The Monkees Present

History

The original plan was to release a double album which devoted one side to each member of the group, who by now were recording virtually as solo artists, but with Tork now gone, and record sales waning, the decision was made to pare the track selection down to a single disc.

The album featured two singles, ""Listen To The Band", b/w the non-LP song "Someday Man"; and "Good Clean Fun" b/w "Mommy And Daddy", which upon release in September 1969 reached # 63 and #82 respectively in USA, but neither charted in the UK. Both singles did much better in Australia, reaching #15 and #26 respectively and giving the Monkees their last hits Down Under.

Original 1969 Colgems vinyl issue

Side 1

Side 2

All tracks except "Never Tell a Woman Yes," "Ladies Aid Society," "Mommy and Daddy" and "Pillow Time" were featured on the CBS and ABC reruns of The Monkees from 1969–1972.

1994 Rhino CD reissue

Tracks 1-12: Original album
Previously unissued bonus tracks:

13. "Calico Girlfriend Samba" (Nesmith) - 2:33
14. "The Good Earth" (Ben Nisbet) - 1:38
15. "Listen to the Band" (Alternate take) (Nesmith) - 2:46
16. "Mommy and Daddy" (Alternate take) (Dolenz) - 2:08
17. The Monkees Present Radio Promo - 1:03

2013 Rhino Handmade deluxe CD reissue

Disc 1 (The Original Stereo Album and More)

Tracks 1-12: Original album in stereo

13. "Time and Time Again" (November 1969 Stereo Mix) (Jones, Chadwick) - 2:37
14. "Down the Highway" (November 1969 Stereo Mix) (Carole King, Toni Stern) - 2:16
15. "Steam Engine" (November 1969 Stereo Mix) (Chip Douglas) - 2:23
16. "If You Have the Time" (November 1969 Stereo Mix) (Jones, Chadwick) - 2:06
17. "Angel Band" (November 1969 Stereo Mix) (William Bradbury, Reverend J. Hascall) - 3:25
18. "Rose Marie" (November 1969 Stereo Mix) (Dolenz) - 2:12
19. "I Never Thought It Peculiar" (No Strings and Backing Vocals - August 1969) (Boyce, Hart) - 2:24
20. "Of You" (November 1969 Stereo Mix) (Bill Chadwick, John Chadwick) - 2:00
21. "Kicking Stones" (1969 Mix) (Lynn Castle, Wayne Erwin) - 2:27
22. "If I Knew" (Bill & Davy's Stereo Mix) (Jones, Chadwick) - 2:21
23. "The Crippled Lion" (November 1969 Stereo Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:49
24. "My Storybook of You" (Tommy & Bobby's Stereo Mix) (Boyce, Hart) - 2:48
25. "Carlisle Wheeling" (November 1969 Stereo Mix) (Nesmith) - 3:17
26. "French Song" (LP Master with Alternate ending - Stereo) (Chadwick) - 2:48
27. "Hollywood" (Stereo) (Nesmith) - 2:18
28. "My Storybook Of You" ("New" 1969 Stereo Mix) (Boyce, Hart) - 3:01
29. "Circle Sky" ("New" 1969 Stereo Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:34
30. Kool-Aid spot - 2:03

Disc 2 (Mono Mixes and Rarities)

