I Prithee. Don't like it. Don't like the lyrics. Sounds like it is scripture from The Bible being sung. Maybe it is, I don't know. 2/5
I think it's more Shakespearian than Biblic. It should come out a bit twee but for some strange reason it works. Again, musically, very-Byrds like. Reminds me of this : Deserves at least 3/5.
3/5 - my favorite version is actually Peter's demo, followed by Micky's, Davy's, and then the 33 1/3 take. So basically, everything I liked and disliked about El Torko can be found here. I agree that Davy handles himself well on this one but him singing such a stereotypically "'60s" song just strikes me as a little forced. Mick sells it well, though.
Prithee is one of my all time favs. I even like Peter's Eastern sitar version used on the 33 1/3 Revolutions per Monkee TV special. They probably should have used Davy's vocal as an album cut in the 60s. 3 out of 4 Monkees recorded this tune as the lead singer - pretty cool! 5/5
I quite like 'I Prithee' as a song; it's got texture and colour, though the faux early modern English seems overly contrived.
I give it a solid 3/5. This a typical Monkees song (I mean that in a good way). Sung well and perhaps if I heard the song a little more often I could give it a 4.
This is one of the songs that elevated ML2 to the upper third of all Monkees releases for me (along with Saginaw, Down the Highway, All the Kings Horses, St. Matthew to name a few) back when it first came out. First Monkees CD I owned. By the time it was released I was particularly interested in songs that were produced by Nesmith or credited to the Monkees, as well as songs that had multiple Monkees on the tracks. Later thanks to YouTube, the Sandoval book and other sources many alternate takes and vocals of songs too were heard. This one falls into all those categories. Loved the Micky version, thought the Peter version fit well for what he was doing at the time and really enjoyed the Davy vocal. I usually like most songs and arrangements with Davy on lead better when they were written or produced by group members or had the other guys and Chip involved. I just posted about that in the thread on Best/Worst Monkees songs, so that is all I will say.
The New Society's version of "Of You" is a stark reminder of how good Nez was at making a song fit his sensibilities, even if he was having his ideas translated by top rank sessions players. He really was a great producer. This version feels like a Byrds song and a Mamas & Papas song combined in a blender. "I Prithee" is an interesting case where the Shakespearean language is very gimmicky, almost a novelty, yet Micky sang the first released version with such conviction that it's a triumph. While the language was tailor-made for Davy's British accent, his take feels more tentative than Micky's. M&M's backing vocals are an interesting attempt, but don't feel like they fit the song. Maybe in part it's because I was so used to the take with Micky for so many years before it saw the light of day. The interplay of the 12-string, harpsichord and Hal Blaine's propulsive drumming are a treat. I do like the Eastern tones and overall performance of Peter's 33 1/3 version but there are a few weak moments in his vocal that I wish they had had the luxury to fix with a recorded take.
(I Prithee) Do Not Ask For Love 3/5 for the song. My preference is Davy's version (though the other versions are fine) as the song seemed to fit his vocal/accent the best....as others have said he seemed a little tentative, but I wonder if they only had one or two takes? A bit of polishing would have made it really shine.
Prithee -- 2/5 (and that's a generous 2 as I save a 1 for pure dreck). None of the versions have ever done anything for me, though I guess the 68-version is probably the best of the pile. But that's not saying much.
I love all the different versions of Prithee. Micky’s vocal version is my favorite. As I’ve said before, it’s amazing that Micky could turn in this kind of outstanding vocal performance so early in to his recording career. 4/5.
I heard I'm Gonna Buy Me A Dog on Spotify in a bar yesterday. Funny how Dolenz handles a bunch of lead singing chores with aplomb but his singing on Dog is ragged and casual. I'm not criticizing as much as I was surprised how he doesn't take this singing job seriously at all. I remembered everything about it, but hadn't actually heard it in decades. I'm glad it was on.
I really like I Prithee! Especially Micky’s version, and that’s the version I’m rating it based on. 4/5
I forgot to give my rating of "Of You" . 4/5 Prithee is an okay song. Weird lyrics but it's pleasant enough. I like Micky's version the most, but Pete's from 33 1/3 isn't bad either. 3/5
(I Prithee) Do Not Ask For Love Micky's voice is really off-key (sharp) on this track but I still like it. The arrangement I like best is actually the Peter Tork version with just guitars doing the backing (heard on the "Raritees" disc of The Birds, The Bees, and The Monkees. There's something about the simplicity of it that really works for me. Of course, one of the other three singing lead would have been more pleasing to the ear. I give this song a 4/5.
I'm dumbfounded by the likeness of Peter's "I Prithee". It's so off key even worse than most of Peter's songs and I don't mind those. I've never been able to get through either version .. BBM or 33 1/3.
I give it a 3/5. Not great, but okay. Another song Nez brought to the project. If you search the bowels of Facebook, you can find a clip of Peter and Micky playing and singing it at one of those conventions where they sign autographs. And I can't believe I'm going to post another New Society clip!
Prithee... I’ve tried, but I just don’t like this song. Weird, because the other Murphey song The Monkees covered is probably a Top 5 Monkees song for me. One of my favorite songs by anyone, really (A song I’d love to do at a karaoke night!). But “Prithee”? Blecch. I think it’s a just odd song to sing, and probably hard to make it sound convincing with all those “Thou makest me”-s, etc. Never really understood just what it was trying to say, either. Comparing love to “slavery”? This is NOT what I want to hear from The Monkees (or The Beatles, or most groups for that matter). Seems more like something the Stones or Doors might’ve done? Maybe either of the could’ve done something with it. Maybe. Seems to fly in the face of the whole “love scene” happening in pop/rock music at the time. Not what I’d call a Monkees “vibe,” I guess. Just a bad song, IMO. Not the fault of any of the four Monkees themselves. Micky, Davy, Peter... Doesn’t matter which version (Although I think the 33 1/3 version is the worst of the lot. The attempt to imitate George Harrison fails miserably). 1/5. Sorry, folks.
More of the Monkees She When Love Comes Knockin' (at Your Door) Mary, Mary Hold on Girl Your Auntie Grizelda (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow) The Kind of Girl I Could Love The Day We Fall in Love Sometime in the Morning Laugh I'm a Believer Non-album tracks Kicking Stones (Teeny Tiny Gnome) Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Pears
