Instant Replay (The Monkees album)

History

Although the Monkees had recorded dozens of tracks between the time of their last studio album, spring 1968's The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees (a soundtrack LP from their film Head had been released between the two studio LPs), several of the songs on Instant Replay actually dated from sessions up to two and a half years earlier.

The band's new music supervisor, Brendan Cahill, believed that releasing previously unused tracks recorded in 1966—prior to the group's seizing control of their own recording process—was the way for the group to get back to the top. The album's lead single, "Tear Drop City," was one of the songs taken from the vault. The song was sped up around 9 percent from the original recording, changing the song's key from G to A-flat. The single, notably similar to the group's first hit "Last Train to Clarksville", was identified by Michael Nesmith as their intended first single in 1966. The track was not a major hit, only managing to reach No. 56 on the U.S. charts, while reaching No. 34 in Australia. Despite the single's poor chart performance, the album itself reached the top 40 at No. 32.

Micky Dolenz's "Just a Game" had originally been written during the sessions of the Headquarters album, while Nesmith's "Don't Wait for Me" was the first released product of his 1968 sessions with Nashville studio musicians. Davy Jones' "You and I," with its lyrics bemoaning the fickle pace of teen stardom, featured guitar work from Neil Young.

Production notes

Two songs from these sessions, "A Man Without a Dream" and "Someday Man" (later issued as the b-side of the "Listen to the Band" single) were produced by Bones Howe and recorded at Wally Heider's Studio. Howe brought in Wrecking Crew musicians including Tommy Tedesco (guitar), Joe Osborn (bass) and Hal Blaine (drums) and a nine-piece horn section. Despite having already quit the group, Peter Tork makes an appearance on this album by playing guitar on "I Won't Be the Same Without Her."

Original 1969 Colgems vinyl issue

Side 1

All tracks written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, except where noted.

Side 2

1995 Rhino CD reissue

Tracks 1-12: Original album

13. "Someday Man" (Roger Nichols, Paul Williams) - 2:40
14. "Carlisle Wheeling" (Second Recorded Version) (Nesmith) - 3:11
15. "Rosemarie" (First Recorded Version) (Dolenz) - 2:15
16. "Smile" (Jones) - 2:20
17. "St. Matthew" (Early Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:44
18. "Me Without You" (Alternate Mix) (Boyce, Hart) - 2:12
19. "Through the Looking Glass" (Early Mix) (Baldwin, Boyce, Hart) - 2:48

2011 Rhino Handmade deluxe CD reissue

Rhino Handmade released an 89-track deluxe edition 2011. Disc 1 features stereo versions and various remixed versions. Disc 2 features mono released and unreleased versions. Disc 3 features alternate takes, backing tracks, and tapes from 33⅓ Revolutions per Monkee (*). The 7" vinyl has two songs sourced from acetate, alternate mixes of "I Go Ape" and "(I Prithee) Do Not Ask for Love" .

Disc 1 (The Original Stereo Album)

Tracks 1-12: Original album in stereo

13. "Someday Man" (Single B-Side) (Nichols, Williams) - 2:42
14. "Carlisle Wheeling" (Alternate Stereo Mix) (Nesmith) - 3:17
15. "Mommy and Daddy" (1968 Stereo Mix) (Dolenz) - 1:59
16. "Look Down" (King, Stern) - 2:51
17. "If I Ever Get to Saginaw Again" (Keller, Russell) - 2:44
18. "Me Without You" (Alternate Stereo Mix) (Boyce, Hart) - 2:10
19. "Smile" (Jones) - 2:19
20. "Nine Times Blue" (Nesmith) - 2:11
21. "Shorty Blackwell" (Alternate Stereo Mix) (Dolenz) - 6:14
22. "St. Matthew" (Nesmith) - 2:43
23. "Some of Shelly's Blues" (1968 Stereo Mix) (Nesmith) - 1:51
24. "Hollywood" (1968 Stereo Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:17
25. "Don't Wait for Me" (Alternate 1968 Stereo Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:34
26. "Propinquity" (I've Just Begun to Care) (1968 Stereo Mix) (Nesmith) - 3:20
27. "The Crippled Lion" (1968 Stereo Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:50
28. "How Insensitive" (Jobim, de Moraes, Gimbel) - 2:31

Disc 2 (Mono Mixes and Rarities)

