The Monkees at Plymouth Pavilions: I'm a believer

A great gig by the Monkees at Plymouth Pavilions on Monday - Previous tour dates had received lukewarm reviews but in Plymouth the guys were on good form. They adopted the Brian Wilson approach of having a large backing band to actually play the tunes but all three have still got surprisingly strong voices (compared with Brian Wilson, Ian Anderson and others) and delivered pretty much their whole catalogue of hits. plus a chunk of songs from Head, their 1968 movie.

 
Davy looked a little hunched, Micky a bit chunky and Peter a little worn but they showed no signs of the animosity that had been suggested at other gigs. The screen behind showed extracts from their TV shows and, during the Head part after the intermission, a hefty slice of 1968 psychedelia - great stuff.

Micky disappeared behind the drum kits from time to time but when he returned showed all the stage presence of an old trooper. He led the final sequence of hits and the audience loved it. A nostalgic but not maukish evening of great hits. Brilliant.

 

While you're at it, why not try a couple of psychedelic Monkee-related tracks. The first is Psychedelatrip's version of Carole King's 'The Porpoise Song' from Head (some serious phasing here).

The second is Lola Dutronic's version of 'The Porpoise Song' (best on headphones), complete with underwater belly dancing?   Far out, man ...

But if it's nostalgia you're after, try this: The original video for 'I'm a Believer'.