Micky Dolenz celebrates 'Good Times!' and great songs at The Coach House

Micky Dolenz performing at The
Coach House on July 15, 2017.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

The fun-filled title of the Monkees' celebrated 2016 album Good Times! could well have doubled as the theme of Micky Dolenz' upbeat concert at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on July 15, 2017.

Performing nearly two dozen songs over the course of 80 minutes, the Los Angeles native was backed by a terrific four-man band along with his sister Coco Dolenz, the latter whose soaring vocals and winning personality added additional dimension to the songs.

Micky Dolenz is one of only a handful of rock singers who first rose to prominence in the 1960s whose vocals are as strong as they were in their prime. Again and again throughout his Saturday night appearance in San Juan Capistrano, this reviewer was amazed how terrific Dolenz sounded. While many veteran singers push the microphone away when they get to high notes, Dolenz embraced the joy of singing. The incredible vocal gifts that helped define the Monkees from the time Dolenz was first heard as lead vocalist on the Monkees' first chart-topping hit "Last Train to Clarksville" in late 1966 were displayed in spades during the performance.

Micky Dolenz at The Coach House.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

But even the greatest singer would be wasting their time if they were not blessed with the tuneful and smart songs that filled Dolenz' set. Opening with the Michael Nesmith-penned "Mary, Mary," the version here was as energetic and infectious as the original 1966 recording featuring a much younger Dolenz backed by The Wrecking Crew (including top session musicians James Burton, Hal Blaine and Glen Campbell). Shaking maracas in rhythm while he sang and smiled, the intimate Coach House crowd was quickly transported back in time. 

And the highlights kept coming. Performances of "That Was Then, This Is Now" (a bona fide comeback hit for the Monkees in 1986), the wistful "Sometime in the Morning," garage rock-styled "She" and a honky tonk-tinged take on the Jerry Leiber-Mike Stoller classic "D.W. Washburn" displayed the uniformly strong, but engaging range of the Monkees' songbook as well as Dolenz' youthful approach and pure joy of music making.

Dolenz was obviously thrilled to reflect on the Monkees' 50th anniversary return via Good Times!, one of the strongest albums of 2016. He jokingly introduced one of the stellar tracks from that disc, the cheerful "You Bring The Summer," by asking: "We got any Monkees fans out there?...(audience cheers) We'll soon fix that." But that absolutely infectious power-pop song written by Andy Partridge (of XTC fame) afforded the crowd to bask in the pleasures of hearing a great song delivered by a favorite artist in an intimate setting. A few selections later, Dolenz revisited recent history again with the shimmering "She Makes Me Laugh," a Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) composition that fully captured the spirit of what made – and makes – the Monkees' sound so unique and timeless.

Guitarist Wayne Avers.

Dolenz was able to move beyond his own string of Monkees-related hits with credible tributes to both Chuck Berry (he auditioned for the hit NBC-TV show with a version of "Johnny B. Goode" that was a staple of his earlier rock group Micky and the One-Nighters and offered up the song here), and Jimi Hendrix (who Dolenz recruited to open for a string of dates with the Monkees in July 1967) with a blistering version of "Purple Haze" featuring lead guitarist Wayne Avers.

Likely every fan had their own favorites this night. I count a moving version of "Me and Magdalena" that he sang as a duet with Coco Dolenz, the rousing rocker "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone," soaring Beatles-styled "Pleasant Valley Sunday," moving tribute to late Monkees band mate Davy Jones with "Daydream Believer" and night-ending "I'm a Believer" among the other additional surefire moments I will long remember.

Kelly Bowlin at The Coach House.

Opening for Dolenz was the top-tier Americana troupe Kelly Bowlin and the Orphans. Describing their sound as "Dirty Country" early in the set, the six-man troupe unleased a 40-minute set of songs that fell amidst roughly the same sonic territory as Steve Earle (they performed a great cover of "Copperhead Road"), Tom Petty and the late alt-country pioneer Gram Parsons.  

Kelly Bowlin, singing and playing an octave mandolin, led the Orphans through some great originals too. The countrified rocker "Williamsburg" was adorned with nice harmonies, while the tender "Judas Kiss" was an affecting country-folk ballad that grew in power as it went along. The full-on rocker "Borderline" afforded another opportunity for the group to shine, earning big cheers from the big crowd on hand for the show.

A wonderful night of live music to be sure. 

Micky Dolenz celebrated his legacy at the Coach House
with a Monkees-filled set on Saturday, July 15, 2017.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Micky Dolenz setlist at The Coach House on July 15, 2017:
Mary, Mary
That Was Then, This Is Now
Sometime in the Morning
She
D.W. Washburn
You Bring The Summer
A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
She Makes Me Laugh
Last Train To Clarksville
Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry tribute)
Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix tribute)
Me and Magdalena
Different Drum (featuring Coco Dolenz)
Let's Dance On

Kelly Bowlin and the Orphans at The Coach House.

