SKU: LSUN5048
Availability: 5/28/2012

The Monkees Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. on LP

After making most of Headquarters on their own, the Monkees broadened their outlook for their fourth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., bringing in select session players to assist them in the recording. This album marked several changes for the group, the most immediately noticeable being Mike Nesmith’s increased vocal contributions. He sings lead on five of the album’s tracks, while Mickey Dolenz, the band’s previously dominant lead vocalist, sang only three. But what a trio of tunes! Mickey memorably voiced “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” another hit from the pens of Goffin & King and one with surprisingly sharp social commentary. Climbing to #3 on the pop charts, it featured a blazing, “Paperback Writer”-style guitar riff that fit seamlessly alongside the other rock hits of the day. The single’s B-side, “Words,” also with a Dolenz lead vocal, became a hit as well.

Beyond his voice, Dolenz significantly contributed to the sessions by bringing a Moog synthesizer into the studio, one of the first twenty ever produced. This made Pieces one of the first, perhaps THE first, rock album to include the Moog. It was featured to great effect on Mickey’s third lead vocal track, “Daily Nightly.” This adventurous spirit proved contagious, making Pieces one of the most fully-realized albums in the group’s career. In addition to recording songs written by their usual songwriters, songs from up and coming pop composers like Harry Nilsson, Michael Martin Murphy and Jeff Barry were also included.

As previously mentioned, Nesmith stepped to the vocal fore on this release, notably on the soaring Mann/Weill composition “Love is Only Sleeping.” A hypnotic song in trippy 7/4 time, it is one of the Monkees’ finest recorded moments. Originally intended to be a single, it remains one of their most admired album cuts and was featured in three separate episodes of the television show. Another Nesmith-led track, the country rock showcase “What Am I Doing Hangin’ Round?,” delightfully foreshadowed the direction he would later take on his solo recordings with the First (and Second) National Band. The album’s closer, “Star Collector,” is a decidedly adult take on the subject of groupies and an indication that the band had grown weary of squeaky clean, bubblegummed themes.

The album’s title refers to the astrological signs of the four members. Since both Nesmith and Davy Jones were Capricorns (and both share a December 30th birthdate), the “& Jones Ltd.” tag was added to avoid confusion. The album’s front cover artwork, an illustration by Bernard Yezsin, features four blank-faced band figures staring out over a sea of colored flowers, with the Monkees’ logo half-hidden among the flora. An apparent homage to the cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band released earlier that year, it was another deliberate signal that the Monkees were a real band, ready to be judged amongst their peers.

Now, thanks to this sparkling Sundazed reissue, you may join the jury, too. Pressed on high definition vinyl and sourced from the original Colgems analog master tapes, the songs practically leap from the deep grooves straight to your ears. Also included are two bonus tracks from the album’s recording sessions: “Goin’ Down (previously unissued alternate mix)” and “Daily Nightly (previously unissued alternate mix).”

The Monkees Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. Track Listing:

1. Salesman
2. She Hangs Out
3. The Door Into Summer
4. Love Is Only Sleeping
5. Cuddly Toy
6. Words
7. Goin' Down* (prev. unissued alternate mix)
8. Hard To Believe
9. What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?
10. Peter Percival Patterson's Pet Pig Porky
11. Pleasant Valley Sunday
12. Daily Nightly* (prev. unissued alternate mix)
13. Don't Call On Me
14. Star Collector

*Bonus Tracks

If you're interested in buying the Head DVD, don't get the old Rhino Records version. It was released by The Criterion Collection in 2010, and they always restore the movies they release. It's also letterboxed and the Rhino version is pan & scan fullscreen. But unfortunately, for now it only comes in a box set with other movies and not sold separately.

The Rhino DVD looks like this:

[Edited 6/4/12 16:36pm]

MickyDolenz said:

SKU: LSUN5048
Availability: 5/28/2012

The Monkees Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. on LP

After making most of Headquarters on their own, the Monkees broadened their outlook for their fourth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., bringing in select session players to assist them in the recording. This album marked several changes for the group, the most immediately noticeable being Mike Nesmith’s increased vocal contributions. He sings lead on five of the album’s tracks, while Mickey Dolenz, the band’s previously dominant lead vocalist, sang only three. But what a trio of tunes! Mickey memorably voiced “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” another hit from the pens of Goffin & King and one with surprisingly sharp social commentary. Climbing to #3 on the pop charts, it featured a blazing, “Paperback Writer”-style guitar riff that fit seamlessly alongside the other rock hits of the day. The single’s B-side, “Words,” also with a Dolenz lead vocal, became a hit as well.

Beyond his voice, Dolenz significantly contributed to the sessions by bringing a Moog synthesizer into the studio, one of the first twenty ever produced. This made Pieces one of the first, perhaps THE first, rock album to include the Moog. It was featured to great effect on Mickey’s third lead vocal track, “Daily Nightly.” This adventurous spirit proved contagious, making Pieces one of the most fully-realized albums in the group’s career. In addition to recording songs written by their usual songwriters, songs from up and coming pop composers like Harry Nilsson, Michael Martin Murphy and Jeff Barry were also included.

As previously mentioned, Nesmith stepped to the vocal fore on this release, notably on the soaring Mann/Weill composition “Love is Only Sleeping.” A hypnotic song in trippy 7/4 time, it is one of the Monkees’ finest recorded moments. Originally intended to be a single, it remains one of their most admired album cuts and was featured in three separate episodes of the television show. Another Nesmith-led track, the country rock showcase “What Am I Doing Hangin’ Round?,” delightfully foreshadowed the direction he would later take on his solo recordings with the First (and Second) National Band. The album’s closer, “Star Collector,” is a decidedly adult take on the subject of groupies and an indication that the band had grown weary of squeaky clean, bubblegummed themes.

