Tag: rock

Here and Gone: “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd.” Super Deluxe Edition – The Monkees Fourth Album Finally Gets the Deluxe Treatment It Deserves

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Well, this is a first for this blog.

Not only am I going to discuss a reissue that I only own (currently) in download form but the fact is I can’t actually give you a release date for the physical set as I’m not really sure.

It all started last Friday when I discovered, much to my delight, that the Super Deluxe Edition of The Monkees fourth album “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd.” was showing up unannounced all over the Internet on various streaming and download sites.

Crazy as it sounds it looks like Rhino Records, who own The Monkees catalog, must have jumped the gun releasing the audio of their upcoming Super Deluxe set of the “Pisces” album as it was only available to stream or buy for a few hours then poof it was gone.

The online chatter was ecstatic but confused. Would this set be available in physical form like all the other Monkees Super Deluxe sets? Would this seriously be a download only set?

The set had been online for several hours when I heard about it so I thought I would investigate further.

I didn’t really want to stream the set as if this was only going to be a stream or download situation I would definitely download the whole thing then take my time to give it a good listen.

Funny enough, I saw that the download of the set (over five hours long in fact!) was available on Amazon so I decided to just look and see how expensive the download would be just in case. Of course my Internet connection was a bit lagging as I clicked the purchase options and I couldn’t see if it said buy now or if the price would just pop up so I could see how much they would charge for it.

After a minute or two I clicked away from Amazon thinking I’ll go back later when to my surprise an email popped into my Gmail on my phone saying I had purchased the set as a download!

Since I rarely buy downloads and I own it in this format I thought I may as well give it a good listen and then buy the physical set later if it became available. It’s perfect for the listening in the car so that’s what I’ve been doing.

Just a couple of hours later one by one the “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd.” set disappeared from each and every online site it was posted to so in the end I was glad I accidentally bought it as I’ve had over a week of enjoying the music.

About a day or so after the leak Rhino Records posted the photo above which says 10-02-2025 which is either the pre-order or release date for the set I’m not sure.

I’m all in for the physical copy when I can buy it on Monkees.com where it will be available and I’m guessing that’s the only place you’ll be able to order the physical set like the previous Monkees Super Deluxe boxes.

So today I thought I’d share a few thoughts on the music contained in the set from the download I purchased last Friday. Below I have listed the contents of the entire set so you can see what songs will be on it when it does become available to buy or stream.

(Note: To my knowledge none of the other Monkees Super Deluxe sets have been released to streaming so this is an unusual situation for Rhino to make it more widely available – interesting)

I have to say that after listening to this set for the past week I am floored buy how good it sounds and by how much of the session material Andrew Sandoval, the man who compiled and produced the set for Rhino Records, included in the box.

Both the stereo and mono original mixes of the album from 1967 sound terrific and the new 2025 remixes of the material found on this set really show how good this album was recorded and how much these new remixes bring a fresh presentation to the songs revealing instruments and vocals that weren’t noticeable or were buried in the original mixes.

Of course the highlights of this set for me are the outtakes and session material.

My favorites so far:

The Door Into Summer (Alternate Version) –  The highlight of the set for me. I loved this stripped down early version found here and look forward to reading more about it when the liner notes of the physical set become available. You can hear Micky’s vocal contribution more prominently in this version and while not superior to the finished version it’s still great and fun listen.

Basically all of disc three and four are just a thrill for me. I LOVE all the backing tracks and demos and TV versions included in the set as they really give you a feel for how this record was made. Yes there is repetition in the material but I love all the alternate takes and mixes and to me this is the reason to do a Super Deluxe set like this as this set mainly appeals to hardcore fans of which I happily am.

(Note 2: Apple please take note, this is how I wish The Beatles album sets were put together!)

I particularly love the vocal sessions for “Words”, “Riu Chu” and “Don’t Call on Me”. For the most part of all the group members Micky sounds so young and unfiltered in these sessions which is a real peek inside to how he was around friends in unguarded moments and that’s a real treat to hear. 

