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Review: The Monkees Present The Mike And Micky Show, Beacon Theatre 3-9-2019

March 11, 2019 by  
Filed under Fred Velez, news feed


By Fred Velez (all photos by Fred Velez)

The March 9th, 2019 Beacon Theater performance of The Monkees Present The Mike Nesmith and Micky Dolenz Show was destined to be a special show. The concert was originally scheduled for June, 2018 when it was rescheduled due to Michael Nesmith’s health scare. Between that time to this show was Nesmith’s First National Band Redux Tour and the sad passing of Peter Tork. I was fortunate to attend the VIP sound check where Micky and Mike and their band performed six songs that were not going to be played during the regular show that night:

D. W. Washburn
Different Drum
Steam Engine
Some of Shelly’s Blues
As We Go Along
Grand Ennui

Sound Check

For ‘As We Go Along’ the video for the song from the movie ‘Head’ was shown on the screen backdrop, and the images of Peter Tork and Davy Jones made the song even more poignant. Micky and Mike set the tone of what the show was going to be like for that evening with Micky being focused and funny and Nesmith being a little giddy and silly, but still very serious as he played his acoustic guitar. Their band included Coco Dolenz on backing vocals, Christian Nesmith on guitars, Circe Link on backing vocals, guitarist and band leader Wayne Avers, drummer Rich Dart, John Billings on bass, Alex Jules on keyboards and backing vocals, Paul Kramer on fiddle, guitar and banjo, and Pete Finney, who accompanied Nez on his First National Band Redux and his solo January 2019 tour, on pedal steel and guitar. Probyn Gregory from the Brian Wilson Band was recently added to lineup also performed at the Beacon show.

After a dinner break we returned to the Beacon Theatre for the main event. The lights dimmed and the band took their positions. Then from the wings emerged Micky and Michael, who waved hello. As Micky started to strap on his guitar, Nez approached him and said he had something to say to him, and he turned to the crowd and admonished them to remain quiet until he finished. Then Mike looked at Micky and softly began singing “Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,…”, and it was at that point the audience began to sing along, much to Mike’s chagrin. As the previous day, March 8th, was Micky’s birthday, it was only natural that Nez wanted to keep the celebration going.

With a light hearted scold to the audience, the concert promptly started with a rigorous version of ‘Good Clean Fun’ followed by the one two punch of ‘Last Train To Clarksville’. Micky was very energetic throughout the show and drove the band through Monkees classics and rare deep cuts. Michael Nesmith was more laid back in his performance which he augmented with his unique, dry humor. Among the highlights of the show was a lovely rendition of ‘Me & Magdalena’ from the ‘Good Times’ album. The presence of Davy Jones and Peter Tork were felt with the performances of two songs associated with them, ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You’ and ‘For Pete’s Sake’. Before the intermission a video of Peter Tork singing ‘Til Then’ played on the backdrop screen, not leaving a dry eye in the house and was a proper tribute to Peter.

There were many surprises in the show, including ‘Auntie’s Municipal Court’ which fans have had in their wishlist for years, and ‘Birth Of An Accidental Hipster’ which segued into the Nez rarity ‘St. Matthew’. The acoustic set included an acoustic take on ‘Randy Scouse Git’ and ‘I’ll Spend My Life With You.

Acknowledging TV anchorman Brian Williams in the audience, Nesmith dedicated his solo song ‘Joanne’ to him, accompanied by Pete Finney on pedal steel guitar.

Coming towards the end of the show, the image of Davy Jones flickered on the backdrop and Micky and Mike led the audience in an emotional singalong of ‘Daydream Believer’, made all the more poignant with Peter Tork’s image on the screen too. After performing ‘What Am I Doing Hangin’ Round’, Micky and the band left Michael Nesmith alone on the stage as he strummed the first couple of notes of ‘Listen To The Band’ solo, then the band returned to the stage and they launched into a full version of the song. The evening ended with ‘I’m A Believer’, the entire theater on their feet giving Micky, Nez and the band a well deserved standing ovation.

No matter how many times I’ve seen The Monkees in concert in their many incarnations, I’ve never seen them give a bad performance. This evening at The Beacon Theatre definitely rates as one of their best shows, as well as one of the most poignant now that the lineup has been reduced sadly again.

Thank Heavens that we can still show Micky and Mike how much they are loved by the fans.

Fred Velez, 2019.

