Thoughts on ex-Monkee Micky Dolenz's Dundalk show
Kevin Eck (of Ring Posts fame) was at the Dundalk Heritage Fair Sunday for Monkee Micky Dolenz's show. Here's what Kevin thought of it:
I'm sure there are a lot of people who consider The Monkees to be a guilty pleasure, but I’m not one of them.
Despite plenty of ribbing from friends and co-workers over the years, I have never felt guilty about being a fan of the 1960s made-for-TV band.
So what if The Monkees did not write the lyrics or play the instruments on their early hits? The undeniable fact is that The Monkees have an extensive catalog of great pop songs that have stood the test of time.
That's why I was so excited to see my favorite Monkee, Micky Dolenz (pictured), play Sunday night at the Dundalk Heritage Fair.
Dolenz is now 64, so I didn’t know what to expect, but he and his band performed with verve and put on a fun show.
Remarkably, Dolenz’s voice didn’t sound much different than it did during The Monkees' heyday more than 40 years ago. ...
In an interview that I did with Dolenz last week, he said that he tries to remain faithful to the original songs when performing them live, and that was the case.
He opened with "That Was Then, This Is Now," which was the hit single from The Monkees' big 1986 reunion. It's hard to believe that The Monkees' comeback single is now older than the original Monkees songs were at the time of that revival.
One of the highlights of Sunday's show was "Goin' Down," a high-energy, scat-style song that Dolenz performed while sashaying back and forth across the stage. After the song was over, Dolenz jokingly said, "Now I gotta go get some CPR."
At various points in the concert, Dolenz told stories before playing covers that were related to them. For example, he played "Purple Haze" when talking about the opening act for The Monkees' first tour – an up-and-coming guitarist named Jimi Hendrix. He also performed Johnny B. Goode, which is the song he did when he auditioned for The Monkees television show, and "Oh Darling," a Beatles song that he watched the Fab Four record in a London studio.
Dolenz ended the 70-minute set with The Monkees' signature hit, "I’m a Believer." When introducing the song, Dolenz said he had a message for the little kids in the audience. "I was singing this song long before Shrek."
Set list:
That Was Then, This is Now
A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
She
Words
Sometime in the Morning
Last Train to Clarksville
Johnny B. Goode
Purple Haze
The Girl That I Knew Somewhere
Different Drum
(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone
Goin’ Down
White Rabbit
Oh Darling
D.W. Washburn
Daydream Believer
Pleasant Valley Sunday
Gimme Some Lovin'
I'm a Believer
(Stock photo)
I've been The Baltimore Sun's nightlife and local entertainment reporter for a couple years, and it's surprising how much the scene has grown in that time. Most of Baltimore's bars and clubs are unpretentious places with fairly cheap drinks and plenty of character. I like dancing and think this city needs more clubs, but nothing beats having a cold, locally brewed beer with friends in a comfortably full corner bar.
Comments
I didn't know he was performing or I woulda been there! The Monkees were a great band, one of the alltime great garage-pop groups. Remember Hendrix once opened up for them!!
Posted by: Sturmy | July 7, 2009 9:40 AM
I saw the show in Dundalk and Micky Dolenz was incredible. What a strong voice. I was very impressed by the show and thoroughly enjoyed it. So glad that I went.
Posted by: Cathy | July 7, 2009 2:01 PM
Wish this had been promoted better... It's always great to see a Monkee perform. They were truly one of the all-time underrated rock bands.
Posted by: ColumbiaBill | July 7, 2009 10:47 PM
Peter Tork is touring this fall. Check his website. Micky always does a great show. I'd see him ANY old time.
Posted by: Pamela | July 27, 2009 9:55 PM