Rating: - Interesting but curious compilation
This compilation of Monkees recordings was released in Britain for the price as a single CD so most people who bought this did so just for the main CD, which contains all the hits and the best album tracks and B-sides. Among the classics to be found here are Monkees theme, Last train to Clarksville, I'm a believer (written by Neil Diamond, and a bigger hit than any of his own singles), I'm not your stepping stone, A little bit me a little bit you (another Neil Diamond song), Randy Scouse git, Pleasant valley Sunday, Daydream believer, Valleri and Listen to the band. The CD, presented in chronological order, concludes with two tracks from their eighties comeback - That was then this is now and Heart and soul. The other tracks on this CD are of a high quality though lacking the instant appeal of the hits - but if you play them often enough, they will grow on you. As a hits collection, this (on its own) is as good as I've seen by the Monkees.

The bonus CD is culled from three compilations of rarities previously released in America as Missing links volumes 1 2 and 3. These tracks have never been made available previously in Britain, though I suspect that diehard Monkees fans in Britain will prefer to import the other compilations anyway. Actually, more than half those Missing links tracks have been included here and that will be enough for most people. The standard is surprisingly high.

The packaging is lavish, with a booklet printed on high quality paper and including extensive liner notes that tell the truth about the band (not as jolly as their image suggests) and pictures of all their original LP covers. The main CD is in a standard single CD jewel case, with the bonus CD comes in a separate cardboard case and the whole is housed in a cardboard slipcase.

What this collection shows is that there was a lot more to the Monkees than most of us think. Perhaps that is why their records still sell well all these years later. If you just want a Monkees greatest hits package, the main CD is as good as you are likely to find on a single CD, especially given the quality of the booklet. If you can buy it at its British price, regard the bonus CD as just that and if you end up liking it, great, but if not, you've got your money worth anyway.

At the import price, you have to think carefully about whether you want this. At that price, you must want both CD's. That will still be cheaper than buying all the Missing links CD's, so it will depend whether you want all the rarities (buy those instead) or just the best ones (buy this).

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