CoDoDo: My Countdown to Micky Dolenz, part 5

It's almost here!  Micky Dolenz is in Phoenix -- he was live in studio on the morning news shows today -- and tomorrow night I'll be a raving fanboy at his concert at the Marquee in Tempe!  I've blogging some of my favorite Dolenz Monkees songs this week, and it's been building to this!  Two words:

Shorty Blackwell.

Apparently, Shorty Blackwell was the name of Micky's cat.  I didn't know that when I first heard this song as a kid -- the last song on their Instant Replay album.  For me, "Shorty Blackwell" was my first psychedelic tune, a weird symphony of operatic chanting, horns, and piano solos that plays on a variety of emotions, from whimsy to melancholy and everything in between. Yesterday, I mentioned this song in contrast to "As We Go Along."  "As We Go Along" is quiet, reflective, and organized.  "Shorty" is loud, brash, and outright messy -- proving that Micky's vocals can handle anything.

I could write on and on about the narrative of the song, and what it's meant to me, but I'll let it speak for itself.  Enjoy -- just as I'll enjoy Micky's show tomorrow night.  Yes, there will be a field report!

CoDoDo: My Countdown to Micky Dolenz, part 4

Micky Dolenz is coming to the Marquee in Tempe this Saturday, and I, a lifelong Monkees fan, am counting the days with a look at some of my favorite Dolenz tunes . . . but first . . .

Bonus!  Last Halloween, I dressed up as Micky, from his rug-wearing days during the Rainbow Room sessions!  The Rainbow Room is famously known as the setting for the "Daydream Believer" video, and a few other great songs from that era were "performed" there, too.  I found the rug (which, in my case, is actually a sheet) and the stripped shirt at Goodwill, but my buddy Jan miraculously provided the wig.  My girlfriend and I were visiting his family in Sedona and were about to karaoke in Old Town Cottonwood, when I said on a whim, "I really should've found a brown curly wig to complete this get-up."

"I think we have one!" Jan exclaimed, digging through a costume box.  Then, boom.  I was Micky in, ahem, no time.  It was a statewide effort!

Now, these posts are certainly not scheduled in any particular order.  In the past, I've tried to list my favorite Monkees tunes, and it's simply impossible to pick an absolute favorite. Tomorrow's post comes close, especially as Micky songs go -- and this would be a close second, by way of revealing the breadth of his talents.  I'll have to elaborate on the contrast tomorrow, lest I spoil the reveal now!

So, yes, today -- "As We Go Along," from the Monkees' controversial film Head.  Poorly received then, cult classic now, Head is a trip, and its soundtrack is honestly a great audio representation of the film.  I listened to the soundtrack long before I saw the movie -- maybe ten years passed between hearing that vinyl on my playroom turntable and finally catching the flick on late-night TBS.  I thought seeing the movie would bridge the eclectic soundbytes on the album with, I don't know, plot?  No such luck.  Head must be seen to be believed.  I love it.



In the both the film and on the record, "As We Go Along" is a reflective pause.  The other songs are simply bombastic, visually and audibly.  "As We Go Along" stands as a great ballad, then coupled with this montage from the film, it becomes a proclamation of exploration and growth, for better or worse.  I've read write-ups that the rhythm of the song made for a difficult recording session for Micky, something about the song's timing.  I'm not a musician -- I only know that he nails it.  It's timeless -- if, as the end of this video asks, anything can be.

CoDoDo: My Countdown to Micky Dolenz, part 2

I thought about calling this series "CoDoDoSolo: My Countdown to the Micky Dolenz Solo Show," since he'll be the only Monkee playing at the Marquee this weekend in Tempe, but I thought that was a long title and opted for an edit.  Speaking of edits . . .

"Mommy And Daddy" is probably Micky's most controversial song.  It appeared on "The Monkees Present," the album I admit to enjoying the least as a kid.  Conversely, it has two of my favorite Papa Nez tunes -- "Listen to the Band" and "Good Clean Fun" -- and I remember really liking "Little Girl," but I didn't connect with the rest of the record.  If the Monkees had their way, these songs should've been a part of their ideal double-vinyl set, where each of the guys would've had a side all their own.  Especially sans Peter, I think "Present" was just a little too uneven for my young ears.

Of course, now I totally dig it -- especially Micky's "Mommy And Daddy."  He penned the tune with his Native American roots in mind (that's what he's said) before the song quickly skews into a wild social commentary.  Apparently his initial lyrics were so dark, producers strongly encouraged a re-write.  Here's the original, unreleased version -- if anyone dismisses the Monkees as kids' stuff, just play them this!

The version that was released isn't much brighter.  Micky perhaps wisely drops the references to JFK and outright murder, and the inquiry about Mommy's pills is a little less accusatory.  Of course, it's all over YouTube if you really want to hear it -- and so is a clip or two of Micky himself explaining the song's origins.  

Regardless, "Mommy And Daddy" really transcends its time, considering today's political climate.  As much as I love the tune, I'm saddened that none of its questions have been answered yet, but I'm grateful we'll always have this music to help the pill go down.

