 7a RECORDS PRESS RELEASE7a Records are proud to present "This Stuff Never Gets Old", a brand new Limited Edition EP featuring four previously unreleased Peter Tork recordings. The EP will be released on CD and on pale blue Vinyl on November 17. The CD is limited to 500 copies and the vinyl is limited to 800.  TRACK LISTING1. This Stuff Never Gets Old 2. Sea Change 3. Vagabond John 4. Miracle  (Rear cover of the vinyl version - click to enlarge) PRE-ORDER NOW!
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Model Products Corporation is prepping a 1/25 scale kit of the Monkeemobile, with an anticipated release date of December 31, 2022. You can pre-order from Monsters in Motion or CultTVman. Thank you very much to Live Almanac reader Bill Weimer for sharing this news with the site. And don't forget to check out more about the Monkeemobile in the archives of the Live Almanac!   7a RECORDS PRESS RELEASEWe are proud to announce the release of Davy Jones’ “Manchester Boy – Personal File” on October 14. Available on CD and Vinyl, the album features rare demos, outtakes and self-penned songs made between the 1960s-1980s. 7a Records has spent a lot of time and effort on remastering the recordings and all songs make their first ever appearance on vinyl. TRACK LISTING
 (Rear cover of the vinyl version) PRE-ORDER NOW!
 (Rear cover of CD version) UPDATE 9/16/2022: Today, 7a Records issued a digital single, "Man We Was Lonely"/"King Lonely the Blue", to promote the upcoming release of Manchester Boy - Personal File. Listen to the tracks below courtesy of YouTube. The new single is also available on all digital download and streaming services.
  This past spring, BearManor Media published Love Is Understanding: The Life and Times of Peter Tork and The Monkees, authored by Sergio Farias. EU Today previewed the book, noting that it "enlightens readers not only on the authentic talents of Peter Tork - both as a musician and as an actor - but also the significant role his group The Monkees played in pop music and in television comedy." Read more: Love Is Understanding is available now in hardback, paperback, and digital editions from BearManor and Amazon.   Friday Music is commemorating the 55th anniversary of The Monkees' third straight #1 album, Headquarters, with a limited edition release of the group's classic 1967 LP on both red and blue translucent vinyl, in mono no less! Available today from Friday Music, these sets can also be purchased via Deep Discount.  Since its launch in 2015, 7a Records has earned its superior reputation amongst Monkees fans for its commitment to delivering Monkees solo-related projects on compact disc, vinyl, and DVD, products that are always enshrined in deluxe packaging while paying extraordinary attention to the smallest of details. In 2021, 7a delivered perhaps its most accomplished project to date, the critically and commercially successful Dolenz sings Nesmith, an album that featured Micky Dolenz reimagining select tracks from the songbook of his longtime friend and bandmate, Michael Nesmith. This year alone, 7a, with Glenn Gretlund at the helm, has reissued a pair of classic albums from Michael Nesmith's canon, Tantamount to Treason Volume 1 along with And The Hits Just Keep On Comin'. Just last week, the eponymous album by Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart, long out of print, arrived as a 2-CD and 2-LP collection, remastered from the recently discovered master tapes and featuring a live concert recorded during the group's stop in Tokyo in 1976. Later this summer, 7a will deliver yet another entry in their ever growing catalog. Demoiselle, a collection of demos recorded by Micky Dolenz between 1981 and 1992 that was privately released by Dolenz on compact disc in 1998, will arrive on August 12, 2022 in expanded, remastered form on both red gatefold vinyl and CD, featuring three bonus tracks, a new running order, and a 32-page booklet with extensive liner notes (CD version only). Some of the demos heard on Demoiselle were later unearthed and formally recorded by The Monkees on their 1996 album, Justus ("Never Enough," "Dyin' Of A Broken Heart," "Regional Girl"), while "Beverly Hills" had been featured as the B-side to Micky's 1982 Japanese single, "To Be Or Not To Be." On July 8, "My Heart is Failing Me" and "Piston Power" were issued by 7a Records as a digital single and teaser for the upcoming expanded edition of Demoiselle: G.H. Harding provided more insight into the history, production, and background of Demoiselle in a feature for Times Square Chronicles: Pre-Order Now!
