Magnetic South / Loose Salute [Extra tracks, Import, Limited Edition]

Michael Nesmith | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 2, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import, Limited Edition
• Label: Camden International
• ASIN: B00000IQ24
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,105 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Calico Girlfriend

2. Nine Times Blue

3. Little Red Rider

4. The Crippled Liuon

5. Joanne

6. First National Rag

7. Mama Nantucket

8. The Keys To The Car

9. Hollywood

10. The One Rose(That's Left My Heart)

11. Beyond The Blue Horizon

12. Silver Moon

13. I Fall To Pieces

14. Thanx For The Ride

15. Dedicated To Friends

16. Conversations

17. Tengo Amore

18. Listen To The Band

19. Bye, Bye, Bye

20. Lady Of The Valley

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

The former Monkees guitarist/ vocalist's first two solo LPs for RCA (second & third overall) together on one CD, complete with the previously unreleased bonus track '1st National Dance' (Instrumental) added. A combined total of 22 country rock tunes. Both LPs were first released in 1970. Comes packaged in a standard jewel case within a full color slipcase cover. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars County-Rock Pionner, June 5, 2001

By 

Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Magnetic South / Loose Salute (Audio CD)

Magnetic South & Loose Salute are the first two albums that Mike Nesmith released after he left The Monkees. His music with the band always had a strong country influence and the music he contributed to the last two albums he recorded with the band (Instant Replay & Present) found him heavily exploring the country rock sound. In fact several of the songs included here like "Calico Girlfriend", "Nine Times Blue", "The Crippled Lion" and "Hollywood" were originally recorded while he was with The Monkees. Magnetic South sounds a little bit like a Monkees album with it overdubbed vocals, but the stellar work of steel guitarist Red Rhodes makes the distinction. In fact his backup band, The First National Band, are all first rate country players. It is their country influences and Mr. Nesmith's rock sensibilities that make for such an intriguing sound. "Joanne" is the only solo song by Mr. Nesmith to crack the Top 40 and "The Crippled Lion" and "Hollywood" should have been hits. On Loose Salute, he re-records "Listen To The Band" without the audience sound effects and takes on some Latin sounds on the Tex Mex flavored "Tengo Amore". Overall Magnetic South is the stronger of the two, but both albums are classic country-rock and helped set the table for acts like The Eagles and others.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Early Country-Rock Classics, May 20, 2000

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Magnetic South / Loose Salute (Audio CD)

Having spent four years as a member of the pre-fab four was a mixed blessing for Michael Nesmith. It made him one of the most recognizable people in the music business (and no doubt made him rich), but because of his pedigree as a Monkee he rarely gets mentioned in the same breath as the Flying Burrito Brothers or Poco as one of the early pioneers of country-rock and stretching the boundaries of popular music--and that's a shame.

This CD collects his first two post-Monkees albums from 1970, which yielded his only two Top 50 hits: "Joanne" (#21) and "Silver Moon" (#42). These are the only two albums to exclusively feature Nesmith's First National Band: John Ware, drums; John London, bass; Earl P. Ball (Magnetic South)/Glen D. Hardin (Loose Salute), piano; and Orville "Red" Rhodes, pedal steel guitar. [The band fell apart during the Nevada Fighter sessions and additional players were called in to complete the recording.] Though Nesmith would never again record with this configuration of the band, Rhodes was a permanent fixture on nearly all of Nesmith's albums through 1992's Tropical Campfires and his steel playing is a major part of the "Nesmith" sound. [Note: Rhodes died in 1995, but he can be heard on Nesmith's recently released Live at the Britt.]

Several of these songs had been gestating during Nesmith's Monkee days. "Nine Times Blue," "The Crippled Lion" and "Little Red Rider" (all from Magnetic South) can be found in earlier verions on the Monkees' Missing Links series. He also re-recorded "Listen to the Band" for Loose Salute. Other standout Nesmith's originals include "Calico Girlfriend," "The Keys to the Car," "Conversations" and "Tengo Amore." There are choice covers as well: a terrific version of the Patsy Cline standard "I Fall to Pieces," the lovely "One Rose" and "Beyond the Blue Horizon," which in just under six minutes takes you through a day in the life on the farm from the opening alarm clock and rooster crow to the chirping of crickets that evening--a truly beautiful song!

