Missing Links

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
A collection of rare and unreleased studio tracks from 1966-1968.

Tracks:

All The King's Horses
Valleri
St. Mathew
Words
Some Of Shelley's Blues
I Wanna Be Free
If I Ever Get To Saginaw Again
Come On In
I'll Be Back Up On My Feet
Michigan Blackhawk
Hold On Girl
The Crippled Lion
Changes
Mr. Webster
You Just May Be The One
Do Not Ask For Love
Circle Sky
Seeger's Theme
Riu Chiu

Album Description

More unreleased classics along with numerous alternate TV-only versions of their classic hits.

Customer Reviews:

How one song can erase the passage of time.......2007-03-11

The most evocative track for me on MISSING LINKS Vol. 2 is "Riu Chiu." I can remember sitting on the floor very close to the TV while watching the Christmas '67 MONKEES episode. If memory serves, this arrangement of a 16th Century Spanish carol closed that program. The four group members were in shadows, and tinsel sparkled in the foreground. At least this is how I recall things from a distance of nearly 40 years.

That one song alone made owning this collection well worth it for me. But there's so much more great stuff here. Highlights include alternate versions of "Mr. Webster," "I'll Be Back Up On My Feet" and "I Wanna Be Free" which are actually superior to those on the original MONKEES albums. Also great is the live "Circle Sky" from the HEAD film soundtrack. "Seeger's Theme" demonstrates Peter Tork's skill with a banjo. The previously unreleased Mike Nesmith tunes are fine, as well.

MISSING LINKS Vol. 2 is truly worth owning, and not just for Monkee-philes, but for any fan of late Sixties popular music. Includes three pages of song details.

TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 47:33

Great Collection.......2006-05-19

Many times albums that are released like this consist of a collection of odd, random songs that are nothing more than average. That is certainly not the case with this one, and not only is it a great album, but I think it's the best of the Missing Links series. It features many great unreleased songs, and a lot of songs that had been used in Monkees episodes, but never appeared on an album. Here is my review of the songs:

1. "All The King's Horses" - This is a classic Mike song that had been used in a few Monkees episodes, but for some reason never made it to an album. 8/10

2. "Valleri" - Another version of a song that had been used several times for the TV show, but was not released on an album (a different version of Valleri appeared much later on the Birds the Bees and the Monkees album). I actually like the later version better, but this one has some classic appeal. 8/10

3. "St. Matthew" - Mike seems to have the most amount of unreleased material on the Missing Links series, and the majority of them are excellent songs. This one, like most of the unreleased ones is very country. I'm not a huge fan of country music, but his songs are just great. 10/10

4. "Words" - This was a version of Words that had been used in one Monkees episode of season 1. It's not a bad version, but I think the later version that became a single is far superior. 7/10

5. "Some of Shelly's Blues" - Another extremely country Mike song, that he also recorded in his solo career. This may be one of his most popular unreleased songs, and another great showing. 9/10

6. "I Wanna Be Free" - This version of this song may be even more well known that the album version. This is the much faster version, which was featured in the Monkees pilot episode. It also has a small amount of Micky vocals in the middle. I like this version much better than the ballad version on the album. 9/10

7. "If I Ever Get To Saginaw Again" - Although Mike did not write this song, it sounds almost exactly like one that he would write. Has some very good lyrics, and I think it's sung wonderfully by Mike. 8/10

8. "Come On In" - Good old Peter always seems like he's trying to get some stuff on the albums. This is a good song, and maybe one of Peter's best vocal efforts. 7/10

9. "I'll Be Back Upon My Feet" - This is the earlier version of this song, which was used in several episodes of the TV show. I actually like it better than the version the ended up later using on the Birds the Bees and the Monkees. 10/10

10. "Michigan Blackhawk" - Not one of my favorite Mike songs, but it's not terrible. It has that good old country rock sound. 6/10

11. "Hold On Girl" - Just a different version from the one on More of the Monkees. I'm glad they went with the other version, because this one just doesn't do it for me at all. 5/10

12. "The Crippled Lion" - Yet another unreleased Mike song, that seems to have that trademark sound of the majority of the unreleased Mike songs. It's enjoyable. 7/10

