Head (The Monkees album)

Head is the sixth studio album by the Monkees, and the soundtrack to the film of the same name. Released in 1968, the album primarily consists of musique concrète pieces assembled from the film's dialogue. The six new songs encompass genres such as psychedelic music, lo-fi, acid rock and Broadway theatre.

Head
Soundtrack album by
the Monkees
ReleasedNovember 1968
RecordedDecember 9, 1967–August 3, 1968,
Studio
Genre
Length29:17
LabelColgems
Producer
The Monkees chronology
The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees
(1968)		 Head
(1968)		 Instant Replay
(1969)
Singles from Head
  1. "Porpoise Song" / "As We Go Along"
    Released: October 5, 1968

Composition

After the TV series The Monkees was cancelled in Spring of 1968, the band regrouped and wrote the film Head with screenwriter Jack Nicholson,[1] who later coordinated the soundtrack album, editing dialogue excerpts from the film into the album's composition.[2] The album approximates the flow of the movie and includes large portions of the dialogue.[3] CriterionCast has suggested that the album's composition was influenced by Frank Zappa's Lumpy Gravy album.[4] Peter Tork said regarding the album's composition, "Nicholson made it different from the movie. There's a line in the movie where Zappa says, 'That's pretty white.' Then there's another line in the movie that was not juxtaposed in the movie, but Nicholson put them together in the [soundtrack album], when Mike says, 'And the same thing goes for Christmas' [...] that was very important and wonderful that he assembled the record differently from the movie [...] It was a different artistic experience."[2]

PopMatters described Head as "a hypnogogic hallucination of a 60’s pop record" whose composition encompassed musique concrète pieces and six new songs in the genres of psychedelic, Broadway and lo-fi rock.[5] It was the first Monkees album to not include a song written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart.[1] Some of the album showcases the songwriting skills of band members, particularly Peter Tork, whose acid rock song "Long Title: Do I Have to Do This All Over Again?" and the "Eastern-flavored" song "Can You Dig It?" were described by AllMusic as being "not only among the best of the six original compositions on the soundtrack, but also among his finest Monkees offerings, period."[1]

Release

In 1986, Rhino Entertainment repressed vinyl record copies of the album.[5] In 1994, the album was reissued on compact disc with six bonus tracks, including a live version of "Circle Sky", and an alternate version of "Daddy's Song" featuring Michael Nesmith on vocals instead of Davy Jones.[6] In 2010, Rhino reissued the album in a deluxe box set on three compact discs.[5] The following year, Rhino Handmade reissued Head on vinyl for the first time since its original 1968 release.[5]

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
MusicHound[7]

MusicHound described Head as a "trippy little souvenir of the times".[7] AllMusic wrote that, "Without question, both the movie and album are the most adventurous and in many ways most fulfilling undertaking to have been born of the Monkees' multimedia manufactured project."[1] PopMatters called Head "an almost accidental youngster's gateway to the avant-garde; there is a clear line for clued-in pre-teens leading from Head's 'Opening Ceremony' and 'Swami—Plus Strings, Etc.' to the Beatles' 'Revolution 9', and from there to Yoko Ono, Stockhausen, Krautrock, postpunk, and a million other directions."[5] In 2013, Rolling Stone ranked the album at number 25 in their list of "The 25 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time".[8]

Track listing
Side one
No.TitleLead vocalsLength
1."Opening Ceremony"Charles Irving1:19
2."Porpoise Song" (Theme from Head) (Gerry Goffin, Carole King)Micky Dolenz, with Davy Jones2:56
3."Ditty Diego" (Jack Nicholson, Bob Rafelson)Dolenz, Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork1:27
4."Circle Sky" (Nesmith)Nesmith2:32
5."Supplicio" 0:49
6."Can You Dig It?" (Tork)Dolenz3:19
7."Gravy"Jones, I. J. Jefferson0:05
Side two
No.TitleLead vocalsLength
1."Superstitious" (Dialogue from The Black Cat )David Manners, Bela Lugosi0:06
2."As We Go Along" (King, Toni Stern)Dolenz3:53
3."Dandruff?"Manners, Lugosi, Charles Macaulay, Logan Ramsey, Nesmith, Dolenz, Bob Rafelson, Tork, Jones0:40
4."Daddy's Song" (Harry Nilsson)Jones2:29
5."Poll"Nesmith, Jones, Tork, Frank Zappa, Timothy Carey1:12
6."Long Title: Do I Have to Do This All Over Again?" (Tork)Tork2:37
7."Swami – Plus Strings, Etc." (Ken Thorne)Abraham Sofaer, Dolenz, Teri Garr, Jefferson5:18

Session information

Credits adapted from AllMusic.[9]

Personnel

The Monkees

  • Micky Dolenz – vocals; drums on live version of "Circle Sky"
  • Davy Jones – vocals; maracas and organ on live version of "Circle Sky"
  • Mike Nesmith – vocals, electric guitar on "Circle Sky" (live and studio versions) and "Daddy's Song", acoustic guitar on "Daddy's Song", electric organ and maracas on "Circle Sky" (studio version)
  • Peter Tork – vocals, electric guitar on "Can You Dig It" and "Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again?"; bass guitar on live version of "Circle Sky"

with

  • Ken Bloom – guitar
  • Danny Kortchmar – guitar on "As We Go Along"
  • Leon Russell – keyboard
  • Ralph Shuckett – keyboard
  • Douglas Lubahn – electric bass
  • Mike Ney – drums
  • William Hinshaw – horn
  • Jules Jacob – horn
  • Gregory Bemko – cello
  • David Filerman – cello
  • Jan Kelly – cello
  • Jacqueline Lustgarten – cello
  • Max Bennett – string bass
  • Clyde Hoggan – string bass
  • James Hughart – string bass
  • Jerry Scheff – string bass
  • Michel Rubini – piano
  • Keith Allison – guitar
  • Bill Chadwick – guitar
  • Richard Dey – bass
  • John Gross – bass
  • Eddie Hoh – drums, cowbell
  • Lance Wakely – guitar, bass
  • Dewey Martin – drums
  • Michael A. Glass – percussion
  • Ry Cooder – guitar on "As We Go Along"
  • Neil Young – guitar on "As We Go Along"
  • Carole King – guitar on "As We Go Along"
  • Harvey Newmark – bass
  • Earl Palmer – drums
  • Dennis Bruce – percussion
  • Stephen Stills – guitar on "Long Title"
  • Pete Candoli – trumpet
  • Marion Childers – trumpet
  • Anthony Terran – trumpet
  • Richard Leith – trombone
  • Lewis McCreary – trombone
  • Justin Ditullio – cello
  • Raphael Kramer – cello
  • Emmet Sargent – cello
  • Eleanor Slatkin – cello
  • Brendan Cahill – percussion
  • Jack Nitzsche – arrangement on "Porpoise Song" and "As We Go Along"
  • Russ Titelman – conductor on "Porpoise Song"
  • John R. Hoening – unknown
  • Tony McCashen – unknown
  • Unknown – organ and flute

All songs produced by the Monkees unless otherwise specified.

Opening Ceremony

  • Spoken words: Charles Irving, Micky Dolenz, June Fairchild, Teri Garr, I. J. Jefferson, Ray Nitschke and unknown
  • Between February 11 - August 3, 1968
  • Includes dialogue from "Porpoise Song", "As We Go Along", "Daddy's Song", and the live version of "Circle Sky".

Porpoise Song (Theme from Head)

  • Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
  • Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
  • Backing vocals: Davy Jones, and unknown
  • Guitar: Ken Bloom, Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar
  • Bass: Doug Lubahn
  • Drums: Michael Ney, John Raines
  • Percussion: Michael Ney, John Raines
  • Cymbals: Russ Titelman
  • Keyboard: Leon Russell, Ralph Schuckett
  • Cello: Gregory Bemko, David Filerman, Jan Kelley, Jacqueline Lustgarten
  • Double Bass: Max Bennett, Clyde "Whitey" Hoggan, Jim Hughart, Jerry Scheff
  • Brass: Bill Hinshaw, Jules Jacob
  • Woodwind: Bill Hinshaw, Jules Jacob
  • Produced by Gerry Goffin
  • Recorded at California Recorders, Hollywood, February 26, and 28, 1968

Ditty Diego — War Chant

  • Written by Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson
  • Vocals by Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones
  • Piano: Michel Rubini
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, August 3, 1968

Circle Sky

  • Written by Michael Nesmith
  • Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
  • Guitar: Michael Nesmith, Keith Allison, Bill Chadwick
  • Drums: Eddie Hoh
  • Organ: Michael Nesmith
  • Percussion: Michael Nesmith, Eddie Hoh
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, December 9 and 17, 1967 and January 6 and 8, 1968

Supplicio

  • Spoken words: unknown
  • Between February 11 - August 3, 1968

Can You Dig It?

  • Written by Peter Tork
  • Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
  • Guitar: Peter Tork, Lance Wakely
  • Bass: Lance Wakely
  • Bongos: unknown
  • Cymbals: unknown
  • Percussion: unknown
  • Tambourine: unknown
  • Unknown: Chester Anderson, Don DeMieri, Michael A. Glass, Eddie Hoh
  • Recorded at Western Recorders, January 28 and February 1, and RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, January 29, 30, 31 and March 8, 1968

Gravy

  • Spoken words by Davy Jones and I. J. Jefferson
  • Between February 11 - August 3, 1968

Superstitious

As We Go Along

  • Written by Carole King and Toni Stern
  • Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
  • Guitar: Ken Bloom, Ry Cooder, Carole King, Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar, Tony McCashen, Neil Young
  • Bass: Harvey Newmark
  • Drums: Earl Palmer
  • Percussion: Denny Bruce, John Raines
  • Organ: unknown
  • Flute: unknown
  • Recorded at Wally Heider's, Hollywood, May 30, and Original Sound, Hollywood, August 1, 1968

Dandruff?