   (All images courtesy of 7a Records)  Monkees fans fondly recall Bill Chadwick from his many associations with The Monkees as a songwriter, TV show extra, studio musician, and confidant of the group throughout its initial run in the 1960s. Bill was a regular along with Michael Nesmith and John London at the famous Ledbetter's club in Los Angeles and the Troubadour in Hollywood during the pre-Monkees era. The three were soon part of a folk group called The Survivors that was assembled by Randy Sparks, who also founded The New Christy Minstrels. Bill auditioned for The Monkees in 1965, making it past the initial round of interviews and being one of the few to participate in an actual screen test with Bob Rafelson. Despite not being chosen, Bill contributed to the Monkees project through multiple avenues. His song, "Of You," was recorded at one of the earliest Monkees recording sessions in the summer of 1966. Bill's other songwriting credits for the group include "If I Knew," "French Song," "Time and Time Again," "You and I," "If You Have the Time," "How Can I Tell You," and "Zor and Zam." Bill also contributed backing vocals and instrumentation on many Monkees tracks. He went on to become a lighting director and tour manager for The Monkees and photographed the group extensively throughout the late 1960s. In the 1970s, Bill's song "Talking to the Wall" was recorded by Michael Nesmith and the Second National Band for their 1972 album Tantamount To Treason Volume 1. Bill recently announced a new project, Time and Again Gallery, which will feature archival vintage photographs of The Monkees and other pop culture icons for purchase. A message and video from Bill can be found below, and be sure to follow Time and Again on Facebook and visit the website!   In 2000, Davy Jones self-published Daydream Believin', an update to his well-received 1987 autobiography They Made a Monkee Out of Me. Throughout the late 1980s, Davy undertook numerous book signing tours and made multiple television appearances to promote his original book, and that tradition continued when Daydream Believin' arrived in the first year of the new century. Last month, the publisher Book's Mind reissued Daydream Believin' in both paperback and hardcover editions, featuring a new introduction by Ann Moses, the editor of Tiger Beat from 1966–1972 who wrote countless stories about The Monkees during their heyday. Links to order your copy can be found below, and don't forget to follow Davy's official Facebook page! ORDER NOW!  In 1975, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork gathered together to consider several offers to reunite The Monkees. "We met up at my house, up in the Hollywood Hills," Micky told Monkees historian Andrew Sandoval in a previously published interview. "I think it was William Morris [agency] or something expressed an interest in putting the act back together. Everybody was very enthusiastic about it on the surface. You know, 'Oh great, great idea,' but when it got down to the nitty-gritty there were too many conflicting feelings and attitudes. Actually I remember it being really exciting. We all got together for the first time in quite a few years in the same room and there was a hell of a buzz." Despite friendly discussions between the ex-Monkees during this time period, the group ultimately did not reform. "They wanted to do something different and new," said Jones of Nesmith and Tork to Steve Hoffman in September 1976. "They forgot the audience has been waiting out there for The Monkees to return." However, Micky and Davy were interested in teaming up once again and instead turned to Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart was the idea of Christian DeWalden, a music publisher, producer, and friend of Bobby Hart. Boyce & Hart were responsible for writing and producing some of The Monkees' greatest hits ("Last Train to Clarksville," "Steppin' Stone," "Valleri"), and had a successful recording career of their own. The foursome created a new act and toured as The Great Golden Hits of The Monkees - The Guys Who Wrote 'Em and the Guys Who Sang 'Em. Their concert show combined Monkees classics, new material, and Boyce & Hart hits. "It was based on the idea of having the guys who wrote a lot of songs and the guys who sang them perform together," Davy explained in 1975. "So we talked about it and agreed and went into rehearsals for three weeks, and then we went to St. Louis and pulled 22,000 kids in two shows." The Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart act would record and perform together through 1976.  This July, 7a Records will officially re-release the recorded legacy of Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart. The UK-based label, headed by Glenn Gretlund, will deliver a 2-CD and 2-LP deluxe edition of the group's 1976 studio album originally issued by Capitol Records, along with Concert in Japan, taped in Tokyo that same year, which was ultimately released in that country in 1981 (and later on compact disc by the label Varese Sarabande in 1996). Both albums are remastered from the original tapes. The CD edition will include a 40-page booklet with brand new liner notes and previously unseen photographs, while the LP edition will be housed in a gatefold sleeve on green, yellow, and black "quad" vinyl.
