Michael Nesmith

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

From www.tipworld.com

(BIG NOTE: I did NOT write this. I don't know Michael, etc, etc. But until now, I didn't know that he wrote "I Fall to Pieces"!)

MICHAEL NESMITH GOES FROM THE MONKEES TO COUNTRY ROCK PIONEER

Even while he was with the Monkees, Michael Nesmith was experimenting with fusing country and rock. In 1966, Nesmith wrote "Sweet Young Thing," a song that featured the unlikely combination of fiddle and fuzz guitar. Nesmith continued to contribute country-flavored songs, like "Don't Wait for Me" and "While I Cry," but unfortunately, because everything the Monkees did was dismissed as bubblegum, the world at large paid no attention at the time. Nesmith left the band in 1969 and released three albums with his new group, the First National Band. The albums, Magnetic South, Nevada Fighter, and Loose Salute, featured some pioneering music. He sang new songs like "Joanne," which was a
minor country hit in 1970; new versions of songs he sang with the Monkees, like "Listen to the Band"; songs he wrote for other singers, like "Different Drum," which was Linda Ronstadt's first hit; and country classics, like Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces." But again, because of his Monkees' affiliation, the songs were dismissed by the public and critics alike. However, musicians were paying attention. When Gram Parsons recorded his seminal album GP, he used some of Nesmith's band mates. Other early '70s country rock bands like the Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco, and the Eagles also owe a large debt to Nesmith's music. In 1977, he scored his biggest hit with the Latin-flavored "Rio." His conceptual film of the song is considered to be one of the first music videos.

[This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 17 October 2000 at 11:26 AM.]

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

I doubt it. I think "I Fall to Pieces" is older than he is!

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Hmmmmm?

quote:

I FALL TO PIECES Written by Harlan Howard and Hank Cochran (As recorded by Jim Reeves, November 21, 1961)

I thought so!

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Oh, THAT "I Fall to Pieces"!

Pat Burns · From: Branchville, N.J. USA

...there must have been an industry-wide conspiracy against poor Michael, that his critical contributions to the success of so many well known musicians has gone unsung for all these years...to think that they wouldn't acknowledge him in gushing tones as they accept yet another Grammy.

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

--Paul Butterfield Blues Band--
album: East-West
song: Mary Mary
writer: Mike Nesmith

Also important--his mama invented white-out
and the guy who hired me for my first gigs last year looks like Mike Nesmith.
It's a twilite zone out there, I tells ya!

Tyler Baum · From: San Francisco, CA, USA

Quick mention here -

Check out "And the hits just keep on coming".

Just Mike and the velvet hammer, Red Rhodes, doing Mike's songs (including a great version of "Different Drum").

very simple, very nice

Smiley Roberts · From: Hendersonville,Tn. 37075

I have an "almost virgin" copy of "Magnetic South" by M.N. & "The First National Band"on RCA Victor,which includes O.C."Red" Rhodes,on pedsteel. Ain't listened to it in a while,so I can't remember what it sounded like,but kudos to Mike for using,not only pedsteel on it,but one of the legends of pedsteel. BTW,anybody know what "O.C." stood for.

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Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

Red's first name was Orville, but I don't remember his middle name.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

From his "unofficial" website...

Ed Naylor · From: portsmouth.ohio usa, R.I.P.

If I am not forsaken I have somewhere in my records sealed copies of " Loose Salute" " Nevada Fighter" " Tanamout to Treason" and possibly other Mike Nesmith albums. Since it has been ages since I listened to him I kind of forget what kind of Steel Player he was. I am curious- guess I will get to digging in my record collection.Ed Naylor Steel Guitar Works.

Tim Rowley · From: Pinconning, MI, USA

I used to really like the song "Joanne", but it faded fast. Haven't heard it in years now. Tim R.

Jason Odd · From: Stawell, Victoria, Australia

Red is on all of Nez's early albums, 1970-1974 then after that it's a little more sporadic as Al Perkins got the spot around 1976-1978.

As usual there's no real mention of his founding the Countryside label, which was formed to record West Coast talent and others in a progressive country setting. David Geffen shut the label down with some wheeling and dealing, so it only lasted from 1972 to 1973.

While The Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco, the Byrds and Nashville West were coming into the country-rock thing in 1968, Nez was in Nashville trying to convince some Nashville cats that he had some songs they could get funky with. Most of those guys formed Area Code 615.. yah I dig Mike and his albums are to my taste.

Olli Haavisto · From: Jarvenpaa,Finland

BTW,Nesmith`s label released "Velvet Hammer In Cowboy Band" an instrumental album by Red Rhodes

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Olli Haavisto
Polar steeler
Finland

Jason Odd · From: Stawell, Victoria, Australia

Indeed, and Red's Countryside album was reissued in 1976 by Tom Bradshaw (check the links page), although Red did rework some of the tracks it is still a great album.
Oh yeah and the Bradshaw/Steel Guitar Records Club album had an extra track from the original session.

Tom still has it on vinyl with great linear biographical notes on Red.

Lefty · From: Grayson, Ga.

I believe that Mike did a cover of "I fall to pieces", on "Your Usual Ranch Stash" album. Red was playing steel. That album is chocked full of good songs. I have it on vinyl put up somewhere. I like "Roll with the Flow" off the same album, which is just Mike on acoustic with Red wailing away. Good stuff. The live album done in Austraila is good also. Al Perkins plays excellent pedal steel as well as B-bender guitar.
Lefty

Joel Glassman · From: Waltham MA USA

I loved "Joanne" when it was on the radio.
--Just getting into country music then.
Anyone remember a Nesmith song which has the chorus: "Hurtin', no one can help me..."
one of the verses is "Tired of eatin' day old bread, sleepin' in a dusty shack..." At least I think it was done by him.
What do you think Mike's best album was?

---Joel

Jason Odd · From: Stawell, Victoria, Australia

The first three, especially the first two are great as a group 'The First National Band' really cooked with Red and the great rhythm section of John Ware (drums) and John London (bass),an Okie drummer and a Texan bass player!..what more could you ask for.
Plus Ware is the cat who went on to ronstadt's band and was the original Hot Band drummer right up to 1983 or so.

Each album he cut is pretty cool, but a personal fave of mine is the one Nez cut with Red, yep..just guitar and pedal steel.

'And The Hits Just Keep On Comin' (1972)

A real treasure, great rhythm and vocals by Nez, while Red plays so beautifully, so tasteful, he is in full flight here.