From the Sony iTunes remaster of 'Magnetic South' there's: Magnolia Simms (backing track) Born to Love You (instrumental) Hollywood (alternate backing track)
"Calico Girlfriend" is a great way to start off Nez' solo career. I like the 2 Monkees versions but the FNB version with Red leading the way is much better in my opinion. All I can do is give it a 5/5
Dunno, but it lends credence to the idea that Nez was a “country-rock pioneer.” Even if he wasn’t taking the lead on guitar it was his band, his songs, his vision putting Red out front like that.
Sure, but from the beginning of this thread we haven't discussed basic demos or unfinished backing tracks. When we talk about Born to Love You and Hollywood people are welcome to mention alternate versions though obviously.
Today’s song is Nine Times Blue: A quality piece of songwriting with some unusual production choices. It was only when I listened to the song through headphones that I fully picked up on the whispered vocals. I think this is better than most of The Monkees unreleased versions (unreleased at that time, I mean) and certainly better than the version on The Wichita Train Whistle Sings. There are so many of them out there though... My only real criticism is that it could be longer. 4/5.
Nine Times Blue - A gorgeous song I’ve always love. Nesmith’s guitar picking suits the melancholy of the lyrics. As noted my only nitpick is that I wish it were longer. 5/5. I also enjoy the live version The Monkees performed on the Johnny Cash Show in 1969, I wish they had released this at the time.
Nine Times Blue - 5/5 One very beautiful song. This is perfect - the lyrics work so well with the melody. Such a very sad song that draws in the listener. Another one of my favorites!
Nine Times Blue-- gotta go 4.5/5 Knocking it a half point for the total running time but love the segue to the next track.
I guess I could deduct a little for how short it is but just can not (actually typed this before seeing super sally's post and agree the segue is awesome). The song is a 5 in this form and a soaring tribute to Mike Nesmith's song writing and the Monkees singing ability on the Johnny Cash show. They might not be everyone's cup of tea, but they were pretty good when given the chance.
That's what she said. "Nine Times Blue" -- 5/5 I think my favorite studio version of this is the one on Missing Links from 1968 but this is a close second. Agreed, it is over far too quickly, but I do love the segue into "Little Red Rider" in the triptych.
Yep. The whole “Let’s do a song from our new album,” yet it wasn’t included on either Instant Replay or Present, still makes zero sense. Do a really good song on national TV, displaying their talents well, and then don’t release it as a single or put it on an album. Great move. Anyhow, the Monkees version, released on the first Missing Links, remains my favorite, “go-to” version of “Nine Times Blue.” It’s really good, and, most importantly, it’s not as maddeningly short as the FNB version on Magnetic South. The “Johnny Cash Show” version is probably my second favorite. Awesome that it’s an actual Monkees performance that they’re all on (Even though Micky is barely audible in the mix). The demo version, included with reissues of Headquarters and The Headquarters Sessions is also outstanding: The “Davy” version, recorded around the time of the BBM album (With Mike on acoustic guitar) is also good. I can’t give the FNB version of “Nine” a low score, because it’s too damned good a song, but I will dock it a point for it’s unusual, short presentation that seems almost tossed off (Despite the cool segue into the next song). 4/5 for the one on Magnetic South. 4/5 for the Davy version. All other versions, including the Wichita Train Whistle, are 5/5.
Here’s the version Davy sang, for anyone who’s never heard it. Very good, but I still think Nez sings it best.
I love the song itself - it's one of Mike's best, imho. Much, much prefer the primary Monkees version (as found on the first Missing Links, for example) over the FNB version, though - it's longer, it sounds better, and it's just a better overall arrangement and vibe. I do like the use in this triptych/medley, though. So while the song it still a 5/5, this version is kind of an afterthought to me and definitely suffers the most when compared to its prior incarnation. The main Monkees version is 5/5, this version is 3/5, let's split the difference and give it an overall 4/5.
While I'm not super crazy over the Davy-sung version, it probably would have made a better single than "DW Washburn."
My favourite track from The Wichita Train Whistle, I recall exactly where I was when I played Magnetic South for the very first time. First thought, “Wow, I love this” (Calico Girlfriend) and then “yes, great vocal / lyric” (Nine Times Blue) followed by “oh no, it’s over already!”. Either way, it’s a great song and I enjoyed The Monkees takes just as much. Nine Times Blue - 5/5 PS: with the exception of The Prison, I find all Mike’s albums too short some sides more so than others. Unless you’re a prog or jam band, 4 tracks per side is almost a mini-album. Having said that, they’re great anyway.
"Nine Times Blue" One of Nesmith's out and out masterpieces in my book. I like the version he recorded while in The Monkees a tad bit more but that does nothing to lessen my love of this version. 5/5 for me.
Most of the songs are short but all the FNB LP's all have 5 songs per side. Not counting the super long First National Rag that checks in at 21 secs. But I do agree they are great!
"Nine Times Blue" was the song that really hooked me on solo Nez, a few years back. The Magnetic South version was my first exposure; it shows up a comp about the "birth" of Country Rock from about 10 years ago. It's just a perfectly constructed song in every way. It got me interested in playing piano again (after 25 years!) solely so I could bang this song out (and shortly thereafter, "Propinquity", "Some of Shelley's Blues", and a few others). (By way of comparison, my favorite songwriter of all-time is Bowie, and I've never tried to learn one of his songs on piano). A few thoughts on "Nine Times Blue": 1. Of all the Monkee versions, the Johnny Cash show is the most magical. I wish they'd done a studio cut with Jones and Dolenz doing the harmonies, too. 2. Basically every version of this song is top-notch (well, maybe not the Wichita Train version, even though I still like it), but the Magnetic South version is my all-time favorite, even if it feels too short. Those whispered backing vocals put it over the top for me, and it's perfect placement on a perfect LP side. 3. Semi-related: One of the strengths of the entire FNB catalog, I've always felt, is that so many of the songs are concise - short and sweet. They leave you wanting more. (As we'll see, I have more trouble with Nez when it feels like he's filling time on vinyl). I was really struck by this seeing him live in September 2018, that even the songs I like less never grate, because they don't stick around long. Brevity (for lack of a better term) is an underrated virtue in songwriting (and plays, and books, and movies, and speeches etc etc). 5/5
Nine Times Blues 5/5 Well crafted, beautiful written and sung song. I too wish that Mike, Micky & Davy had recorded a studio version. This was the first song I ever learned on guitar.
Alright... Gave Magnetic South a listen today, while walking to and from the grocery store. Between that, and everyone’s comments here, I’ll bump my vote on the FNB version of NTB to 4.5/5. The only knock on is it the brevity, but it sounds so cool flowing into “Rider” the way it does. Beautiful.
Another 5/5 for NTB here. How much control did The Monkees have over what wound up on their albums even in 1969 anyway? Ever since seeing the Johnny Cash clip years ago I always just assumed that they really thought it would be released and then some label exec made the decision for them. @FredV ?