For Pete's Sake
(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone
Words
White Rabbit (featuring Coco Dolenz)
Goin' Down
Daydream Believer
Pleasant Valley Sunday
I'm a Believer


Review by Robert Kinsler



Photos courtesy of Bob Steshetz

New titles celebrate the art of song craft

What would the music universe be without variety? Titles featuring singer-songwriters Chi McClean, Mark McKinney, Gerry Rafferty, Kelly Bowlin, and an original motion picture soundtrack celebrating the life of Muhammad Ali showcase a variety of musical styles in spades.

Artist: Chi McClean
Title: Let Me In (Chi McClean)
You might like if you enjoy: Jackie Greene, Rich Robinson, Ryan Adams
Tell me more: Southern rock-styled singer-songwriter Chi McClean's latest album Let Me In is a bona fide wonder and provides plenty of proof why it is so essential to seek out independent artists (the disc was released in 2016, but discovered by this writer in January 2017) . From the anthemic gospel-tinged "I Save You" and the bluesy ballad "Build Me Up" (featuring some terrific lead guitar from Audley Freed) to the piano-anchored rock 'n' soul "Life Got In The Way" and sweeping banjo-adorned "Thought I'd Never," McClean's potent vocals and original song craft shine across the eight-track disc. The New York native is backed on the self-produced collection by a group of solid players, and Let Me In is truly one of those majestic albums that sounds great at home or as a companion soundtrack on that long-distance drive to a favorite destination. Information: ChiMcClean.com.

Artist: Mark McKinney
Title: World In Between (Texas Evolution)
You might like if you enjoy: Tim McGraw, Gary Allen
Tell me more: A long-time favorite in Austin's country music scene, singer-songwriter Mark McKinney's fifth album World In Between straddles country, Americana and roots rock. On this album, McKinney not only handles the bulk of songwriting duties, but he frequently plays a number of instruments on the same track. While the material is never less than infectious and his choruses soar, there is a straightforward honesty that comes via McKinney's rich baritone and his real life-minded lyrics. "Bacon & Eggs" is a pretty ballad whose warm stylings include backing vocals from his wife Cassie McKinney as well as his brother Eric McKinney's subtle mandolin play. On "Rainy Day Monday," the catchy country-meets-reggae musical vibe comes in the service of a lyrical dream of living the good life albeit with the sober refrain "I'd rather run out of money than run out of time." Information: MarkMcKinney.com.

Artist: Gerry Rafferty
Title: The Best of Gerry Rafferty (Varese Sarabande)
You might like if you enjoy: Gerry Rafferty, Stealers Wheel, Gordon Lightfoot
Tell me more: Even before his death at the age of 63 in January 2011, Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty was an almost-mythological artist beloved for a string of memorable hits despite his uncomfortable relationship with the music industry. The Best of Gerry Rafferty is a new collection that features the artist's greatest hits together and the result is a chance to hear the enduring power of his songs, notably the evocative "Baker Street," undeniable folk rocker "Big Change In the Weather," and the confessional "Right Down the Line." Those only casually familiar with Rafferty will be equally impressed with the R&B ballad "The Way That You Do It," moody rocker "Get It Right Next Time," the Celtic-mining "The Royal Mile (Sweet Darlin')" and other stellar songs on the16-track collection. Excellent liner notes penned Larry R. Watts and photos of Rafferty also are included with the audio CD version of the release. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Artist: Kelly Bowlin and the Orphans
Title: Are You Listening? (CD Baby)
You might like if you enjoy: The Jayhawks, Carbon Leaf, Steve Earle
Tell me more: Music lovers who enjoy a band more interested in following its original instincts more than fitting into any narrow genre will want to check out the latest album from the freewheeling troupe Kelly Bowlin and the Orphans. An ambitious release, Are You Listening? includes the spirited alt country rocker "Choir of Angels," the affecting acoustic ballad "You Can Never Go Home," high octane Americana rocker "Borderline" and more than a dozen other songs that navigate from Americana ("Dancing In A Hurricane") to bluegrass ("Kentucky Angel," "Three Days") to alt rock ("Fortune Teller," "Thanksgiving Day") and elsewhere (including the child's lullaby "A Ship Called the Dreamer"). Please note that Kelly Bowlin and the Orphans are set to open for the Blind Boys of Alabama at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. Information: KellyBowlinAndTheOrphans.com. 

Title: Muhammad Ali in "The Greatest": Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Varese Sarabande)
You might like if you enjoy: George Benson, Muhammad Ali
Tell me more: This year marks the 40th anniversary of "The Greatest," a 1977 film that starred Muhammad Ali portraying himself. Now, the soundtrack for that film has been reissued as a deluxe edition on audio CD, with the release including Michael Masser's instrumental score as well as songs performed by George Benson and Mandrill. In addition, the new version includes a rare 1964 single by Cassius Clay rapping "I Am The Greatest" and singing "Stand By Me," and other bonus material. Included in the booklet that accompanies the CD version of the release is a liner note essay by A. Scott Galloway that enhances the understanding of the soundtrack. Ali, who died in June 2016, would have turned 75 on Jan. 17, 2017. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Robert Kinsler