"Formosa Diner" bolsters my argument that if Nesmith had been involved in "Pool It!", the album wouldn't have been significantly different. I've lost track of this thread but those Tork demos are rough sailing. Sorry, Pete.
When was this recorded? When I first heard it in the late 80's, it seemed dated. Still does- but maybe not so much in the early 80's? Not timeless like much of the rest of his work. Kind of has a one night in bangkok feel. Funny, this song is not "heavy" to me like others say. 3/5
Just a little experiment of mine: What If Michael Nesmith was involved in 'Pool It!': 1. Heart and Soul 2. Tanya 3. Long Way Home 4. I'd Go The Whole Wide World 5. Formosa Diner 6. Gettin' In 7. (I'll) Love You Forever 8. Midnight 9. Every Step Of The Way 10. Don't Bring Me Down 11. I'll Remember You 12. Since You Went Away 13. Counting On You 14. Total Control
Formosa Diner sucks. It's bad style over little substance, with overblown instrumental tracks and a totally throw-away vocal. 2/5
I took another listen and am downgrading this to a 2.5. If this were a sanitation grade, this diner would be closed until another inspection.
If you say this is a "rock" song than Formosa Diner is a bit better than Admiral Mike but not as good as the "rock" songs on Infinite Rider. It is not as good as Walkin in the Sand to me. I never thought it was awful and would play the Newer Stuff a lot when it first came out. Those songs have faded a bit for me but will give it a low 3. As far as the Pool It comments, Fred V's track list is already an improvement but I would have keep Secret Heart and dumped a Davy tune (not Long Way Home however).
According to Mike's liner notes to The Newer Stuff, it was 1980/81. When we were discussing Pool It!, I did make a playlist for myself of half that album's songs with 6 of Mike's. It was more listenable than the album as released: 1, Heart and Soul 2, Total Control 3, I'd Go the Whole Wide World 4, Formosa Diner 5, Gettin' In 6, I Remember You 7, Long Way Home 8, Tanya 9, Since You Went Away 10, Tahiti Condo 11, Midnight 12, Dreamer
A 5 from me. It makes me laugh - I love hearing the serious Mr Nesmith singing about egg rolls and Peking duck while picturing him joyfully prancing on tables! I don't care if it sounds '80's, it's of it's time and I appreciate it in that context. As with Tanya (and perhaps later songs on this album), I think it would stand up better as part of the project it was intended for, and on it's own makes little sense. But the humour works for me.
Never really got Formosa Diner. Seems like it’s supposed to be humorous, but it’s... really not? It’s oh so 80s sounding, and, again, really not the Nez stuff I’m interested in. I don’t think it’s all that “heavy” either. Maybe if I knew this screenplay it was intended for I’d understand it, and dig it, more. Maybe? Not terrible, but nothing I seek out either. Just... Odd. 2.5/5, I guess.
Today’s song is It’s Now: I find there’s something incredibly endearing about this track and its ridiculous keyboards. It sounds like something that could have been the theme tune to a family sitcom and I don’t mean that in a negative way. There is a fair amount of cheese to it, but Davy was a little cheesy. It fits him well and I enjoy it more than several of his 80s recordings. A high 3/5.
It's Now - A nice late 70's-early 80's Pop song. According to the liner notes of the 7a Records release of Davy Jones Live in Japan on which the single is a bonus track, the track along with a couple of other numbers were recorded at Pete Townshend's Eel Pie Studios. The synths in the track have a Townshend feel to them and it makes me wonder if maybe Pete might have played them or instructed the synth player on how to play it. It's a fun little tune and I consider it's one of Davy's best solo recordings. 5/5.
It's Now I fully agree that this is a fun Davy track that suits his personality. It would fit well onto a varied Monkees album where all of them brought songs matching their personalities. The production is dated. But, not everything can stand the test of time. 4/5
This one really didn't grab me, but I didn't want to turn it off immediately either. It was a bit repetitive and not sure the back up singing arrangement was the best but I give it a mid 3.
"It's Now" -- 2.5/5 Extremely dated, and extremely cheesy...but a catchy song. I don't revisit this one too often, but when I do, it is a guilty pleasure.
