The Monkees Album Deep Dives #5: The Birds, The Bees and The Monkees

[@senorblues76]

Great review! The Birds The Bees & The Monkees is such a "what-could-have-been" album for me. I remember being so disappointed when I first heard it...right from the first harpsichord notes of "Dream World", I remember thinking, "What the **** is this?" The fact that they didn't play together on the album at all was also very disappointing. It's surprising (and depressing) how many great songs went unreleased (especially those of Tork's, who admittedly is my favourite member) given the general quality of the songs that made it to this album. Seriously, "Tear The Top Right Off My Head" got passed over for "We Were Made For Each Other" and "Writing Wrongs"? I even prefer the previously unreleased TV version of "Zor and Zam" over the album version. It's a shame that they couldn't/didn't dub a few songs from this album on to the reruns (as they did for "Headquarters") -- "The Poster", for example, would've been perfect for the circus episode. A few of the songs have grown on me over time ("Dream World" does have a killer bassline, albeit dated arrangement) and a few are flat-out excellent ("Auntie's Municipal Court", "Daydream Believer", and especially "PO Box 9847", which would've been perfect on one of the romps of their TV show), but generally it's a weak and depressing listen, made even more frustrating by how much better it could have been had some of its songs been replaced by superior songs that were instead left in the vault. This album almost stopped my own deep dive into The Monkees' catalog, as I assumed every subsequent album (other than Head) was more of the same hodgepodge.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yes, the Monkees whiffed on this album for sure, at a time when they could Ill afford to. Dream World is a terrible album opener. We Were Made For Each Other should have been erased from the tape it was recorded on. Why the hell were they rearranging old, dated material from the TV series when they had so much better material in the can? It really baffles the mind. This felt like a step backwards in so many ways although I do love a handful of songs here.

[@senorblues76]

@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 It's interesting how in the interview clip at the beginning of your video, Davy Jones says something about how they would've have gotten "too cocky" if they had been paid more from the beginning. I feel like a lot of the musical decisions that came about around this era of The Monkees' career reflected a sort of cockiness -- like, "We can do whatever we want, put it out as The Monkees and it'll sell" -- maybe that was correct in '67 (as Nesmith or somebody once suggested) but definitely not in '68 (especially with the TV show being canceled), culminating in the first flop that was "D.W. Washburn" (a song that has yet to grow on me). This album was the lead-up to that. Maybe the rearranged/remade TV series songs were the record company's desperation to have something commercial on it but it sure didn't work.

[@josephgiannini5554]

I also prefer the TV version of "Zor and Zam" featuring backing vocals with no over-dramatic brass/strings...

[@Monkees68]

Thx for doing the Monkees albums reviews. I like how you added some of those rare clips from the Birds era. Most of the commentary is spot on. As years have passed, I've enjoyed Birds more as a middle-aged person than I did as a teen in the 80s. This album is uneven in some ways, but it is one of their more interesting albums overall.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

This album is very strong! I love the Nesmith tunes. Aunties Municipal Court, Tapioca Tundra, Writing Wrongs, Magnolia Simms. Writing Wrongs is trippy. So cool! I also love The Poster, Valerie, and Daydream Believer. Another great video in the series!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you brother!

[@vikingbrace]

I love your expressions when you talk about some of the Davy songs. Tapioca Tundra is a classic! I love all the Nesmith songs on this album. I think this album is very good. If you could have dumped a couple of the DJ songs and replaced them just think how strong this album would have been! Another fantastic and fun episode Jeff!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

There were so many better song options for this album as one listen to the Missing Links collections reveals. There were even better Davy songs in the can.

[@Americanasam1994]

Magnolia is such a wonderful tune, love the disclaimer of it on the album. Tapioca Tundra was awesome to hear live, I agree. Valeri is one I can get behind, great pop song and killer guitar. Zor and Zam is cool, Bill Chadwick is someone I actually contact from time to time. Enjoyed this!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you Sam! I actually enjoy this album more than I let on. Some fun tunes here!

[@MarkSmith-fo4rb]

Wow Jeff you have done such an awesome job with these shows , really enjoying watching footage and pictures I’ve never seen before and your reviews are great Thank you !! 😃

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you Mark! I appreciate the kind words and thanks for watching!

[@DwellerHollowMusic]

Great stuff, again. Can't wait for INSTANT REPLAY

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks!

[@garyhill2740]

This was the first original Monkees album I owned. I liked it initially, and it remains one of my favorites. Many like to pick it apart and over analyze it. I have no such issues. It is one of the most interesting, entertaining, and satisfying pop rock albums of its era. Thanks for giving it a listen.