1. "Through the Looking Glass" (1968 Mono Mix) (Baldwin, Boyce, Hart) - 2:50
2. "Don't Listen to Linda" (1968 Mono Mix) (Boyce, Hart) - 2:50
3. "I Won't Be the Same Without Her" (1968 Mono Mix) (Goffin, King) - 2:41
4. "Just a Game" (Alternate Vocal - Mono Mix) (Dolenz) - 1:51
5. "Me Without You" (Fuzz Guitar Version - Mono Mix) (Boyce, Hart) - 2:10
6. "Don't Wait for Me" (Mono Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:33
7. "You and I" (1968 Mono Mix) (Chadwick, Jones) - 2:19
8. "While I Cry" (UK Mono Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:59
9. "Tear Drop City" (Mono Promo Single Mix) (Boyce, Hart) - 2:04
10. "A Man Without a Dream" (Mono Promo Mix) (Goffin, King) - 3:05
11. "Someday Man" (1968 Mono Mix) (Nichols, Williams) - 2:49
12. "Hollywood" (Mono Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:16
13. "Mommy and Daddy" (1968 Mono Mix) (Dolenz) - 2:26
14. "You and I" (1968 Rough Mix) (Chadwick, Jones) - 2:25
15. "Carlisle Wheeling" (Alternate Vocal - 1969 Mono Mix) (Nesmith) - 3:15
16. "Rosemarie" (1969 Mono Mix) (Dolenz) - 2:31
17. "Changes" (1968 Mono Mix) (Jones, Pitts) - 2:35
18. "Good Clean Fun" (Mono Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:18
19. "Through the Looking Glass" (Fuzz Guitar Version - Mono Mix) (Baldwin, Boyce, Hart) - 2:49
20. "All the Grey Haired Men" (Mono Backing Track) (Keller, Russell) - 2:23
21. "War Games" (1968 Mono Mix) (Jones, Pitts) - 2:50
22. "Propinquity" (I've Just Begun to Care) (Mono Mix) (Nesmith) - 3:19
23. "My Share of the Sidewalk" (Version 2 - Mono Backing Tracks) (Nesmith) - 2:51
24. "Party" (1968 Mono Mix) (Jones, Pitts) - 3:06
25. "The Crippled Lion" (Mono Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:50
26. "If I Ever Get to Saginaw Again" (Mono Backing Track) (Keller, Russell) - 2:50
27. "Some of Shelly's Blues" (1968 Mono Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:30
28. "Smile" (1968 Mono Mix) (Jones) - 2:23
29. "Nine Times Blue" (Mono Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:06

Disc 3 (Sessions)

1. "Through the Looking Glass" (Backing Track - Take 11) (Baldwin, Boyce, Hart) - 2:49
2. "Don't Listen to Linda" (Backing Track - Takes 1-3) (Boyce, Hart) - 4:22
3. "I Won't Be the Same Without Her" (Backing Track - Take 1) (Goffin, King) - 3:58
4. "Carlisle Wheeling" (Backing Track - Take 1) (Nesmith) - 3:36
5. "Nine Times Blue" (Backing Track - Take 6) (Nesmith) - 2:21
6. "Look Down" (Backing Track - Take 1) (King, Stern) - 3:27
7. "Just a Game" (Backing Track - Takes 1-2) (Dolenz) - 3:09
8. "You and I" (Backing Track - Take 1) (Chadwick, Jones) - 2:32
9. "That's What It's Like Loving You" (Backing Track - Take 1) (Jones, Pitts) - 3:03
10. "Smile" (Backing Track - Take 1) (Jones) - 2:31
11. "A Man Without a Dream" (Backing Track - Take 1) (Goffin, King) - 3:21
12. "A Man Without a Dream" (Alternate Vocal - Take 14) (Goffin, King) - 3:55
13. "Someday Man" (Backing Track - Take 1) (Nichols, Williams) - 3:23
14. "Someday Man" (Alternate Mix) (Nichols, Williams) - 3:25
15. "(I Prithee) Do Not Ask for Love" (1968 Backing Track - Take 12) (Michael Martin Murphey) - 3:05
16. "I Go Ape" (Backing Track - Take 10) (Sedaka) - 2:21
17. "Wind Up Man (Backing Track - Take 1) (Bill Dorsey) - 1:09
18. "String for My Kite" (Version 1 Backing Track - Take 1) (Dorsey) - 1:09
19. "Naked Persimmon" (Backing Track - Take 1) (Nesmith) - 2:03
20. "Goldie Locks Sometime" (Backing Track - Take 4) (Dorsey) - 3:29
21. "String for My Kite" (Version 2 Backing Track - Take 1) (Dorsey) - 1:13
22. "Darwin" (Backing Track - Take 2) (Dorsey) - 0:52
23. "St. Matthew" (Alternate Vocal) (Nesmith) - 2:47
24. "Don't Wait for Me" (Alternate Stereo Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:39
25. "Rosemarie" (Alternate Stereo Mix) (Dolenz) - 2:36
26. "(I Prithee) Do Not Ask for Love" (1968 Mono Soundtrack Master) (Murphey) - 2:24
27. "Naked Persimmon" (1968 Mono Soundtrack Master) (Nesmith) - 2:36
28. "Goldie Locks Sometime" (1968 Mono Soundtrack Master) (Dorsey) - 2:17
29. "Darwin" (1968 Mono Soundtrack Master) (Dorsey) - 0:41
30. "I Go Ape" (1968 Mono Soundtrack Master) (Sedaka) - 2:12

