Works, The - Monkees (The)

Advantages: Some classic songs in stero; some bonus tracks
Disadvantages: Missing most of their classic tracks; too many fillers

...This is a whole lot of Monkees for the money. Whether it is value for money or not is a personal opinion. However everybody's favourite sixties made-for-TV pop group never fail to get your feet tapping and a smile on your face. This is breezy, easy listening. Good to hear several classic tunes in stereo. No surprises that the DVD opens with the familiar happy-go-lucky Monkees theme tune. This is followed on by several personal favourites including "Take a Giant Step", "Last Train to Clarksville". Bonuses include an alternative version of the theme tune and mono versions of some of the songs in stereo such as "Last Train to Clarkesville". Fillers? Depends on how much of a Monkees completist you want to be. Certainly not sure that you need the third version of it that's on it for sure. There are a few previously unreleased tracks... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A compact, easily accessible collection of great 60's tunes.
Disadvantages: It's a pity it wasn't a ten CD-box.

...This remains probably my favourite box-set of all time. This was a real godsend upon release in 1991, as at the time hardly any of the Monkees records were still on catalogue. The package contains four CD's, containing all of the Monkees hit singles, their best-known album tracks, and a smattering of previously unreleased material. Being merely a six-year old fan of the Monkees TV show in the 60's, I wasn't overly concerned with the critics obsession with the fact that the Monkees didn't play on their records. (As I got older I found out that this wasn't necessarily always the case). Nevertheless, despite the myriad of changes that have occured within my musical tastes since then, I've always retained a deep love of their music, particularly tracks like Stepping Stone, Words, The Girl I Knew Somewhere, Circle Sky and Pleasant Valley... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: bonus tracks, sleevenotes
Disadvantages: film extracts

...Hey Hey we are the Monkees You know we aim to please with our manufactured Image and no philosophies So starts Diego Ditto on the Head LP. Like the Head film itself this album sticks the boot into the cheesey teen hero image the monkees had, and the film and album achieved this successfully with Peter Tork leaving before making any further new recordings and the hits drying up - probably as Jack Nicholson (co-producer of the film and cd intended. The cd itself shows both sides of the group with top quality songwriters (Carole King / Harry Nilsson) bought in and CK providing the sublime "porpoise song" but with Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork each contributing 2 songs each as well. On the performing front the album proper shows each Monkees has their own gang who played on their songs, but the bonus tracks on the rhino issue show... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful