''Missing Links Volume Two'' is a

compilation album A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several Performing arts#Performers, performers. If by one artist, then generally the tr ...

of rare and previously unreleased songs by the Monkees, issued by

Rhino Records A rhinoceros (; ; ), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant species (or numerous extinct species) of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. (It can also refer to a member of any of the extinct species o ...

in 1990. It is the second volume of a three-volume set, preceded by '' Missing Links'' in 1987 and followed by ''

Missing Links Volume Three ''Missing Links Volume Three'' is a compilation album of rare and previously unreleased songs by The Monkees, issued by Rhino Records in 1996. It is the third and final volume of a three-volume set, preceded by '' Missing Links'' in 1987 and ''Mi ...

'' in 1996. While several of the tracks had been featured in the Monkees'

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite television, satellite, or cable television, cable, excluding breaking news, television adverti ...

, only one of the tracks had ever been issued commercially: the live version of "Circle Sky" had appeared in the Monkees' feature film ''

Head A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple animals may ...

'' and was previously released on the Australian compilation ''

Monkeemania (40 Timeless Hits) ''Monkeemania (40 Timeless Hits)'' is a Monkees compilation released in Australia in 1979. It contains 40 of the Monkees' songs, including hit singles, B-sides, album tracks and three previously unreleased tracks: "Love to Love," "Steam Engine" ...

'' in 1979.'' This compilation contains one mislabeled track, as "Down the Highway" is mistitled "Michigan Blackhawk." As this compilation was released on both cassette and CD, tracks 7, 11, 14 and 15 do not appear on the original cassette version. A vinyl version was released in 2021 from Friday Music for Record Store Day.

Track listing

Session information

"All the King's Horses" *Written by Michael Nesmith *Lead vocal: Micky Dolenz *Harmony vocals: Michael Nesmith *Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork *Guitar: James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey *Bass: Larry Knechtel,

Bob West Robert Matthew West (born June 25, 1956) is an American voice actor and graphic designer. He is best known as the original voice of Barney in the PBS children's television series ''Barney & Friends''. Career 1979–1988: Early voice work c ...

*Drums: Hal Blaine *Percussion: Gary Coleman, Jim Gordon *Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California, June 25 (7:30 pm–12:15 am), July 16, 1966 (during sessions for '' The Monkees)'' *Produced by Michael Nesmith "Valleri" (first recorded version) *Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart *Lead vocal: Davy Jones *Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Tommy Boyce, Wayne Erwin, Bobby Hart, Ron Hicklin *Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee,

Louie Shelton William Louis Shelton (born April 6, 1941) is an American guitarist and music producer. Biography During the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s Shelton was a session musician working in recording studios around Hollywood. Among his more notable session wo ...

*Bass: Larry Taylor *Drums: Billy Lewis *Tambourine: Gene Estes *Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart *Recorded at RCA Victor Studio A, Hollywood, California, August 6 (7:30 P.M. - 10:30 P.M.), August 27 (3:30 P.M. start), 1966, during sessions for '' More of the Monkees''. It was later re-cut for '' The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees''. "St. Matthew" *Written by Michael Nesmith *Lead vocal: Michael Nesmith *Electric guitar: Michael Nesmith *Guitar:

Harold Bradley Harold Ray Bradley (January 2, 1926 – January 31, 2019) was an American guitarist and entrepreneur, who played on many country, rock and pop recordings and produced numerous TV variety shows and movie soundtracks. Having started as a session ...

, Wayne Moss *Steel guitar: Lloyd Green *Bass: Norbert Putnam *Banjo: Bobby Thompson *Drums: Jerry Carrigan *Percussion/Organ: Unknown *Piano: David Briggs *Fiddle:

Buddy Spicher Buddy Spicher (born July 28, 1938 in DuBois, Pennsylvania; pronounced “Spiker”) is an American country music fiddle player. He is a member of The Nashville A-Team of session musicians, and is Grammy-nominated. He was nominated as Instrumental ...

