Then & Now... The Best of the Monkees
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Edition: Music CDFree Music Notes for Then & Now... The Best of the Monkees
Free Music Review: Monkees Nostalgia
Hit: 5 Stars
There are a number of Monkees collections. I will admit that I might have one or two more collections, but this one is my favorite because it seems to me to be the most comprehensive. However, for old-timers like me that actually fondly recall when the Monkees were new, this music could bring on a 60s fugue and you may suddenly start using words like bell-bottoms and flower power.
The Monkees were a made-for-television group. However, much of their music was actually good, and much of it still holds up nearly forty years after its creation. The themes that interested teens in the 60s, the sameness of our lives, too much parental control, wanting our lives to be different or to make a difference, and, of course, the love of that really cute girl at the next desk, remain topics for teens today. It seems the more things change the more they remain the same.
Most of these songs were singles, and most of the singles did well. In addition there is a selection of songs featured on the television show. Also included are both the theme songs, and even both theme songs from the television show. Another gem is the psychedelic song "Porpoise Song" from the Monkees movie "Head."
As an aside, I will recommend the movie "Head." While many of the jokes are unfunny, the movie was a decent attempt at being anti-culture and satirical. In addition to additions by the members of the Monkees, Jack Nicholson gets the writing credits. The cast includes Annette Funicello, Vito Scotti, Sonny Liston, Frank Zappa, a very young and beautiful Teri Garr, Rita Hayworth, Dennis Hopper, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and you get the idea; there are a lot of people in this movie.
I could pick out the best songs on this CD and go on about them, but why bother? You either enjoyed counter-culture songs like "Pleasant Valley Sunday," the obligatory love songs like "Valeri" and "Daydream Believer," and the occasional psychedelic songs like "Porpoise Song," or you did not. However, consider that in retrospect that numerous critics have, though sometimes begrudgingly, admitted that the Monkees were a real group, with real music, and with real influence on some other artists. Michael Nesmith remained in music and became a music video pioneer, along with being a director. The group still commands audiences, and until they stop singing and touring for good, they probably always will. Even in the 1980s the group had a comeback and released another single with "That Was Then, this Is Now," which was released with the song "(Theme from) The Monkees."
Since my youth in the 1960s we have seen two additional generations coming up behind us. Soon there will be a third. I wonder whether any of those generations will appreciate the cultural struggle of the 60s, or whether they will think they have it tougher than we did. When I listen to the music on this CD, I still remember it all; the bad, yes; the good, of course, with a warm nostalgic feeling; the Monkees, absolutely.
Then & Now... The Best of the Monkees Poster
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