[@jamesswapinski9190]

Louie Shelton did the Valleri guitar (both versions). Shorty Rogers did horn & string arrangements.

[@markwilliams2434]

Jeff just to let you know, for years when ever I talked about what music I enjoy, I always bring up the Monkees. People put me down, but I still defend The Monkees. Jeff I myself am very glad that you are a friend of mine and took the time to do this video.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks Mark, I hope you enjoyed it!

[@Onteo1]

Nice overview of this lp. As an original fan you gotta understand at 12 years old we hung onto every note of these first 5 records, regardless of what Davy sang. Ok maybe we skipped over “the day we fall in love” That’s why it’s tough to find them in good shape as we played them to death on the 60s equivalent of a Crosley, although I think my copy still has the shrink! Also it didn’t go unnoticed that the label pic was a mono copy. If that’s yours bravo for finding one, at one time even Mickey couldn’t get one. A true holy grail.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I wish it were mine! I’m still on the hunt for one!!

[@Onteo1]

@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 Back when Discogs used to notify via email of items on your wish list, a copy came up. It was gone before I could buy it and it was about $600.00 five years ago. The Canadian and Australian copies I understand are just fold down stereo.

[@farrellmcnulty909]

10:02 - I am so glad you said something about the brass section. It does not BELONG in some pop records - maybe Burt Bachrach stuff, sure, but not with a group lilke the Monkees. Imagine Sgt Pepper or Piper at the Gates of Dawn with that added to it - the fans would have laughed. REM sort of used it sarcastically in their last compilation after they broke up. I think the song is called "Back Where We Belong".

[@tonys9102]

One reason this album didn't get to #1 might have been market saturation. They had released five LPs in less than two years and were on TV all the time. The public grows weary of most acts when they can't escape them. The Beatles knew to slow their release schedule down in 1966. By the '80s, big-selling acts knew to stagger their release schedules after mega-success (Masonna, Bruce, Billy Joel, etc.). The Monkees' time might have been up anyway, but it was probably hastended by too much product too quickly.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

That’s a great point. They were on everyone’s TV and radio in 66 and 67 and at a certain point the novelty wears off. That kind of fame and success is very hard to sustain. 👍👍

[@georgezajkowski2723]

Jeff, I think we disagree on only one thing. To me, Davy's best stuff came out at the end of their recording career. Anyway... This album was the first Monkees lp I ever bought. At the time I loved it. As the years went on and I learned more and more... this album haunted the F outta me! Micky painted on the back cover made no sense! Peter only appears on the DAYDREAM BELIEVER track I think. Mike's songs are basically commercial suicide at this point, yet are incredible. This deep dive was your best so far! Can't wait for the upcoming ones! Jeff, you gotta track down the 3 Boyce & Hart albums at all costs!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Are they good? I have seen them from time to time in the Monkees section of my record store.

[@georgezajkowski2723]

​@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 Hahaa don't expect them to be sensational but they are super interesting especially if you wanna hear their takes on some of the lesser known Monkees tracks!

[@josemarcio2473]

The Monkees é um SHOW!!!! Músicos espetaculares....músicas inesquecíveis e marcantes, inclusive no Brasil na década de 60...❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@josephgiannini5554]

Side one was the Davy/Mike side...A possible sequencing improvement: 1) "I'll Be Back Upon My Feet" 2) "Auntie's Municipal Court" 3) "P.O. Box 9847 4) "Tapioca Tundra" 5) "Valleri" 6) "Zor and Zam"...

[@harrysmusicroom]

Love this series, would you consider doing a live stream panel talking about The Monkees? Maybe you've already done one and I missed it. I always thought Writing Wrongs was done that way for effect.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks! I would absolutely be interested in participating. 👍👍

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

We were made for each other, Jeff. Probably why I like Rod so much. He writes music with the same orchestral arrangements. Davy is the gateway to Rod.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Or the other way around? 😂

[@gtrburn]

Appreciate the series!

[@gtrburn]

Love Monkees! Haven't listened to the songs in years Thank you for bringing it back

[@Neznut]

My personal choice for BB&M 1. Auntie’s Mun Court 2. Daydream Believer 3. Lady’s Baby 4. Magnolia Simms 5. Valleri 6. Tapioca Tundra 7. Goin Down 8. I’ll Get Back Upon My Feet 9. Carlisle Wheeling 10. Tear The Top Off My Head. I think a duet of Micky and Peter would’ve been spectacular. They did a small bit of it on the episode Hitting Tye High Seas. 11. Writing Wrongs. Truly a song you wouldn’t forget.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I love that track listing. Leaving Lady’s Baby off the original release was such a mistake.