1. The Monkees Present Radio Spot - 1:04
2. "If I Knew" (TV Mix Mono) (Jones, Chadwick) - 2:23
3. "Bye Bye Baby Bye Bye" (Mono) (Dolenz, Klein) - 2:16
4. "Looking for the Good Times" (Mono) (Boyce, Hart) - 2:06
5. "Ladies Aid Society" (1969 Mono Mix) (Boyce, Hart) - 2:42
6. "Listen to the Band" (Single Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:33
7. "French Song" (TV Mix Mono) (Chadwick) - 2:49
8. "Mommy & Daddy" (1969 Mono Mix) (Dolenz) - 2:13
9. "Circle Sky" (1969 "New" Mono Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:31
10. "Penny Music" (TV Mix Mono) (Michael Leonard, Bobby Weinstein) - 2:41
11. "Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Pears" (1969 Mono Mix) (Boyce, Hart) - 2:17
12. "Of You" (1969 Mono Mix) (Chadwick, Chadwick) - 2:02
13. "I Never Thought It Peculiar" (1969 Mono Mix without Overdubs) (Boyce, Hart) - 2:25
14. "Kicking Stones" (1969 Mono Mix) (Castle, Erwin) - 2:28
15. "Listen to the Band" (LP Version True Mono Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:45
16. "If You Have the Time" (1969 Mono Mix without Moog) (Jones, Chadwick) - 2:10
17. "Midnight Train" (TV Mix Mono) (Dolenz) - 2:08
18. "My Storybook of You" (Mono) (Boyce, Hart) - 2:48
19. "Steam Engine" (Mono) (Douglas) - 2:20
20. "Time and Time Again" (November 1969 Mono Mix) (Jones, Chadwick) - 2:44
21. "Mommy & Daddy" (7/1/69) Stereo Mix 3 (Dolenz) - 2:11
22. "I Never Thought It Peculiar" (September 1969 Mono Mix with Overdubs) (Boyce, Hart) - 2:27
23. "Bye Bye Baby Bye" (July 1969 Stereo Mix) (Dolenz, Klein) - 2:28
24. "If You Have the Time" (1969 Mono Mix with Moog) (Dolenz) - 2:09
25. "Mommy & Daddy" (7/2/69) Stereo Mix (Dolenz) - 2:05
26. "French Song" (Rough Mono Mix) (Chadwick) - 2:53
27. Monkees Greatest Hits radio spot - 1:00

Disc 3 (Sessions)

1. "Little Girl" (Take 7) (Dolenz) - 1:29
2. "Calico Girlfriend" (Nesmith) - 2:48
3. "If I Knew" (Take 11) (Jones, Chadwick) - 2:23
4. "You're So Good" (Alternate Mix) (Robert Stone) - 3:01
5. "Little Red Rider" (Alternate Mix) (Nesmith) - 3:26
6. "If You Have the Time" (Take 4) (Dolenz) - 2:38
7. Music Bridge: "We'll Be Back in a Minute" (Take 12) (Dolenz) - 0:29
8. "Listen To The Band" (Alternate Stereo Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:48
9. "French Song" (Take 3) (Chadwick) - 2:42
10. "Mommy and Daddy" (May 13, 1969 Stereo Mix 9) (Dolenz) - 1:57
11. "Thank You My Friend" (Backing track - Take 4) (Nesmith) - 3:42
12. "Pillow Time" (Takes 8 & 9) (Scott, Willis) - 4:17
13. "How Can I Tell You" (Jones, Chadwick) - 3:13
14. "Steam Engine" (1969 Rough Stereo Mix) (Douglas) - 2:38
15. "Time and Time Again" (Take 1) (Jones, Chadwick) - 2:50
16. "Good Afternoon" (Take 14) (Unknown) - 2:34
17. "Opening Night" (Charlie Smalls) - 3:44
18. "Lynn Harper" (Backing track - Take 8) (Nesmith) - 3:15
19. Music Bridge: "We'll Be Back in a Minute" (Take 18) (Dolenz) - 0:25
20. "The Good Earth" (Alternate Take) (Ben Nisbet) - 2:03
21. "London Bridge" (Backing track - Take 4) (David Gates) - 4:52
22. Music Bridge: "We'll Be Back in a Minute" (version three) (Dolenz) - 0:28
23. "A Bus That Never Comes" (Backing track - Take 9) (Dick Keller, Bob Russell) - 2:49
24. "Omega" (Backing track - Take 8) (Nesmith) - 2:15
25. "Thirteen Is Not Our Lucky Number" (Backing track) (Nesmith, Michael Cohen) - 2:39
26. "Michigan Blackhawk" (Backing track - Take 4) (Nesmith) - 2:54
27. "Little Tommy Blues" (Backing track - Take 5) (Tommy Griffin) - 3:53
28. "Till Then" (Backing track - Take 2) (Eddie Seiler, Guy Ward, Sol Marcus) - 3:19