7" Vinyl 45

Side 1: I Go Ape (Acetate Version) (Sedaka, Greenfield) - 2:53
Side 2: (I Prithee) Do Not Ask for Love (Acetate Version) (Murphey) - 2:24

Session information

Through the Looking Glass

Written by Red Baldwin, Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Lead vocal: Micky Dolenz

Guitar: Keith Allison, Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, Louie Shelton

Bass: Joe Osborn

Drums: Billy Lewis

Tack piano: Bobby Hart

Strings/horns: unknown

Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Original recorded during sessions for More of the Monkees. This version was recorded for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees but later rejected.

Recorded at United Recorders, Hollywood, California; December 30, 1967, and December 20, 1968

Don't Listen to Linda

Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Lead vocal: Davy Jones

Guitar: Tommy Boyce, Gerry McGee, Louie Shelton

Bass: Joe Osborn

Drums: Billy Lewis

Strings/horns: unknown

Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Originally recorded during sessions for More of the Monkees. This version recorded for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees but later rejected.

Recorded at United Recorders, Hollywood, California; December 31, 1967, and December 20, 1968

I Won't Be the Same Without Her

Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King

Lead/backing vocal: Michael Nesmith

Harmony vocal: Micky Dolenz

Guitar/dano bass: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Mike Deasey

Bass: Bob West

Drums: Hal Blaine

Percussion: Gary Coleman, Frank DeVito

Piano: Larry Knechtel

Produced by Michael Nesmith

Recorded during sessions for The Monkees

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; July 18, 1966 (8:00 P.M.-12:00 A.M.)

Just a Game

Written by Micky Dolenz

Lead vocal: Micky Dolenz

Backing vocal: Coco Dolenz

Acoustic guitar: Micky Dolenz, Tommy Tedesco

Bass: Max Bennett

Drums: Jim Gordon

Percussion: Joe Porcaro

Harpsichord: Michel Rubini

Violin: George Berres, Anatol Kaminsky, Bernard Kundell, Erno Neufeld, Nathan Ross, Joseph Stepansky

Cello: Armand Kaproff, Justin DiTullio, Edgar Lustgarten

Trumpet: Bud Brisbois, Buddy Childers, Oliver Mitchell, Ray Triscari

French horn: Vincent DeRosa, David Duke, Dick Perissi

Trombone: George Roberts

Flute: Ronnie Lang, Ted Nash, Bud Shank

Produced by Micky Dolenz

Written during sessions for Headquarters; recorded during sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees

Recorded at Western Recorders Studio #1, Hollywood, California; April 9 and June 7, 1968

Me Without You

Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Lead vocal by Davy Jones

Guitar: Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton

Bass: Joe Osborn

Drums: Billy Lewis

Keyboard: Bobby Hart

Backing vocal/horn/calliope/tambourine: unknown

Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Recorded at United Recorders, Hollywood, California; February 3 and December 20, 1968

Don't Wait for Me

Written by Michael Nesmith

Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith

Acoustic Guitar: Harold Bradley

Steel Guitar: Lloyd Green

Bass: Bobby Dyson

Banjo: Sonny Osborne

Drums: Jerry Carrigan

Organ: David Briggs

Produced by Michael Nesmith and Felton Jarvis

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Nashville, Tennessee; May 29, 1968

You and I

Written by Bill Chadwick and David Jones

Lead vocal by Davy Jones

Backing vocal: Davy Jones

Guitars: Bill Chadwick, Gerry McGee, Louie Shelton, Neil Young

Bass: Joe Osborn

Drums: Hal Blaine

Organ: Larry Knechtel

Produced by Davy Jones

Recorded at Wally Heider's, May 10, Sunset Sound, June 19, 21, and RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; September 20, 1968

While I Cry

Written/produced by Michael Nesmith

Lead vocal/acoustic guitar: Michael Nesmith

Backing vocal: unknown

Bass: Rick Dey

Drums: Eddie Hoh

Unknown: Keith Allison, Bill Chadwick, Harry Nilsson

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; January 14–15, 1968

Tear Drop City

Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz

Backing vocals: Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, and Ron Hicklin

Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton

Bass: Larry Taylor

Drums: Billy Lewis

Percussion: Gene Estes

Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Recorded during the sessions for More of the Monkees. The song was sped up from the original recording, changing the key from G to A-flat.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; October 26, 1966

