TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Head" - The Monkees (1968)

"Head" - The Monkees (1968)

"Head" was The Monkees 6th album and the soundtrack from their movie of the same name.  An unexpected psychedelic soiree for their non-experienced Teen Beat fans.  The album opens with a collage of sounds and phrases not unlike The Beatles “Revolution #9”...but much, much shorter.  Less angry.  And segues into the floaty psych classic "The Porpoise Song."   By now, the album leaves little doubt that this train you're on ain't going nowhere near Clarksville.  Surprisingly, “Head” only has six songs, but all of them are quite enjoyable.  Peter Tork's light shines especially bright with "Can You Dig It" and "Long Title: Do I Have to Do This All Over Again?" both pushing things forward.  (Peter left the band after this album.)  Only "Daddy's Song" is an eye-roll.  And it isn’t exactly bad...it was written by Harry Nilsson after all...but Davy delivers the goods in that campy vaudeville-style he's so fond of milking.  A well he drew from much too often.  And yet, surrounded by the amalgam of other things, the song doesn't really spoil the party.

The Monkees were on such a roll, I wish there was more music to be found here.  Instead, they chose to include weird noises and snippets from the movie in-between songs.  Thankfully, they are very short, and but for a couple interruptions, do not overstay their welcome.  It's mostly all good fun.  And it's a neat snapshot of the times that were happening.  A couple more songs, a little less silly, and “Head” would be an outstanding spin.  As it is, “Head” is simply a very good one.

"Head" (back)

I seldom see an original copy of “Head” anymore.  When I do, the reflective Mylar cover is usually smudgy and dull.  Or the vinyl has those qualities.  I've never been lucky enough to find the album in the “new arrivals” bin.  Bad timing, I suppose.  Anyway, I found my copy at one of those eclectic homes in Riverside.  The kind of house that has more angles than "The Blacklist."  I was biking around and stumbled upon a yard sale.  I only had $13 in my sad pocket and the hipster couple accepted my pittance.  Sure, The Monkees "Head" has a gimmix cover and all that, but the record is much better than one might expect.

Colgems Records label

"Can You Dig It?" - The Monkees / "Head" (1968)

TRACKS:
A1  "Opening Ceremony" 1:20
A2  "Porpoise Song (Theme From "Head")" 2:56
A3  "Ditty Diego (War Chant)" 1:25
A4  "Circle Sky" 2:31
A5  "Supplicio" 0:48
A6  "Can You Dig It?" 3:23
A7  "Gravy" 0:06
B1  "Superstitious" 0:07
B2  "As We Go Along" 3:51
B3  "Dandruff?" 0:39
B4  "Daddy's Song" 2:30
B5  "Poll" 1:13
B6  "Long Title: Do I Have to Do This All Over Again?" 2:39
B7  "Swami (Plus Strings)" 5:21

PERSONNEL:
Micky Dolenz - vocals - drums
Davy Jones - vocals - maracas, organ
Mike Nesmith - vocals, guitar, organ, maracas
Peter Tork - vocals, guitar, bass
ADDITIONAL:
Danny Kortchmar – guitar
Leon Russell – keyboard
Ry Cooder – guitar
Neil Young – guitar
Carole King – guitar
Harvey Newmark
Stephen Stills – guitar
...others

Good stuff.

 Casey Chambers
Follow Me On FACEBOOK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interview:-- Joan Staley (Actress - Classic Movies & Television)

Image
  "Elvis,  do you really want me to slap you?"  ~ Joan Staley ~     So my friends and I were talking about first crushes. First tv and movie crushes.  For me, it was easy.  It was Alma. (Joan Staley)   I broke into the double-digit age of 10 in 1993.  That was the summer I discovered my favorite Don Knotts movie while flipping thru cable one Saturday morning... "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken." Everyone has seen it.  It was a funny haunted house story similar to an episode on Andy G. with a cast of familiar characters, trippy organ music, and the prettiest girl I had ever seen...Alma. She was beautiful alright.  I was love-stung so bad, I swear I could smell flowers coming out of the TV set.  And best of all, she was nice.  She didn't like the smart alec, the wise guy, or the show-off.  Alma was digging Luther (Don Knotts) and that just made her that much prettier.  And from then on... But unfortunately, time and puberty wouldn't let her wait
Read more

Interview:--> Terry Kirkman (The Association)

Image
"...Not only learned to think, but to care.  Not only learned to think, but to dare." ~ The Association ~  With one of the most bad-ass songs about the herb that no one was quite sure about, yet everyone understood...to the anti-war homage that was both beautiful and pointed... The Association . From gentle psych pop spinneries that tease the mind...to the lush vocal and instrumental arrangements that melt the heart... The Association. The Association were all of these and none of these. Lead by co-founder Terry Kirkman, it was never an "either/or" about the music.  No pigeonhole here.  It was simply "all" about the music.  And having at least 3 of the most radio-played songs in history...I'd say The Association were on to something. TERRY KIRKMAN INTERVIEW  01/26/2015 Casey Chambers:  In the summer of '67, The Association had the opportunity to perform at the iconic Monterey Pop Festival.  How cool was that? Terry Kirkma
Read more

Interview -- Henry Lee Summer (Singer/Songwriter)

Image
"I just always have played music.  For better   or worse, I banked my whole life on it." ~ Henry Lee Summer ~     It's strange how music lets you travel through time as if there truly was no time.  I played the shit out of this album growing up.  Nothing deep or complicated.  Nothing outta bounds.  Nothing to get hung about.  It's deceptively simple.  But here's the thing... Henry Lee Summer  is serving aces all over this heartland square. This is the 35th anniversary of Henry Lee Summer's self-titled album and this one falls under that sweet spot between raucous and chill.  It's a large cup of iced coffee with a nice soulful blend.  Not usually my type of go-to and yet this album easily fills a void I didn't know I had.  Let this spin be your own private Idaho.  " Check it out, Leroy!"   Henry Lee Summer... Go get you some. Henry Lee Summer Interview -- August 2023 Henry Lee Summer Casey Chambers:  Well, this is the 35th anniversary of you
Read more