[@josephgiannini5554]

"Tapioca Tundra" was dubbed onto the repeat airing of "Hillbilly Honeymoon" on March 18, 1968, which helped the song chart at #34 in the US during the last week of that month...It is the only song from the album's sessions to be added onto an episode, where this version of the show was apparently found in England and Florida...Chip Douglas' original non-vocal take of "We Were Made For Each Other" from the fall of 1967 was actually a country pop arrangement that stands shoulders above the released version...Although "The Poster" is a thin knock-off of "Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite," the hook is ridiculously infectious!!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yeah that is a pretty solid hook in the Poster. A song veery well suited to Davy’s voice. Tapioca Tundra is such a fantastic song. Had no idea they used it in the Beverly Hillbillies!

[@josephgiannini5554]

The song was not featured on "The Beverly Hillbillies" CBS-TV series, but, was in the Monkees' episode "Hillbilly Honeymoon," which featured actress Melody Patterson from "F-Troop"... .@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486

[@josephgiannini5554]

The song was featured in the Monkees' episode, "Hillbilly Honeymoon," featuring actress Melody Patterson from the ABC sitcom, "F-Troop"!!!@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486

[@themadbluds]

awesome video, thank you

[@theblueoctopus4494]

I prefer the TV version of I'll Be Back Upon My Feet.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Me too

[@josephgiannini5554]

"I'LL Be Back Upon My Feet" was attempted during the "Pisces, Aquarius" sessions, but, was never completed...This 1968 version changes several featured instruments from the superior 1966 TV take, substituting the backing vocals for brass, a cuica at the beginning and changing one note to harmony during the chorus...Not to mention a lot of high-hat action here, when the familiar tambourine sound would have been enough...However, It's a fine opening track for side two...

[@cranstonsnord4334]

I also think this was a really good Monkees album. I kind of liked Dream World but would not have led off the album with it. Peter Tork pretty much had nothing to do with this album. The only song he appears on is Daydream Believer which was recorded during the sessions for the Pieces album. They could have removed We Were made For Each Other and put in Tear The Top Off My Head which was much better and would have given Peter more representation on the album. As you say though, the Mike Nesmith Tracks really shine on this album. He took a break from the country rock tunes and put in songs that were trippy, folky, and experimental. Writing Wrongs is almost prog! You also hear on Aunties Municipal Court how well Mike and Mickey's voices blended and they should have done more with that. Love these videos you made and am looking forward to watching the rest!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you! I agree Peter is woefully underrepresented on these Monkees albums in favor of Davy. From a marketing standpoint I get it but artistically it did them no favors.

[@Neznut]

I would have replaced Made For Each Other with Peter’s Lady’s Baby. A kick ass blues tune from his own songs.

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

Awesome bro

[@false_binary]

Another awesome dive! Nesmith quite the contributor on this release. My father shared with me the other day that Steven Stills called Peter about the gig because the network wanted Stills for the role, but he had to go to a dentist to get his teeth fix and Stills refused (so he called Peter)?! LOL...any truth to this one Jeff?

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I believe that story is correct and they picked Peter partly because of his resemblance to Stephen. 👍👍

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I believe that story is correct and they picked Peter partly because of his resemblance to Stephen. 👍👍

[@moshemosh7792]

The best pop record ever.love from sambation band. Eiylat istael.❤❤❤❤

[@RockinEd]

I can't understand how GOIN DOWN was never on an LP----

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I know! One of the biggest marketing mistakes of the Monkees career.

[@DetroitStars]

That's the first time hearing most of those songs for me. As a victrola record collector, I really liked Magnolia Simms. It's got kind of a Rudy Vallee meets Vernon Dalhart vibe.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Exactly! I love the authentic feel of the song.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Love Zor And Zam!!!!!

[@aaronmuthaalamare4165]

You’re awesome Jeff🤘🤘

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you brother!

[@farrellmcnulty909]

"Dream World" always makes me vomit, especially at the end when Davy screams "I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE YOU" at which point I imagine overweight 16 year old girls with zits squealing and hugging their pillows. I also love Tapioca Tundra. I found it on a single at a thrift shop for a dime. It was the back flip of Valleri, of which I have very mixed feelings. Valleri would have been a harder rocker without the hokey brass. WHO'S IDEA WAS THIS? HOW DUMB IS THIS?