Not everyone will enjoy these session glimpses but for me it’s pure gold. 

Overall the “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd.” album is my favorite Monkees record and to hear all of this material in such good sound quality is just a joy to behold.

As of this writing the link to buy the physical set isn’t up yet but I’m counting the days to get the groovy box set full of photos and essays and mini Lp covers and a 45 – I can’t wait.

That’s all for now. Just a quick glimpse into the upcoming release of the Super Deluxe “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd.” 4 CD set. 

Until next time be healthy and well and see you soon!

Disc 1:

1. Salesman (2:37)
2. She Hangs Out (2:58)
3. The Door Into Summer (2:50)
4. Love is Only Sleeping (2:31)
5. Cuddly Toy (2:39)
6. Words (2:52)
7. Hard to Believe (2:36)
8. What Am I Doing Hangin’ ‘Round? (3:09)
9. Peter Percival Patterson’s Pet Pig Porky (0:27)
10. Pleasant Valley Sunday (3:16)
11. Daily Nightly (2:33)
12. Don’t Call On Me (2:52)
13. Star Collector (4:26)
14. Special Announcement (0:37)
15. Goin’ Down (4:23)
16. Salesman (2025 Remix) (3:04)
17. She Hangs Out (2025 Remix) (3:28)
18. The Door Into Summer (Alternate Version) (3:23)
19. Love is Only Sleeping (2025 Alternate Mix) (2:40)
20. Cuddly Toy (2025 Remix) (2:41)
21. Words (2025 Remix) (2:56)
22. Hard to Believe (2025 Remix) (2:40)
23. What Am I Doing Hangin’ ‘Round? (2025 Alternate Mix) (3:21)
24. Pleasant Valley Sunday (2025 Remix) (3:15)
25. Daily Nightly (2025 Remix) (2:36)
26. Don’t Call On Me (Version 2) (2:57)
27. Star Collector (Alternate 1967 Mix) (4:51)
28. Riu Chiu (Alternate Version) (1:10)

Disc 2:

1. Salesman (Mono) (2:28)
2. She Hangs Out (Mono) (3:08)
3. The Door Into Summer (Mono) (2:52)
4. Love is Only Sleeping (Mono) (2:33)
5. Cuddly Toy (Mono) (2:39)
6. Words (Mono) (2:52)
7. Hard to Believe (Mono) (2:36)
8. What Am I Doing Hangin’ ‘Round? (Mono) (3:09)
9. Peter Percival Patterson’s Pet Pig Porky (Mono) (0:27)
10. Pleasant Valley Sunday (Mono) (3:10)
11. Daily Nightly (Mono) (2:32)
12. Don’t Call On Me (Mono) (2:54)
13. Star Collector (Mono) (4:27)
14. Special Announcement (Mono) (0:37)
15. Salesman (Alternate Mono Mix) (2:35)
16. Cuddly Toy (Alternate Mono Mix) (3:02)
17. Don’t Call On Me (Alternate Mono Mix) (2:59)
18. Goin’ Down (Alternate Mono Mix) (4:23)
19. Star Collector (Alternate Mono Mix) (4:51)
20. The Door Into Summer (Alternate Vocal) (2:53)
21. Daily Nightly (Alternate Mono Mix) (2:29)
22. Goin’ Down (Full TV Mix) (4:50)
23. Love is Only Sleeping (Alternate Mono Mix) (2:35)
24. The Door Into Summer (Alternate Mono Mix) (2:54)
25. Goin’ Down (Mono Single Mix) (4:00)
26. Star Collector (Alternate Mono Mix 2) (5:09)