13. "Changes" - Not one of my favorites on the album. I've said in other reviews, I just can't get into the stuff that Davy writes. I just think the lyrics are kind of dumb. 5/10

14. "Mr. Webster" - Slightly different from the Headquarters version, using drums instead of the tambourine, and a slower tempo. 7/10

15. "You Just May Be The One" - This is the earlier version, which was used in many episodes of the TV show. It's very good, but I think the Headquarters version is better. 9/10

16. "Do Not Ask For Love" - Great song, with some excellent Micky vocals. This song is also song by Peter in 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee. It might take a while to get hooked on, but I think it's one of the best on this collection. 9/10

17. "Circle Sky" - The live version of this song, which should have been used on the Head album. It was used in the movie, and I think shows how great the Monkees really were as a band. Why it was never released on an album in the first place is beyond me. 10/10

18. "Seeger's Theme" - A cool instrumental (I think mainly featuring Peter).

19. "Riu Chiu" - Song used in the Christmas episode of the TV show. Shows the Monkees vocalizing together very well. 7/10

Very good cd, and if you're looking for a collection of Monkees rarities or unrleased stuff, this should definitely be the one.

you won't be disappointed...........2006-05-16

I agree with most other reviews here....this is truly a strong effort and is of equal quality to just about all of their "official" albums.

In case anyone is wondering where they got their arrangement of "Riu Chiu", it is an almost note-for-note copy of the Kingston Trio's "Guardo El Lobo", a song which appeared on their 1961 album GOIN PLACES. My guess is that Peter Tork, being a major folk music fan, suggested doing this one.

"Seeger's Theme" is excellent and it is way too short! If only the other guys liked it more, it could have been a standout track for Tork, as he started out as a Greenwich Village banjo player-folkie.

Nesmith's songs shine here, but they always did.

Some of these songs might not seem so 'rare' these days, what with various box sets and bonus tracks having come out since this album's release, but this is still a nice compilation of material.

Concrete proof of the Monkees' greatness..........2006-02-11

If there was ever one disc to play to show off the Monkees' greatness, this IS IT !! This is one of the best collections of pop-rock gems I have ever heard. "If I Ever Get to Saginaw Again" has to be one of the most beautiful and moving songs ever written, and never fails to bring me to tears; it is sung perfectly by Mike Nesmith. All of the members of the band shine here, but the true star has to be Nesmith -- he dominates not just with "Saginaw", but there's also "St. Matthew", "Some of Shelly's Blues", "The Crippled Lion", "You Just May Be the One"...each one a perfectly constructed song. Oh, and the more uptempo version of "I Wanna Be Free" that's showcased here just cuts the version on their debut album to shreds...

The Monkees' greatest tragedy is that they were never able to harness their unquestionable individual talents into a group ethic and dedication, like the Beatles did. Davy Jones was Broadway/Las Vegas, Mike Nesmith was pioneering country-rock, Peter Tork was the true hippie of the bunch with avant-garde leanings, and Micky Dolenz was the rocker. The reason that some of their albums seem disjointed is that no member seemed particularly interested in compromising their interests for the sake of the greater good as a band. But that doesn't deny the fact that they DID make a lot of great music, and 'Missing Links Vol. 2' is undeniable evidence of that. It's also pretty remarkable when you consider that these guys were hired to portray a band for a TV series, and then actually BECAME a band -- and a damn fine one.

I would also highly recommend 'Headquarters' and 'Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones Ltd.' and, of course, the 'Music Box' collection. The other 'Missing Links' volumes are fine also, but this particular one takes the cake.

Most unjustly maligned group in history.......2005-09-02

Hey, if you want proof that the Monkees are perhaps the most unjustly maligned group in rock 'n roll history, check out this album or their other excellent albums, "Headquarters" and "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones, Ltd." Yeah, they were a group put together for a TV show, but what many miss is that the members were very talented individuals who complemented each other's strengths and that all of them sang well and wrote some good songs. The highlights of this particular album are several gems written by the charming and delightful Michael Nishmosh...uh...Nesmith, as well as a couple songs that were actually on the TV show, but never ended up on an album for whatever reason. All of the songs on this are good. I guess my favorite would be "St. Matthew," a Nesmith song with interesting lyrics and a memorable tune, but the entire album is enjoyable and highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Missing Links, Vol. 3: Some Kinda Nut
Link Wray
Manufacturer: Norton
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Missing Links, Vol. 2: Big City After Dark

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Missing Links, Vol. 2: Big City After Dark
Link Wray
Manufacturer: Norton
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001UF7
Release Date: 2000-07-24

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Big City After Dark
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The Bad And The Good
Hold It
The Outlaw
Baby What You Want Me To Do
Rawhide '63
Night Life
Big City Stomp
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Roughshod
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Average customer rating:

The stuff you just don't have yet
Nice set of rare recordings
"Missing the point"...

