Pool It!
Encyclopedia
Pool It!, issued 1987 by Rhino Records, is a pop/rock album (the tenth studio release) by The Monkees
. It was the first "reunion album" by the band after their 1986 rebirth, and it marked the return of Peter Tork
along with Micky Dolenz
and Davy Jones
. Michael Nesmith
did not participate in this reunion.
Much like the group's early work, the playing and writing of the album was handled in large part by session musicians, with the Monkees themselves contributing lead vocals and some instrumentation, namely Peter Tork on his own song "Gettin' In".
The album was not a particular commercial or critical success; it only reached #72 on the Billboard 200
. Only one single from the album, "Heart and Soul," managed to make Billboards Hot 100 chart, peaking at #87. The follow-up single, a remixed version of "Every Step of the Way", failed to chart.
According to the Eric Lefcowitz book "The Monkees Tale Revised Edition" (Last Gasp, 1989), this album and the two singles relating to it were recorded by "Dolenz, Tork & Jones" (not the Monkees). This information is on page 103 under "updated discography". However, the billing on the LP itself is " Peter, Micky, Davy -The Monkees."
" playing in the background. Inside the ice factory, Davy, Micky and Peter are found frozen in blocks of ice and wearing their outfits from the Monkees television show
. The video quickly fast-forwards to 1987 where the three Monkees are thawed and learn how much has changed since the late 1960s. They try to land work as musicians, but end up washing dishes.
The second video produced was for "Every Step of the Way". Unlike "Heart and Soul", "Every Step of the Way" attempts to distance the group from their 60s persona. With the exception of a short clip of the three walking together in the Monkees walk, the video attempts to modernize the group.
"(I'd Go The) Whole Wide World"
"Long Way Home"
"Secret Heart"
"Gettin' In"
"(I'll) Love You Forever"
"Every Step Of The Way"
"Don't Bring Me Down"
"Midnight"
"She's Movin' In With Rico"
"Since You Went Away"
"Counting On You"
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,...
. It was the first "reunion album" by the band after their 1986 rebirth, and it marked the return of Peter Tork
Peter Tork
Peter 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...
along with Micky Dolenz
Micky Dolenz
George 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:...
and Davy Jones
Davy Jones (actor)
David Thomas "Davy" Jones is an English rock singer-songwriter and actor best known as a member of the Monkees.-Early life:...
. 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...
did not participate in this reunion.
Much like the group's early work, the playing and writing of the album was handled in large part by session musicians, with the Monkees themselves contributing lead vocals and some instrumentation, namely Peter Tork on his own song "Gettin' In".
The album was not a particular commercial or critical success; it only reached #72 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. Only one single from the album, "Heart and Soul," managed to make Billboards Hot 100 chart, peaking at #87. The follow-up single, a remixed version of "Every Step of the Way", failed to chart.
According to the Eric Lefcowitz book "The Monkees Tale Revised Edition" (Last Gasp, 1989), this album and the two singles relating to it were recorded by "Dolenz, Tork & Jones" (not the Monkees). This information is on page 103 under "updated discography". However, the billing on the LP itself is " Peter, Micky, Davy -The Monkees."
Music videos
Two promotional music videos were produced for Pool It! The first was for "Heart and Soul". The video begins in an ice factory in 1967 with the song "Last Train to ClarksvilleLast Train to Clarksville
"Last Train to Clarksville" was the debut single by The Monkees, released August 16, 1966, and later included on the group's 1966 self-titled album, that was released on October 10, 1966. The song was recorded at RCA Victor Studio B in Hollywood, on July 25, 1966...
" playing in the background. Inside the ice factory, Davy, Micky and Peter are found frozen in blocks of ice and wearing their outfits from the Monkees television show
The Monkees (TV series)
The Monkees is an American situation comedy that aired on NBC from September 1966 to March 1968. The series follows the adventures of four young men trying to make a name for themselves as rock 'n roll singers. The show introduced a number of innovative new-wave film techniques to series...
. The video quickly fast-forwards to 1987 where the three Monkees are thawed and learn how much has changed since the late 1960s. They try to land work as musicians, but end up washing dishes.
The second video produced was for "Every Step of the Way". Unlike "Heart and Soul", "Every Step of the Way" attempts to distance the group from their 60s persona. With the exception of a short clip of the three walking together in the Monkees walk, the video attempts to modernize the group.
Track listing
- "Heart and Soul" (Simon Byrne, Andrew Howell)
- "(I'd Go The) Whole Wide World(I'd Go The) Whole Wide World" Whole Wide World" is a song written by English rock and roll singer-songwriter Eric Goulden, better known as Wreckless Eric. Goulden wrote the song in May 1974, and recorded it in 1977 while an original member of the Stiff Records label...
" (Eric GouldenWreckless EricWreckless Eric is an English rock and roll/new wave singer-songwriter, best known for his 1977 single " Whole Wide World" on Stiff Records. More than two decades after its release, the song was included in Mojo magazine’s list of the best punk rock singles of all time...
) - "Long Way Home" (Dick Eastman, Bobby Hart)
- "Secret Heart" (Brian Fairweather, Martin Page)
- "Gettin' In" (Peter Tork)
- "(I'll) Love You Forever" (David Jones)
- "Every Step of the Way" (Mark Clarke, Ian Hunter)
- "Don't Bring Me Down" (Bill Teeley, Glenn Wyka)
- "Midnight" (David)
- "She's Movin' in with Rico" (Andrew Howell)
- "Since You Went Away" (Michael Levine)
- "Counting on You" (Alan Green)
Session information
"Heart And Soul"- Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
"(I'd Go The) Whole Wide World"
- Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
"Long Way Home"
- Lead vocal by David Jones
"Secret Heart"
- Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
"Gettin' In"
- Lead vocal by Peter Tork
"(I'll) Love You Forever"
- Lead vocal by David Jones
"Every Step Of The Way"
- Lead vocal by David Jones
- Alternate version with Jones extra vocal interlude was included on the "Listen To The Band" box.
"Don't Bring Me Down"
- Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
"Midnight"
- Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
"She's Movin' In With Rico"
- Lead vocal by David Jones
"Since You Went Away"
- Lead vocal by Peter Tork
"Counting On You"
- Lead vocal by David Jones
Musicians
- Mark Christian - guitar
- Davey FaragherDavey FaragherDavey Faragher is an American bass guitarist from Redlands, California. Faragher's career took off and received critical notice as a founding member of the nineties band, Cracker, and his following work with The Imposters, the backing band for Elvis Costello since 2001.Faragher is an accomplished...
, George Hawkins - bass - Curly Smith - drums
- Mike Egizi - keyboards
- Craig Ostbo, Roger BechirianRoger BechirianRoger Béchirian is a noted engineer and record producer, a key player in the 70’s new wave scene best known for his work with Nick Lowe, Paul Carrack, Elvis Costello, The Undertones, Dave Edmunds, Squeeze, Trashcan Sinatras and more recently Bell X1....
- percussion