Once again your tremendous deconstruction work is greatly appreciated. As a 70 year old fan, it's great to hear each Monkee's contribution to this iconic song. It always saddened me that Peter who was obviously extremely talented, was the first to leave the band, frustrated with their decision to switch back to the hit-making, session player formula that basically rejected the band vibe of the Headquarters album. For now, the world still anxiously awaits for a Pieces Aquarius Capricorn & Jones Ltd. Deluxe box set which sadly seems to be in limbo. For now, your deconstructions beautifully fill up this void. Keep them coming!!
Septal - much as I love your reconstructions, I found this one triggered some sadness. This is the last song that featured all four Monkees playing and/or singing, and was the same instrumental setup that worked so well on “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and a few others from Headquarters and Pisces, etc: Mike guitar, Peter Piano, and Chip and Eddie manning the rhythm section. The orchestral overdubs sort of mask the “band” feeling; I would love to hear a mix sans orchestra. “Birds, Bees, etc.”( to me) sounds like the door swinging shut on the creativity they worked so hard to attain on the previous two albums, with only “Daydream Believer” peeking out to remind us of their previous cohesiveness. Yes, Nesmith’s quirky songwriting and performances gave us something interesting to listen to on BB&M and for the next few albums (although he was obviously holding back some of his best material for his solo career), but for the most part, they dropped back into the commercial, hit single-searching Boyce and Hart pop world and lost their distinct Monkees band sound. Peter got frustrated and flew the coop (if I’m not mistaken, his piano work on “Daydream” was his only contribution to this album). I think there is a certain, melancholy, goodbye aspect to “Daydream Believer” that is very well captured in your last isolated channel of Mickey harmonizing with Davy in the choruses. As always, thank you for doing this work and releasing these deconstructions. I’ve never been able to listen “into” these songs like this before. Almost sixty years later, we fans are still treated to a new experience with each one of your releases.
Well, the last Monkees song to feature all of them at least for a few decades anyway. But yes, it has the same emotional effect on me as well. I was rather saddened when I figured that Peter was not involved with the album at all, except for Daydream Believer, which had been previously recorded. I also didn't like not seeing his face on the cover of Instant Replay. It just didn't seem right. They still made some good music, but Peter was such a talented musician to lose.
@@hyacinth4368 Thanks, hyacinth. I’m old and retired and have plenty of time on my hands to compose my comments. I’m sure you could do just as well if you had the time to waste like I do. 🙂
@@magneto7930 You know, I just never think about “Justus” and the later canon when commenting here. Probably because I was in my tweens during their heyday (spent all of my lawn-mowing money between ‘66 and ‘70 on Monkees and Beatles albums. Played them to death on my parents’ Curtiss-Mathis stereo console) and so that was my primary era of fandom. By the time they reunited for new material and touring, I was an adult and had moved on to other musical interests. The only one of them I consistently followed later was Nesmith, who I think never quite gets the credit he deserves as one of the founding voices in the country rock genre (overshadowed by The Eagles, Poco, New Riders of the Purple Sage, et al). Nesmith’s “From a Radio Engine to the Photon Wing” is still one of my favorites ( I hope I have that title correct). Anyway, thanks for reminding us that there WERE later Monkees recordings featuring various configurations of the group. RIP Mike, Peter, and David.
@@cedarwaxwing3509 I can't lie, that might be the only thing I remember about the 90s music. Their TV show was a big part of my childhood and of course, their music. So yes, I'm with you there. I do thank God for having been born when I was.
The quintessential Monkees tune! Even though it had been out as a single for quite some time by this point, it was a little odd that they held it over until Birds & Bees, almost as a sure fire way to help sell the album. Still, my childhood memory of them on the cover with the pirate ship from the episode “Hitting The High Sees” which featured Daydream Believer always associated the two. Side Note: Another song from this episode, Peter’s “Tear The Top Right Off My Head” is briefly sung by Peter and Micky and I was always disappointed that it didn’t make it onto this particular album as Peter went virtually absent on it apart from his piano contribution to this song, which again, was already old. If I’m not mistaken I think Peter said he wrote the piano part for this song as there was none on the demo. Could you imagine it without that piano? It’s important to keep in mind what the Monkees themselves brought to an otherwise dull song. Great work as always Septyl!!