Missing Links
The Fixx
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Elemental
React
1011 Woodland
Ink
Reach the Beach

ASIN: B00005LNHR
Release Date: 2001-07-03

Tracks:

Sinking Island
Stand Or Fall
Pushing Myself
Digging Up The Rock
I've Been Here Before
Do What You Can
Red Skies
Crystal Ice Dub
Venture Out
Two Different Views (original version)
Going Without (original version)

Customer Reviews:

The stuff you just don't have yet.......2001-08-07

This is a compilation of songs that, for the most part, you wont have in your collection yet. Outside of "Stand or Fall" and "Red Skies" (the inclusion of which drop this from 5 to 4 stars) you probably do not have a version of the songs on this disc. "Sinking Island" is fantastic with its added horns. "Crystal Ice Dub" is my favorite on the album. It is a show of different textures that this band can create even without the lyric strains. Exceptional album for those who would like a little something different from a distinct known quantity of a band. Get your copy soon.

Nice set of rare recordings.......2001-07-31

The once hard to get import Missing Links is now easy to grab. Filled with rare recordings by the Fixx, Missing Links provides gems that span 17 years. "Pushing Myself", "Venture Out", and the original recording of "Going Without" make this CD worth every penny. Those outstanding tracks are accompanied by a cleanly remastered "I've Been Here Before" an extended version of the once rare "Sinking Island", and an instrumental piece called "Crystal Ice Dub" is born from the track "Reach The Beach". The inclusion of Red Skies and Stand or Fall remixes, although unneccessary, is likely a sales gimmik since those tracks are so famous.

Nice little compilation. Get yours today!!

"Missing the point"..........2001-07-18

This CD is actually "Missing Links" (not "Missing Pieces"), with two extra tracks from the original recording of "Elemental"... It is yet another one of those unnecessary albums that seem to plague the Fixx collection (How many versions of "Stand or Fall" or "Red Skies at Night" can one have? Five, six? Now I am on my third of "Two Different Views"...) Ok, there is some really good music on this CD but why not come up with something new instead of rendering the original "Missing Links" useless?

Average customer rating:

A little steep but....
A Must for every Monkees Fan
Last, But Not Least
We may be comin' to your town.
Great Third Collection of Monkees Rarities

Missing Links, Vol. 3
The Monkees
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Missing Links
Missing Links, Vol. 2
Changes
Instant Replay
Head (1968 Film)

ASIN: B0000033MS
Release Date: 1996-03-26

Tracks:

(Theme From) The Monkees (TV Version)
Kellogg's Jingle
We'll Be Back In A Minute
Through The Looking Glass
Propinquity (I've Just Begun To Care)
Penny Music
Tear The Top Right Off My Head
Little Red Rider
You're So Good
Look Down
Hollywood
Midnight Train (Demo Version)
She Hangs Out (Single Version)
Shake 'Em Up
Circle Sky (Alternate Mix)
Steam Engine (Prev. Unissued Alternate Mix)
Love To Love (Prev. Unissued Alternate Mix)
She'll Be There
How Insensitive
Merry Go Round
Angel Band
Zor And Zam (TV Version)
We'll Be Back In A Minute
Tema Dei Monkees

Customer Reviews:

A little steep but...........2007-02-26

While die hard fans will feel compelled to buy it regardless of reviews, this particular Cd follows the feel of the previous volumes: mixed bag. To be sure there are the gems( Love to Love, Propinquity, How Insensitive is beautifully covered here, Tear the Top Right Off My Head...) but a few of these songs were unreleased for a reason. So while they may not have pop appeal, they will be treasures to the dedicated followers of the Pre Fab Four.
The problem here is price. Granted this final edition of the series is out of print,and, therefore, rather highly priced,.... shopping around will not help matters. I have found it listed several places at bargain prices but always out of stock or indefinitely back ordered. My two cents: if you simply must have this album becuase you're a Monkees collector, get it now. It's getting a little harder to come by each time I go hunt it up online.