In the liner notes to another Nesmith album he says, "The only way to understand a musical form is to listen to it, not talk about it." The time for talk is over--buy it, listen to it and enjoy. [Of special interest to Nesmith fans, visit his official webpage at videoranch.com.] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nesmith's Twin Trailblazers, January 29, 2004

By 

"the_blue_minister" (The Sheeple's Republic of Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magnetic South / Loose Salute (Audio CD)

Following his departure from The Monkees in March 1970, Nesmith went on to form The First National Band. Although Nesmith and his new band wouldn't enjoy the same degree of commercial success as The Monkees, they did, however, enjoy more respect and even greater critical acclaim.

Nesmith's first album with the FNB was Magnetic South. While it didn't make the Top 100 album charts, it did produce a hit single. Though critics praised his follow-up album, Loose Salute, it too fared poorly on the album charts.

Nevertheless, over the years, these two gems have aged very well and they've proven themselves to be trailblazers in the annals of popular music. Clearly, Nesmith was a man who was ahead of his time and these albums are testimony to his musical genius.

The following is a critique of each song on this disc:

Magnetic South

Calico Girlfriend: An up-tempo country, lightly jazz tinged pop tune that is every bit as good as the Latin flavored alternate take that Nesmith recorded while he was still under contract with The Monkees. That version can be found on "The Monkees Present" CD. Grade: A

Nine Times Blue: An all too short song with very moving lyrics. Grade: A+

Little Red Rider: One of many straight ahead country rockers that Nesmith does so well. Grade: B+

The Crippled Lion: Up-tempo pop tune that could've-and should've-been a hit single. Was the "B" side release to "Joanne" in England. One of the best songs on this disc. Grade: A+

Joanne: A pleasant ballad that was Nesmith's first and only solo hit. Made it to number 20 on the Billboard pop charts. Grade: B

First National Rag: A tongue in cheek piece, courtesy of Orville "Red" Rhodes. Grade: B (Oh, why not?)

Mama Nantucket: A straight ahead fast paced country rock tune with Nesmith doing some cowboy yodeling. Grade: A+

The Keys to the Car: A classic C & W style tune as only Nesmith can do it. Grade: B

Hollywood: Psychedelic tinged country rock tune that echoes Nesmith's frustration and disappointment with the TV industry. Grade: B+

The One Rose (That's Left in My Heart): Another classic C & W style tune that Nesmith sings from the heart. Unfortunately, it doesn't appeal to me very much. Grade: C-

Beyond the Blue Horizon: An old country standard that's, well, standard. Not bad but not noteworthy either. Grade: C

Loose Salute

Silver Moon: A country pop tune that has a touch of calypso to it. Though it didn't do well on the pop charts, it did receive some airplay on adult contemporary stations. Grade: A

I Fall to Pieces: An excellent remake of the old Patsy Cline hit. Lap steel guitarist Red Rhodes and drummer John Ware really shine on this number. This should've been a hit on the C & W charts. Grade: A+

Thanx for the Ride: Nesmith's "thanks but no thanks" reply to TV executives who were still pursuing him at that time. A good solid country pop tune if there ever was one. Grade: B

Dedicated Friend: Another fast paced, LA style country pop number with a bit of tongue in cheek humor that could've been recorded by the Eagles or even Jackson Browne. Grade: A

Conversations: A reworking of Nez's earlier tune, "Carlisle Wheeling." A very pensive acoustic piece that demands your full attention. Grade: B+

Tengo Amore: Upbeat Latin pop tune that could easily be a hit on today's pop charts. Grade: A-

Listen to the Band: Nesmith's third try for this tune but it's certainly not a charmer. This country boogie woogie version isn't bad but it's not nearly as good as the version he recorded for "The Monkees Present." Still, I must admit, this version is worth a listen and it does grow on you after a while. Grade: C-

Bye, Bye, Bye: A giddy tune about dropping everything and heading down to Mexico and living off of beer and enchiladas. Now, that's what I call a balanced diet. Good song, by the way. Grade: B+

Lady of the Valley: Another pleasant ballad along the lines of "Joanne." Grade: A-

Hello Lady: Has a soul edge that doesn't quite work. IMO, it's also the worst song on the disc. Grade: D- (I'm being generous)

1st National Dance: This is one number you can square dance to. Promenade, yes you do. Grade: B-