Septyl = Legend. I love this so much there's not a thing to dislike. How can you not like this ? Love Mike's harmonics @ 5.37 I especially love the two sets of strings : The marvelous climbing strings @ 6.32, and those @ 10.27. The gorgeous oboe @ 10.34 Davy's awesome vocal 14.19. Micky's harmony @ 18.07 (it's not pitch perfect either) And of course that iconic piano part by Peter @8.26. This fairdinkum bought a tear to my eye. Well done.
Great work on this classic tune! This gives me an extra appreciation for the musicianship of the fellows plus the wonderful multilayered arrangement of strings and horns...thank you so much!
I don't believe it's accurate. Andrew Sandoval does not credit Chip playing anything other than bass on the three main tracking sessions (June 14, August 9 and September 5). @Septyl - if I can ask, what is the source of that credit?
Thanks so much for posting this. Have you ever seen the literal video? One line was, "it's hard to play a guitar through your tie." Could we ever see deconstructions of solo work and DJBH?
@@orangehornet57 Solo deconstructions and DJBH are possible, but I hadn’t planned on doing them. I would like to get through as much of the Monkees’ discography as I can first.
Once again your tremendous deconstruction work is greatly appreciated. As a 70 year old fan, it's great to hear each Monkee's contribution to this iconic song. It always saddened me that Peter who was obviously extremely talented, was the first to leave the band, frustrated with their decision to switch back to the hit-making, session player formula that basically rejected the band vibe of the Headquarters album. For now, the world still anxiously awaits for a Pieces Aquarius Capricorn & Jones Ltd. Deluxe box set which sadly seems to be in limbo. For now, your deconstructions beautifully fill up this void. Keep them coming!!
Never knew until these deconstructions that so many drum parts sound like HS marching band routines! Want to grab my pom-poms every time!
Septal - much as I love your reconstructions, I found this one triggered some sadness. This is the last song that featured all four Monkees playing and/or singing, and was the same instrumental setup that worked so well on “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and a few others from Headquarters and Pisces, etc: Mike guitar, Peter Piano, and Chip and Eddie manning the rhythm section. The orchestral overdubs sort of mask the “band” feeling; I would love to hear a mix sans orchestra. “Birds, Bees, etc.”( to me) sounds like the door swinging shut on the creativity they worked so hard to attain on the previous two albums, with only “Daydream Believer” peeking out to remind us of their previous cohesiveness. Yes, Nesmith’s quirky songwriting and performances gave us something interesting to listen to on BB&M and for the next few albums (although he was obviously holding back some of his best material for his solo career), but for the most part, they dropped back into the commercial, hit single-searching Boyce and Hart pop world and lost their distinct Monkees band sound. Peter got frustrated and flew the coop (if I’m not mistaken, his piano work on “Daydream” was his only contribution to this album). I think there is a certain, melancholy, goodbye aspect to “Daydream Believer” that is very well captured in your last isolated channel of Mickey harmonizing with Davy in the choruses.
As always, thank you for doing this work and releasing these deconstructions. I’ve never been able to listen “into” these songs like this before. Almost sixty years later, we fans are still treated to a new experience with each one of your releases.
I will agree with you, and thank you because you express your opinion so much better than I.
Well, the last Monkees song to feature all of them at least for a few decades anyway. But yes, it has the same emotional effect on me as well. I was rather saddened when I figured that Peter was not involved with the album at all, except for Daydream Believer, which had been previously recorded. I also didn't like not seeing his face on the cover of Instant Replay. It just didn't seem right. They still made some good music, but Peter was such a talented musician to lose.