A Must for every Monkees Fan.......2006-08-09

I think I listen to this cd at least once a week. I love it! And, with all the great Mike songs on this I'm in heaven!
I'd give it 10 stars if the ratings allowed.

Last, But Not Least.......2006-05-30

This cd was the last release of the Missing Links collections. Although I don't think it's quite as good as volume two, there are some great rarities on here. Any Monkees fan will definitely enjoy this one. Here is my review of the songs:

1. "(Theme From) The Monkees" - This is the version of this song that was used as the intro to the tv show. It's cool to see this released, because this version had never been on an album before. 9/10

2. "Kellogg's Jingle" - You can hear this song in many of the Monkees episodes, right after the intro. Just a short jingle, but it's pretty cool.

3. "We'll Be Back In A Minute" - Just another short jingle type song. It was apparently used on reruns of the Monkees tv show.

4. "Through The Looking Glass" - Here is the first full song of the cd. This is a very good version of this Boyce/Hart song. I think it's just as good if not better than the version used on Instant Replay. 8/10

5. "Propinquity (I've Just Begun To Care)" - Yet another solid unreleased Mike song (the Missing Links cd's are filled with them). Has that classic Mike country sound, and I believe he used this song on one of his solo albums. 8/10

6. "Penny Music" - Ouch! is all I could say to describe this song. Has sort of a catchy tune, but Davy's voice just sounds very off. 3/10

7. "Tear The Top Right Off My Head" - This is a very good Peter song. You could actually hear Micky and Peter perform part of this in the "Hitting The High Seas" Monkees episode. It's one of my favorites on the cd, and Peter just always gives it his all. 9/10

8. "Little Red Rider" - Another great unreleased Mike song, and another one that I think he used in his solo career. Good work by Mike. 9/10

9. "You're So Good" - I usually always like Micky songs, but this one just isn't very good. It doesn't even sound like a typical Monkees song, kind of odd. 4/10

10. "Look Down" - I find this to be one of the better songs on the cd. Good performance by Davy, and maybe if re-recorded, I could see it having been on an album. 8/10

11. "Hollywood" - Ok song, not one of my favorite Mike ones. I'm usually a fan of the Mike country/country-rock stuff, but this one's a little too much country for me. 6/10

12. "Midnight Train" - Decent Miky song, that is slightly different from the version used on Changes. You could hear a lot of Micky's sister in this version. Another song that's not really typical Monkees style, but it's ok. 6/10

13. "She Hangs Out" - This is a good Davy song, but I don't like this version even close to as much as the album version. It's just a little too slow for me. 6/10

14. "Shake 'Em Up" - This song has almost the same style as "You're So Good". It just doesn't sound very good, and it's really odd. 3/10

15. "Circle Sky" - This version isn't quite as good as the live version, but it's better than the album version. It's very similar to the album version, except Mike's vocals are actually audible. Great rockin' Mike song though. 8/10

16. "Steam Engine" - It has a pretty catchy chorus...I usually find myself singing along with it. But altogether, it's kind of an average song I could live without. 6/10

17. "Love To Love" - This is an obvious Neil Diamond song, which sounds very similar to the other one's he wrote for the Monkees. It's probably the best song on this cd, and easily could have been used on one of their albums. 10/10

18. "She'll Be There" - It doesn't sound like this song was finished to me, but it has good lyrics, and great vocals from Micky. I think a finished recording could have been album quality. 8/10

19. "How Insensitive" - Might be my least favorite Mike song. It's another one that's just a little too country, and I'm not a fan of the vocals. 5/10

20. "Merry Go Round" - Another solid Peter song, that has a very addictive sound to it. 8/10

21. "Angel Band" - See "How Insensitive". 5/10

22. "Zor and Zam" - This was the version used on the tv show...it's a great song, but the album version is a little more intense, and a little better I think. 8/10

23. "We'll Be Back In A Minute" - Just a slightly different version from the song above.

