The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees is the fifth studio album by The Monkees

The Monkees

The Monkees are an American pop rock group. Assembled in Los Angeles in 1966 by Robert "Bob" Rafelson and Bert Schneider for the American television series The Monkees, which aired from 1966 to 1968, the musical acting quartet was composed of Americans Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork,...

 released in April 1968. The first Monkees album not to reach Billboard's number one, instead charting at number three and eventually selling over a million copies.

History

The year 1968 brought mixed returns for The Monkees. Their television series was canceled more or less at their own request (as the four Monkees now desired a variety show format, which NBC rejected); their first motion picture project, Head

Head (film)

Head is a 1968 psychedelic comedy-adventure major motion picture, starring TV group The Monkees , and distributed by Columbia Pictures...

, failed at the box office; and in December, Peter Tork

Peter Tork

Peter Tork is an American musician and actor, best known as a member of The Monkees.-Early life:Tork was born Peter Halsten Thorkelson in Washington, D.C.. Although he was born in 1942, many news articles report him as born in 1944 in New York City as this was the date and place given on early...

 left the group. However, earlier in the year, The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees proved to be another successful album, yielding the group's sixth million-selling single in "Valleri

Valleri

"Valleri" is a song written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart for The Monkees, who had a #3 on Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on Cash Box with it in early 1968...

" and yet another number one in "Daydream Believer

Daydream Believer

"Daydream Believer" is a song composed by John Stewart shortly before he left the Kingston Trio. The song was originally recorded by The Monkees, with Davy Jones singing lead vocals. The single hit the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1967, remaining there for four...

", a bittersweet pop song from the pen of former Kingston Trio member John Stewart. Perhaps no other two tracks define Davy Jones

Davy Jones (actor)

David Thomas "Davy" Jones is an English rock singer-songwriter and actor best known as a member of the Monkees.-Early life:...

 as a pop music singer more than these two hits. (Ironically, both songs were holdovers from previous albums: "Valleri" had originally been produced more than a year ago for the TV show — the version on this album is a new production — and "Daydream Believer" was a holdover from their most recent album.)

After gaining complete artistic control over their musical direction and finally being allowed to play instruments on their own records in early 1967, the monumental success of Headquarters

Headquarters (album)

HeadquartersThe sleeve and record both render the title as The Monkees' Headquarters. was the third album issued by The Monkees and the first written and recorded primarily by the four members of the group, rather than by session musicians and professional songwriters...

and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. began to somewhat rebuff the critics who propagated that The Monkees was a band of talentless individuals who were simply lucky enough to gain recognition through their "manufactured" origins.

The desire and focus, however, to remain as a complete band unit in the studio quickly evaporated after the Pisces album, when, much to the dismay of Tork, each individual band member began to produce his own sessions with his own selected studio musicians, often at entirely different studios around the Los Angeles area. An agreement was made to label all finished efforts as "Produced by The Monkees," but in reality, beyond a few exceptions, most of the recordings featured on The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees revert back to the recording process of the first two albums — less group dynamics — except now each band member was fully in charge of the sessions. Chip Douglas

Chip Douglas

Douglas Farthing Walter Hatlelid, better known as Chip Douglas, is a songwriter, musician , and record producer, whose most famous work was during the 1960s...

, producer of The Monkees' previous two albums, fully expected to continue as the band's representative in the studio, but found the individual Monkees more interested in exploring their diverse musical backgrounds with their own friends rather than relying on Douglas as the central figure.

Those diverse backgrounds, while making for an interesting mix of styles and sounds on Monkees albums, most likely also contributed to the downfall of The Monkees as a self-contained studio band. Four different musical outlooks resulted in less and less harmony in the recording process after Headquarters, and the results of that fracture are found on this album. Jones' Broadway rock, Michael Nesmith

Michael Nesmith

Robert Michael Nesmith is an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist, businessman, and philanthropist, best known as a member of the musical group The Monkees and star of the TV series of the same name...

's country and western leanings (and psychedelic experimental songs), and the rock and soul of Micky Dolenz

Micky Dolenz

George Michael "Micky" Dolenz, Jr. is an American actor, musician, television director, radio personality and theater director, best known as a member of the 1960s made-for-television band The Monkees.-Biography:...

 meshed together uneasily. Unfortunately for Tork, even though several of his compositions were considered for release on Birds, his participation is almost zero on this album; he appears only playing piano on "Daydream Believer." He spent the rest of his Monkees tenure struggling to find his footing in the studio now that the band was no longer working organically.