The Girl I Left Behind Me

Written by Carole Bayer Sager, Neil Sedaka

Lead vocal: Davy Jones

Backing vocal: Unknown

Guitar: Al Gafa, Willard Suyker, Don Thomas

Bass: Russ Savakus

Drums: Herb Lovelle

Keyboard: Neil Sedaka

Violin: Leo Kahn, Julius Schachter

Cello: Maurice Bialkin

Produced by Carole Bayer Sager and Neil Sedaka

Recorded at Western Recorders, Studio 2, February 6, and RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; February 9, 1968

A Man Without a Dream

Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King

Lead vocal: Davy Jones

Backing vocals: Davy Jones, Don Addrisi

Guitar: unknown

Acoustic guitars: Mike Deasy, Tommy Tedesco

Bass: Joe Osborn

Drums: Hal Blaine

Tambourine: Hal Blaine

Piano: Larry Knechtel, Jimmy Rowles

Trumpet: Conte Candoli, Buddy Childers

French horn: Jim Decker, Vincent DeRosa, Bill Hinshaw, Dick Perissi

Trombone: Bob Edmondson, Lew McCreary

Produced by Bones Howe

The song was originally attempted during the sessions for Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd..

Recorded at Wally Heider's Studio #3, November 7, 1968, and Western Recorders, Hollywood, California; January 10, 1969

Shorty Blackwell

Written by Micky Dolenz

Lead/backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Coco Dolenz

Electric 12-String guitar: Tommy Tedesco

Bass: Max Bennett

Drums/mallet/timpani: Jim Gordon

Piano: Micky Dolenz, Michel Rubini

Violin: George Berres, Anatol Kaminsky, Bernard Kundell, Erno Neufeld, Nathan Ross, Joseph Stepansky

Cellos: Justin DiTullio, Armand Kaproff, Edgar Lustgarten

Trumpet: Bud Brisbois, Buddy Childers, and Oliver Mitchell, Ray Triscari

French horn: Vincent DeRosa, David Duke, Dick Perissi

Trombones: George Roberts, Kenny Shroyer

Flute: Ronnie Lang, Ted Nash, Bud Shank

Unknown: Bill Chadwick

Produced by Micky Dolenz

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, January 19 and February 15, United Recorders, February 4, and Western Recorders Studio #1, Hollywood, California; April 9, 30, May 2, and June 7, 1968

1995 bonus tracks session Information

Someday Man

Written by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams

Lead vocal by Davy Jones

Backing vocal: Don Addrisi

Electric guitar: Unknown

Guitars: Mike Deasy, Tommy Tedesco

Bass: Joe Osborn

Drums: Hal Blaine

Percussion: Hal Blaine

Piano: Larry Knechtel, Jimmy Rowles

Trumpet: Conte Candoli, Buddy Childers

French horn: Jim Decker, Vincent DeRosa, Bill Hinshaw, Dick Perissi

Trombones: Bob Edmondson, Lew McCreary

Produced by Bones Howe

Recorded at Wally Heider's Studio #3, November 7, 1968, and Western Recorders, Hollywood, California; January 10, 1969

Carlisle Wheeling (Second Recorded Version)

Written/produced by Michael Nesmith

Lead vocal/guitar: Michael Nesmith

Bass:Chip Douglas

Pedal steel guitar: Orville "Red" Rhodes

Second known recording of "Carlisle Wheeling;" first version released on Missing Links and Music Box

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; April 5, 1968

Rosemarie (first recorded version)

Written/produced by Micky Dolenz

Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz

Other personnel unknown

Later version released on Missing Links

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; March 1, 1968

Smile

Written by Davy Jones

Lead vocals/produced by Davy Jones

Backing vocals: Davy Jones and Unknown

Electric guitar: Neil Young

Acoustic guitar: Gerry McGee

Bass: Joe Osborn

Drums: Hal Blaine

Electric giano: Larry Knechtel

Later released on Music Box

Originally considered for, but rejected from Changes

Recorded at Wall Heider's, Hollywood, California; May 10, 1968

St. Matthew (early mix)

Written/produced by Michael Nesmith

Lead vocal/electric guitar: Michael Nesmith

Guitar: Harold Bradley, Wayne Moss

Steel Guitar: Lloyd Green

Bass: Norbert Putnam

Banjo: Bobby Thompson

Drums: Jerry Carrigan

Percussion/organ: Unknown

Piano: David Briggs

Violin: Buddy Spicher

Later mix released on Missing Links Volume Two.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Nashville, Tennessee; June 2, 1968

Earlier version recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; February 8, 1968.

Me Without You (alternate mix)

A different mix of the song, featuring a fuzz guitar.

Through the Looking Glass (early mix)

Lacks re-mixing from December 20, 1968

Recorded at United Recorders, Hollywood, December 30, 1967