The Monkees - Live in Japan 1968

In the early days of The Monkees, there was some fuss over the fact that session musicians played on their first couple of albums.

Add to this the fact that they had been brought together for a TV series, any thought of artistic integrity or status was a definite no.

However they were fun, their fan base included The Beatles, and repeats of the TV series, still appear time and again on cable and satellite channels.

However by 1968 the TV series was over, the band completed a far east tour, the last with Peter Tork as part of the band at that juncture, and their very alternative and psychedelic film 'Head' was released.

This is from the 'far east' tour, and captures a band that at least live, probably still had something to prove.

You can also enjoy a couple of 'hot rocking' Japanese DJ's whose voice overs, bring a huge smile to my face, somehow I think this was pretty serious stuff for them.

Clearly from a radio broadcast of the show - FM thankfully - but remember this was 1968, so don't expect audio heaven, that said it is highly listenable, after the initial intros.

This boot is apparently called 'Made In Japan - 1968' and the actual concert was at the Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan, on the 4th October 1968.

Set list is:

01 - Last Train To Clarksville
02 - I Wanna Be Free
03 - DW Washburn
04 - Daydream Believer
05 - Cuddly Toy
06 - Salesman
07 - It's Nice To Be With You
08 - Mary, Mary
09 - Cindy, Cindy
10 - Peter Percival Patterson's Pet Pig Porky
11 - Johnny B Goode
12 - Gonna Build A Mountain
13 - I Got A Woman
14 - I'm A Believer
15 - (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone

Band line up was:

Micky Dolenz: Drums, Vocals
Davy Jones: Percussion, Bass, Vocals
Michael Nesmith: Guitar, Vocals
Peter Tork: Bass, Organ, Banjo, Vocals

Reloaded 21/June/2015 link in comments.