CoDoDo: My Countdown to Micky Dolenz, part 1

I love the Monkees.  Always have, always will.  And Micky Dolenz is performing live this Saturday at the Marquee in Tempe.

I'm counting the days this week with some of my favorite Micky songs from the Monkees' extensive catalog.  I thought I'd start with a bang: "Sometime In The Morning."  

"Sometime In The Morning" is from the Monkees' second album, aptly titled More of the Monkees. It was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, a songwriting power couple that penned many amazing songs for the Monkees.  Thanks to the magic of YouTube, you can hear Carole's guiding vocal track for Micky here:

Of course, I grew up with Micky's rendition, so when I first heard Carole's, her vocals were a bit haunting.  At the time, I don't think this was meant for public consumption -- just in-studio, so Micky knew how to sing to the melody.  Now, the demo stands as a powerful example of great pop lyric writing, straight from the artist's lips.

The Monkees' songs often debuted in "romps" on their TV show -- a romp was a video montage of the guys messing around, usually in a sped-up cartoonish fashion, sometimes confronting the villain of that episode.  Those segments truly were the prototypical music video.  "Sometime In The Morning" played for two romps, though "romp" hardly describes this sweet sequence starring the beautiful Rose Marie.  By far one of my all-time favorite uses of a song in the Monkees' series:

"Sometime In The Morning" has become a staple for the Monkees' and Micky's solo concerts, and it took my breath away last year as the first half of a medley with their latest hit "Me & Magdalena."  If I were to pick an "ultimate" live version, though, I'd offer this, from the online reality show myRecordFantasy.  If the narrative is to be believed (and, ahem, I am a believer!) Micky didn't see this one coming.  You see him search for the "in" with the vocals at the beginning, starting quietly, then building to fill the cafe with that great last chorus.  I close the first installment of my countdown here, with the hopes that one day Micky will walk into the coffee shop where I'm drawing or whatever, to serenade. 

Meeting Mike Nesmith, One Year Later

I couldn't let today pass without acknowledging it as the anniversary of my meeting Mike Nesmith, the last of the Monkees that fulfilled my childhood dream of meeting them all.  Meeting Mike was an inspiration, partly because his tour conjured vivid narratives with his music, and partly because I never thought I would.  In many ways, Amazing Arizona Comics is informed by the Monkees -- both are a goofy social satire that hope to bottle certain tropes in the zeitgeist so they remain timeless.  I'll let you know how the comparison stands in about 40 years.  Until then, thank you, Mike, for being available to fans, and for growing a body of work that defies expectation.

Speaking of growing bodies of work, please visit the web adventures of Amazing Arizona Comics, for the beginning of this week's adventure featuring Zombie Santa!

Coming to SPX: Far & Wee

KaraokeFanboy Press is coming to the Small Press Expo (SPX) in Maryland next weekend!  Over the next few days, I'll be posting the comics featured and debuting at the show, starting now with my autobiographical fanzine, Far & Wee.

Article topics include He-Man's sexuality, the dark fate of Route 66, the timeless importance of Mr. T, estate sales, successful pranks and fake protests, and, of course, my lifelong journey toward meeting each of the Monkees.  If you're in Maryland, at SPX, come by the table and pick up a set!  Mention the blog for a discount.

And, don't forget, voting is still available below for the next Amazing Arizona Comics story.  Scroll and finally vote for something that matters!

Still A Daydream Believer Official Teaser Trailer

The 12 Days of Christmas (Comics) is on a brief hiatus as my brother and I are working on a short film. I've met all of the Monkees, a dream I've had almost all of my life. Now what? Share the dream.

Meet The Monkees

I'm a lifelong Monkees fan, and I've always wanted to meet them.  Several years ago, when I lived in Southern California, I met Micky Dolenz when he and his sister Coco performed a free concert in the park.  I thought that was a dream come true in itself.

Then, a year or more later, Peter Tork and his band, Shoe Suede Blues, performed in the city of Orange, and I snatched up tickets and met him.  Two out of four -- I was content.

Some time after that, the Monkees' movie Head screened at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.  Peter and Davy Jones did a panel for fans -- and I shared a remarkable moment with Davy that I'll treasure forever.  

Ever since the Monkees' heyday, Mike Nesmith removed himself from that teeny-bopper scene and pursued his own solo career in country rock and video production.  He rejoined the group for Davy's memorial last year, and my wife and I saw him with Micky and Peter at the Greek Theater in 2012, and just a few months ago at the Mesa Arts Center.  He didn't greet fans at either venue, and I resigned to the thought that I'd never meet him.

Last night, Mike started a solo tour, of all places, right here in Phoenix.  He offered a limited number of  "Conversation Passes" for a post-show meet and greet.  I got one.  I met him.  I don't mind telling you, I cried.

It's not every day you get to meet your heroes -- in this case, artists that have influenced me in more ways than I can ever acknowledge.  It is every day that you can honor them by pursuing the passion for creativity that their works instilled in you.  

Stay tuned.