Disc 3:
1. The Story of Rock and Roll (Version Three Backing Track) (3:50)
2. I Don’t Know Yet (Backing Track) (2:38)
3. Cuddly Toy (Backing Track) (2:38)
4. Come On In (Version One Backing Track) (2:22)
5. Come On In (Version Two Backing Track) (2:25)
6. The Door Into Summer (Early Version Backing Track) (3:22)
7. Pleasant Valley Sunday (Backing Track) (3:28)
8. Words (Backing Track) (3:05)
9. Daydream Believer (Backing Track) (3:32)
10. Salesman (Backing Track with Backing Vocals) (3:14)
11. Jam #1 (Backing Track) (1:48)
12. Words (Vocal Session) (8:22)
13. Daily Nightly (Backing Track) (2:32)
14. Love is Only Sleeping (Backing Track with Percussion and Backing Vocals) (2:39)
15. What Am I Doing Hangin’ ‘Round? (Backing Track) (3:19)
16. Don’t Call On Me (Backing Track) (2:27)
17. She Hangs Out (Backing Track) (3:28)
18. Goin’ Down (Backing Track) (4:52)
19. Yours Until Tomorrow (Backing Track) (3:39)
20. The Door Into Summer (Alternate Version Backing Track) (3:33)
21. Can You Dig It “Tentatively” (Instrumental Acoustic Demo) (3:00)
22. Tear the Top Right Off My Head (Instrumental Acoustic Demo) (2:08)
23. Untitled (Instrumental Acoustic Demo) (1:56)
24. A Man Without a Dream (Instrumental Acoustic Demo) (4:16)

Disc 4:
1. Pleasant Valley Sunday (2025 Alternate Vocal Remix) (3:09)
2. Words (Backing Track with Backing Vocals) (3:05)
3. Star Collector (Alternate Mix) (5:07)
4. Jam #2 (Backing Track) (2:12)
5. She Hangs Out (Alternate Mix) (3:28)
6. Daydream Believer (2025 Remix) (3:32)
7. A Man Without a Dream (Instrumental Piano Demo) (3:39)
8. Hard to Believe (Backing Track) (2:42)
9. Cuddly Toy (TV Mix) (2:36)
10. Love is Only Sleeping (TV Mix) (2:28)
11. Goin’ Down (TV Version) (3:58)
12. Star Collector (TV Mix) (2:44)
13. What Am I Doing Hangin’ ‘Round? (TV Mix) (3:13)
14. Daydream Believer (TV Mix) (2:43)
15. She Hangs Out (TV Mix) (2:43)
16. Riu Chiu (TV Version) (1:33)
17. Salesman (2025 Remix with Sales Rap) (3:06)
18. Riu Chiu (Alternate Version 2) (1:36)
19. Daily Nightly (Alternate Mix) (2:30)
20. Riu Chu (Session) (4:53)
21. Riu Chiu (Alternate Take) (1:43)
22. Don’t Call On Me (Chatter Session) (9:33)
23. Special Announcement (Session) (2:26)
24. Star Collector (Alternate 1967 Stereo Mix) (4:56)

Happy Birthday Sir Paul! – Paul McCartney’s Columbia Records Output Part 2: Reissue Vinyl

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Happy Birthday Sir Paul!

Eighty-three years ago today, Paul McCartney came into the world in Liverpool, England and to celebrate I thought it might be fun to take a look at my copies of his Columbia Records output on vinyl.

Several blogs ago I took a look at his CBS CD’s that I own but recently I’ve stumbled upon a few really cheap pressings of his CBS vinyl so I thought it was time to share what I found and what I own from McCartney’s short tenure on the Columbia label – specifically reissues of his Apple/Capitol albums and not new recordings.

For me, sharing McCartney’s recorded output is the best way to celebrate his life so what better way than on his birthday to delve into his Columbia Records pressings and post some photos here as you rarely see them online.

For those who don’t know, Paul McCartney was signed to Columbia Records exclusively for the North American market from 1979 to 1984.

