greatest Hits." The 14 track masterpiece is loaded with hit singles like "Daydream Believer," "Last Train To Clarksville," "I'm A Believer," "Pleasant Valley Sunday," & "Valleri." The amazing LP was only in print for a very short time, making it an instant collector's item five decades ago. Now, Friday Music is pleased to announce 50th Anniversary super limited edition 180 gram orange audiophile vinyl release of "The Monkees Greatest Hits." Impeccably mastered by Joe Reagoso (The Monkees) from the Colgems Records tapes, the masterwork is also packaged in the original artwork design that was seen in record shops back in 1969. More hit tracks like "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone," "Valleri," "She," and "Shades Of Gray" are included as well as a super rare stereo mix of "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" to further enhance your Monkees listening experience. The Monkees - Greatest Hits (180 Gram Audiophile Translucent Gold Vinyl/Limited Anniversary Edition)  Thank you to Andrew Sandoval for sharing last night's set list from Michael and Micky's show at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan. Note this tour's debut of "Tapioca Tundra" in the set during the acoustic portion of the show. Tomorrow night: Minnesota! 
Legendary Wrecking Crew member Hal Blaine played drums on a number of Monkees songs in the 1960s, including "Papa Gene's Blues," "Mary, Mary," and "Someday Man." He passed away on Monday at age 90.
 (Photo by Sherri Hansen) Last evening Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, and their band brought "The Mike & Micky Show" to a packed house at The Beacon Theatre in New York City. Thanks a lot to Renny Simno for sharing his photos from the show:     Here's a photograph of the merchandise table at the Beacon. Most of the items that were previously sold during the June 2018 shows are still available:  Thanks also goes to Wis Byron for sharing his video and photos from New York City with the Live Almanac:   The set list:
And here's a sampling of videos from last night's performance in New York City courtesy of Paula Carabell and Otom Izot on YouTube:  (Photo courtesy of Rediffusion)  (Photo courtesy of Cal Strummer)  (Photo by Andrew Sandoval)
Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, and their band performed to a packed house this evening at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. Thanks to Jodi Ritzen for live streaming various portions of the show!
At the time of his passing, Peter’s family requested that anyone wishing to make a contribution in his honor, to do so by supporting the scholarship fund at The Institute for The Musical Arts in Massachusetts, a nonprofit that provides young women with music education, music recording, & music community. More info on the IMA can be found here:
 (Photo courtesy of Adam Myers)  Probyn Gregory is the newest member of The Monkees' troupe, joining Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and the rest of the stellar backing band as a utility player on "The Mike & Micky Show" tour when it resumed earlier this month. Probyn plays guitar, banjo, and trumpet during the current live show. Probyn is a Los Angeles-based composer and musician who for many years has been a member of the Brian Wilson Band. He has performed and recorded with The Wondermints, The Beach Boys, The Eels, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, and numerous other artists in the L.A. power pop scene over the last three decades. Probyn played guitar on King For A Day, the 2010 album Micky Dolenz released as a tribute to Carole King, and he also appeared on three albums by Monkees archivist and tour producer Andrew Sandoval: Million Dollar Movie, What's It All About, and From Me To You. A day after Peter Tork passed away, The Washington Post published a piece by Probyn that talked about Peter and The Monkees' legacy. In it, he also revealed how he became a Monkees fan as a kid: "My own fascination with the band dates to 1966, when, at age 9, I was hit amidships by the TV show. Like many kids my age, 'Meet the Monkees' was my first album. To me, the Monkees were the zenith — the vibe, the songs, the zany humor, everything about them made me and everyone I knew the target demographic of the era. I ended up following a musical path and have, for the past 20 years, been a part of Beach Boy Brian Wilson’s band." Welcome, Probyn, to the Monkees family! Be sure to catch up with the other members of The Monkees' touring band in this previously published post.  Dan Mapp, Probyn Gregory, Alex Jules, Michael Nesmith, Pete Finney, Circe Link, Donna Dolenz, Micky Dolenz, John Billings, Rich Dart, Wayne Avers, and Christian Nesmith (Photo courtesy of Circe Link) |
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