Justus (album)
Encyclopedia
Justus is the eleventh and final studio album by The Monkees
, recorded in celebration of their 30th anniversary. This album (released only as a CD and not on vinyl) featured the return of Michael Nesmith
. This was the first Monkees album since Head was released in 1968 to feature all four Monkees. Although Nesmith would only sing lead vocals on a remake of the 1968 song "Circle Sky
", he did write the Dolenz-vocal song, "Admiral Mike", and provided background vocals for all tracks.
Although preliminary work on the album was begun utilizing songs from various writers, upon Nesmith's agreement to join the production it was agreed that all songs would be written only by the four members of the group. They also produced and recorded all the tracks jointly, making it the first Monkees album since Headquarters
to be produced entirely by the group as a single unit. A video was also produced to promote the album.
"Circle Sky" is a remake from the Head soundtrack, with new lyrics from Mike. "You and I" is a different song as compared to the song of the same name on Instant Replay
. It originally appeared on a 1976 album, Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
, recorded during a reunion of Jones and Dolenz with Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
, who were the band's first writers and producers.
A different version of "It's Not too Late" appears on Jones's solo album Just for the Record, Vol. 4.
The title is pronounced as either "Justice" or "Just Us", the latter implying that only the four Monkees perform on the album.
The Monkees
The Monkees are an American pop rock group. Assembled in Los Angeles in 1966 by Robert "Bob" Rafelson and Bert Schneider for the American television series The Monkees, which aired from 1966 to 1968, the musical acting quartet was composed of Americans Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork,...
, recorded in celebration of their 30th anniversary. This album (released only as a CD and not on vinyl) featured the return of Michael Nesmith
Michael Nesmith
Robert Michael Nesmith is an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist, businessman, and philanthropist, best known as a member of the musical group The Monkees and star of the TV series of the same name...
. This was the first Monkees album since Head was released in 1968 to feature all four Monkees. Although Nesmith would only sing lead vocals on a remake of the 1968 song "Circle Sky
Circle Sky
Circle Sky is a song written by Michael Nesmith of The Monkees, which appeared on their sixth album, the Head soundtrack, and also in the film Head as a live concert performance....
", he did write the Dolenz-vocal song, "Admiral Mike", and provided background vocals for all tracks.
Although preliminary work on the album was begun utilizing songs from various writers, upon Nesmith's agreement to join the production it was agreed that all songs would be written only by the four members of the group. They also produced and recorded all the tracks jointly, making it the first Monkees album since Headquarters
Headquarters (album)
HeadquartersThe sleeve and record both render the title as The Monkees' Headquarters. was the third album issued by The Monkees and the first written and recorded primarily by the four members of the group, rather than by session musicians and professional songwriters...
to be produced entirely by the group as a single unit. A video was also produced to promote the album.
"Circle Sky" is a remake from the Head soundtrack, with new lyrics from Mike. "You and I" is a different song as compared to the song of the same name on Instant Replay
Instant Replay (The Monkees album)
Instant Replay is the seventh studio album by The Monkees. Issued almost a year after the cancellation of the group's NBC television series, it is also the first album released after Peter Tork left the group and the only album of the original nine studio albums that does not include any songs...
. It originally appeared on a 1976 album, Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart was an album released by the group of the same name, released in 1976. The group consisted of Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Dolenz and Jones had been members of '60s pop group/band The Monkees while Boyce and Hart had written many of the groups...
, recorded during a reunion of Jones and Dolenz with Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
Boyce and Hart
Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart were a prolific songwriting duo, best known for the songs they wrote for The Monkees.-Early years:Hart's father was a church minister and he himself served in the Army after leaving high school, Upon discharge,...
, who were the band's first writers and producers.
A different version of "It's Not too Late" appears on Jones's solo album Just for the Record, Vol. 4.
The title is pronounced as either "Justice" or "Just Us", the latter implying that only the four Monkees perform on the album.
Track listing
- "Circle SkyCircle SkyCircle Sky is a song written by Michael Nesmith of The Monkees, which appeared on their sixth album, the Head soundtrack, and also in the film Head as a live concert performance....
" (NesmithMichael NesmithRobert Michael Nesmith is an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist, businessman, and philanthropist, best known as a member of the musical group The Monkees and star of the TV series of the same name...
) Lead Vocals: Nesmith 3:33 - "Never Enough" (DolenzMicky DolenzGeorge Michael "Micky" Dolenz, Jr. is an American actor, musician, television director, radio personality and theater director, best known as a member of the 1960s made-for-television band The Monkees.-Biography:...
) Lead Vocals: Dolenz 2:58 - "Oh, What a Night" (JonesDavy Jones (actor)David Thomas "Davy" Jones is an English rock singer-songwriter and actor best known as a member of the Monkees.-Early life:...
) Lead Vocals: Jones 3:12 - "You and I" (Dolenz, Jones) Lead Vocals: Jones 2:57
- "Unlucky Stars" (Dolenz) Lead Vocals: Dolenz 3:11
- "Admiral Mike" (Nesmith) Lead Vocals: Dolenz 3:23
- "Dyin' of a Broken Heart" (Dolenz) Lead Vocals: Dolenz 3:09
- "Regional Girl" (Dolenz) Lead Vocals: Dolenz 3:16
- "Run Away from Life" (TorkPeter TorkPeter Tork is an American musician and actor, best known as a member of The Monkees.-Early life:Tork was born Peter Halsten Thorkelson in Washington, D.C.. Although he was born in 1942, many news articles report him as born in 1944 in New York City as this was the date and place given on early...
) Lead Vocals: Jones 2:43 - "I Believe You" (Tork) Lead Vocals: Tork 3:41
- "It's My Life" (Dolenz) Lead Vocals: Dolenz 3:41
- "It's Not Too Late" (Jones) Lead Vocals: Jones 4:03
Personnel
- Davy JonesDavy Jones (actor)David Thomas "Davy" Jones is an English rock singer-songwriter and actor best known as a member of the Monkees.-Early life:...
- Vocals, Guitar, Percussion - Michael NesmithMichael NesmithRobert Michael Nesmith is an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist, businessman, and philanthropist, best known as a member of the musical group The Monkees and star of the TV series of the same name...
- Guitars, Vocals - Peter TorkPeter TorkPeter Tork is an American musician and actor, best known as a member of The Monkees.-Early life:Tork was born Peter Halsten Thorkelson in Washington, D.C.. Although he was born in 1942, many news articles report him as born in 1944 in New York City as this was the date and place given on early...
- Bass, Keyboards, Vocals - Micky DolenzMicky DolenzGeorge Michael "Micky" Dolenz, Jr. is an American actor, musician, television director, radio personality and theater director, best known as a member of the 1960s made-for-television band The Monkees.-Biography:...
- Vocals, Drums
Personnel
- Arranged & Produced By The Monkees
- Engineered By Bob Bullock & Michael McDonald, with assistance from Terry Bates, Grant Greene & Steve Mixdorf
- Mixed By Michael McDonald, with assistance from Tim Gerron
- Mastered By Michael McDonald