*Produced by Michael Nesmith *Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Nashville, Tennessee, June 2 (12:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.), June 12, August 5, 1968, during sessions for ''

'' "Words" (first recorded version) *Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart *Lead vocals: Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork *Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Tommy Boyce, Wayne Erwin, Bobby Hart, Ron Hicklin *Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, Louie Shelton *Bass: Larry Taylor *Drums: Billy Lewis *Percussion: Norm Jeffries *Flute: Ethmer Roten *Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart *Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, August 15 (7:00 P.M. - 1:00 A.M.) and 27 (3:30 P.M. start), during sessions for ''More of the Monkees''. It was later re-cut for '' Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.'' *Includes a backwards tape segment not included in the episode of the TV series in which the track appeared ("Monkees Manhattan Style") "Some of Shelly's Blues" *Written by Michael Nesmith *Lead vocal: Michael Nesmith *Acoustic guitar: Billy Sanford *Steel guitar: Lloyd Green *Banjo:

Sonny Osborne Sonny Osborne (October 29, 1937October 24, 2021) was an American bluegrass musician and founding member of the Osborne Brothers. Personal life Born on October 29, 1937 in Thousandsticks, Kentucky, Sonny Osborne's father was a farmer, teacher, a ...

*Bass: Bobby Dyson *Drums:

Willie Ackerman Willie Ackerman (May 1, 1939 – December 13, 2012) was a professional American drummer whose career began in 1957 and ended in the 2000s. He performed with Johnny Cash, Louis Armstrong, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, The Monkees, Keith ...

*Organ: Larry Butler *Harmonica: Charlie McCoy *Produced by Michael Nesmith and

Felton Jarvis Charles Felton Jarvis (November 15, 1934 – January 3, 1981) was an American record producer and singer. Career As an RCA Victor record producer, Jarvis was responsible for most recordings of Elvis Presley in the years 1966–1977. He also rele ...

*Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Nashville, Tennessee, May 29 (6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.), June 2 (10:30 P.M. - 1:30 A.M.), 1968, during sessions for ''Head'' "I Wanna Be Free" (fast version) *Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart *Lead vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones *Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, Louie Shelton *Bass: Larry Taylor *Drums: Billy Lewis *Tambourine: Gene Estes *Organ:

Michel Rubini Michel Rubini (born December 3, 1942) is an American musician, conductor, arranger, producer, songwriter and composer. A professional classical pianist since early childhood, he was a prolific session musician of the 1960s and '70s, part of a grou ...

*Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart *Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California, July 19, (2:00–6:00 PM, 7:00-10:00 PM) and 24 (11:00 AM-7:00 PM), 1966, during sessions for ''The Monkees'' "If I Ever Get to Saginaw Again" *Written by Jack Keller and Bob Russell *Lead vocal: Michael Nesmith *Guitar: Del Kacher? *Electric Guitar: Louie Shelton *Acoustic Guitar:

Dennis Budimir Dennis Matthew Budimir (June 20, 1938 – January 2023) was an American jazz and rock guitarist. He was considered to be a member of The Wrecking Crew. Biography Budimir learned to play piano and guitar in his youth and first played profession ...

, Al Casey, Mike Deasy *Bass: Max Bennett *Drums: Earl Palmer *Tambourine/Vibes: Milt Holland,

Stan Levey Adolph Stanley Levey known professionally as Stan Levey (April 5, 1926 – April 19, 2005) was an American jazz drummer. He was known for working with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie in the early development of bebop during the 1940s, and i ...

*Harpsichord:

Michael Melvoin Mike Melvoin (May 10, 1937February 22, 2012) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. He served as chairman and president of The Recording Academy and worked as a prolific studio musician, recording with Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, ...

*Violin: Jack Gootkin, Bob Jung, George Poole, Heimann Weinstine, William Weiss *Viola: Garry Nuttycombe *Cello: Douglas Davis *Produced by Michael Nesmith and Don McGinnis *Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California, March 9 (4:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M., 8:30 P.M. - 11:30 P.M.), 1968, January 31 (2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.), 1969, and at United Recorders, Hollywood, March 6 (2:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.) and 7, 1969 "Come on In" *Written by Jo Mapes *Lead vocal: Peter Tork *Electric guitar:

Stephen Stills Stephen Arthur Stills (born January 3, 1945) is an American musician, singer and songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. As both a solo act and member of two successful bands, Stills has com ...

