The Monkees have not released an album of original material since 1996. That year, all four members of the group recorded a dozen new songs that ultimately became Justus. In interviews during the lead-up to the 2013 tour, however, Michael and Micky both alluded to the potential for a fresh Monkees album. "I'd love to make a new one," Micky told Rolling Stone last April. "We haven't had any discussions about that beyond, 'Wouldn't it be cool to have a new one?' We're just taking this whole thing one step at a time." When asked about the possibility of returning to the recording studio with Micky and Peter, Michael was upbeat. "I'm always open. I would not say 'no' without giving it a good look." At the same time, Nez seemed unsure as to where The Monkees would fit in today's pop music landscape. "It's a weird time for the music business, and particularly a weird time for us. I don't even know what a song is these days. I mean, it doesn't look like a pop song of the Sixties. It doesn't look like a pop song of the Seventies. And so it would be hard to understand what to do and how to play it and how to put together the team to produce that sort of stuff." While it still remains to be seen if The Monkees will record a new album, perhaps they could consider other options in the recording studio. Over the course of the last two Monkees tours, several warhorses in the group's canon have undergone some changes, which in turn has given a fresh spin on the old classics. "Sweet Young Thing," for instance, was completely rearranged. Other songs had more subtle nuances. A lot of fans enjoyed the reworkings, and I've heard more than a few calls to re-record these songs in their new arrangements. ![]() If The Monkees are indeed thinking about a new album, what better way to get the creative juices flowing than by recording new versions of classic songs that were revamped during the last two tours. Admittedly, some would cringe at the thought of re-creating songs that have been a part of their collective conscious for years, but everyone from Paul McCartney to Bruce Springsteen and more have done it. Even U2, after performing cuts from their 1997 album Pop on the road, re-recorded several of the album's songs that were hammered out to better results after playing them onstage night after night. In McCartney's case, his reworkings of Beatles tunes like "Yesterday," "Good Day Sunshine," and "For No One" on the 1984 Give My Regards to Broad Street soundtrack were near universally disdained. How, people asked, could Paul improve upon perfection? But McCartney didn't offer anything new. If The Monkees were to go this route, they've already shown in their live concert show that they can put a new spin on the original take. In addition, various members of The Monkees have re-recorded the group's songs over the years; Micky recently rearranged "Randy Scouse Git" (and a couple other Monkees cuts) to great effect on his album Remember. Below are some Monkees songs that were reinterpreted in some fashion over the last two years by the group in concert, along with a couple I think would make interesting choices to revisit. And if Michael, Micky, and Peter aren't thinking about a new album, this alternate approach of revisiting past classics with a new twist could help satisfy the desire in the fanbase for new music from The Monkees. "Sweet Young Thing" A song Nez co-wrote with Gerry Goffin and Carole King from the group's debut album, "Sweet Young Thing" became a slow, brooding, banjo-laden stunner on the 2012 Monkees tour. With Nez strumming his trusty Gretsch, Micky banging a beat box, and Peter providing the ace banjo work, this version would be a prime choice for a studio re-recording. "Mary, Mary" "Mary, Mary" has always been a rollicking highlight at Monkees concerts over the years, but it has just smoked on the last couple of tours. Micky beats the drums with a controlled reckless abandon and everyone else comes along for the ride. On the 2013 tour, you may have noticed the addition of some bluesy backing vocals (led by Micky's sister Coco) and some "Oooooo's" during the climax of this Nesmith classic. A new studio version of this song could combine all of these elements and also let Nez take the familiar "Mary, Mary" guitar riff to task on the Gretsch. It's bound to be a winner. "Early Morning Blues and Greens" "Early Morning Blues and Greens" was played live for the first time on the 2012 tour with Peter thoughtfully taking Davy's place as the lead vocalist. Peter has played this one in his solo show for quite some time, and it's known to be one of his favorites. The song seems to serve as the perfect outlet for him, and he was able to respectfully make his own mark on this Headquarters track in a live setting. "As We Go Along" Micky's performance of this classic from the Head soundtrack seems to get better with each passing tour. First performed live in 1989, "As We Go Along" as heard on both the 2012 and 2013 tours was definitely a high point at each show. And though the arrangement was true to the original, a new studio version could incorporate both Michael and Peter in the backing track along with Micky's soaring vocal. "The Kind of Girl I Could Love" One of the treats for fans attending shows on the 2013 tour was hearing this long lost Nez tune from the group's second album, More of the Monkees. Its new arrangement featured some smooth slide guitar work from Peter, making it an early showstopper in the set. Peter's guitar work, coupled with Micky's harmonizing with Michael, makes "The Kind of Girl I Could Love" 2.0 deserve a studio version in its own right.