The album’s title refers to the astrological signs of the four members. Since both Nesmith and Davy Jones were Capricorns (and both share a December 30th birthdate), the “& Jones Ltd.” tag was added to avoid confusion. The album’s front cover artwork, an illustration by Bernard Yezsin, features four blank-faced band figures staring out over a sea of colored flowers, with the Monkees’ logo half-hidden among the flora. An apparent homage to the cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band released earlier that year, it was another deliberate signal that the Monkees were a real band, ready to be judged amongst their peers.

Now, thanks to this sparkling Sundazed reissue, you may join the jury, too. Pressed on high definition vinyl and sourced from the original Colgems analog master tapes, the songs practically leap from the deep grooves straight to your ears. Also included are two bonus tracks from the album’s recording sessions: “Goin’ Down (previously unissued alternate mix)” and “Daily Nightly (previously unissued alternate mix).”

The Monkees Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. Track Listing:

1. Salesman
2. She Hangs Out
3. The Door Into Summer
4. Love Is Only Sleeping
5. Cuddly Toy
6. Words
7. Goin' Down* (prev. unissued alternate mix)
8. Hard To Believe
9. What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?
10. Peter Percival Patterson's Pet Pig Porky
11. Pleasant Valley Sunday
12. Daily Nightly* (prev. unissued alternate mix)
13. Don't Call On Me
14. Star Collector

*Bonus Tracks

The is one of the first records I ever bought with my own money. I was probbably around 10/11 years old and bought it soley because I loved the tv show and I thought the cover was cool (hey...I was 10). What a great little record tho. I still listen to this one as it has aged surprisingly well. Star Collector is one of my fave tunes of all time.

Poplife88 said:

The is one of the first records I ever bought with my own money. I was probbably around 10/11 years old and bought it soley because I loved the tv show and I thought the cover was cool (hey...I was 10). What a great little record tho. I still listen to this one as it has aged surprisingly well. Star Collector is one of my fave tunes of all time.

My favorite is Goin' Down, but I don't think it was on the original album. It was a B-side. My other fave is Don't Count On Me.

[Edited 6/5/12 11:41am]

^^

Only owned their Greatest Hits and an Anthology release, never individual LP's. Looking at Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones track list, I'm familiar or know more than half of those songs. My fave tracks are Star Collector, Words, Cuddly Toy, and Pleasant Valley Sunday. I heard Daily Nightly recently, and it's really good. If I were to buy an actual individual release, I would start with that one.

funkyslsistah said:

Only owned their Greatest Hits and an Anthology release, never individual LP's. Looking at Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones track list, I'm familiar or know more than half of those songs. My fave tracks are Star Collector, Words, Cuddly Toy, and Pleasant Valley Sunday. I heard Daily Nightly recently, and it's really good. If I were to buy an actual individual release, I would start with that one.

There's a deluxe double CD version that came out about 4 years ago. Here's the track list for it:

MickyDolenz said:

Poplife88 said:

The is one of the first records I ever bought with my own money. I was probbably around 10/11 years old and bought it soley because I loved the tv show and I thought the cover was cool (hey...I was 10). What a great little record tho. I still listen to this one as it has aged surprisingly well. Star Collector is one of my fave tunes of all time.

My favorite is Goin' Down, but I don't think it was on the original album. It was a B-side. My other fave is Don't Count On Me.

[Edited 6/5/12 11:41am]

Goin' Down was my favorite song, too. I still have the 45, but can't remember what the flip side was. I guess I could Google it. Wait a second...

The Interwebs says it was the B-side of "Daydream Believer".

Awesome quote about "Goin' Down" from the comment section:

Over 12 yrs ago my musician husband who was 11 yrs younger than I, heard this song for the first time. Deeming it an awesome song from such an inferior band. He proceeded to work it up for his Jazz band. Needless to say he never achieved it.

http://www.songfacts.com/...hp?id=3987

RodeoSchro said:

Awesome quote about "Goin' Down" from the comment section:

Over 12 yrs ago my musician husband who was 11 yrs younger than I, heard this song for the first time. Deeming it an awesome song from such an inferior band. He proceeded to work it up for his Jazz band. Needless to say he never achieved it.

http://www.songfacts.com/...hp?id=3987

The media and some people have always put down the group because they were put together for a TV show. Goin' Down was written by the group, so it doesn't make sense to say they're inferior if he likes the song.

Today I was talking to a guy I think in his late 20's and was telling him I went to The Monkees show In Brooklyn last year and he said WHO? I told them they were big in the 60's and I watched the show as a kid years later as re-runs. So I start singing a couple of songs and he says Yeah I know those songs!

MickyDolenz said:

Holy crap what is this? A TV special? Wow didn't know they did one. Gotta check these out later. THANKS Mick!

JoeBala said:

Holy crap what is this? A TV special? Wow didn't know they did one. Gotta check these out later. THANKS Mick!

They released an album in 1997 called Justus and they filmed this TV special to promote it. It aired on ABC, I still have the videotape I used to record it off TV. It was the first album with all 4 members since the Head soundtrack. The tour was the first one with Mike since the 1960's, although he performed with them a few times after they reunited in the mid 1980's. Mike did quit right before the tour came to the US though. Mike was asked to do this last tour, but declined. He isn't really that interested in performing today, and especially not for going on a tour. He's kinda reclusive.

The Justus album is supposed to be re-released soon on CD and 180 gram vinyl. I hope the special is released on DVD, but I doubt it. It hasn't been released in any format as of now.

[Edited 7/26/12 13:52pm]