24. "Tema Dei Monkees" - Simply (Theme From) The Monkees in Italian. Kind of neat.

As you could see, it's not the best cd, but it is a nice collection to have, with many quality songs.

We may be comin' to your town........2006-02-17

This is the third CD in the collection of Monkees rarities. It's a solid collection. It features previously unreleased songs and alternate versions of previously released songs. Lots of good songs, especially the ones by Michael Nesmith. I also like "Tear the Top Right Off My Head" and "Steam Engine" a lot. There are a few somewhat weak songs, but not too many. This CD is a real treat for Monkeemaniacs.

Great Third Collection of Monkees Rarities .......2005-06-18

This was the third compilation of Monkees rarities and oddities. I guess you would expect that a third compilation of rarities from a band that released 9 albums and whose recording career spanned only 4 years, would be squeezing the lemon too much. This is in fact not the case. Like most Monkees albums this CD contains a great variety of musical styles, and the quality of the song-writing is also pretty uneven. But since Monkees fans are known for having quite different musical preferences, there is bound to be new favorites for everyone on this collection too.

The sound and recording quality on the vast majority of these tracks levels their original albums, and it's impressing that they could manage to record so much quality material over such a short period of time. Quite many of these songs would have fitted nicely into the original albums, and a good handful of them would have improved the general impression of those albums.

My favorite here is the 1967 recording "Love to Love", a song which easily could have been a hit-record . It's a Neil Diamond song sung by Davy Jones, which due to some controversy ( some people wanted a Jones solo-career ) was not originally released on any of the official albums or singles. Great that it finally sees the light of day, in a superb sound quality.

Other great tracks are the two alternate versions of "Through the Looking Glass" and "She Hangs Out".

Peter Tork's "Tear the Top Right off My Head" is a good example of his fine song-writing abilities.

"Propinquity" is a country flavoured tune written by Michael Nesmith that would have been a fine addition to one of the latter day Monkees albums.

Missing Links, Vol. 4: Streets of Chicago

Average customer rating:

Missing Links, Vol. 4: Streets of Chicago
Link Wray
Manufacturer: Norton
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Missing Links, Vol. 2: Big City After Dark
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ASIN: B000001UG9
Release Date: 2000-07-24

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Friday Night Dance Party
Streets Of Chicago
Tattoo
Be-Bop-A-Lula
Lillian
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It's Too Late
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Driving You Insane
The Missing Links
Manufacturer: Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00002DD18
Release Date: 2003-09-16

Tracks:

Wild About You
Hobo Man
Bald-headed Woman
Not To Bother Me
Mama Keep Your Big Mouth Shut
Some Kinda Fun
You're Drivin' Me Insane
Nervous Breakdown
Speak No Evil
On The Road Again
All I Want
H'Tuom Tuhs
Somethin' Else
I'll Go Crazy
Don't Give Me No Friction
One More Time
Wooly Bully
We 2 Should Live
Untrue
All I Want
Shakin' All Over
Kansas City
Come My Way
Go Back
So Far Away
Don't Deceive
Naughty Girl
Diddy Wah Diddy

Album Description

1999 collection for one of Australia's most primitive & inventive bands of the '60s. Includes a 40 page booklet with a bio, photos, memorabilia and more. 28 tracks, including 'The Missing Links' album, single sides, EP cuts, unreleased studio tracks & more, including a cover of the smash 'Diddy Wah Diddy' recorded for TV's 'The Go!! Show' in 1966! Gatefold slipcase with an inner protective sleeve.

Album Details

One of Australia's Most Primitive, Wildest and Most Inventive 60's Bands. This Collection is Everything They Recorded. Includes Extensive Liner Notes in a 40 Page Booklet.

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Missing Links:B Sides/Rarities
Fixx
Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Visi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000E17D
Release Date: 1996-11-21

Album Description

1994 compilation on the Rough Trade distributed label R'n'D.Features nine rare tracks, including B-sides and remixes.Contains a long version of 'Sinking Island' from the'Shuttered Room' session, a remixed version of 'Stand OrFall', 'I've Been Here Before' from The Fixx's first 24track session in 1981, the original version of 'Do What YouCan', of which a studio version would later appear as ahidden track, a 1994 remix of their classic 'Red Skies', thestudio doodle 'Crystal Ice Dub' and more!