Vinyl 45

1. "Good Clean Fun" (Alternate Mix with extra percussion) - 2:19
2. "Mommy and Daddy" (7/10/69)" (Mono Mix) - 2:25

Session information

Little Girl

Written by Micky Dolenz

Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz

Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, and Coco Dolenz

Electric Guitar: Louie Shelton

Acoustic Guitar: Micky Dolenz

Bass: Ray Pohlman

Drums: Earl Palmer

Produced by Micky Dolenz

This Dolenz composition is described, as a fast-paced, jazzy tune.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, August 14, 1969

Good Clean Fun

Written by Michael Nesmith

Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith

Guitar: Wayne Moss

Steel Guitar: Lloyd Green

Banjo: Bobby Thompson

Bass: Norman Putnam

Drums: Jerry Carrigan

Percussion: Unknown

Piano: David Briggs

Violin: Buddy Spicher

Produced by Michael Nesmith

The song was recorded during the sessions for Head.

A country-rock/rockabilly number; as with many Nesmith tunes the title has no obvious relation to the lyrics.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Nashville, June 1, 1968

If I Knew

Written by Bill Chadwick and David Jones

Lead vocal by Davy Jones

Backing vocal: Davy Jones, and Bill Chadwick

Acoustic Guitar: David Cohen

Bass: Max Bennett

Drums: Hal Blaine

Piano: Michel Rubini

Produced by Bill Chadwick and Davy Jones

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, June 27, and Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, July 1, 1969

Bye Bye Baby Bye Bye

Written by Micky Dolenz, and Ric Klein

Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz

Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Unknown

Electric Guitar: Louie Shelton

Acoustic Guitar: Unknown

Banjo: James Burton

Bass: Joe Osborn

Drums: Hal Blaine

Harmonica: Tommy Morgan

Produced by Micky Dolenz

This Dolenz composition is known for its harmonica-driven style.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, July 16, 1969

Never Tell a Woman Yes

Written by Michael Nesmith

Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith

Acoustic Guitar: Michael Nesmith

Banjo: Al Casey

Bass: Joe Osborn

Drums: Hal Blaine

Produced by Michael Nesmith

A lilting piano-driven tale of a man who passes on a woman's invitation to travel with her, regrets it when he finds out she's rich, and then ultimately gets rewarded when she comes to find him after having been robbed by another man.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, June 2, 1969

Looking for Good Times

Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Lead vocal by Davy Jones

Harmony vocal: Micky Dolenz

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

Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton

Acoustic Guitar: Tommy Boyce

Bass: Larry Taylor

Drums: Billy Lewis

Tambourine: Gene Estes

Organ: Bobby Hart

Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

The song was recorded during the sessions for More of the Monkees. It was also considered to be used in the Monkees' TV show, but the idea was dropped.

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

Ladies Aid Society

Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Lead vocal by Davy Jones

Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, Wayne Erwin, and Ron Hicklin

Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton

Bass: Larry Taylor

Drums: Billy Lewis

Percussion: Emil Richards

Piano: Bobby Hart

Trumpet: Steve Huffsteter

Trombone: Gilbert Falco, Dick Hyde

Horn: Bob Jung and Don McGinnis

Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

The song, with its falsetto choruses was recorded during the sessions for More of the Monkees. It was an attempt to capture the same spirit of pastoral, suburban Britain that The Kinks did.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studio B, Hollywood, August 23, 1966

Listen to the Band

Written by Michael Nesmith

Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith

Electric Guitar: Michael Nesmith

Guitar: Wayne Moss, and Mike Saluzzi

Steel Guitar: Lloyd Green

Bass: Norbert Putnam

Drums: Jerry Carrigan

Percussion: Unknown

Piano: David Briggs

Keyboard: Michel Rubini

Harmonica: Charlie McCoy

Brass: Don McGinnis

Trumpet: Bud Brisbois, Buddy Childers, and Ray Triscari

Trombone: Dick Nash

Tuba: John Kitzmiller

Produced by Michael Nesmith

The song was recorded during the sessions for Head.

