TAKE A GIANT STEP! Live 1/1967 Re-MIx!

Most fans own the much-circulated tape of the Monkees live show from January, 1967, recorded at the Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, Arizona (yes, the same live show that can be seen in the "Monkees on Tour" TV show episode that ends their first season). This concert features the usual tunes that the band performed live then, but also contains cuts of rare live takes of PAPA GENE'S BLUES, SHE'S SO FAR OUT, and GIANT STEP! The problem is, the recordings somehow lack the vocals, having been only miked for instruments! Here is my re-mix of GIANT STEP, with Micky's vocals added from the LP version of the song (with extra effects added to help create an authentic "live"sound)! I also added some additional drumming, and an overall stereo effect throughout, to create a sonic artifact of how this great tune probably sounded live during that early '67 tour jaunt! Enjoy!

PORPOISE SONG Re-Mix! Audio AND Video!

This is a long one! I took various released versions of the song, some with the vocals pushed to the front, others with almost no vocals (sometimes layering the different vocal takes), and melded them with portions of other artist's versions of the song (such as those done by BongWater, The Church, and Trouble), and I even brought back the famed ending crescendo! I added continuous backward tracking of the song to the left channel, plus additional bass, cymbals, backing vocals, whale songs, and even a bunch of sound drops (many are Davy Jones-centric) from the 1968 Monkees movie the song is culled from, HEAD! I also added some woodblock effects, bouncing from right to left channel, to provide a constant "click-clack" sound, in order to replicate a ticking clock ("the clock in the sky is pounding away..."), etc...All in an attempt to make this already psychedelic song even more mind-blowing! Get those headphones out and enjoy!

BONUS! Look below for my custom-made accompanying video for the re-mix!

WORDS Re-Mix!

What DIDN’T I do to this mix? I used a “wide-stereo” version of the LP song, then added an extra instrumental break. The bass is double-tracked, even triple-tracked at the end, as well as some of the Eddie Ho drumming.... Add a few bits from the “TV version” of the tune (not much would really fit, due to the differing tempos-it may deserve it’s OWN re-mix!), and some backwards-masking...Extra percussion and such here and there...I also did some lengthening on the ending..It now comes in over 4 minutes! A very psychedlic tune!

FOR PETE'S SAKE Re-Mix!

This was lots of fun. Taking the vocals-less backing track from the HEADQUARTERS DELUXE CD set, I looped the song twice, then dropped in the vocals here and there throughout. I also added some sound bites from the “Devil and Peter Tork” episode at the front and ending to give it a great feel.

MARY, MARY Re-Mix!

This was a real no-brainer! I always wanted to lengthen that great drum intro, and stretch the song a bit, so here it is! Tons of neat little effects on this one!

RANDY SCOUSE GIT Re-Mix!

Once again, I used the vocal-less track from the Rhino HEADQUARTERS 4-Cd set, and then brought in vocals from the usual tracks...I also added elements from the early run-thrus, which was difficult, as they all had slightly different tempos!

PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY Re-Mix!

This is probably the most successful of the re-mixes. it involves the vocal-less karoke track, then bringing in the “usual” track with Micky’s fabulous vocals, but adjusting them to sound more laid-back and ethereal. I also brought in the many different endings to create a wild climax, with added drums and bass!