Justus re-released with bonus DVD

[JAZZ4JEFF]

In their original incarnation, The Monkees released only one album on which they played all the instruments (save the occasional string or brass part) themselves, 1967's HEADQUARTERS. This makes their aptly-named 1996 reunion album all the more admirable, as here, the four Monkees--who had not played in the same room at the same time since 1968--indeed play every instrument. Opening with an impressive take on the absent Michael Nesmith's "Circle Sky," which was originally recorded for the soundtrack to their ill-fated movie HEAD, the set contains only one other Nesmith composition, the endearingly odd "Admiral Mike." The rest was written, separately, by Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Peter Tork. Each sings lead on his own songs, but unlike such similarly-structured albums as THE MONKEES PRESENT, the stripped-down, almost punky arrangements and loose playing of JUSTUS give the album a remarkable cohesion. In 1996, after a 30 year hiatus as a quartet, the original band went back to the studio and recorded what would ultimately be their final studio project. The results truly showed on of the more organically produced albums ever from their superstar catalog of fine recordings. Originally an idea spearheaded by Michael Nesmith, the Justus album was conceptual in nature almost mirroring the original idea behind their classic Headquarters album. This deluxe edition includes the DVD and CD mastered by Joe Reagoso. The DVD includes backstage antics and interviews intermingled with clips from The Monkees classic TV show, as well as music videos. Additionally, the set features a colorful CD folder, Monkees memorabilia, interesting liner notes, and new interview commentary from Micky Dolenz. Recorded at NRG Studios, North Hollywood, California between June and August 1996. The Monkees: Michael Nesmith (vocals, guitar); Peter Tork (vocals, keyboards, bass); Micky Dolenz (vocals, drums); David Jones (vocals, percussion).

[dan...@realtime.net]

The first thing I read about this release made me think the DVD was new or expanded, but a fairly precise description I've since run across makes it appear that it almost certainly contains nothing more than the 30-minute JUSTUS video that was previously released on VHS.

If you don't have that, you'll probably enjoy it -- it's a blend of six nicely-done music videos and horrendously-shot "candid" Monkee antics -- but it's a bummer that there's apparently nothing never-before-issued on the bonus disc... like for instance Episode #781, the hour-long one written & directed by Mike and aired on ABC-TV in 1997.

-- dr s

Oh, speaking of bonus materials, I noticed that the "It's Garry Shandling's Show" box set includes the comic's two segments from Nesmith's "Television Parts" series. I could be wrong, but I think only one of the two previously appeared on a "TV Parts" home video compilation. (Somebody remind me -- Micky's appearance on "TV Parts" was never aired but it WAS shot, correct? That hasn't ever made the collectors' bootleg rounds, has it?)