24 Comments
Richard Silverberg
2/15/2014 14:45:21
First, a live cd from the last 2 tours should be released. In regards to new studio recordings of the old songs, in a way it has already happened. Considering that the majority of Monkees recordings only feature one member, the re-recordings on the various solo projects fit the concept. Peter and Shoe Suede Blues has released Clarksville, She Hangs Out. For Pete's Sake and Early Morning Greens and Blues. Micky's "Remember" Cd has I'm A Believer, Do Not Ask For Love, Alternate Title and Sometime In The Morning. Davy's re-recorded "If I Knew" on "Just For The Record Vol4". Whether of not these versions are better than the originals is a matter of taste, but it is good to hear
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Monkees Live Almanac
2/16/2014 01:38:34
Hi Richard,
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Jeff Gehringer
3/4/2014 03:42:22
I think a new live album will cover both issues. We are all dying for a live album with Mike, plus we'll get the re-worked songs from their recent tour.
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Michael
2/16/2014 02:10:55
I would love a new album but only if the guys were the main instrumentalists and mostly new material.It would be cool if their current backing band were featured to fill out the sound but i wouldn't want Pool It! Part 2.
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David Moore
2/16/2014 03:23:52
A blending of newer & older songs would be fine by me. I like the suggestions in the post, particularly having Peter sing Early Morning Blues and Greens. I'd like see the guys experiment with ambient sounds and dance beats. I love the medley of Tonight, Dance & Cruisin' as performed on the Movies of The Mind fall 2013 Nez tour. I'd to see the three tackle that with the aforementioned dance rhythms, really have fun with it. Lots of possibilities.
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Gabe Peterson
2/16/2014 04:04:51
My vote would be for a stripped down, acoustic, "Unplugged"-type album; a mixture of old and new material w/ the three of them playing most of the instruments and maybe one or two other people (Christian Nesmith, for example) filling gaps here and there.
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Stephen
2/16/2014 04:06:11
When McCartney re-recorded stuff for Give My Regards to Broad Street it made some sense cause he was making a movie to showcase them. But for Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby, and Good Day Sunshine it made no sense cause they resembled the original recordings to a T that it made no sense for even re-recording them. He should've just used the original Beatles recordings. It's sort of pointless when all of these old groups re-record songs in the exact same arrangement. It's sad because it might be a sign of them being creatively dried up. Dolenz released an EP of re-recordings in 2006 I think as a download and it pretty much sounded like the originals except a lot cleaner. His new arrangements on Remember were great though.
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Reinhard
2/16/2014 04:13:42
all those Monkees fans who could not see them on their live showsnsurely would like to own an album collction from the shows.
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2/16/2014 07:34:35
Folks were kicking the topic around back during the summer tour, if memory serves. I forget exactly what (or where) I commented back then, but my "dream likely final Monkees Album" would go a little something like this:
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Ian Cooke
2/16/2014 09:14:04
I'd like to see a Live CD/DVD from the last tour since didn't come to Tucson! Then I'd enjoy some new songs with maybe a few redone versions of old classics within the release. Would Probably ensure a greater sales opportunity!
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Tony
2/16/2014 09:56:22
I'll take anything they're willing to give us, but I would prefer an album of new material. I think we've heard enough versions of the old songs through various solo albums, live albums, etc.
