Sunday, April 14, 2013

The Evolution of the "Mike Nesmith Character" On Tour

Reading all the reviews of Papa Nez's performance, I am surprised by one thing.

There's a lot going on that doesn't surprise me.  I expected his musicianship to be superb.  His song choices, his amiability towards the crowd.

He seems to almost be having fun.

This is NOT a Mike I recognize.

On the shows, he was aloof and cynical.  Commenting directly to the camera about the terrible lines, ready to rage or offer a disapproving look.  Sometimes, he did't seem to be on the same show as the rest of The Boys.  They were always playing eager and seemed to be game; he was the elder brother they were trying to impress.

And then, afterwards, he seemed sullen.  Too busy trying to invent or reinvent the music video.  Not wanting to tour.  Not bothering.  The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit.

Until the dreaded 1997 TV Special, "Hey, Hey, We're The Monkees", I had even had faith that he might have a quick wit, and hoped his discretion was the better part of his valor.  My faith was lost.  To this day, I have never seen a more cynical and hateful and tone-deaf take on the Monkees history than that piece of dreck.  ("A throw up band", really?)

But, there have been rumors of him SMILING.  Beaming, actually.

A bunch of FAN reviews (which are always the best). These go into the "Monkee Experience" and include what goes on in the audience, as much as what happens onstage.
Fred Velez, the latest blogger on Monkees.net, has a review of Rahway, NJ.
Cowabunga Corner reviews the Michigan show.
Monkee's Live Almanac (great video clips and pix)

And the "professional" music reviewers.
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Munhall Concert.
Northampton, Masslive, Iron Horse Concert




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