1976 Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart

1976 Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
Louie Shelton - Guitar

Most music fans showed no interest in this album when in it was released in 1976, it was most certainly their loss. Though lightweight and fluffy, this album ended up being the most consistent Monkees-related release since Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, the fourth Monkees album from 1967. With top-notch songs from the pens of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart and even a few outstanding tracks from Mickey Dolenz, this album was destined to be a cult classic. Kicking off with the mid-tempo balladry of "Right Now," sung by Davy Jones and featuring a few Lennon-esque chord changes, it was obvious that this was not the latest Deep Purple album.

1969 The Monkees Instant Replay

1969 Instant Replay

The Monkees

Louie Shelton - Guitar

By 1969's Instant Replay, it was all over but the funeral. Peter Tork had already left the fold and the songs were little more than disjointed solo vehicles for the remaining three, combined with older unreleased tracks from the vaults. This afforded far too much rope for schmaltzy Jones ballads, although Nesmith salvages the day once again with tasty country inflections on the wistful "Don't Wait for Me" and "While I Cry."