Missing Links is a 1987 compilation album by The Monkees. While "Apples, Peaches, Bananas And Pears" and "If You Have the Time" both featured in the reruns of their 1960s television series, [1] none of the tracks had ever been issued commercially. Missing Links is the first volume of a three-volume set (followed by Missing Links Volume 2 and Missing Links Volume 3).
"All Of Your Toys", written by Bill Martin, was the first recording to feature all four Monkees performing playing on the track, and was intended to become their third single. A publishing issue prevented the songfrom being released, and Neil Diamond's "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" was chosen instead.
Michael Nesmith re-recorded "Nine Times Blue" for his Magnetic South album and "Carlisle Wheeling" (as "Conversations") for his Loose Salute album.
When originally released on vinyl in the U.S. in 1987, tracks 7, 8, 15 and 16 were not included. The compact disc was released in the U.S. and UK in 1988.
"Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Pears"
Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Backing vocals: Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, Ron Hicklin
Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, Louie Shelton
Bass: Larry Taylor
Drums: Billy Lewis
Percussion: Gene Estes
Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
Recorded during sessions for More of the Monkees
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, October 28, 1966
"If You Have the Time"
Written by Bill Chadwick and David Jones
Lead vocal by Davy Jones
Backing vocals: Davy Jones, Bill Chadwick, and Unknown
Guitar: Unknown
Electric Guitar: Louie Shelton
Bass: Joe Osborn
Drums: John Guerin
Piano: Michel Rubini
Moog Synthesizer: Paul Beaver
Produced by Bill Chadwick and Davy Jones
Recorded during sessions for The Monkees Present
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, May 1, 1969
"I Don't Think You Know Me" (first recorded version)
Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
Harmony vocals: Micky Dolenz
Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz
Guitar: James Burton, Glen Campbell Al Casey
Organ: Larry Knechtel
Drums: Hal Blaine, Jim Gordon
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, June 25, 1966 (7:30 pm– 12:15 am)
Produced by Michael Nesmith
Arranged by Don Peake
Two mixes were made of this song. The first featured Micky on vocals and was mixed by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Michael Nesmith recorded this version at a later time.
Recorded during sessions for The Monkees
"Party"
Written by David Jones, Steve Pitts
Lead vocal by Davy Jones
Guitar: Al Casey, Mike Deasey Howard Roberts
Bass: Lyle Ritz
Drums: Hal Blaine
Organ: Don Randi
Marimba/Percussion/Tambourine: Gary Coleman, Gene Estes
Trombone: Milt Bernhart, Richard Leith, Lew McCreary, Frank Rosolino
Trumpet: Buddy Childers, and Clyde Reasinger, Jack Sheldon, Anthony Terran
Saxophone/Woodwind: John Lowe
Violin: Nathan Kaproff, George Kast, Marvin Limonick, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld, Ambrose Russo
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, February 15, 1968
This song has an almost identical music track to another Jones/Pitts song "I'm Gonna Try" which was recorded the same day.
Recorded during sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees
"Carlisle Wheeling" (first recorded version)
Written by Michael Nesmith
Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
Acoustic Guitar: Michael Nesmith
Banjo: Peter Tork
Drums: Eddie Hoh
Organ: Michael Nesmith
Percussion: Michael Nesmith
Produced by Michael Nesmith
First known recording; a second version was made available as a bonus track on Instant Replay; later be included on the Music Box.
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, November 18 and 19, 1967
Recorded during sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees.
"Storybook of You"
Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
Lead vocal by Davy Jones
Backing vocals: Davy Jones, Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart
Electric Guitar: Unknown
Acoustic Guitar: Louie Shelton
Bass: Joe Osborn
Drums: Hal Blaine, Billy Lewis
Piano: John Gallie
Tack Piano: Larry Knechtel
Violin: Bill Kursach, Jerome Reisler, Ralph Schaeffer, Sidney Sharp, Shari Zippert
Cello: Jesse Ehrlich
Saxophone: Jay Migliori
Trumpet: Jules Chaikin, Oliver Mitchell
Trombone: Dick Nash
Unknown: William Pening
Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
Recorded during sessions for The Monkees Present
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, May 30 and 31, 1969
"Rosemarie"
Written by Micky Dolenz
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Electric Guitar: Keith Allison
Acoustic Guitar: Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork
Bass: Chip Douglas
Drums: Jim Gordon
Tambourine: Larry Bunker
Piano: Michel Rubini
Saxophone: Bill Hood
Trumpet: Buddy Childers, Carroll Lewis, Oliver Mitchell, Stu Williamson
Trombone: Lou Blackburn, Herbie Harper, Lew McCreary
Produced by The Monkees
Recorded during multiple sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees and Head respectively
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, March 1, 14 and June 7, 1968
"My Share of the Sidewalk"
Written by Michael Nesmith
Lead vocal by Davy Jones
Guitar: Michael Nesmith
Bass: Rick Dey
Drums: Eddie Hoh
Piano: Michael Nesmith
Cello: Justin DiTullio, Ray Kramer, Emmet Sargeant, Eleanor Slatkin
Trumpet: Pete Candoli, Buddy Childers, Anthony Terran
Trombone: Dick Leith, and Lew McCreary
Produced by the Monkees
Recorded during the sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees and The Monkees Present.