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I HATE the brass on Valero and I’ll Be Back Up On My Feet. Adds nothing and dates the songs terribly.

[@farrellmcnulty909]

@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 it sounds like "the suits" told them to put the brass on. It would have been just fine withiut it.

[@norellpolk]

They should have released the earlier versions of Valverde and I'll be back upon my feet on more of the monkees back then

[@josephgiannini5554]

The original, tighter version of "Valleri" was a hit in Florida, when it was taped off of the "Captain Crocodile" episode in 1967 and played on the air...An organ was also featured on the track...All of the Monkees, sans Peter, did not like the actual song...

[@scottmelton8414]

Good insights. It surprised me that after three edgy Davy-sung numbers on PAC&J Ltd, he reverted to three servings of schmaltz on BB&M. Did someone slap him on the wrists to remind him of his clean-boy image? Sad that Peter is almost absent, but they didn't need the Grizelda/Porky novelties. Too bad he couldn't rise to another anthem like "For Pete's Sake." His keyboard on DB is great.

[@dewstar100]

So I call this the junk drawer album, the cover conveys that very well. It does have something for everyone. I vibe to it in my car on CD.

[@bearscatbarrett8795]

I love Dream World. I created karaoke versions of DW and The Poster, perform them when I like

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

I like that P.O. Box song

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

It’s a great one!

[@davidoberst6268]

Valeri w/ shorty Rodgers on guitar?

[@pamelahall517]

I was disappointed with this album. Not only were the Monkees essentially morphing into 4 separate people doing their own thing and packaging it as a group but they were letting Peter have zero representation. To me a fair division in this album would have been 3 songs for each Monkee. The only thing I liked about TBTB&TM was the cover art, most of Mike's songs, Daydream Believer and PO BOX 9847. My goodness, Peter was only on piano in Daydream Believer! I did not like that Peter's songs, like Lady's Baby, Merry Go Round or You Tear the Top Right Off My Head where not included on this album but Dream World, We Were Made for Each Other, The Poster and Writing Wrongs were. I mean I agree with you, no wonder Peter was the first to quit. He nicely, in latter years, blamed himself for not having the capacity at the time to advocate for himself for this album.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

After the brilliant PAC&J this was a crushing disappointment. More Peter and less Davy could have possibly salvaged this mess.

[@josephgiannini5554]

Peter's only new contribution to the album was the "Love, Peter Tork" signature on the back cover!! Speaking of which, Nez' "Carlisle Wheeling," which is mentioned on the back, would have been a welcomed addition...

[@pamelahall517]

@@josephgiannini5554 I remember Peter saying in an interview that his picture of the back expressed his frustration with this album! Also, I agree. Carlisle Wheeling would have been a good addition! I bought Mike's first solo album: The Wichita Train Whistle Sings. It's where I first heard that song.

[@johnw706]

There are a handful of tracks on this album that I like . Valleri , Tapioca Tundra , and Daydream Believer . P.O Box 9847 and Auntie's Municipal Court are ok , I guess . I have to say that Writing Wrongs is an interesting track . The rest I can do without . I appreciate Mike Nesmith's attempt to do something different with Magnolia Simms , but it doesn't work for me . I also appreciate the enthusiasm that you are bringing to these videos . It's apparent that you are a much bigger fan of the Monkees than I am . For me , they are largely a hits band , with some good deep tracks thrown in . I love the 2 compilations that I have from them , but I just can't get into the individual albums , which contain too much of what I view as filler . Cheers !

[@RSEFX]