, Lance Wakely *Bass: Peter Tork *Drums: Dewey Martin *Tack piano: Peter Tork *Produced by Peter Tork *Recorded at Western Recorders, Hollywood, California, February 8 (9:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.), 9, 11-13, 1968, during sessions for ''The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees'' *The liner notes mistakenly credit the song to Steven Duboff and Neil Levenson " I'll Be Back Up on My Feet" (mono TV version) *Written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell *Lead vocal: Micky Dolenz *Backing vocal: Unknown *Guitars: Al Casey,

Carol Kaye Carol Kaye (née Smith, born March 24, 1935) is an American musician. She is one of the most prolific recorded bass guitarists in rock and pop music, playing on an estimated 10,000 recordings in a career spanning over 50 years. Kaye began play ...

*Bass:

Ray Pohlman Merlyn Ray Pohlman (July 22, 1930 – November 1, 1990) was an American session musician and arranger who played both upright bass and bass guitar, and also did sessions as a guitarist. He is credited with being the first electric bass player in ...

*Drums: Hal Blaine *Percussion:

Frank Capp Francis Cappuccio (August 20, 1931 – September 12, 2017), known professionally as Frank Capp, was an American jazz drummer. Capp also played on numerous rock and roll sessions and is considered to be a member of The Wrecking Crew. Biography ...

Julius Wechter Julius Wechter (May 10, 1935 – February 1, 1999) was an American musician and composer who played the marimba and vibraphone. He also played various percussion instruments. He composed the song "Spanish Flea" for Herb Alpert and was leader of The ...

*Piano: Don Randi and Michel Rubini *Produced by Jeff Barry *Recorded on October 28, 1966, during sessions for ''More of the Monkees''. It was later re-cut for ''The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees''. "Down the Highway (aka Michigan Blackhawk)" *Written by Carole King and Toni Stern *Lead vocal: Michael Nesmith *Guitars: Al Casey, Louie Shelton *Bass: Max Bennett *Drums: Hal Blaine *Piano: Larry Knechtel *Produced by Michael Nesmith *Recorded in June 5 (2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.), 1969 *Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; June 5, 1969, during sessions for ''

The Monkees Present ''The Monkees Present'' (full title being ''The Monkees Present Micky, David, Michael,'' also known as simply ''Present'') is the Monkees' eighth album. It is the second Monkees album released after the departure of Peter Tork and the last to feat ...

''. Several sources erroneously claim the song was recorded in June 1968. *The actual title of this song is "Down the Highway". It was confused with an unrelated and unfinished Michael Nesmith song entitled "Michigan Blackhawk", recorded on June 10, 1969. "Hold on Girl" (first recorded version) *Written by Jack Keller, Ben Raleigh, Billy Carr *Lead vocal: Davy Jones *Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, Ron Hicklin *Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, Louie Shelton *Bass: Larry Taylor *Drums: Billy Lewis *Percussion: Alan Estes *Oboe: Norman Benno *Harpsichord: Michel Rubini *Produced by Jeff Barry and Jack Keller *Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California, September 10 and 24 (2:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M., 7:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.), 1966, during sessions for ''More of the Monkees'' "The Crippled Lion" *Written by Michael Nesmith *Lead vocal: Michael Nesmith *Acoustic guitar: Harold Bradley *Steel guitar: Lloyd Green *Banjo: Sonny Osborne *Bass: Bobby Dyson *Drums: Jerry Carrigan *Organ: David Briggs *Produced by Michael Nesmith and Felton Jarvis *Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Nashville, Tennessee, May 29 (10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.), 1968, during sessions for ''Head'' "Changes" *Written by David Jones and Steve Pitts *Lead vocal: Davy Jones *Guitar: Mike Deasy,

Al Hendrickson Alton Reynolds Hendrickson (May 10, 1920 – July 19, 2007) was an American jazz guitarist and occasional vocalist. Biography When he was five years old, Hendrickson's family moved to California, where he grew up. He played early in his career w ...

, Gerry McGee *Bass: Max Bennett *Drums: Earl Palmer *Percussion: Milt Holland, Jerry Williams *Piano: Don Randi *Violin: Sam Freed, Nathan Kaproff, George Kast, Marvin Limonick, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld *Cello: Marie Fera, Jacqueline Lustgarten, Edgar Lustgarten, Frederick Seykora *Trumpet:

Buddy Childers Marion "Buddy" Childers (February 12, 1926 – May 24, 2007) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer and ensemble leader. Childers became famous in 1942 at the age of 16, when Stan Kenton hired him to be the lead trumpet in his band. Biography ...