Various media outlets have reported on 7a's revival of the long out of print Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart albums, the latest in a very busy year for the label: Here's a sneak peak at the rear covers for the vinyl and compact disc editions:  (Click images to enlarge)  Pre-Order Now!
Earlier this month, the vinyl-only label Run Out Groove released The Monkees' second album, More of the Monkees, as an expanded deluxe limited edition double LP featuring bonus tracks and deluxe packaging. For this release, Monkees historian and author Andrew Sandoval, along with mastering engineer Kevin Grey, cut lacquers from the original stereo analog tapes. More of the Monkees was originally issued in January 1967 on Colgems and became one of the best selling Monkees albums (certified quintuple platinum by the RIAA). It was the longest to stay at #1 on the Billboard chart (eighteen weeks), and it contains The Monkees' biggest hit single, "I'm a Believer," which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks. Run Out Groove's version of More of the Monkees arrived on two 180 gram records, featuring a gatefold jacket, never-before-seen photos, and new liner notes by Sandoval. And now, you can check out this Run Out Groove exclusive below, courtesy of Live Almanac contributor Ben Belmares. Copies of the limited edition transparent green vinyl version are long sold out, but the standard black vinyl is available via Amazon.     (Click most images to enlarge)             
The wait is over. The Monkees: The Complete Series, housed in a lenticular box and including 10 Blu-ray discs, a booklet, as well as a bonus 45, is once again available via the official Monkees online store.
The set features all 58 episodes of The Monkees (newly remastered in HD from the original negatives for the very first time), the group's 1968 feature film Head (with never-before-seen outtakes), and the 1969 television special, 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee, along with a wide array of bonus materials. Previously unreleased mixes of both "Star Collector" and "Goin' Down" appear on the bonus 7" record. The former is an alternate mono mix and the latter is a mono vocal mix, featuring Micky Dolenz singing live in the TV studio to the backing track of "Goin' Down." Both versions of these well-known Monkees songs were heard exclusively on the soundtrack of the second season of The Monkees.
UPDATE 4/22/2022: The Blu-ray set is now out of stock. Shoppers are being asked to subscribe to an email list to receive a back in stock notification.
UPDATE 4/27/2022: The Blu-ray set has been removed from the online Monkees store. UPDATE 4/29/2022: The online Monkees store now lists the Blu-ray set as "currently not available." ​
A brand new hoodie and T-shirt celebrating the Monkees Blu-ray collection also debuted today and can be purchased online while supplies last:
(Click images to preview and order)
The tributes continue to pour in for Michael Nesmith, this time from UK-based magazine Shindig!, which features Nez on the cover of its current issue:  Rhino's Start Your Ear Off Right campaign is back for 2022. Each Friday through this month Rhino is releasing limited edition vinyl titles, including The Monkees' fourth consecutive number one album, 1967's Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. Pressed on translucent green vinyl, it's available only at participating brick and mortar retail outlets, but can also be purchased through online vendors like Bull Moose. Thank you to longtime Live Almanac contributor Ben Belmares for sharing his scans of the album!   (Click images above to enlarge)     Earlier today it was announced that The Monkees will grace the cover of the upcoming March 2022 issue of MOJO. Featuring an interview with Micky Dolenz and a piece by David Fricke, look for it in bookstores soon. You can also purchase a copy online or select the digital download option.  "As the world mourns Michael Nesmith, MOJO celebrates the ’60s phenomenon who transcended prefab pop – and the solo flights of their coolest member. His legacy: country-rock, MTV, that hat and more."