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2/16/2014 11:44:07
Oh yes! I forgot to mention that Sandoval (or a similar mutually-trusted third party) NEEDS to produce. Historically they've put out their best stuff as a group when all of them have an artistic say, but there's also somebody else in the booth to make sure it works as a coherent and not-too-self-indulgent whole. (see also: Douglas, Chip)
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Troy
2/16/2014 11:02:47
I know that the final 3 three shows of the 2012 were recorded. Who knows on that front...
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Michael Mikrut
2/16/2014 11:13:56
A live recording would be nice from the concerts
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Derek
2/16/2014 11:56:42
I would love another original offical monkees album. I don't really want newer versions of old songs. If they were to do those, they should choose from the various songs that were released on the missing links series and bonus tracks....something that for the masses has probably gone unheard. Just a new album full of new tunes that are fun and you can sing along with and just be happy. Everyone always gets down on Pool it! but i honestly loved Pool it and it remains one of my favorite Monkees albums. Sometimes i think the Monkees try to hard to prove that they are a real group and feel they have to do it all themselves....they don't, we love them and just want as much new material as is possible before we lose the chance for ever.....i don't want to see a monkees album with say mike and peter facing their backs to each other with one holding a tambourine....LOL..... Now with that said i would also enjoy it if they took one of Davy's songs like the beatles did and added to it and produced a great new song so davy could be there as well.
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Henry Babbit
2/16/2014 12:59:53
Everyone can give up on the idea that a CD or DVD will be released of any of the live shows. Nothing was professionally recorded. Andrew is in tune, however, it's getting the Monkees themselves to follow through and convincing Rhino to invest in these projects is the difficult problem.
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Troy
2/16/2014 22:53:03
Henry, Micky and Donna both told me that the last three shows in 2012 were recorded.
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Jim Richardson
2/17/2014 02:30:28
I would say a new album would be pointless without Davy, who always had plenty of leads on Monkee records, but then again there were several albums that only featured three of the four ( not my favorites) so I could see a new one if the other three were all on board; having just three never stopped them before. Somehow, Davy should be represented, be it an unfinished track the other three soup up or an unreleased track, or a live version of one of the classic Monkee songs. But... that is where I would stop with the remakes. I'm not a fan of when artists remake their own catalogs because it usually comes across as an attempt to lure fans into buying what they're familiar with. That said, I don't mind the idea of altered versions in their live shows. So...for me to buy a new Monkee album it would have to be new material, and of higher standards than what was offered on Pool It or Justus. I would prefer that the guys be limited to contributing their own songs. Bring in some songwriters that love the Monkees and were influenced by them and have them contribute.
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Nick
2/17/2014 05:14:06
I would mostly want a new album of new songs and a live one since I didn't get to see that BUT if all I had to buy was a remake album well then I would buy it! :) I like the idea of taking a Davy track and finishing it...maybe from his demo CDs...it has been done a bit with others but I think it is cool so I think it would turn out nice and be a fitting tribute! Here's hoping...I have been skeptical before when things came through so here is to proving me wrong but I have my doubts!
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Ryan
2/19/2014 16:42:12
I definitely like the idea of re-recording songs from the past, especially Sweet Young Thing, Kind of Girl, and Early Morning... I think that if they would do new material, they should break in by recording older stuff first. I would love to hear new material flavored by that kind of creativity, to not try to make something for today's standards, like Pool It did for the 80s or what Justus failed to do in the 90s.
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Julie
11/19/2014 02:36:15
I think it should be new material but... don't do like 'Pool It' and 'Justus'.
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thehammer
12/4/2014 06:26:30
Any new Monkees recording would be welcome.
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Sean
4/26/2015 04:34:49
I welcome any new material, but hope they learn from Justus. Micky's voice is actually better today then it was in 1996, so no problem there. That said, it would be a mistake not to work with top producers, writers, and musicians ... yes, I said musicians. We're way past the point were all four have proven their talent. No shame in bringing in top notch talent to make the music that much better. As anyone who has seen the live shows ('11-'14) knows, Peter and Mike are 3rd & 4th guitar. Bring in top sessions players. The best Monkees recordings in the last 30 years have been "That Was Then, This Is Now" and "Heart and Soul" ... both written by others with strong backing musicians.
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