 Monkees historian Andrew Sandoval posted this on his Facebook page yesterday:
"I would have to say this is a pretty big deal. The final box set in a series of Deluxe Editions I started in 2006 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of The Monkees. Now we are a few years shy of their 50th and my restoration work is just about done. Rhino could have, of course, issued all of these things many years back, but its a "process" as they say. Looking forward to writing about the final full year of The Monkees, 1969, and discussing some truly top drawer recordings on this set: "Little Girl," "If I Knew" and "Listen To The Band." It was a thrill to hear some of these tunes again - I had forgotten how strong the "new" recordings were on this set. Good Clean Fun."
This is a 1996 interview conducted by Goldmine magazine with Monkees author, historian and archivist Andrew Sandoval. In it Andrew discusses the status of the Monkees tape library at that time, the hunt for masters, and more.
For easier reading, click on the image and then click on it again.  Page 4 |  Page 5 |  Page 6 |  Page 7 |
 These articles are a must read for any Monkees fan, and could perhaps be the definitive assessment of the group's 1968 feature film, Head. Written by pop historian Rachel Lichtman (who produced the video footage shown on both the 2011 and 2012 tours) and Monkees author and archivist Andrew Sandoval, and featuring interviews with Micky, Davy, Michael and Peter, no stone is left unturned as the history, impact and legacy of the film are recalled in the November/December 2010 issue of Shindig!In upcoming blog posts, an interview with Peter from this same issue will be featured, as well as the magazine's review of the Head Rhino Handmade deluxe edition. For easier viewing, click on each image and then click on it again.
 A Monkees fan needs this book! The 288 page softcover details the band's recording sessions, filming dates and public appearances from 1965-1970. Full of rare photos, interviews, session credits, and more, it goes without saying that the Live Almanac enthusiastically endorses Andrew's book. To purchase The Monkees: The Day-By-Day Story of the '60s TV Pop Sensation, click here.
In this mid-2000s interview with Michael Nesmith, he discusses Sam and The Goodtimers, the group's 1969 appearances in Mexico, some behind the scenes experiences while in Mexico, the phenomenal success of The Monkees in 1967, and working with Jack Nicholson on the soundtrack for Head. This podcast is courtesy Monkees.com.
Peter Tork will be appearing in New York City at the Iridium Jazz Club for two shows on May 5. Tickets are on-sale and can be purchased here. For more information about Peter's new show (which is being co-produced by Monkees archivist and producer Andrew Sandoval), check this previous blog post here.
Peter is debuting a new show, which is being co-produced by Monkees historian and archivist Andrew Sandoval. Only one date has been scheduled as of this blog post, in New Hampshire at the Capitol Center for the Arts, on Friday, May 10, 2013. Tickets for the show go on-sale on Friday, March 8 at 11am. Here's the press release that appears on the Capitol Center for the Arts website:  The Monkees’ Peter Tork skyrocketed to fame in 1966, but the stories and musical heritage of this gifted, articulate musician and storyteller have remained unheard --and unseen-- until now. Still breaking new ground in a five-decade career, Peter Tork lifts the veil on stage with “In This Generation: My Life in the Monkees and so much more." Previously unseen photos and footage, unheard songs, and hits fans know and love come together powerfully and gracefully as Tork weaves the tale of a musical education in folk and pop that culminates with his early years as a performer in the clubs of Greenwich Village. But it is a move to California, and a recommendation by friend Stephen Stills, that leads Peter to audition for a part in a TV series.
“Madness!! Auditions. Folk & Roll Musicians -- Singers for acting roles in new TV series. Running Parts for 4 insane boys, age 17-21. Want spirited Ben Frank's-types.”
He passed the audition of course, and alongside Mike Nesmith, Davy Jones, and Micky Dolenz, became forever known as one of The Monkees -- chart topping media sensations in both the 60s and 80s, with seven platinum albums to their credit.
“In This Generation: My Life in the Monkees and so much more” brings to life onstage the roller coaster ride of blistering TV ratings, concert tours, recording sessions, magazine covers, The Beatles, The Wrecking Crew, Jimi Hendrix, Jack Nicholson, MTV, Japan, Reunion tours, and 45 off-again on-again years with the group that the late Davy Jones called “The brothers I never had.”
