Oh Micky, you're so fine
You're so fine, you blow my mind
It
makes sense to begin with a song seeing that I write concert reviews
and this concert was all about the song writers who put The Monkees in
the forefront of music and television. Beautiful lyrical and melodic
songs.
The opening band first ...
WHOA! WAIT JUST A MINUTE! While we may have thought a band called The Zambonis was Italian based, it is actually a HOCKEY BAND!
And
by hockey band, I mean they only sing songs about hockey! Songs like:
The Penalty Box of Love, I Got a Concussion When I Fell for You, I Wanna
Drive the Zamboni, and The Gretzky Twist. They are wearing a total
mishmash of hockey names and hats with shorts and leggings to keep them
warm under the heat of the stage lights. They are a local band with
Micky Dolenz's drummer Rich Darts doubling at percussion in both bands.
So here is one answer to "What do musicians do when they are not on
tour?" They have a fierce following present and really do shake things
up. I am stunned and concentrate on listening to the lyrics and the
agility of each musician AND their mascot: Hockey Monkey who joins the
stage tonight as The Monkee Man. Mickey Dolenz introduced them and
returns to the stage to tell us it will be a few minutes time to reset
the stage so "Don't change your channel."
When
Micky returns, it is to introduce someone he has known all their lives:
his sister Coco. "You will like her. Her voice is better than mine."
Her voice is certainly spot-on! There is no sign of aging ... although we
all know we are still very young. She sings three classics:
You're No Good
Put a Little Love in Your Heart
White Rabbit
YES, I said White Rabbit! To hear her makes Grace Slick envious.
Who is next? Why that star of TV, screen and music and a legend in his own mind: MICKY DOLENZ!
Micky's
show honors Davy, Mike and Peter as well as other musicians prominent
in his career. His musicians bring the songs, backing vocals (and
occasional lead) back into our lives in strong measure. Yes, three
Monkees did not appear, but they were most certainly there.
1. (I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone
2. That Was Then, This is Now
Written by my friend Vancelot, better known as Vance Brescia
3. A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
4. For Pete's Sake
A song written by Peter Tork that was used as the closing theme in the second season.
5. Good Morning, Good Morning
The Beatles song Micky heard when he was invited to Abbey Road Studios by Paul McCartney
6. Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
No explanation needed. The opening drumbeat is enough to secure an audience.
7. Johnny B Goode
Micky's audition piece for The Monkees TV show
8. Foxy Lady and an explanation of the reason behind asking Jimi Hendrix to open their tour and the failure of this idea "We want Davy! We want
The Monkees".
9. Me and Magdelena
Coco and Micky sang this as a duet. Very pretty rendition of one of The Monkees' last recordings. It is on the 'Good Times' album, 2016,
in which they were able to insert some vocals from Davy.
10. Last Train to Clarksville
Intermission
11. For What It's Worth
Written by Stephen Stills and first heard by Micky around Peter Tork's pool when Stephen asked him to listen to his new song.
12. Your Song
Micky met Elton John after a concert in USA. It was in a kitchen and they were both wearing the same T-shirt. Hit up a concert to hear the whole story.
13. Valerie
14. Different Drum
Mike Nesmith wrote this song for The Monkees, but was told, "Sorry, that is not a Monkees song." WHAT?? Wasn't Mike a Monkee?
So, lucky Linda Ronstadt was given the chance ... and the hit.
15. You Just May Be the One
Another Nesmith song, lead vocals here by Micky's keyboardist, Darin Murphy.
16. Daydream Believer
It was only a matter of when. This song is so popular, several artists include it in their performances as a tribute to Davy. Phone lights are waved,
audience is singing.
17. Pleasant Valley Sunday
18. FAKE ENCORE
Micky takes three steps, waves and says the dressing room is too far away only to turn around and resume the show.
Gimme Some Lovin'
19. The Monkees Theme Song in slooooowww jazz
20. No Time
21. I'm a Believer
You knew this song was coming. And it is the final piece of this show tonight at the Wall Street Theatre in Norwalk, CT on Sept. 28th, 2025.
The
video back-drop just completed the show in such a striking manner. Each
Monkees song had the antics from that song that appeared in the TV show.
Shots from The Beatles, Elton John, Stephen Stills, Jimi Hendrix, and
audience shots from the 60s made a complete memory for each person at
this show. Again, I met wonderful new people who have such great taste
in music. (Of course we all agree)
Thank you Micky, Coco, Mike, Rich, Wayne, John and Zambonis!
And thank you, Darin Murphy (keyboards), Mike Severs (guitar), John Billings
(bass), Rich Dart (drums) and, of course, Wayne Avers (lead guitarist and musical director ... who's now been with Micky for over 20 years!) for completing and
enhancing the magic.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
NE Representative
Forgotten Hits
