Nevada Fighter / Tantamount to Treason [Import]

Michael Nesmith | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 24, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 1971
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Camden International
• ASIN: B000056Q82
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,884 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Grand Ennui - Michael Nesmith And the First National Band

2. Propinquity (I've Just Begun To Care) - Michael Nesmith And the First National Band

3. Here I Am - Michael Nesmith And the First National Band

4. Only Bound - Michael Nesmith And the First National Band

5. Nevada Fighter - Michael Nesmith And the First National Band

6. Texas Morning - Michael Nesmith And the First National Band

7. Tumbling Tumbleweeds - Michael Nesmith And the First National Band

8. I Looked Away - Michael Nesmith And the First National Band

9. Rainmaker - Michael Nesmith And the First National Band

10. Rene - Michael Nesmith And the First National Band

11. Mama Rocker - Michael Nesmith And The Second National Band

12. Lazy Lady - Michael Nesmith And The Second National Band

13. You Are My One - Michael Nesmith And The Second National Band

14. In The Afternoon - Michael Nesmith And The Second National Band

15. Highway 99 With Melange - Michael Nesmith And The Second National Band

16. Wax Minute - Michael Nesmith And The Second National Band

17. Bonaparte's Retreat - Michael Nesmith And The Second National Band

18. Talking To The Wall - Michael Nesmith And The Second National Band

19. She Thinks I Still Care - Michael Nesmith And The Second National Band

20. Cantata & Fugue In C&W - Michael Nesmith And The Second National Band

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

UK reissue of the level-headed Monkee's classic 70's albums, 'Nevada Fighter' (1971) and 'Tantamount to Treason' (1972), together on one CD. Third in the succesful series of two-in-one reissues for the country rock innovator. New sleevenotes with rare photos. Includes three previously unreleased bonus tracks, 'Cantata And Fugue In C & W', 'Smoke, Smoke, Smoke' and 'Rose City Chimes'. Standard jewel case housed in a slipcase.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This one GROWS on ya, April 5, 2002

By 

Charles A Galupi "music snob" (Euless, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nevada Fighter / Tantamount to Treason (Audio CD)

When I first got it, I didn't get it... I prefered the more straight ahead Loose Salute and Magnetic South. But the more I listened, the more this grew on me.

Nevada Fighter contains, along with the great tracks "Grand Ennui" and "I've Just Begun to Care" (along with a wealth of First National Band classics; what ever became of the rest of the band?!?) one of Nesmith's best songs: "Texas Morning". Unfortunately it is tied into an odd take of the classic "Tumbling Tumbleweeds."

Tantamount to Treason is a bit harder to take, but will grow on you, too. Opening with the HOT "Mama Rocker" (how would the Band sound doing this?), the album drifts a little. There is definately a sythesizer on "Lazy Lady"; "You Are My One" phases slowly from left to right and back again and drifts into a latin beat ala "Tengo Amore"; "Highway 99 With Melange" might be better suited to one of Leon Russell's albums. But through it all, Nesmith's easy voice is an anchor, and there are more than enough good musical moments to make up for the odd ones. "Wax Minute" is a good laid back Nesmith track, hinting at the Latin flavors to come later in the decade. And one of my favorites is "Bonaparte's Retreat." I had this tape in the car on my way to the airport for a weekend away, sang it under my breath all weekend, and popped it back in the instant I was homeward bound.

The bonus tracks ARE worth the price of the CD, especially "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke!"... but don't skip the rest of the CD when you get it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bonus Tracks Make This a Must-Have Purchase, June 4, 2001

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nevada Fighter / Tantamount to Treason (Audio CD)

Long-time Nesmith fans will want this import collection of the former Monkees' third and fourth albums if for no other reason than to get the three previously unreleased bonus tracks. The first is a Nesmith original, "Cantata & Fugue In C&W," a lovely instrumental from 1972 featuring musical partner Orville "Red" Rhodes on pedal steel and Nesmith on guitar. Next is the country standard "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke" which is given a terrific honky-tonk performance by a full band. The final bonus track is the toe-tapping instrumental "Rose City Chimes." The last two are both from 1970.

The second two of Nesmith's first four albums differ from the first two (Magnetic South and Loose Saltue, both from 1970) in two ways. Nevada Fighter (1971, tracks 1-10) feature a number of session musicians that were brought in during the breakup of the First National Band. And Tantamount to Treason (1972, tracks 11-19) was recorded with the Second National Band, of which Rhodes was the only carryover from the previous band. Perhaps more significant is that Nesmith began relying more on outside writers. On his first two albums, Nesmith wrote all but three songs. For the next two albums he wrote less than half.

Of the originals, Nevada Fighter is highlighted by the oft-covered ballad "Propinquity (I've Just Begun to Care)" and rockers like "Grand Enui" and the title track.

On Tantamount to Treason, Nesmith still rocks with songs like "Mama Rocker," but the other three originals--"Lazy Lady," "You Are My One" and "In the Afternoon"--are quiet reflective ballads. Overall, this is the least country-sounding Nesmith album to date--especially on tracks like "Highway 99 with Melange." Although the album closes with a heartfelt rendition of "She Thinks I Still Care." My personal favorite, however, is the cover of the gorgeous "Bonaparte's Retreat."

While casual fans may better be served by the import compilations Masters or Listen to the Band, this is a welcome addition to your collection. After thirty years, this music sounds as fresh today as when it was first released. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tantamount To Excellence, June 5, 2001

By 

Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nevada Fighter / Tantamount to Treason (Audio CD)

Nevada Fighter finds Mike Nesmith again recording some excellent country-rock. With the help of The First National Band songs like the amazing title track and the rolling "Grand Ennui" bounce along with a flair. Mr. Nesmith can also slows things down like on the pretty "I've Just Begun To Care" and "Here I Am". He takes us out on the range with cowboy rhythms of "Texas Morning" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds". Harry Nilsson got his big writing break from The Monkees and Mr. Nesmith again takes on one of his songs, "The Rainmaker". For the recording of Tantamount To Treason two of the members of the group left. Luckily the irreplaceable Red Rhodes stayed and new band was christened The Second National Band. Treason contains some of tremendous songs like "Wax Minute", "Bonaparte's Retreat", "Talking To The Wall" and "In The Afternoon".