Despite all the intrigue surrounding the sessions that produced The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees, several songs stand out as some of their finest recorded work. "Tapioca Tundra", a wildly experimental piece of poetry put to music by Nesmith, charted surprisingly well as the B-side to "Valleri" at #34, perhaps the strangest song to hit American top 40 radio ever . "Auntie's Municipal Court", another Nesmith composition, featured an excellent double lead vocal by Dolenz and Nesmith, and "Zor and Zam" boasts some of the best Dolenz vocals ever recorded. Veteran Monkees tunesmiths Boyce and Hart

Boyce and Hart

Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart were a prolific songwriting duo, best known for the songs they wrote for The Monkees.-Early years:Hart's father was a church minister and he himself served in the Army after leaving high school, Upon discharge,...

 contribute another classic to the proceedings in the psychedelic "P.O. Box 9847", while Jones submits perhaps his finest composition to date in the orchestral "Dream World".

For record collectors and diehard Monkees fans, the extremely rare U.S. mono album (COM-109), released in a limited quantity as mono albums were being phased out by 1968, has become a highly-sought item for its unique mixes that differ from the common stereo versions (most notably on "Auntie's Municipal Court"). Most foreign mono copies feature the stereo mixes reduced to one channel.

In January 2010, Rhino Records' Rhino Handmade website announced that they would be releasing a 3-CD boxed set reissue of the album. It was released on February 8, 2010 and is available exclusively online via rhino.com. The set is housed in a 7 inch by 7 inch box with a a 3D

Three-dimensional space

Three-dimensional space is a geometric 3-parameters model of the physical universe in which we live. These three dimensions are commonly called length, width, and depth , although any three directions can be chosen, provided that they do not lie in the same plane.In physics and mathematics, a...

 lenticular

Lenticular printing

Lenticular printing is a technology in which a lenticular lens is used to produce images with an illusion of depth, or the ability to change or move as the image is viewed from different angles...

 cover. It contains the original stereo and U.S. mono versions of the album in miniature vinyl replica sleeves, over 60 demos, rehearsals and outtakes from the original album's sessions, a commemorative pin and a booklet of essays and session information by Monkees historian Andrew Sandoval

Andrew Sandoval

Born in Santa Monica, California Andrew P. Sandoval is a songwriter, musician, author and Grammy nominated producer and engineer. His career in music began in 1986 as the editor and publisher of a fanzine called "New Breed", a project that blossomed into work as a reissue producer for such labels...

. The first 1,000 orders include a bonus vinyl single featuring two more unreleased tracks, acoustic versions of "St. Matthew" and "Lady's Baby".

Side 1

1. "Dream World" (David Jones/Steve Pitts)
2. "Auntie’s Municipal Court" (Michael Nesmith/Keith Allison)
3. "We Were Made for Each Other" (Carole Bayer
   Carole Bayer Sager
   Carole Bayer Sager is an American lyricist, songwriter, singer, and painter.-Introduction:Born in New York City, Sager graduated from New York University, where she majored in English, dramatic arts and speech...
   
   /George Fischoff)
4. "Tapioca Tundra" (Michael Nesmith)
5. "Daydream Believer
   Daydream Believer
   "Daydream Believer" is a song composed by John Stewart shortly before he left the Kingston Trio. The song was originally recorded by The Monkees, with Davy Jones singing lead vocals. The single hit the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1967, remaining there for four...
   
   " (John Stewart)
6. "Writing Wrongs" (Michael Nesmith)

Side 2

1. "I'll Be Back Up On My Feet
   I'll Be Back Up On My Feet
   "I'll Be Back Up on My Feet" is a song by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell, which was recorded by The Monkees during the 1960s.The first Monkees version of the song was recorded on October 26, 1966, during the period when the band did not perform their own instruments as much on their recordings...
   
   " (Sandy Linzer/Denny Randell
   Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell
   Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell are American songwriters who wrote numerous pop and rock songs in the 1960s and 1970s, generally working together and with Bob Crewe...
   
   )
2. "The Poster" (David Jones/Steve Pitts)
3. "P.O. Box 9847" (Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart)
4. "Magnolia Simms" (Michael Nesmith/Charles Rockett)
5. "Valleri
   Valleri
   "Valleri" is a song written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart for The Monkees, who had a #3 on Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on Cash Box with it in early 1968...
   
