16 Original Classics

Michael Nesmith | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 28, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collectables
• ASIN: B00000K2N4
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,562 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Calico Girlfriend

2. Nine Times Blue

3. Little Red Rider

4. The Crippled Lion

5. Joanne

6. First National Rag

7. Mama Nantucket

8. The Keys To The Car

9. Hollywood

10. One Rose

11. Beyond The Blue Horizon

12. Silver Moon

13. Lady Of The Valley

14. Here I Am

15. Nevada Fighter

16. Tumbling Tumbleweeds

Editorial Reviews

Michael Nesmith's post-Monkees solo career broke new ground in the country-rock field, and this excellent reissue combines Magnetic South , the 1970 solo album generally considered to be his best, with four bonus tracks including Lady of the Valley; Here I Am ; the chart hit Nevada Fighter , and Tumbling Tumbleweeds . Also here are Nesmith's other two solo hits, Joanne and Silver Moon . Recommended!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Classic First National Band Years, July 4, 2000

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 16 Original Classics (Audio CD)

Nesmith has always been a favorite of mine and I have all of his original material on vinyl. Only in the past couple years have I tried to replace it on CD and realized what a difficult task this was. Getting entire albums was almost impossible, so I settled for any compilation I could get my hands on. This latest compilation from Collectables is a nice collection, but unfortunately overlaps with others that have been available for some time. Ten of these tracks are on "Listen to the Band" (which has a generous 22 tracks), three of these are on "Masters" (which has 20 tracks), and 13 of these tracks are on the two-fer "Magnetic South/Loose Salute" (which has 21 tracks).

So here's what you get:

1.) All 11 tracks from his first (and arguably best) album "Magnetic South," including his only Top 40 hit "Joanne." These are all Nesmith originals except the lovely "One Rose," the gorgeous "Beyond the Blue Horizon," and the 21-second Red Rhodes instrumental "First National Rag." The late Red Rhodes and his steel guitar playing was an integral part of Nesmith's sound throughout his entire recording career.

2.) Two tracks from Nesmith's second album "Loose Salute." The minor hit "Silver Moon" and "Lady of the Valley." This second album is nearly as excellent as the first, and it's puzzling why only two tracks were included.

3.) Three tracks from his third album "Nevada Fighter." This was Nesmith's third album in less than two years, and while it is billed as a First National Band album, it would be the last--and several session players were used to complete the album. The tracks included here are "Here I Am," the title track, and a wonderful cover of the classic "Tumbling Tumbleweeds." The biggest disappointment is that it did not also include "Propinquity (I've Just Begun to Care)."

With so much overlap among these different releases, it's difficult to recommend one over the other; but this is excellent music and you can't go wrong in beginning to build your Nesmith collection here. [Note: Nesmith has retained the publishing rights to all of his music and he is the only one selling his original albums through his own Pacific Arts label. If you're interested, check out his website.] RECOMMENDED

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's not Brooks or Strait..., July 18, 2000

By 

"desertskies" (Phoenix, Arizona USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 16 Original Classics (Audio CD)

When I received this CD, I was glad to have a copy of "Joanne"...the rest could be good, but the main purpose was to listen to "Joanne". After the first listen, I was hooked. Nesmith was (and probably still is) into the traditional country sound. Nothing at all close to Garth or George.

To this writer, "Joanne" still is and will be, the epitome of Nesmith country. After hearing "The Crippled Lion" and his rendition of "Tumbling Tumbleweeds", it's difficult to understand why he was NOT considered a mainstream country singer on mainstream country radio.

A bonafide country album that I would like to compare with Asleep at the Wheel. If you'd prefer good down home country harmonies, this is the one to play. If you're more into the likes of the Dixie Chicks and Shania, stay clear...but then again you might be surprised...it's your call.

Here's hoping "Nez" is doing fine... . . .

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Nesmith, June 5, 2001

By 

Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 16 Original Classics (Audio CD)

If you are only familiar with Mike Nesmith's work with The Monkees, then you should check this album. It is basically his first solo album, Magnetic South, fleshed out with a five other songs that were on his second, Loose Salute, and third, Nevada Fighter, solo albums. The songs are in the country-rock vein, but they retain a bit of the pop sounds from his days with The Monkees. This is a great introduction to his solo work.