Fred Velez is the author of the book ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective’

Link: Fred Velez Monkees Book

 

Michael Nesmith Solo Tour Announced

November 19, 2018 by  
Filed under blogs, Fred Velez, michael, monkees alert, news, news feed

From the Video Ranch website:

This January, Michael Nesmith will play six concerts as a duo with pedal steel guitarist Pete Finney.

The tour is orchestrated around the classic album And the Hits Just Keep On Comin’… whose stripped down instrumentation showcases Nesmith’s compositions, voice, and Red Rhodes’s magic as a pedal steel player.

January’s tour with Pete Finney aims to reignite those essential elements of Nesmith’s music.

From Andrew Sandoval:

I am pleased to announce that in a few weeks, Michael Nesmith will return to the concert stage to perform his classic 1972 album, And The Hits Just Keep On Comin’ for a series of West Coast shows. Accompanied by just his trusty pedal steel guitarist, Pete Finney, these performances will mark the first time Nez has toured in a duo format since 1975. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, November 21, 2018. VIP Meet & Greet packages will also be available in limited numbers.

Although his recent performances have focused on his legendary 1970s albums recorded for RCA, this is the first time he will perform any of his albums in its entirety. And The Hits Just Keep On Comin’ is significant in Nesmith’s catalog, because it returned him to his roots as a singer-songwriter where his career began before The Monkees. Featuring just the accompaniment of Red Rhodes on pedal steel, his music and message achieved real purity on the album’s ten original songs.

Hits served as the truest songbook that Michael would ever issue on record and it remains among his most satisfying albums. In addition to the album’s ten songs, you can expect to hear many of Nesmith’s other key tracks of the era, such as “Joanne,” “Silver Moon,” “Some Of Shelley’s Blues” and “Propinquity.”

If I don’t see you in January for these shows, I hope to catch up with you for the Mike & Micky Show, which is hitting the Northeast & Midwest in March!

Michael Nesmith presents
And The Hits Just Keep On Comin’ Tour

1/17/19–Seattle, WA– Neptune Theatre
https://tinyurl.com/ycpqfqwj

1/19/19–Grants Pass, OR– The Rogue Theater
https://tinyurl.com/y9zj8yqa

1/20/19–Sacramento, CA– Sofia Center For The Arts

Home

1/22/19– West Hollywood, CA– Troubadour
https://www.troubadour.com/

1/24/19– San Juan Capistrano, CA– The Coach House
https://thecoachhouse.com/

1/26/19– Mill Valley, CA– Sweetwater Music Hall
https://www.sweetwatermusichall.com/

TICKETS ON SALE SOON

Monkees 1989 Reunion – Steppin’ Stone and Daydream Believer (Live)

July 13, 2012 by  
Filed under tv

This concert in Los Angeles on July 9, 1989 found the original quartet playing an extended set together for the first time since late 1968. Mike Nesmith had joined the reunited trio once before since the Monkees revival had begun in 1986, but only for the two song encore performance at the Greek Theatre in 1986. In this audience recording clip from the show, the band performs “Steppin’ Stone” and “Daydream Believer.” (Photo by Michael G. Bush) Please visit my website at www.monkeesconcerts.com.

Monkees 1989 Reunion – Last Train to Clarksville and No Time (Live)

July 13, 2012 by  
Filed under tv

This concert in Los Angeles on July 9, 1989 found the original quartet playing an extended set together for the first time since late 1968. Mike Nesmith had joined the reunited trio once before since the Monkees revival had begun in 1986, but only for the two song encore performance at the Greek Theatre in 1986. In this audience recording clip from the show, the band performs “Last Train to Clarksville” and “No Time.” (Photo by Michael G. Bush) Please visit my website at www.monkeesconcerts.com.

Monkees – Pleasant Valley Sunday – Live in Japan 1989

May 28, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform at Kosei Nenkin Hall in Tokyo on July 22, 1989. Please visit my website at www.monkeesconcerts.com.

Monkees – As We Go Along – Live in Japan 1989

May 28, 2012 by  
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Micky Dolenz performs a song from the soundtrack to The Monkees’ feature film, Head, at Kosei Nenkin Hall in Tokyo on July 22, 1989. Please visit my website at www.monkeesconcerts.com.