   " (Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart) (This version fades out, compared to the versions on the compilations)
6. "Zor and Zam" (Bill Chadwick/John Chadwick)

1994 Rhino reissue CD bonus tracks

13. "Alvin" (Previously Unissued) (Nicholas Thorkelson)
14. "I’m Gonna Try" (Previously Unissued) (David Jones/Steve Pitts)
15. "P.O. Box 9847" (Previously Unissued Alternate Mix) (Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart)
16. "The Girl I Left Behind Me" (Previously Unissued Early Version) (Neil Sedaka/Carole Bayer)
17. "Lady’s Baby" (Previously Unissued Alternate Mix) (Peter Tork)

Aborted track listing

The original track line up for the album, compiled on March 9, 1968, included the following songs:

Side 1

1. "Through The Looking Glass" (Early Mix) (Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart)
2. "We Were Made for Each Other"
3. "Writing Wrongs"
4. "I'll Be Back Upon My Feet"
5. "Valleri"
6. "Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again" (Peter Tork)

Side 2

1. "Dream World"
2. "P.O. Box 9847"
3. "Tapioca Tundra"
4. "The Poster"
5. "Alvin"
6. "Daydream Believer"
7. "Zor And Zam
   Zor and Zam
   Zor and Zam is a song written by Bill and John Chadwick and recorded by The Monkees for their 1968 album The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees; it was also featured in an episode of the band's popular television series. The song involves the preparations for a war between two monarchs of rival...
   
   "

2010 Rhino Handmade boxed set

Disc One

Tracks 1-12: Original Album in Stereo

Tracks 13-27: Bonus Tracks

13. "Through the Looking Glass" (1968 Stereo Mix) (Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart)
14. "Long Title: Do I Have to Do This All Over Again?" (Alternate Mix) (Peter Tork)
15. "D.W. Washburn" (1968 Stereo Mix) (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
16. "It's Nice to Be With You" (1968 Stereo Mix) (Jerry Goldstein)
17. "Carlisle Wheeling" (1967 Stereo Mix) (Michael Nesmith)
18. "Rosemarie" (1968 Stereo Mix) (Micky Dolenz)
19. "My Share of the Sidewalk" (1968 Stereo Mix) (Michael Nesmith)
20. "Alvin" (Alternate Take) (Nicholas Thorkelson)
21. "We Were Made for Each Other" (Alternate Backing Track) (George Fischoff/Carole Bayer Sager)
22. "The Girl I Left Behind Me" (1967 Stereo Mix) (Carole Bayer Sager/Neil Sedaka)
23. "Little Red Rider" (Acoustic Version) (Michael Nesmith)
24. "Lady's Baby" (1968 Stereo Mix) (Peter Tork)
25. "Ceiling in My Room" (1967 Stereo Mix) (Don DeMieri/Robert Dick/David Jones)
26. "I'm a Man" (Backing Track)
27. "Me Without You" (1968 Stereo Mix) (Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart)

Disc Two

Tracks 1-12: Original Album in Mono

Tracks 13-30: Bonus Tracks

13. "Alvin" (1968 Mono Mix)
14. "While I Cry" (1968 Mono Mix) (Michael Nesmith)
15. "D.W. Washburn" (Mono Single Mix)
16. "It's Nice to Be With You" (Mono Single Mix)
17. "Come On In" (1968 Mono Mix) (Jo Mapes)
18. "Carlisle Wheeling" (1968 Mono Mix)
19. "Rosemarie" (1968 Mono Mix)
20. "The Girl I Left Behind Me" (1967 Mono Mix)
21. "Seeger's Theme" (Alternate Version) (Pete Seeger)
22. "Tear the Top Right Off My Head" (Micky's Vocal) (Peter Tork)
23. "My Share of the Sidewalk" (1968 Mono Mix)
24. "Lady's Baby" (1968 Mono Mix)
25. "Ceiling in My Room" (1968 Mono Mix)
26. "Merry Go Round" (1968 Mono Mix) (Peter Tork)
27. "Don't Listen to Linda" (1968 Mono Mix) (Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart)
28. "Me Without You" (1968 Mono Mix)
29. "Zor and Zam" (TV Version)
30. "The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees Teen Radio Spot"