Though not a huge hit at the time, the song has become a sort of theme for the group. Though Nesmith claims the lyrics weren't a plea to be judged on musical merit, people nonetheless chose to view them that way. Rhino records even chose the song's title as the name of the group's box set released in April 1991. Mike would later re-record it with his own group The First National Band. Incidentally, "Listen to the Band" was originally performed with Peter Tork on their NBC TV Special 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee early that same year. That version differs greatly from the single or album release. The album mix of the song has a slightly longer organ bridge section than the single mix does.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Nashville, June 1, and RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, December 9, 1968

French Song

Written by Bill Chadwick

Lead vocal by Davy Jones

Acoustic Guitar: Frank Bugbee, and Louie Shelton

Bass: Max Bennett

Drums: Hal Blaine

Percussion: Emil Richards

Shaker: Emil Richards

Chimes: Emil Richards

Vibes: Emil Richards

Organ: Michel Rubini

Flute: Tim Weisberg

Produced by Bill Chadwick, and Davy Jones

Considered to be a rather moody sort of song, with a lounge-like instrumentation.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, June 27, and August 14, 1969

Mommy and Daddy

Written by Micky Dolenz

Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz

Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, and Coco Dolenz

Guitar: Dom DeMieri, and Mike Saluzzi

Bass: Unknown

Piano: Micky Dolenz

Keyboard: Michel Rubini

Brass: Don McGinnis

Trumpet: Bud Brisbois, Buddy Childers, and Ray Triscari

Trombone: Dick Nash

Tuba: John Kitzmiller

Unknown: Pat Coghlan

Produced by Micky Dolenz

The song finds Micky overtly tackling the political issue of the treatment of American Indians. The album version was dramatically toned down from the original, which also touched on drug use, war, sexual reproduction, social ignorance and the JFK assassination.

The song was recorded during the sessions for Instant Replay. Peter later said he was sorry to have missed the track's creation.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, December 9, 1968

Oklahoma Backroom Dancer

Written by Michael Martin Murphey

Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith

Guitar: Mike Deasy, and Louie Shelton

Acoustic Guitar: Unknown

Bass: Max Bennett

Drums: Eddie Hoh

Tambourine: Unknown

Shaker: Unknown

Piano: Michel Rubini

Produced by Michael Nesmith

The song is a little-known tune by Mike's Texan friend Michael Martin Murphey. It boasts a honky-tonk piano and an upbeat rhythm. "Murph" himself has never released a take of this number and how it came to make the cut for Present remains something of a mystery.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, May 27, 1969

Pillow Time

Written by Janelle Scott and Matt Willis

Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz

Electric Guitar: Louie Shelton

Acoustic Guitar: Micky Dolenz

Bass: Ray Pohlman

Drums: Earl Palmer

Produced by Micky Dolenz

The song, A jazzy fairytale lullaby, co-written by Micky's mother, was originally demoed during the sessions for Headquarters.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, August 14, 1969

1994 Bonus tracks Session Information

Calico Girlfriend Samba

Written by Michael Nesmith

Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith

Guitar: Louie Shelton, and Al Casey

Bass: Joe Osborn

Drums: Hal Blaine

Bongos: Unknown

Cowbell: Unknown

Shaker: Unknown

Piano: Michel Rubini

Produced by Michael Nesmith

An uptempo Latin track that Mike would reuse on his solo debut, Magnetic South.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, May 29, 1969

The Good Earth

Vocals by Davy Jones

Produced by Davy Jones

A poem from a 1969 musical called "The Good Earth," recited by Davy without musical backing.

It is unknown who the poem was written by, and as a result no official writer's credit was given.

Recorded in June 1969

Listen to the Band [Early Mix]

Produced by Michael Nesmith

Lacks many of the overdubs that were featured on the final album mix.

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Nashville, June 1, 1968

Mommy and Daddy [Early Mix]

Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz

Other personnel unknown

Produced by Micky Dolenz

The original recording of "Mommy and Daddy" with lyrics that were deemed too controversial to release in 1969.

This version of the song was recorded during the sessions for Head.

Recorded at Original Sound, Hollowed, August 1, 1968

The Monkees Present - Radio Promo

Spoken words: Unknown

Recording info unknown

A contemporary radio ad for the album aims at a younger audience that "gets" the music, even without being able to say exactly why.