Customer Reviews

Here No Evil

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

First things first. I like the first cut - a lot - but I was around when redneck beat poet Deacon Lunchbox walked the earth. Yes, if you were fond of Davy Jones' spoken-word valentine, you will be put off by this Bluto-demeanor threatening growl of a cover. Just skip this cut and move on if you must.

Actually I bought this album because of the number of local (Atlanta, GA) artists contributing. The Diggers had the countrified credentials to do a wailing great take of 'Circle Sky'. Anne Richmond Boston skillfully evokes a dusty nowhere small town Mister Webster is well out of. Magnapop, Doll Squad and so many others rock out finely. Whether fuzztoned, straight-ahead rockabilly or just plain hammered out rock, the artists maintain the clear-eyed upbeat spirit of things. Really only a couple of songs don't do anything fresh and new with the originals, and only Live Bait's 'Randy Scouse Git' disappoints. Sorry, guys, but the mewling delivery doesn't stack up to Mickey Dolenz's righteous caterwauling.

Don't think of a tribute album as a collection of old favorites; think of it as a way to introduce yourself to some new talent. And these folks are hip enough to dig a band hip people weren't supposed to dig. Dig?

Here No Evil, a predominantly New South and Roots Rock tribute to the Monkees, was released on an Atlanta, GA, label and displays a distinct regional sensibility. Contributors include former-dB Peter Holsapple ("You Just May Be the One"), Mitch Easter (a great version of "Valleri" on which he plays all the instruments), Bob Rupe (not too long after he had left the Silos), and what may have been the last appearance of the Chant. The Vulgar Boatmen provide a strummy rendition of "The Kind of Girl I Could Love," and Magnapop turns "Pleasant Valley Sunday" into a crunchy rocker. Many of the artists are local and/or unknown, and the song list is unusual - no one remakes "I'm a Believer" or "Words," for example. Here No Evil was made a couple of years before Rhino reissued all of the Monkees' original albums, which may account for something. In any case, Here No Evil is interesting for its handful of rarities. - Greg Adams, AMG

I am a huge fan of the Monkees. I have all their albums on CD. Both the covered versions and the Monkees' versions of my favorite songs ("Sweet Young Thing," "Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day," and "You Just May Be The One" just to name 3) all are awesome tracks by Opium Hello, Larry Joe Miller and The Rockabilly Rockets and Peter Holsapple are great, just like the Monkees. There's just two things that disgust me, "The Day We Fall in Love" could have been done better and where's "Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)"?

A pretty good collection of enthusiastic Monkees tributes. The best one is the renowned Peter Holsapple's terrific "You Just May Be the One", as another poster mentioned. And frankly, I would rather listen to Larry Joe Miller and the Rockabilly Rockets' "Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day", The Doll Squad's "Let's Dance On" and Those Big Belt Buckles' "What Am I Doing Hangin' Round?" than the Monkee versions. The prize for biggest song improvement, however, would have to go to Deacon Lunchbox, who sings "The Day We Fall in Love" like a lovesick muppet. There are other good tracks here...and some not-so-good ones, but overall I found it worth the purchase price.

I admit that I am not a die-hard Monkees fan. I like the Monkees, but I can't sing every song by heart. But the reviews on this one are harsh! It's a fun CD. Maybe it's better if you're not a Monkees purist. I've listened to mine for years and loved it. (Oh, but I will agree that the first song is one to skip.)

A tribute album to the Monkees? Sure, why not? They recorded a lot of good songs (and a few bad songs). The performers here mostly turn in good performances of these songs. I particularly like these versions of "St. Matthew", "Valleri", "Let's Dance On" and "(Theme From) The Monkees" (which is an instrumental). Live Bait's version of "Randy Scouse Git" isn't very good, but I suppose they can't all be winners. This CD should be of interest to Monkees fans.

A tribute album to the Monkees? Sure, why not? They recorded a lot of good songs (and a few bad songs). The performers here mostly turn in good performances of these songs. I particularly like these versions of "St. Matthew", "Valleri", "Let's Dance On" and "(Theme From) The Monkees" (which is an instrumental). Live Bait's version of "Randy Scouse Git" isn't very good, but I suppose they can't all be winners. This CD should be of interest to Monkees fans.

I love the monkees and everything that they have done. This disc of covers by unknown bands is a disgrace. Their arrangements of the songs are have no sense of respect toward the Monkees. I mean I'm glad they tried to release Monkees songs but they sound horrible and would cause anyone to turn in disgust.

the monkees are truly my #1 favorite group. the music is diverse just as the members are. this compelation included most of my favorites, but the presentation in which i recieved it was lousey. like that one reviewer before me said, "it's an insult." nothing against the bands who performed here. i'm sure they're fine in their own right, but these songs could've been done with a little more love...and tallent. i'm giving it a 3 because i care about the monkees too much to give it a 1.

Except for the first song, which I skip every time I pop on the CD, this is an enjoyable collection if you like the Monkees. Just as the Monkees original versions were a mixed bag, so is this CD, but overall I find it a good listen.