Disc Three - The Birds, The Bees & The Raritees

1. "Monkees Adult Stereo 8 Spot"
2. "Tear The Top Right Off My Head" (Peter's Vocal)
3. "Auntie's Municipal Court" (Mike's Vocal)
4. "P.O. Box 9847" (1968 Alternate Stereo Mix)
5. "War Games" (Version One) (Davy Jones/Steve Pitts)
6. "Lady's Baby" (Acoustic Version)
7. "Tapioca Tundra" (1967 Alternate Stereo Mix)
8. "D.W. Washburn" (Alternate Mix With Bass Vocal)
9. "Nine Times Blue" (Version Two - Davy's Vocal) (Michael Nesmith)
10. "Lady's Baby" (Acoustic Version)
11. "While I Cry" (Alternate Mono Mix)
12. "Shorty Blackwell" (Rehearsal) (Micky Dolenz)
13. "Laurel And Hardy"
14. "Seeger's Theme" (Acoustic Version)
15. "Tapioca Tundra" (Acoustic Version)
16. "Don't Say Nothin' Bad (About My Baby)"
17. "War Games" (Version Two)
18. "(I Prithee) Do Not Ask for Love" (Second Recorded Version) (Michael Martin Murphey)
19. "My Share of the Sidewalk" (Mike's Vocal Version)
20. "Shake 'Em Up and Let 'Em Roll" (Alternate Vocal Version) (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
21. "Changes" (2009 Mix) (David Jones/Steve Pitts)
22. "Merry Go Round" (Version One)
23. "Magnolia Simms" (Acoustic Version)
24. "I'm Gonna Try" (David Jones/Steve Pitts)
25. "Seeger's Theme" (Electric Version)
26. "Magnolia Simms" (Stereo Remix)
27. "The Girl I Left Behind Me" (Third Recorded Version)
28. "Merry Go Round" (Third Recorded Version)
29. "Nine Times Blue" (Version Two - Mike's Vocal)
30. "The Party" (2009 Mix) (David Jones/Steve Pitts)
31. "I Wasn't Born to Follow" (Backing Track)

Session information

Dream World

• Lead Vocal: Davy Jones
• Guitar: Michael Deasy, Al Hendrickson, Gerry McGee
• Piano: Don Randi
• Bass: Max Bennett
  Max Bennett (musician)
  Max Bennett is an American jazz bassist and session musician.Bennett grew up in Kansas City and Oskaloosa, Iowa, and went to college in Iowa. His first professional gig was with Herbie Fields in 1949, and following this he played with Georgie Auld, Terry Gibbs, and Charlie Ventura...
  
  
• Drums: Earl Palmer
  Earl Palmer
  Earl Cyril Palmer was an American rock & roll and rhythm and blues drummer, and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame....
  
  
• Percussion: Brendan Cahill, Teresa Helfer, Milt Holland
  Milt Holland
  Milt Holland was an American drummer, percussionist, ethnic musicologist, and writer in the Los Angeles music scene who pioneered the use of African, South American, and Indian percussion styles in jazz, pop and film music, traveling extensively on those continents to collect instruments and to...
  
  , Jerry Williams
• Violin: Sam Freed, Nathan Kaproff, Martin Limonick, Alexander Murray, Erno Neufeld
• Cello: Marie Feram, Edgar Lustgarten, Jacquelyn Lustgarten, Fredrick Seykora
• Trumpet: Buddy Childers, Jack Shelton
• Trombone: George Roberts
• Horns: John Cave, Don Duke, Arthur Maebe
• Arrangement: Shorty Rogers
  Shorty Rogers
  Milton “Shorty” Rogers , born Milton Rajonsky in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, was one of the principal creators of West Coast jazz. He played both the trumpet and flugelhorn, and was in demand for his skills as an arranger. Rogers worked first as a professional musician with Will Bradley and...
  
  
• Recorded at Western Recorders Studio 2, Hollywood, 6 February 1968 and RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, 8 February 1968

Auntie’s Municipal Court

• Lead Vocals: Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith
• Guitar: Mike Nesmith, Keith Allison, Bill Chadwick
• Keyboards: Harry Nilsson
  Harry Nilsson
  Harry Edward Nilsson III was an American singer-songwriter who achieved the peak of his commercial success in the early 1970s. On all but his earliest recordings he is credited as Nilsson...
  
  
• Bass: Richard Dey
• Drums: Eddie Hoh
• Other personnel unknown
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, 6 January, 15, and 16, 1968
• The mono mix puts more emphasis on the guitar accompaniment.

We Were Made for Each Other

• Lead Vocal: Davy Jones
• Guitar: James Burton
  James Burton
  James Burton is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 , Burton has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame...
  