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, CA, January 9, 1968
"All of Your Toys"
Written by Bill Martin
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork
Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
Bass: John London
Drums: Micky Dolenz
Tambourine: Davy Jones
Harpsichord: Peter Tork
One of the first tracks recorded during sessions for Headquarters.
Unused track, proposed A-side of the next single but not controlled by the Monkees' publishing company, Screen Gems; publisher Tickson Music refused to sell copyright
Included as bonus track on Headquarters, Listen to the Band and Music Box sets in slightly different mixes. Also available on Monkeemania (The Very Best of the Monkees) in different mono mix.
Recorded at Goldstar Studios, Hollywood, January 16 (10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.), and RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, January 19, 23, 24, 1967, and 26 (8:00 - 11:00 P.M.), 28 (2:00 - 6:00 P.M.), 30 (10:00 - 12:00 A.M.), 31 (2:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.), and February 2 (8:00 - 10:00 P.M.)
"Nine Times Blue"
Written by Michael Nesmith
Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
Guitar: Michael Nesmith
Pedal Steel Guitar: Orville "Red" Rhodes
Bass: Chip Douglas
Produced by Michael Nesmith
Originally demoed during Headquarters sessions; demo version released as bonus track on Headquarters.
This version of the song was recorded during The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees session.
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, November 18 and 19, 1967, and February 2, and April 5, 1968
"So Goes Love" (second recorded version)
Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
Lead vocal by Davy Jones
Backing vocals: Davy Jones
Guitar: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Jim Helms
Bass: Bill Pittman
Drums: Hal Blaine
Electric Piano: Billy Preston
Percussion: Gary Coleman Jim Gordon
Recorded between July 7, 25, 1966
Produced by Michael Nesmith
Arranged by Don Peake
Recorded during sessions for The Monkees
"Teeny Tiny Gnome"
Written by Lynn Castle and Wayne Erwin
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Backing vocals: Tommy Boyce, Wayne Erwin, Bobby Hart, Ron Hicklin
Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, Louie Shelton
Bass: Larry Taylor
Drums: Billy Lewis
Piano: Bobby Hart
Organ: Paul Suter
Trumpet: Steve Huffsteter
Trombone: Gilbert Falco, Dick Hyde
Horn: Bob Jung, Don McGinnis
Flute: Paul Suter
Vibes: Emil Richards
Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
Recorded at RCA Victor Studio B, Hollywood, August 23, 1966
"Teeny Tiny Gnome" is mislabled. The correct title is "Kicking Stones," which can be found on the More of the Monkees Special Deluxe Edition, released in 2006.
Recorded during sessions for More of the Monkees
"Of You"
Written by Bill and John Chadwick
Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
Harmony vocal: Micky Dolenz
Guitar: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, and Mike Deasey
Bass: Bob West
Drums: Hal Blaine
Percussion: Gary Coleman, Jim Gordon
Piano: Michael Cohen and Larry Knechtel
Produced by Michael Nesmith
Recorded at Western Recorders, Hollywood, July 25, 1966
Recorded during sessions for More of the Monkees
"War Games"
Written by David Jones and Steve Pitts
Lead vocal by Davy Jones
Guitar: Mike Deasey, Al Hendrickson, Gerry McGee
Bass: Max Bennett
Drums: Earl Palmer
Tambourine: Unknown
Harpsichord: Don Randi
Violin: Sam Freed, Nathan Kaproff, George Kast, Marvin Limonick, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld
Cello: Marie Fera, Edgar Lustgarten, Jacqueline Lustgarten, Frederick Seykora
Trumpet: Buddy Childers, Jack Sheldon
French Horn: John Cave, David Duke, Arthur Maebe
Trombone: George Roberts
Produced by The Monkees
Recorded during sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, January 23, 1968
"Lady's Baby"
Written by Peter Tork
Lead vocal by Peter Tork
Backing vocal: Karen Harvey Hammer
Guitar: Peter Tork
Electric Guitar: Stephen Stills
Bass: Lance Wakely
Drums: Dewey Martin
Sound Effects: Justin Hammer
Produced by Peter Tork
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, December 1, 17, 21, 1967, and January 14, 19, 24, and Western Recorders, Hollywood, February 2 and 7, 1968
Recorded during sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees. It was originally intended for the album but constant production changes and re-recordings by Tork caused the song to not be finished in time for release.
"Time and Time Again"
Written by Bill Chadwick, David Jones
Lead vocal by Davy Jones
Backing vocals: Davy Jones, Bill Chadwick
Electric Guitar: Louie Shelton
Bass: Joe Osborn
Drums: John Guerin
Moog Synthesizer: Paul Beaver
Calliope: Michel Rubini
Produced by Bill Chadwick and Davy Jones
Recorded at RCA Victor Sudios, Hollywood, August 14, November 11, 1969
Recorded during sessions for The Monkees Present
The version presented here has spoken passages at the beginning and end of the song. When the song was released as a bonus track on Changes, the opening and ending dialogues were removed, and the song fades out at the end, whereas the version presented here does not fade. The moog also does notappear in the mix released as a bonus track on Changes until after the interlude, whereas in the version presented here, the moog can be heard during all the verses, and the interlude.