Monkees – Sometime in the Morning/Take a Giant Step (live acoustic 1989)

May 28, 2012 by  
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During The Monkees’ 1989 concerts, an acoustic set was played in the middle of the show. In this audio clip, the band performs Sometime in the Morning and Take a Giant Step at the Valley Forge Music Fair in Pennsylvania on July 29, 1989. Please visit my website at www.monkeesconcerts.com.

Monkees – When Love Comes Knockin’ (live acoustic 1989)

May 28, 2012 by  
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During The Monkees’ 1989 concerts, an acoustic set was played in the middle of the show. In this audio clip, the band performs When Love Comes Knockin’ (At Your Door), live at the Valley Forge Music Fair in Pennsylvania on July 29, 1989. Please visit my website at www.monkeesconcerts.com.

Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart (with Peter Tork) – Live 1976 – Last Train to Clarksville/Monkees Theme

May 28, 2012 by  
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Peter Tork made a guest appearance with Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart onstage at California’s Disneyland on July 4, 1976. Please visit my website at www.monkeesconcerts.com.

Monkees – When Love Comes Knockin – Live 1987

May 28, 2012 by  
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Davy Jones and Peter Tork perform “When Love Comes Knockin’ (At Your Door)” live at a Monkees concert at the Sandstone Amphitheatre in Kansas City, Missouri on July 14, 1987. Please visit my website at www.monkeesconcerts.com.

Monkees – Good Clean Fun – Live 1987

May 28, 2012 by  
Filed under tv


The Monkees perform “Good Clean Fun,” a single taken from their eighth album, The Monkees Present. Peter Tork (who had already departed the band when this track was released in 1969) takes lead vocals and plays banjo on this song written and originally sung by Michael Nesmith. Filmed at the Sandstone Amphitheatre in Kansas City, Missouri on July 14, 1987. Please visit my website at www.monkeesconcerts.com.

Monkees – Circle Sky – Live 1996

May 28, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform this Mike Nesmith original from the soundtrack to the band’s 1968 film, Head. Filmed at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York on August 25, 1996. Please visit my website at www.monkeesconcerts.com.

Monkees – I’ll Be True To You – Live 1987

May 28, 2012 by  
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Davy Jones performs “I’ll Be True To You” from The Monkees’ debut album. Filmed at the Sandstone Amphitheatre in Kansas City, Missouri on July 14, 1987. Please visit my website at www.monkeesconcerts.com.

Monkees – Goin’ Down – Live 1987

May 26, 2012 by  
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Micky Dolenz performs “Goin’ Down” at a Monkees concert filmed at the Sandstone Amphitheatre in Kansas City, Missouri on July Read more

Monkees – Last Train to Clarksville – Live 1996

April 20, 2012 by  
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…The Monkees open up their concert at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York on August 25, 1996. Please Read more

Monkees – She Hangs Out – Live 1996

April 20, 2012 by  
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…The Monkees perform a song from their fourth album (Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones Ltd.) at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center Read more

Monkees – I Wanna Be Free – Live 1996

April 11, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform a song from their debut album at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York on August Read more

Monkees – The Girl I Knew Somewhere – Live 1996

April 11, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform this Mike Nesmith original from the band’s third single, live at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, Read more

Monkees – She – Live 1996

April 11, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform a song from their second album (More of The Monkees) at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, Read more

Monkees – You Just May Be The One – Live 1987

March 21, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform “You Just May Be The One” from their third album, Headquarters. Peter Tork takes lead vocals on Read more

Monkees on CBS Morning Program – 1987

March 21, 2012 by  
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The Monkees appeared on the CBS Morning Program on August 20, 1987 to promote their new album, Pool It!, and Read more

The Monkees in New York City 1987

March 21, 2012 by  
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CNN Showbiz Today profiles appearances by The Monkees (and Motley Crue) in New York City in August 1987. Please visit Read more

Monkees – Daddy’s Song – Live 1987

March 21, 2012 by  
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Davy Jones performs “Daddy’s Song” at a Monkees concert in Kansas City, Missouri at the Sandstone Amphitheatre on July 14, Read more

Monkees – I’ll Be Back Up On My Feet – Live 1987

March 21, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform “I’ll Be Back Up On My Feet” at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS on Read more

Monkees – Heart and Soul – Live 1987

March 21, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform their new single “Heart and Soul” at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS on July Read more

Monkees – Can You Dig It – Live 1987

March 21, 2012 by  
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Peter Tork performs “Can You Dig It” at a Monkees concert in Kansas City, Missouri at the Sandstone Amphitheatre on Read more

Peter Tork interview (1986)

