33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee

This is the TV special which was the final nail in the coffin for the Prefab Four. Its like the little brother of Head, full-on psychedelia, with great guest appearances from Fats Domino, Jerry Lewis, Little Richard and Clara Wood. A disaster for their career. I liked it quite a bit.

I've only just discovered that this TV special exists-- and it was everything I could've possibly hoped for. Bizzarely structured, nonsensical attempts at a plot, and the Monkees trying (and failing) to be both the Beatles and the Partridge Family at once.

But, somehow only adding to the strangeness, are some real gems: Peter Tork's organ solo is great, as is Mike Nesmith's country duet with himself. Julie Discoll's solo performance made me take note. Fats Domino was a consummate professional and his contribution would steal the show if Jerry Lee Lewis wasn't also there, reminding everyone who's the real king of rock'n'roll.

I wouldn't suggest watching this if you're just a Monkees fan-- best to go with the movie Head or just stick with the TV show-- but I would suggest it to everyone who's interested in the history of pop music. It's a glorious time capsule of what can go wrong when societal trends are badly co-opted to try and make a band look cool.

But maybe have a stiff drink and a good smoke before you do.

I would have given this a 1, but the most of the Monkees' performances saved it.

What they did with "33 1/3 Revolutions" was done better in "Head". While "33 1/3 Revolutions" had some great music (most notably Peter's keyboard solo and "Listen to the Band"), the story was muddled and less comprehensible. I fast-forwarded through much of this, usually whenever "the wizard" came on and started babbling about whatever. Even the 50's medley was a bit painful to watch.

I understood what they were trying to get at but it just felt like it had "contractual obligation" written all over it, nobody really putting in any effort to make it a better program. Considering the Monkees' history, however, they were probably glad when the entire ordeal was over.

One of my biggest regrets is that I'll never get back the 55 minutes I spent watching this. The network was right to run it against the Oscars. It spared most people the excruciation. And I'm normally a Monkees fan. This was their "Magical Mystery Tour".

I love 33 1/3, not just because I'm a Monkees fan, but the fact that it is an incredibly thought-worthy show. The Monkees take us through the history of music, as they have lost their identities, becoming Monkees number 1, 2, 3, and 4. Beautiful...marks the departure of Peter Tork from the group, leaving shortly after this was shot. Wonderful music and a blast-out end...I love it!!