Michael Nesmith is SO much more than just a Monkee. Prior to The Monkees, he was a musician and singer-songwriter. After the Monkees, he was also a record, television, and film producer. He was a media visionary. He created the first music video, which helped launch MTV. He helped develop the concept of home video and created the first company to distribute home videos to the consumer market. He's an author. He's the jack of all media trades. So with that in mind, let's show our appreciation for Papa Nez!
Who can forget.... He authored "Different Drum." Made famous of course by The Stone Poneys (Linda Ronstadt).
Great thread. People have no idea what an innovator he was. Gram Parsons gets all the credit that is due Mike.
The real pioneer of country rock. I know the Byrds and Burrito Brothers deserve their credit, but Nesmith was there first, and truly emphasized the pedal steel to sterling effect. One of the best country songwriters of that era. I can't wait to hear what Christian is putting together with Micky for the upcoming Dolenz sings Nesmith album.
It's really good. I really need to read it again because it's got a lot in there. I have it on audiobook because he narrates it and he has a nice, calm voice.
I'm constantly impressed with what he was able (allowed) to do on Monkees records.. The experimentation.. where did he come up with all this? The country psychedelia on some of those tracks. His first 3 solo albums are gems. Tropical Campfires. Nesmith is SUPER important.
I can't wait for Dolenz Sings Nesmith, either! Nez's music helped introduce me to the magic that is the pedal steel guitar. I've always liked the sound of it, but Nez's music made me pay attention to it.
..and his mother invented Liquid Paper! Now that we have got that out of the way... I'm not much of a country fan but I really liked wat he brought to country. I think the first song I heard him do after splitting from the Monkees was "Joanne", and when I listen to that again it still has a kind of magical sound. It could be said that he paved the way for people like The Eagles and John Denver. Even when he does an old song written by somebody else, eg "Beyond the Blue Horizon", he seems to do it better than anybody else. I would not say he has a great voice, but somehow it seems a perfect fit for the stuff he chooses to sing.
The Eagles "borrowed" their rendition of "Seven Bridges Road" from Nez's production and arrangement of Ian Matthews' version from Valley-Hi:
Agreed! It's a crying shame that the PTW of the music department of The Monkees didn't appreciate Nez more.
I listened to a live interview with him back in 2017 on Coast to Coast AM. It was interesting to say the least. IIRC he mentioned an encounter about randomly crossing paths with another famous person at some remote gas station in the desert but I can remember who the other person was. Michael Nesmith Life & Times/ Open Lines | Coast to Coast AM
I'm a fan of liquid paper. Does that count? Actually, I really like The First National Band - the inspired mix of country and whatever else that he infused those early solo records with.
Yes, the subtle Latin rhythms always sound great - very natural - perhaps the Texas in him. Stephen Stills spent some of his childhood in Panama and his Latin rhythms also feel very natural.
Michael Nesmith's music is what drew me into The Monkees. I started realizing it was all his songs I enjoyed the most on the show. Then to find out he wrote them .. that just made me a bigger fan. I would consider Nez to be a Musical Genius. Out of all his work, I think the most profound piece of work he created is "The Prison: A Book with a Soundtrack". (My preference is the 1990 remaster/remix).
That’s funny was just jamming this LP that’s been sitting in a pile for a year or so of Goodwill scores and I saw this thread. It’s a burner. I’m surprised how good it is. All my faves from the studio LPs but different pacing. Some faster some slowed down. It’s going to see a few more spins in the near future. Michael Nesmith – Live At The Palais (1978, Terre Haute Press, Vinyl) Guy is a treasure. He’s on my list to see live after missing the last time he came to Oregon. I have 3-4 of his solo LPs. Can’t go wrong with the First National Band trilogy: Nevada Fighter, Loose Salute, and Magnetic South. Some amazing tracks on those! Wish my copies weren’t so worn. All cutouts I picked up for a few dollars. OJ ‘Red’ Rhodes is an amazing pedal steel player. I need to check out his other records. I do have Infinite Rider on cassette and never got into it.
Although I stated that The Monkees are my favourite group (in The Monkees thread), it is really because of Michael Nesmith. Most of the best songs on their albums are mainly his or ones where he had an input. I went on to buy all his albums, which, living in the UK, was not always straightforward when some weren't released here. It's strange that I like his music so much but am not necessarily a big fan of country music, probably because he doesn't/didn't follow the traditional conventions. I wonder how he would be regarded if he hadn't been part of The Monkees.