March 12, 2012 by  
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Peter Tork is interviewed during The Monkees’ comeback in 1986. I believe this interview was done in Phoenix, Arizona in Read more

Monkees – Gettin’ In – Live 1987

March 12, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform “Gettin’ In” (from their 1987 album Pool It!) live in Jackson, New Jersey on September 7, 1987. Read more

Monkees – Every Step of the Way – Live 1987

March 12, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform “Every Step of the Way” (from their 1987 album Pool It!) live in Jackson, New Jersey on Read more

Hanging By A Thread – Monkees Live 1989

February 28, 2012 by  
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Davy Jones performs one of his own songs during a Monkees concert at Valley Forge Music Fair in Pennsylvania on Read more

Monkees – It’s Nice To Be With You (1987 soundcheck)

February 22, 2012 by  
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Monkees – I’ll Be Back Up On My Feet – Live 1997

February 22, 2012 by  
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This audience recording is from a Monkees concert in Cleveland, Ohio at The Palace Theater on July 27, 1997. Please Read more

Monkees – Can You Dig It (1987 soundcheck)

February 14, 2012 by  
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The Monkees rehearse “Can You Dig It” (with Micky Dolenz on drums) in Cleveland, Ohio in August 1987. The Monkees Read more

The Monkees on BBC Radio 2 (1997)

February 8, 2012 by  
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All four Monkees traveled to England in early 1997 to promote their upcoming March UK tour. Here the band appears Read more

Monkees 1997 UK Tour soundcheck (#2)

February 8, 2012 by  
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All four Monkees toured the United Kingdom in March 1997 to promote their new album, Justus. Here the band is Read more

Monkees 1997 UK Tour soundcheck (#1)

February 8, 2012 by  
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All four Monkees toured the United Kingdom in March 1997 to promote their new album, Justus. Here the band is Read more

Monkees 1969 Wichita, KS radio clip

February 8, 2012 by  
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This rare clip features The Monkees on radio station KLEO promoting their concert at the Century II Convention Center in Read more

Monkees “Oh My My” (Live 1997)

February 5, 2012 by  
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This audience recording is from a Monkees concert in Cleveland, Ohio at The Palace Theater on July 27, 1997. The Read more

Monkees concert report on KHJ radio (1967)

February 5, 2012 by  
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KHJ Los Angeles Boss Radio host Robert W. Morgan reports on The Monkees’ concert in Cleveland, Ohio at The Public Read more

Monkees 1969 concert bootleg

February 1, 2012 by  
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This audio comes from the only known bootleg recording of The Monkees’ 1969 tour, thought to be the May 10, Read more

Monkees “Zor and Zam” (1987 rehearsal)

February 1, 2012 by  
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Micky Dolenz rehearses “Zor and Zam” (playing a snare drum) in Cleveland, Ohio in August 1987. The Monkees were visiting Read more

Monkees “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day” (1987 rehearsal)

February 1, 2012 by  
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The Monkees rehearse “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day” in Cleveland, Ohio in advance of a Monkees concert there in August Read more

Monkees on Entertainment Tonight (UK Tour 1989)

January 23, 2012 by  
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In 1989, The Monkees toured the United Kingdom for the first time since 1967. Please visit my website at www.monkeesconcerts.com.

Monkees 1989 Reunion & Hollywood Walk of Fame clips

January 23, 2012 by  
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The Monkees performed at the Universal Amphitheatre as a full quartet on July 9, 1989. The following day, the band Read more

Monkees on PM Magazine (1987)

January 23, 2012 by  
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Performance footage from The Monkees’ 1987 tour is included in this documentary piece. Please visit my website at www.monkeesconcerts.com.

The Monkees promoting 1987 Florida concert

January 23, 2012 by  
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The Monkees promote their concert at the Orange County Civic Center in Orlando, Florida on radio and TV in July Read more

The Monkees Live in Biloxi, MS (1987) PART 1

January 23, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS on July 19, 1987. Portions of the following Read more

The Monkees Live in Biloxi, MS (1987) PART 3

January 23, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS on July 19, 1987. Portions of the following Read more

The Monkees Live in Biloxi, MS (1987) PART 4

January 23, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS on July 19, 1987. Portions of the following Read more

The Monkees Live in Biloxi, MS (1987) PART 5

January 23, 2012 by  
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The Monkees perform at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS on July 19, 1987. Portions of the following Read more

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