"In honor of the recently departed Michael Nesmith – the cool muso heart of the Monkees – and with the help of an exclusive new Micky Dolenz interview, we celebrate the group once dubbed the Prefab Four and explore the insanity of their ’60s rise and fall." In 1994, James Lee Stanley's Beachwood Records released Peter Tork's first ever solo album, Stranger Things Have Happened, featuring several notable guest musicians and friends including Stanley, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney & Wings), Mackenzie Phillips, and Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles). Last year, 7a celebrated Stranger Things with an expansive compact disc reissue while also pressing a limited edition splatter vinyl. 7a's latest incarnation of the album arrived this fall on transparent green vinyl, and it's available to order from both Amazon and Deep Discount. Thank you very much to Live Almanac contributor Ben Belmares for sharing his scans of this version of Stranger Things Have Happened.   (Click to enlarge)    For more information about other 7a Records releases featuring the works of Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork, visit the website and follow 7a on Facebook and Twitter.
This July, the vinyl-only label Run Out Groove released The Monkees' eponymous debut album as an expanded deluxe limited edition double LP featuring previously unissued songs and new mixes. For this presentation, Monkees historian Andrew Sandoval, along with mastering engineer Kevin Grey, cut lacquers from the analog stereo tapes for the first time since its original pressing in 1966. Run Out Groove's version of The Monkees arrived on two 180 gram records, featuring a gatefold jacket and never-before-seen photos and new liner notes by Sandoval. And now, you can check out this Run Out Groove exclusive below, courtesy of longtime Live Almanac contributor Ben Belmares.     (Click most images to enlarge)           The Monkees' official Facebook page posted photos of the items being sold at the merchandise booth on The Monkees' Farewell Tour, which opened tonight in Spokane, Washington:          Late last year, fans pushed The Monkees over the top when the vinyl-only label Run Out Groove placed the group's 1966 eponymous debut album in the running to be pressed as an expanded deluxe edition double LP featuring previously unreleased songs and mixes. After some lengthy production delays, customers have started to receive their orders over the last couple of weeks. Fast forward now to another vote, a different album, but the exact same results! Earlier this summer, Run Out Groove conducted another contest to decide their next release, and this time The Monkees' sophomore album, More Of The Monkees, claimed victory and is now set to receive the same deluxe style treatment as The Monkees. Pre-orders are now open until August 17, 2021 for two different versions of the album, which include a standard black vinyl pressing as well as a limited edition transparent green vinyl edition. More details can be found below, along with links to pre-order. (UPDATE 7/28/2021: According to Monkees.com, the release date for the green vinyl edition is set for April 15, 2022.) Will Headquarters be next?  Pre-Order Deluxe 2 LP Edition (Transparent Green Vinyl)  Pre-Order Deluxe 2 LP Edition (Black Vinyl) As part of yesterday's Record Store Day offerings, the Missing Links trilogy (originally produced by Andrew Sandoval and Bill Inglot for Rhino Records in the late '80s/'90s) was made available as an exclusive, limited edition release courtesy of Friday Music. The LPs were pressed on 180 gram audiophile vinyl in multiple color variations, limited to 2,000 copies for each volume. Volume 1 contains the CD bonus tracks that were not part of the original vinyl and Volume 2 features the CD bonus tracks not found on the original cassette. This in-store only release also marks the premiere appearance of the second and third Missing Links installments on vinyl. Thanks a lot to longtime Live Almanac contributor Ben Belmares for providing scans of the albums he acquired. Missing Links  (Click to enlarge)    Missing Links Volume Two  (Click to enlarge)    Missing Links Volume Three  (Click to enlarge)    The deadline is fast approaching to officially pre-order your copy of Andrew Sandoval's 740 page opus, The Monkees: The Day-By-Day Story. And don't forget: the various editions of Day-By-Day will be produced in limited combined quantities. There is no plan to keep this book in print perpetually and an electronic version will not be offered. Pre-order now via Beatland Books!! In the meantime, check out the latest news update from Andrew about Day-By-Day and much more, and then be sure to view the official unboxing video for the three distinct versions of the book, which also happens to feature a very interesting soundtrack! Andrew has also previously provided two other updates about Day-By-Day, accompanied by exclusive photographs, through the Beatland Books email list. These are must reads! (UPDATED 9/21/2021 to include latest information)  |
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