Not only did he release new albums on Columbia (“Back to the Egg”, “McCartney II”, “The McCartney Interview” (not a studio album, it contained interviews), “Tug of War”, “Pipes of Peace” and “Give My Regards to Broad Street”) he also released his eight of his albums that originally came out on Apple/Capitol Records from 1970 to 1977.

The Apple/Capitol albums he reissued on Columbia include: “McCartney”, “Ram”, “Wild Life”, “Red Rose Speedway”, “Band on the Run”, “Venus and Mars”, “Wings at the Speed of Sound” and the triple Lp set “Wings Over America”.

The initial Columbia issues of McCartney’s Apple/Capitol albums that had goodies like booklets and posters and special labels (“Red Rose Speedway”, “Band on the Run”, “Venus and Mars” and “Wings at the Speed of Sound”) were issued exactly as the originals but were then replaced a couple of years later with copies with just the basic red Columbia label and no frills.

One exception is the “Wings Over America” triple album that was reissued in 1984 shortly before McCartney went back to Capitol in North America and it was issued just like the original issue but without the poster.

I own Columbia issues of the “Venus and Mars” album both with the posters and stickers and the issue with the same fold out cover but no extras (see photos below).

I believe the Columbia reissues of McCartney’s Apple/Capitol albums first started appearing around 1980/81 and continued until that last Columbia reissue of the “Wings Over America” album in 1984.

I have to say that while it’s not common to find the Columbia albums they aren’t too terribly hard to find out in the wild except for maybe the “Wings Over America” set which I’ve only seen once and bought.

Weirdly enough I’ve just recently come across two different Columbia pressings of the “Wild Life” album (one a promo copy and one a pressing from Canada) so the Columbia pressings do turn up unexpectedly from time to time. They must have sold relatively well especially “Band on the Run” and “Venus and Mars” which are the ones I see the most.

One thing I can say for sure is that these Columbia pressings of McCartney’s albums sound very good, and in some cases, excellent. I found the Columbia pressings of “Band on the Run” and “Ram” to sound the best of the Columbia issues but the others aren’t far behind.

All of the Columbia pressings I own are in excellent shape with quiet vinyl and are a joy to listen to compared to some of my Apple/Capitol pressings which are a bit more worn.

Well, that’s all for now. There are a ton of photos above and below of my Columbia pressings so feast your eyes if you’ve never seen them.

Again, Happy Birthday Sir Paul and may you have many more!

Until next time be happy, healthy and well and see you soon.

Tonight at 7:30 on NBC-TV: “Monkees in the Shrink” and “Mismatched Monkees” Brought to You By Kellogg’s

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I’m back and not as long a wait as last time!

Today I thought I’d take a look at some fun Monkee finds that I’ve happened to find in the last five months or so throughout my antique travels. It’s been a fruitful time for Monkees scores for me so I hope that the rest of 2025 keeps up the pace.

But before I go full tilt into today’s post I just have to give some background on my lifelong search for Monkees records.

As I’ve said before, back in the dark ages – from 1972 to say oh 1985 – it was a hard task finding used Monkees records at least in my neck of the woods. In that long ago era The Monkees were seen as so uncool and disposable that there just wasn’t much of a demand for their used records I guess.

At least I rarely found them and if I did it was at garage sales and you usually found the first three albums and they almost always looked as if they’d been used as frisbees – barely playable that’s for sure.

Fast forward a few decades or so and I have to say that I am so surprised to find plenty of used Monkees albums and many of them still in the shrink – and often fairly cheap!

Case in point – this blog post.

Of course I’ve also found some really offbeat mismatched records too and those have been fun as well.

So let’s get started.

I named this blog as if they were two lost Monkees episodes from the 1960s – “Monkees in the Shrink” and “Mismatched Monkees” – just for a bit of fun.