  • Spoken words by Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, Charles Macaulay, Logan Ramsey, Film Officer, and Film Director
  • Between February 11 - August 3, 1968
  • Includes dialogue from "Superstitious".

Daddy's Song

  • Written by Harry Nilsson
  • Lead vocal by Davy Jones
  • Electric Guitar: Michael Nesmith
  • Acoustic Guitar: Michael Nesmith
  • Bass: Rick Dey
  • Drums: Eddie Hoh
  • Piano: Eleanor Slatkin
  • Cello: Justin DiTullio, Ray Kramer, Emmet Sargeant, Eleanor Slatkin
  • Trumpet: Pete Candoli, Buddy Childers, Tony Terran
  • Trombone: Richard Leith, Lewis McCreary
  • Unknown: Keith Allison, Bill Chadwick
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, January 10, 16, 19 and March 1, and Sunset Sound, Hollywood, April 4, 1968

Poll

  • Spoken words by Michael Nesmith, Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Frank Zappa, Timothy Carey, Man 1, Man 2, and Man 3
  • Between February 11 - August 3, 1968
  • Includes dialogue from the studio version of "Circle Sky".

Long Title: Do I Have to Do This All Over Again?

  • Written by Peter Tork
  • Lead vocal by Peter Tork
  • Backing vocal: Davy Jones, Peter Tork
  • Guitar: Peter Tork, Stephen Stills, Lance Wakely
  • Bass: Lance Wakely
  • Drums: Dewey Martin
  • Tambourine: unknown
  • Recorded at Western Recorders, January 20, 28 and February 1, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 14, RCA Victor Studios, January 22, 27 and February 12, and Sunset Sound, Hollywood, January 25 and 26, 1968
  • The song was recorded over a large number of sessions and was originally intended for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees.

Swami - Plus Strings, Etc.

  • Written by Ken Thorne
  • Vocals by Micky Dolenz, Abraham Sofaer, June Fairchild, Teri Garr, I. J. Jefferson, Timothy Carey, Ray Nitschke and unknown
  • Between February 11 - August 3, 1968
  • Includes dialogue from "Porpoise Song", "As We Go Along", "Daddy's Song", and the live version of "Circle Sky".

1994 bonus tracks session information

Ditty Diego — War Chant [First Recorded Version]

  • Vocals by Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, July 25, 1968

Circle Sky [Live Version]

  • Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
  • Electric Guitar: Michael Nesmith
  • Bass: Peter Tork
  • Drums: Micky Dolenz
  • Percussion: Davy Jones
  • Organ: Davy Jones
  • Recorded at Valley Auditorium, and Lagoon Park Amusement Center, Salt Lake City, UT, May 21, 1968

Happy Birthday to You

  • Written by Mildred Hill and Patty Smith Hill
  • Lead vocals by Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Tork
  • Organ: Michel Rubini
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, August 3, 1968

Can You Dig It? [Early Mix]

  • Lead vocal by Peter Tork
  • An earlier mix of the song with a lead vocal by Peter Tork.

Daddy's Song [Early Mix]

  • Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
  • An earlier mix of the song with a lead vocal by Michael Nesmith

Head Radio Spot

  • Spoken words: Charles Irving, Micky Dolenz, June Fairchild, Teri Garr, I. J. Jefferson, Ray Nitschke and unknown
  • Between February 11 - August 3, 1968
  • Includes dialogue from "Opening Ceremony", "Porpoise Song", "Can You Dig It", "As We Go Along", "Daddy's Song", "Long Title", and the live version of "Circle Sky".

Charts

Album
Chart (1968) Peak
position
Canadian Albums (RPM)[10] 24
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[11] 53
US Billboard 200[12] 45

Single
Year Single Chart Peak
position
1968 "Porpoise Song" Billboard Hot 100 62[13]

References
  1. Head at AllMusic
  2. Sandoval 2005, p. 204.
  3. Baker, Czarnota & Hoga 1986, pp. 91–102.
  4. Anthony, West (September 10, 2010). "RHINO HANDMADE TO RELEASE THREE DISC DELUXE EDITION OF THE MONKEES' ALBUM, HEAD, IN TANDEM WITH CRITERION COLLECTION BOX SET". CriterionCast. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  5. Staff (October 31, 2011). ""GETTING" HEAD… THE MONKEES' LAST GREAT ALBUM". PopMatters. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  6. Planer, Lindsay. "Head [Bonus Tracks]". AllMusic. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  7. Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide (2nd ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 774. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
  8. Dolan, Jon; Hermes, Will; Hoard, Christian; Sheffield, Rob (August 29, 2013). "The 25 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time". Rolling Stone.
  9. "Head - The Monkees - Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  10. "RPM: The Monkees (albums)". RPM. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  11. "Oricon Archive - The Monkees". Oricon Albums Chart. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  12. "The Monkees US Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  13. "Head - Charts and Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved June 22, 2014.

Sources
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