@@hyacinth4368 Thanks, hyacinth. I’m old and retired and have plenty of time on my hands to compose my comments. I’m sure you could do just as well if you had the time to waste like I do. 🙂
@@magneto7930 You know, I just never think about “Justus” and the later canon when commenting here. Probably because I was in my tweens during their heyday (spent all of my lawn-mowing money between ‘66 and ‘70 on Monkees and Beatles albums. Played them to death on my parents’ Curtiss-Mathis stereo console) and so that was my primary era of fandom. By the time they reunited for new material and touring, I was an adult and had moved on to other musical interests. The only one of them I consistently followed later was Nesmith, who I think never quite gets the credit he deserves as one of the founding voices in the country rock genre (overshadowed by The Eagles, Poco, New Riders of the Purple Sage, et al). Nesmith’s “From a Radio Engine to the Photon Wing” is still one of my favorites ( I hope I have that title correct). Anyway, thanks for reminding us that there WERE later Monkees recordings featuring various configurations of the group. RIP Mike, Peter, and David.
@@cedarwaxwing3509 I can't lie, that might be the only thing I remember about the 90s music. Their TV show was a big part of my childhood and of course, their music. So yes, I'm with you there. I do thank God for having been born when I was.
The quintessential Monkees tune! Even though it had been out as a single for quite some time by this point, it was a little odd that they held it over until Birds & Bees, almost as a sure fire way to help sell the album. Still, my childhood memory of them on the cover with the pirate ship from the episode “Hitting The High Sees” which featured Daydream Believer always associated the two. Side Note: Another song from this episode, Peter’s “Tear The Top Right Off My Head” is briefly sung by Peter and Micky and I was always disappointed that it didn’t make it onto this particular album as Peter went virtually absent on it apart from his piano contribution to this song, which again, was already old. If I’m not mistaken I think Peter said he wrote the piano part for this song as there was none on the demo. Could you imagine it without that piano? It’s important to keep in mind what the Monkees themselves brought to an otherwise dull song. Great work as always Septyl!!
John Stewart wrote this, and it's not a Carole King tune. If she wrote this, there would have been a piano part.
Septyl = Legend.
I love this so much there's not a thing to dislike. How can you not like this ?
Love Mike's harmonics @ 5.37
I especially love the two sets of strings : The marvelous climbing strings @ 6.32, and those @ 10.27.
The gorgeous oboe @ 10.34
Davy's awesome vocal 14.19.
Micky's harmony @ 18.07 (it's not pitch perfect either)
And of course that iconic piano part by Peter @8.26.
This fairdinkum bought a tear to my eye. Well done.
Well said!!
Great work on this classic tune! This gives me an extra appreciation for the musicianship of the fellows plus the wonderful multilayered arrangement of strings and horns...thank you so much!
This is an absolute tour de force from Davy. Incredible.
Been waiting for this little gem & well worth the wait. Thank You.
I love to hear Davy sing! He clearly enunciates every word, with that lovely tone he had.
Interesting hearing all the parts that make up a song. 🎶
THIS IS GREAT!!!!!!😂
Intereting to know that BOTH Peter and Chip played piano here. I did notice a few "mistakes" in the piano chords. Is that why Chip was needed as well?
I don't believe it's accurate. Andrew Sandoval does not credit Chip playing anything other than bass on the three main tracking sessions (June 14, August 9 and September 5). @Septyl - if I can ask, what is the source of that credit?
@@jamieewing9250 Thanks. I need that book.
Thanks so much for posting this. Have you ever seen the literal video? One line was, "it's hard to play a guitar through your tie." Could we ever see deconstructions of solo work and DJBH?
@@orangehornet57 Solo deconstructions and DJBH are possible, but I hadn’t planned on doing them. I would like to get through as much of the Monkees’ discography as I can first.
Who is credited with arrangement?
Shorty Rogers
@@septylite 👍👍