PLEASE EXCUSE THE ALL-CAPS/DUE TO VISION PROBLEMS. WOW, AM SURPRISED YOUR ASSESSMENT IS MORE POSITIVE THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. I AGREE RE THE DAVY JONES STUFF. I ACTUALLY THOUGHT "DREAMWORLD"" ONE OF HIS BETRER ONES, BUT I TOO REALLY HTED THE HORNS/SOUNDED LIKE THE OPENING THEMES OF 70'S TV SHOWS LIKE "LOVE AMERICAN STYLE" AND SO MANY OTHERS. UGH. BUT SONG ITSELF OK. I REALLY LIKED THINGS LIKE "AUNTIE'S MUNICIPAL COURT" AND, ESPECIALLY, "WRITING WRONGS", SPECIFICALLY FOR THEIR EXPLORATIONS OF TONE, MOOD, AND PURE STRANGENESS/INVENTIVENESS. THIS TO ME IS WHAT MEADE THE BAND'S EVOLUTION INTRIGUING. TO "FIX" THIS ALBUM I' MAKE UP A DIFFERENT TITLE AND COVER GRAPHIC, AND PLU IN SOME OF PETER'S ONGS ("TEAR THE TOPP" FOR SURE) AND DROP "THE POSTER" AND OTHER DAVY TUNES. AND I'D HAVE INCLUDED "GOIN' DOWN"/MAYBE ADDED "COME ON IN" AND DEFINITELY "GIRL NAMED ST. MATTHEW"---EVEN MICHAEL'S ACOUSTIC VERSION WITH A LITTLE BACKGROUND MUSICAL SUPPORT. PETER IS JUST TOO MISSED ON THIS ALBUM, AND IF I'D BEEN HIM I WOUL'VE BEEN PRETTY PISSED OFF. THANKS AGAIN. INTERESTING OVERVIEWS, AS BEFORE. GOOD WISHES.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you! I think Goin Down would have made the album exponentially better. Also, more Peter and less Davy!

[@MrWebste67r]

No Shorty Roger was not a guitarist, he was the musical arranger it was Louie Shelton Who played the Guitar

[@MP-TheNewGuy]

Great analysis. We We're Made for Each Other is completely dreadful. The skipper on this album. As for Dream World, I can tolerate, but I don't like it. The style doesn't fit the Monkees as you know. It could have been worse, "I'm Gonna Try" could have made the album. Love the Nez tunes. All of them are weird which I love. I was thrilled to hear Auntie's Municipal Court and Tapioca Tundra live on the Mike & Micky Tour. I bought and heard this album during the 80's with the Rhino reissues. It definitely surprised with the styles. As there were quite a few songs that I hadn't heard as they weren't on the show. I was quite familar with Tapioca Tundra, I got the 45 with Valleri on it. Zor and Zam works great as a closer in my opinion. I agree with you that I'll Be Back Up on My Feet feels out of place on the album. It is a fun song though.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks! One of my all time joys was hearing Mike perform Tapioca Tundra with Micky the month before he died. He was so emotional during the concert it was very touching to watch.

[@mr.milehi9883]

The first officially released version of Valerie is by THE PINEAPPLE HERD. DIAMOND RECORDS 1967 NOT

[@MariaGomez-og5vj]

Being a Davy Jone’s fan I have to agree with you about the Dream World song,too cheesy in my book

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

I have never heard this album

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Anne Murray’s version of Daydream Believer is killer!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Anne Murray made every song her own.

[@martinbench3657]

Goin Down should have been on this album

[@mr.milehi9883]

CAN YOU DIG IT is Peter torx best song on the next record.

[@dakotafarm1]

"Dream World" as the opening track on a Monkees album sucked. "We Were Made For Each Other" sucked. There were better songs in the can that should have been on "Birds, Bees..." instead (how about "St. Matthew"?!!), and "D.W. Washburn" was also a bad choice as a single at the same time. I wonder who sequenced this album and picked some of these songs. I listened to The Electric Prunes' "Stockholm '67" live album and singer James Lowe introduced the Goffin-King song "I Happen To Love You" as a song they got to record after the Monkees turned it down. The Prunes did a great job with it.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

The track selection on here is mind boggling. Dream World has to be one of the worst choices for an opening track ever.

[@norellpolk]

It was Lester silly how sequenced these songs on the album

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

I would have been show me the money

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I know. Who says “I’m glad they paid me less than I deserved at the time”? 😂

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

P.O. Box 9847 is underrated!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yes it is! Such a classic!

[@dalisman]

Hey, so, they never actually sold more records than the Beatles. That’s been debunked

[@bradleylowden9433]

You're actually NOT a Monkees fan. Most real fans mostly have something good about the majority of their songs. You just test into everything Davy did, and that's like half the catalog.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yeah, the Monkees suck.

[@cabowabodude]

interesting record! take away the two nesmith clunkers and replace them with two quality tunes that were hanging round. he almost totally derails the whole record. the davy tunes, sure we were made for each other is sugariry, but i love the poster and dream world. btw, davy rules!! his best tune is coming up on instant replay!!

[@oldsoulshow]

LOL! those sappy Davy Jones songs are insufferable! didn't like them when I was a kid, still don't. This is why cassettes were so great, you could leave the sappy songs off.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

CD’s had the same advantage. You could skip those songs even easier. 👍