The Monkees, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., 1967 on Colgems

This was the fourth Monkees LP, as they were taking increasing control and playing the instruments themselves, joined by studio session musicians. “Peter Percival Patterson’s Pet Pig Porky”— which introduces “Pleasant Valley Sunday”—reminds us we’re at the heart of the psychedelic 60s.

There’s now a four CD “Super Deluxe Edition” on the Monkees website, as well as a Rhino Hifi edition, but I think I’ll stick with this original pressing.

My copy—via private sale—is an early pressing with the “TM of Colgems Records” in an arc under the COLGEMS branding. Though the jacket is showing its age and some ringwear, the vinyl sounds great.