  , Michael Deasy, Al Hendrickson, Gerry McGee
• Piano: Michael Melvoin
• Bass: Max Bennett
• Drums: Earl Palmer
• Percussion: Brendan Cahill, Milt Holland, Jerry Williams
• Violin: Sam Freed, Nathan Kaproff, George Kast, Marvin Limonick, Alexander Murray, Erno Neufeld
• Cello: Maria Fera, Jacquelyn Lustgarten, Kurt Reher, Eleanor Slatkin
• Trumpet: Buddy Childers, Jack Shelton
• Trombone: Lewis McCreary
• Horn: Vincent DeRosa, David Duke, Richard Preissi
• Arrangement: Shorty Rogers
• Intended for Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.

Tapioca Tundra

• Lead Vocal, Whistling, Percussion, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar: Mike Nesmith
• Drums: Eddie Hoh
• Other Personnel Unknown
• Lyrics are from a poem Nesmith wrote prior to composing the music
• Recorded 11 November 1967

Daydream Believer

• Lead and Backing Vocal: Davy Jones
• Harmony Vocal: Micky Dolenz
• Electric Guitar: Mike Nesmith
• Piano: Peter Tork
• Bass, Percussion: Chip Douglas
  Chip Douglas
  Douglas Farthing Walter Hatlelid, better known as Chip Douglas, is a songwriter, musician , and record producer, whose most famous work was during the 1960s...
  
  
• Drums: Eddie Hoh
• Percussion: Bill Martin
  Bill Martin
  Bill Martin is a Scottish songwriter, music publisher and impresario.-Biography:...
  
  
• Violin: Nathan Kaproff, George Kast, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld
• Trumpet: Pete Candoli, Al Porcino, Manuel Stevens
• Trombone: Richard Noel
• Bass trombone: Richard Leith, Philip Teele
• Arrangement: Shorty Rogers
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, June 14 and August 9, 1967
• Issued as a single on Colgems #1012, 25 October 1967, reaching number one
• Only song on Birds featuring all members of the band, and the only song featuring Tork at all
• Replaced "Love is Only Sleeping" as a single
• Used in the episodes "Art, For Monkees' Sale", "Monkees Marooned", and "Hitting the High Seas"

Writing Wrongs

• Lead Vocal, Piano, Electric guitar, Organ: Mike Nesmith
• Bass: Richard Dey
• Drums, percussion: Eddie Hoh
• Other Personnel Unknown
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, 3 December 1967
• Final product is two takes spliced together

I'll Be Back Up On My Feet

I'll Be Back Up On My Feet

"I'll Be Back Up on My Feet" is a song by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell, which was recorded by The Monkees during the 1960s.The first Monkees version of the song was recorded on October 26, 1966, during the period when the band did not perform their own instruments as much on their recordings...

• Lead and Backing Vocal: Micky Dolenz
• Guitar: Al Casey, Michael Deasy, Dennis Budimir
• Harpsichord: Michael Melvoin
• Bass: Max Bennett
• Drums: Earl Palmer
• Percussion: Brendan Cahill, Milt Holland, Stan Levy
• Sax: William Hood
• Trumpet: Buddy Childers, Oliver Mitchell
• Trombone: Louis Blackburn, Lew McCreary
• Arrangement: Shorty Rogers
• Intended for More of The Monkees
  More of The Monkees
  More of The Monkees is the second full-length album by The Monkees. It was recorded in late 1966 and released on Colgems label #102 on January 9, 1967. It was number one on the Billboard 200 for 18 weeks—the longest of any Monkees album. It also went to number one in the UK. In the U.S...
  
  , then again for Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, 9 March and 14 March 1968
• The original version of this song was used in the episodes "Dance, Monkee, Dance" and "Monkees in the Ring"

The Poster

• Lead and Backing Vocal: Davy Jones
• Guitar: Al Casey, Michael Deasy, Howard Roberts
• Piano: Don Randi
• Bass: Max Bennett, Lyle Ritz
• Drums: Hal Blaine
  Hal Blaine
  Hal Blaine is an American drummer and session musician. He is most known for his work with the Wrecking Crew in California. Blaine played on numerous hits by popular groups, including Elvis Presley, John Denver, the Ronettes, Simon & Garfunkel, the Carpenters, the Beach Boys, Nancy Sinatra, and...
  
  
• Percussion: Gary Coleman, Gene Estes
• Trumpet: Buddy Childers, Clyde Reasinger, Jack Shelton, Anthony Terran
• Trombone: Milt Bernhart, Richard Leith, Lew McCreary, Frank Rosolino
• Sax: John Lowe
• Violin: Nathan Kaproff, George Kast, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld, Ambrose Russo
• Arrangement: Shorty Rogers
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, 15 and 17 February 1968

P.O. Box 9847

• Lead Vocal: Micky Dolenz
• Guitar: Gerry McGee, Louie Shelton
• Bass: Joe Osborn
  Joe Osborn
  Joe Osborn is an American bass guitar virtuoso, notable for his work as a session musician in Los Angeles and Nashville during the period from the 1960s through the 1980s. Osborn's work is widely admired by fellow musicians.Osborn began his career working in local clubs, then played on a hit...
  
