Episode 6: Ep. 5 - Sweet Young Thing(ah)

Explicit content warning

03/11/24 • 68 min

Where's That Sound Coming From Presents: Questions But No Answers with Brian Marchese

Q: What happens when the most stubbornly independent Monkee is forced by a man he dislikes to do something he dislikes, such as co-write a song with strangers who happen to be one of the most successful songwriting teams of the century? A: We get a great song with a lot of versions to hear and discuss. What we don't get is a lot of facts, so this episode, while guest-free, does have some voice-acting and creative nonfiction. I try, semi seriously, to suss out who wrote what in the song. This episode also features lots of good music and two eye-opening interview clips. I hope you dig.

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Episode 5: Ep. 4 - Papa Gene's Blues

"Papa Gene's Blues" is one of Michael Nesmith's most endearing and enduring songs. I didn't set out to make this a 90 minute episode, but it's an important song with a lot of history; plus I had two guests and they were both full of so much insight. Firstly there's Lynda Wiles of Cornwall (UK), a Nezhead since the BBC debuted the Monkees television series on New Years Eve 1966. She runs multiple Nez-related web destinations that everyone should check out. Then there's Ryan Quinn, a Massachusetts-based singer songwriter and band leader (Salvation Alley), who gives some professorial insight into the nuts and bolts of "Papa Gene's Blues" as a musical composition. Along the way we'll listen to six or seven different versions of the song, from 1966 to 2018. Enjoy!

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Episode 7: Ep. 6 - Mary, Mary

Where is Mary going to? Is she safe from the persistent creepo who won't leave her alone? Is this the same Mary as in "Walkin' the Dog"? Was Michael Blessing much more of a manufactured image than Monkee Mike? Is Bloomfield's guitar solo the best part of the Butterfield version? Why isn't Micky ready? How great of a live band were The Monkees on the 1968 fall tour? When is the only time that Nez seriously pissed off your host, Brian? Did Nez try to make "Mary, Mary>Circle Sky", The Monkees' version of "China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider"? And finally, WHY YA BUGGIN'????