“Monkees in the Shrink”:

This first section is in honor of all the groovy Colgems Monkees albums I’ve found lately still with their shrink wrap intact. Some still have price tags (I love it when they still have the price!) and two of them looked as if they had never been played at all and if they were it was very light as there are no spindle marks on their labels at all.

So what did I find? Here’s the list:

“The Monkees” in both mono and stereo both RE pressings, “More of the Monkees” stereo RE pressing with the later Colgems label on the rear panel, “Headquarters” stereo first pressing, “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones, Ltd.” stereo first pressing and a first stereo pressing of The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees”.

The crazy thing is I paid under $10 for all of them except for “More of the Monkees” which was $20, a fair price considering it’s about as near mint as you can get.

The other thing that amazed me was just how good most of these records sound. Two of them – “More of the Monkees” and “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones, Ltd.” – are the two best sounding stereo pressings of these albums I own and I own quite a few.

Both of them are in pristine shape but neither of them had any sibilance issues that plague many Colgems pressings and the copy of “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones, Ltd.” in particular is what I would call a hot pressing as it just jumps out the speakers with a force and clarity that my other issues of this album lack.

If there are any Monkeefiles out there check the matrix numbers on any used copies of this album you find and if you see these (Side 1 – UZRS-9729 6S, Side 2 – UZRS-9730 6S) grab it because it’s one majorly dynamic pressing.

That’s not to say the other pressings don’t sound great, they do (well, okay this copy of The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees is a little worn and has some sibilance issues) it’s just those two I just mentioned sounded so outstanding it really surprised me.

“Mismatched Monkees”

Now here is the section of some odd finds. To top the list I found the cover for the 1969 album “Present” but inside it had both discs for the 1971 Colgems compilation Barrel Full of Monkees.

Luckily both discs were in VG shape and played amazingly well. This pressing is one of the early 70s flexi type thin vinyl issues but I was surprised at just how good they sounded. It was a little dirty but after a good cleaning it played just fine and with much more bass and detail then I was expecting.

And the best part it was in the dollar bin so that made it too hard to resist so I bought it.

In that same store I also found a somewhat dirty copy of the 1968 single “D. W. Washburn/It’s Nice to Be with You” with the “D. W. Washburn” label on both sides. Very cool oddity and again after a good cleaning this 45 sounds amazing. I am impressed that Colgems 45s in most cases play great even if they look terrible.

Another cheap find at that same store was a stereo copy of “The Monkees” stuck inside a really lovely mono cover. It was only $2 so I thought I’d get it just for the cover as the record looked a bit loved but again after cleaning the album it sounded so good that I decided to keep it.

(Btw, this stereo copy of “The Monkees” has a matrix that ends in 10S for Side 1 and 5S for Side 2 – for any Monkee nerds out there)

Of course I may need some therapy as I own several copies of this album but what the hey, right?

Well, that’s my latest Monkees finds for today. As usual you can see plenty of photos of these gems above and below and I also listed the matrix numbers below in case anyone was curious.

Until next time be healthy and well and happy spring and happy record hunting if you’re so inclined!

Matrix guide for the albums above:

Barrel Full of Monkees:
Side 1 – ZZRS-6425 3S
Side 4 – ZZRS-6426 3S
Side 2 – ZZRS-6427 4S
Side 3 – ZZRS-6428 3S

Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones, Ltd (Stereo):
Side 1 – UZRS-9729 6S
Side 2 – UZRS-9730 6S

The Monkees (Mono RE):
Side 1 – TZRM-4687 9S
Side 2 – TZRM-4688 15S

The Monkees (Stereo RE):
Side 1 – TZRS-4689 2S
Side 2 – TZRS-4690 5S

More of the Monkees (Stereo RE):
Side 1 – TZRS-8693 20S
Side 2 – TZRS-8694 12S

Headquarters (Stereo):
Side 1 – UZRS-8397 12S
Side 2 – UZRS-8398 12S

The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees (Stereo):
Side 1 – WZRS-3519 5S
Side 2 – WZRS-3520 5S

A Pile of Partridge 2025 – Come on, Get Happy!