His early romance with blues and folk intensified Tork’s interest in songs and songwriting, and many of his own compositions reflect that early dedication. Tork's song "For Pete's Sake" was the closing theme of the TV show's second season --a well deserved placement and a considerable compliment, knowing that songs written by Carole King, Boyce and Hart, Neil Diamond, Harry Nilsson, and John Stewart all were in the running for that honor. The stories behind those songs are among the wealth of insights featured "In This Generation.”
Reissue producer and writer Andrew Sandoval, who has overseen the legacy of the Monkees for over 20 years and arranged their acclaimed 2011 and 2012 tours, is producing the show alongside Peter.
Al Bigley recently submitted a Bernard Yeszin photograph that inspired the cover art for the Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. album in 1967. He even did a modern-day interpretation of what he thought the cover might have looked like if the photo had been used instead of the silhouettes of The Monkees.
Andrew Sandoval wrote the following in the liner notes of the Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. deluxe edition in 2007:
When cover artist Bernard Yeszin came to illustrate The Monkees’ fourth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., he took a brave step. The group would be drawn in silhouette only, with just their respective astrological signs hinting at their identities. “The Monkees were so popular and so hot at the time,” says Yeszin of the concept, “that I could do just about anything that reminded you of The Monkees. I could do an album cover and just show their outline and people would identify them. People would know they were The Monkees.
“It was really based upon a photograph that I had taken of them,” explains Yeszin, who took this idea a step further by obscuring the band’s famed guitar logo in a crop of water-colored flowers. “At first I had it up at the top,” says Yeszin of the emblem, “and I said, ‘Just go for it, Bernie; just drop it way down into the flowers and hopefully the people will get it.’ The flowers were part of that flower child love-fest that was going on during that period of time. Historically, it was right on the money.”
 Bernard Yeszin's photograph  Front cover of the Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. album  Al's modern day interpretation
 Andrew Sandoval is currently hosting a Monkees hour on Luxuria Music's website. Tune in here. He will be playing Monkees and solo rarities throughout this portion of the show. Luxuria Internet Radio is currently hosting a fundraising drive. The station hosts Andrew's great Come to the Sunshine broadcasts. You can donate here. 7 pm Update:Here are the songs and other bits Andrew played during his Monkees hour: - KHJ 93 FM "Last Train to Clarksville" event promo
- Auntie's Municipal Court
- Steam Engine
- KHJ 93 FM Monkees at the Hollywood Bowl concert promo
- Looking For the Good Times
- KHJ 93 FM bit with Michael Nesmith
- Down the Highway
- Bye, Bye, Bye (Michael Nesmith & The First National Band)
- KHJ 93 FM Monkees Boots commercial (Thom McAn)
- Midnight Train
- another KHJ 93 FM "Last Train to Clarksville" event promo
- If You Have the Time (alt version - no synths)
- Many Years (from Micky's new solo album, Remember)
- Rainy Jane (original demo)
- Come On In
- French Song
- Different Drum (Linda Ronstadt & The Stone Poneys version)
- KHJ 93 FM Exclusive World Premiere - The Girl I Knew Somewhere
- Goin' Down (mono mix)
- Oakland Coliseum 1969 concert radio promo
- Little Red Rider (Michael Nesmith & The First National Band)
- Man We Was Lonely (Davy's version)
- Tear The Top Right Off My Head (Micky vocal)
- Thanx For the Ride (Michael Nesmith & The First National Band)
From the liner notes of the 1995 CD release of Headquarters, written by Andrew Sandoval:
After numerous run-throughs, Micky’s “Randy Scouse Git” was finally recorded on March 4, 1967. Tired of tapping on his wood block, Micky noticed a kettle drum sitting in the corner of the studio and hit upon the idea of using the instrument for the choruses, intro, and fade. “I remember when Micky first showed me that song, I was so excited,” Tork recalls. “He played me the verse and the chorus, and then he said, ‘In the end we do them both at the same time!’ I thought that was a brilliant piece of music. I’ve always thought that Micky was more creative than he ever gave himself credit for. He’s a vastly more talented individual than he’s aware of. I always thought that song was proof of it.”
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