  
• Tack Piano: Bobby Hart
• Drums, Percussion: Billy Lewis
• Violin: Victor Arno, Jack Pepper
• Viola: Philip Goldberg
• Cello: Raymond Kelley
• Arrangement: Don McGinnis
• Inspired by an idea by Bob Rafelson

Magnolia Simms

• Lead Vocal, Guitar: Mike Nesmith
• Tack Piano: Paul T. Smith
• Bass: Max Bennett
• Drums: Earl Palmer
• Trumpet: Oliver Mitchell
• Trombone: Lew McCreary
• Woodwinds: Jim Horn and Jack Nimitz
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, 2 December 1967
• Recorded as a low-fi song with deliberate surface noise and skipping as if it came from a 78 RPM record. On the stereo mix, this track is heard only on the left channel.

Valleri

Valleri

"Valleri" is a song written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart for The Monkees, who had a #3 on Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on Cash Box with it in early 1968...

• Lead Vocal: Davy Jones
• Guitar: Gerry McGee, Louie Shelton
• Bass: Joe Osborne
• Drums, Tambourine: Billy Lewis
• Sax: Jim Horn, Jay Migliori
• Trumpets: Ollie Mitchell, Roy Caton
• Trombone: Lew McCreary
• Arrangement: Don McGinnis
• Recorded at United Recorders, Hollywood, 26 December and 28, 1967
• Issued as a single as Colgems #1019, March 2, 1968, reaching number three
• Second time the band recorded it, with the same personnel; the remake was so the Monkees could take production credit
• Colgems chief Lester Sill
  Lester Sill
  Lester Sill was an American record label executive, best remembered as Phil Spector's partner in Philles Records , and also as the head of both Colpix Records and the later Colgems Records...
  
   rejected the first mix, saying it needed "more punch", and had a brass section overdubbed
• This version was used for the episode "Monkee's Blow Their Minds" with the fade-out dropped (a factor which would later be used on compilations).
• The original version of the song was used in the episodes "Captain Crocodile" and "Monkees in Manhattan".

Zor and Zam

Zor and Zam

Zor and Zam is a song written by Bill and John Chadwick and recorded by The Monkees for their 1968 album The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees; it was also featured in an episode of the band's popular television series. The song involves the preparations for a war between two monarchs of rival...

• Lead Vocal, Percussion: Micky Dolenz
• Guitars: Keith Allison and Bill Chadwick
• Piano: Michael Melvoin
• Bass: Chip Douglas, Richard Dey and Max Bennett
• Drums: Eddie Hoh
• Additional Drums and percussion: Hal Blaine, Milt Holland and Stanley Levey
• Additional Personnel on horns, strings, etc.
• Arrangement: Shorty Rogers
• A different version of the song was used on the episode "Mijacogeo (The Frodis Caper)".

Bonus tracks session information

Lady's Baby

• Lead Vocal, Guitar: Peter Tork
• Backing Vocal: Karen Harvey Hammer
• Electric Guitar: Stephen Stills
  Stephen Stills
  Stephen Arthur Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash . He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time...
  
  
• Bass: Lance Wakely
• Drums: Dewey Martin
  Dewey Martin
  Dewey Martin is the name of:*Dewey Martin , drummer/vocalist best known for his association with the band Buffalo Springfield*Dewey Martin , American film and television actor...
  
  
• Sound Effects: Justin Hammer
• Recorded at various California studios between January and March 1968
• 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

Other personnel

• Produced by The Monkees (except "Daydream Believer" produced by Chip Douglas)
• Recording Engineers: Pete Abbot and Hank Cicalo
  Hank Cicalo
  Hank Cicalo is an American recording engineer, most notable for his work in the 1960s and 1970s. Among the artists Cicalo recorded are The Monkees, Carole King and George Harrison.-The Monkees:...
  
  
• Music Supervision: Lester Sill
  Lester Sill
  Lester Sill was an American record label executive, best remembered as Phil Spector's partner in Philles Records , and also as the head of both Colpix Records and the later Colgems Records...
  
  
• Original Cover Design: Allan Wolsky and Friends