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The Monkees could have played for half as long and been twice as good
The original boyband – minus guitarist Mike Nesmith, who’s got better things to do – came to the Royal Albert Hall last night to mark their 45th anniversary.
It’s been 12 years since their last UK tour – and they made the crowd wait even longer for the hits. Two hours in, only (Theme From) The Monkees and I’m a Believer had emerged amid an unrelenting barrage of B-sides and album tracks.
At least perennial cheeky chappie Davy Jones wasn’t taking himself too seriously. “I’m Davy’s dad – Davy will be out in a minute,” he quipped as the giant projector behind beamed images of the band in their heyday as stars of The Monkees TV show, a precursor to programmes like Glee.
Beside him, Peter Tork looked ridiculous in a red robe but displayed impressive banjo skills on the country-rock of What Am I Doing Hangin’ Around, though Micky Dolenz drifted deep into musical theatre territory on the schmaltzy Some Time in the Morning.
When the hits finally arrived – the Beatles-y R&B of debut single Last Train to Clarksville; the bouncy balladry of Daydream Believer – the relief was palpable.
But this show could have been half as long and twice as good.
20 May 2011
By Rick Pearson
I went to the show in Cardiff on 5/24/11 and I loved it. I’ve seen The Monkees various times through out the years and I have to say, I thought it was one of their best shows. I don’t care what their combined age is, they sounded good, the band sounded good (I do have to say it did seem like Micky wasn’t as good as he ususally is but still…) I loved the screen playing in the back and mostly, I loved the fact that they played “B side” songs. I think if you’re truely a Monkees fan, you’d not really be bothered that they just didn’t jump right into all their hits…my husband who has never seen them until the other night and knows nothing other than their hits even said they sounded good and he had a good time. I heard several comments after the show about how great it was to hear songs from Head and I have to agree. I give them 2 thumbs up and always will.