Papa Gene's Blues
(Michael Nesmith)
Basically, sessions for the first album were separated into two camps: Boyce/Hart and Nesmith. Whereas Boyce and Hart only brought in one Monkee at a time after the disastrous aborted session with all four, Nesmith attempted to involve the whole group as much as possible, though due to Kirshner's strict policy, most of the instrumental work was still handled by session musicians. Arranger Don Peake also played guitar along with James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, James Helms, and in the case of "Papa Gene's Blues", Peter Tork. Evidently, this was Tork's first official session work, as Boyce and Hart had rejected him as a vocalist. William Pitman played bass; Hal Blaine, Frank DeVito, and Jim Gordon played drums; and Gary Coleman handled percussive work. Mike sang lead with Micky on harmony vocals on "Papa Gene's Blues" which was one of two Nesmith songs on the debut album.
On CD:
The Monkees Music Box (2001), Rhino Records R2 76706
The Monkees (1994), Rhino Records R2 71790
Lyrics:
The Monkees (C) 2001. Rhino Records, Inc. All rights reserved.
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