OK, one last Davy Jones tribute. Because we can.
1967′s “Headquarters” was first album in which the Monkees played their own instruments. It’s awesome! And don’t just take my word for it.
One of my favorite songs on it is “Mr. Webster,” a mini-quasi folk novella about Mr. Webster, the original 99%-er (forgive me.) Mr. Webster worked at a bank for 40 years in some nameless Midwest town and was a great employee. For example, he thwarted 27 robberies.
Each time his boss, Mr. Frisbee, promised him a raise (I’m re-printing the lyrics verbtim btw) but the raise never comes because Mr. Frisbee is a rich jerk. (Insert Mitt Romney joke here.)
Anyway, at long last, the quiet, reliable, and unflappable Mr. Webster is retiring after four decades of thankless service.
And what does Mr. Webster get for his 40 years of hard work? A retirement party and a watch. Whoop-dee-do.
But there’s more to the story than that.
I won’t spoil the ending, but it’s cool.
What’s also cool is Peter’s piano playing, Mickey’s vocals, kissed with some hall reverb, and, at the end of the song, what may be the longest tambourine flair/trill in pop music history, courtesy of – you guess it – Davy Jones.
Dude could really play the tambo.
Enjoy!