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Well I’m back after a long absence of a couple months or so. Since it was winter and dreary I really wasn’t in the mood to do much so I took a bit of an extended break.

Luckily in the last three weeks or so I’ve had a chance to search antique and record stores far and wide and have found three particularly wonderful finds.

It just so happens that they all are fairly rare Partridge Family finds, two of which I never found in the wild, and all three in lovely minty condition!

Here’s what I found:

* “The World of The Partridge Family” – this is probably the rarest of The Partridge Family albums. It’s a two record set released in 1974 at the end of the television series. Not only did it look unplayed but was in the shrink wrap with a hype sticker!

* “The Partridge Family At Home with Their Greatest Hits” – this particular pressing I didn’t even know existed. I searched online after I found it and was surprised to learn that Arista records must have released this in the ’80s sometime. Another stone mint record that actually sounds better than the Bell Records pressing from 1972.

* “The Partridge Family Album” – this is a pressing of their first album from the UK. I have another copy of this UK pressing but it’s fairly beat up so I was glad to find that this one doesn’t look like it’s ever been played, truly near mint condition.

How do they sound you ask?

Well I have to say I was pleasantly surprised that all three of these albums sound superb. The biggest surprise of all of them was “The World of The Partridge Family” which is probably the best sounding Partridge Family vinyl I own.

Not only was the two-disc set mint but this pressing is truly wonderful with super quiet vinyl (a rarity for Bell Records from the 1970s I assure you) and very dynamic with a lot of bass and a clarity that isn’t present on most Partridge Family Bell Records pressings.

Original Partridge Family albums are notoriously hit or miss sound wise but this set just shines and may be my favorite sounding Partridge Family album – truly superb from start to finish and a nice song selection to boot.

The Arista pressing of “The Partridge Family At Home with Their Greatest Hits” was also surprising as it bests the original 1972 pressing though it’s not quite as dynamic sounding as “The World of The Partridge Family”. Lovely to have and another great listen. Odd to see the Arista label on a Partridge Family vinyl release but nice.

I guess the biggest surprise was how great the UK pressing of “The Partridge Family Album” sounds! UK pressings of Partridge Family albums were most likely made from a tape a generation away from the ones that made their first US pressings but this particular first UK pressing is dynamic sounding with a lot of nice bass and a truly wonderful quality pressing that was silent and very warm sounding. 

I have to say of all the pressings I own of this album this may be my favorite. I have other UK pressings of Partridge Family albums that don’t sound nearly this good.

The other wonderful thing about these albums is that all three of them were each under $5. Yes, you heard right, $15 for the three of them!!! I found them at an obscure antique mall that weirdly enough had a lot of foreign pressings and oddities.

I’m guessing that most people don’t think that Partridge Family albums have much value but “The World of The Partridge Family”  is especially tough to locate and on top of that near impossible to find still with the shrink wrap with a hype sticker and in near mint condition. This album didn’t particularly sell well at the time so they aren’t as plentiful as their regular albums which are fairly easy to locate.

And again I never even knew the Arista pressing of “The Partridge Family At Home with Their Greatest Hits” even existed so I was ecstatic to find it. I’m guessing this was reissued sometime in the 1980s but I don’t know the exact date or how long it was available. I have never seen one before but online I do see that it is out there but I’m guessing it’s fairly rare.

I can honestly say that all three of these albums are probably my favorite Partridge Family find ever while antiquing. Cheap, rare and wonderful – which is the best way to find them.

A great way to start 2025, collecting wise at least.

Well that’s all for now. I have a few other finds I’m going to be posting shortly so I just wanted to add this to the list of truly wonderful record discoveries found in some out of the way and obscure places.

Until next time I hope everything is well in your world and hopefully we’ll all be able to survive 2025 intact LOL.

See you soon!