, Jack Sheldon *French Horn: John Cave, David Duke, Arthur Maebe *Trombone: George Roberts *Produced by The Monkees *Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, February 6 (2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M., 10:00 P.M. - 2:00 A.M.) and 8 (7:30 P.M. - 10:30 P.M.), 1968, during sessions for ''The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees'' "Mr. Webster" (first recorded version) *Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart *Lead/backing vocals: Micky Dolenz *Acoustic guitars: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, Louie Shelton *Bass: Larry Taylor *Harpsichord: Michel Rubini *Percussion: Alan Estes *Oboe: Norman Benno *Cello: Maggie Aue *Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart *Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California, September 10 and 24 (2:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M., 7:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.), 1966, during sessions for ''More of the Monkees''. It was later re-cut for ''

Headquarters Headquarters (commonly referred to as HQ) denotes the location where most, if not all, of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. In the United States, the corporate headquarters represents the entity at the center or the to ...

''. "You Just May Be The One" (first recorded version) *Written by Michael Nesmith *Lead vocals: Michael Nesmith *Backing vocals: Michael Nesmith and Unknown *Guitar/Dano bass: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Mike Deasey *Bass: Bob West *Drums: Hal Blaine *Percussion: Gary Coleman, Frank DeVito *Piano: Larry Knechtel *Produced by Michael Nesmith *Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California, July 18 (8:00 P.M.-12:00 A.M.) and 27, 1966 during sessions for ''The Monkees''. It was later re-cut for ''Headquarters''. *Featured doubling of regular bass with Danelectro bass. The doubling of bass proved difficult to master, as some 35 takes were needed before the backing track was completed. "(I Prithee) Do Not Ask For Love" (first recorded version) *Written by Michael Martin Murphey *Lead vocal: Micky Dolenz *Guitar: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Mike Deasey *Bass: Bob West *Drums: Hal Blaine *Percussion: Gary Coleman, Jim Gordon *Piano: Michael Cohen, Larry Knechtel *Produced by Michael Nesmith *Recorded at Western Recorders, Hollywood, on July 25 (8:00 P.M. - 12:15 A.M.) and at RCA Victor Studios on October 18 (4:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.), 1966, during sessions for ''The Monkees'' and ''More of the Monkees'' "

Circle Sky "Circle Sky" is a song written by Michael Nesmith which appeared on The Monkees' sixth album, the Head (The Monkees album), ''Head'' soundtrack, and also in the film ''Head (film), Head'' as a live concert performance. Background and inspiration ...

" (live version) * Written by Michael Nesmith * Lead vocal: Michael Nesmith * Electric guitar: Michael Nesmith * Bass: Peter Tork * Drums: Micky Dolenz * Percussion/Organ: Davy Jones * Produced by Michael Nesmith * Recorded live at Valley Auditorium and Lagoon Park Amusement Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, May 17, 1968, with overdubbed vocals recorded at RCA Victor Studios from May 21, 1968. Performance featured in the film ''

''. "Seeger's Theme" (fourth recorded version) *Written by Pete Seeger *Whistling: Peter Tork *Guitars: Peter Tork, Lance Wakely *Banjo/bass: Peter Tork *Drums: Buddy Miles *Produced by Peter Tork *Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California, February 12 and 13, 1968, during sessions for ''The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees'' *Originally recorded during sessions for ''Headquarters''. First version released on ''

The Headquarters Sessions ''The Headquarters Sessions'' is an 84-track three- CD set by the Monkees containing 60 previously unreleased recordings from the sessions that produced the band's third album, '' Headquarters''. It includes recordings from sessions where the ba ...

''. " Riiu Chiu" (studio version) *Traditional *Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz *Harmony vocals: Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork,

Chip Douglas Douglas Farthing Hatlelid (born August 27, 1942), better known as Chip Douglas, is an American songwriter, musician (bass, guitar and keyboards), and record producer, whose most famous work was during the 1960s. He was the bassist of the Turtle ...

*Produced by Chip Douglas *Recorded on October 3, 1967, during sessions for ''Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.'' *Douglas substitutes for Davy Jones on harmony vocals

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Missing Links 2 The Monkees compilation albums 1990 compilation albums Rhino Records compilation albums