Customer Reviews

Magnetic South / Loose Salute

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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-

When Michael Nesmith left the Monkees in March of 1970 he was a little reluctant in forming another band. However drummer John Ware convinced good ol' Nez to do so and the result was Michael Nesmith And The First National Band.

This cd reissue contains Nesmith's first two records MAGNETIC SOUTH and LOOSE SALUTE. Both of these being on one disc.

MAGNETIC SOUTH was released in July of 1970 and was definetly Michael's best solo album. The album carried the top 20 hit JOANNE. A wonderful country ballad. However that one single did not make the rest of the record all filler. The album opens with a medley of CALICO GIRLFRIEND, NINE TIMES BLUE and LITTLE RED RIDER all of these songs being different styles with a pinch of pedal steel guitar to give out the country mood. THE CRIPPLED LION is one of the best songs on the album it is very unique. MAMA NANTUCKET is a funny number where as KEYS TO THE CAR is very country western. HOLLYWOOD is another one of the best tunes on the album. THE ONE ROSE is a beautiful love song and Nesmith's rendition of BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON is breathtaking.

LOOSE SALUTE was released in November of 1970. Although the album was more bizarre and slightly weaker than Magnetic South in contains aload of underrated classics. SILVER MOON is a wonderful album opener where Nesmith experiments by mixing country rock with reggae. I FALL TO PIECES is a good cover of the classic but is not something you would expect from Nez. DEDICATED FRIEND is a funky fun number and CONVERSATIONS is a beautiful country ballad. TENGO AMORE is a great latin experimental by Nez. Also here is a very country version of LISTEN TO THE BAND a song Nesmith performed while he was with the Monkees however this version is far weaker than the hit original classic. BYE BYE BYE is another fun and funky number where as LADY OF THE VALLEY is a haunting contry rock love song. HELLO LADY brings out the hard rocking side of Nez a bit. The album closes with a bonus instrumental THE FIRST NATIONAL DANCE which makes a fine addition to the cd reissue.

Overall Nesmith's first 2 albums are essential. Too bad the public never noticed the potential he had and still has. However time has been kind to these two aging records as more and more people are beginning to discover them.. Maybe one day these will be hailed a classic by all but for now they remain underground classics. Highly recommended!

Former Monkee Michael Nesmith (Papa Nez to his fans) surprised the music world in the dawning days of the '70's with two great albums --Magnetic South and Loose Salute.
Let's start with his debut solo effort: he scored a hit with Joanne, and gave his Monkee fans a chance to hear songs that he had written and recorded during his 'pre-fab four' days, but that were never released (until a couple of decades later on the Monkees' Missing Links CDs in their original forms). Here we get the catchy Calico Girlfriend, The Crippled Lion, Little Red Rider, a much-too-short Nine Times Blue, and a totally different take on Hollywood.(Compare it with the version on Missing Links Volume 3.) There is also the Jimmie Rogers-esque ditty Mama Nantucket and the bar room twang of The Keys To the Car, with its subversively cynical lyrics.
And speaking of that, Nez is a stand out when it comes to lyrics. The man possesses that rare gift for putting pen to paper and creating not only singable words, but words that lean towards poetry, in that it makes you think. Even his 'love songs' are interesting lyrically.
On his second album, the same backing band joins him. It isn't as strong as the first, but does contain the minor hit Silver Moon, a version of the Patsy Cline standard I Fall To Pieces, a Spanish number called Tengo Amore, and a more honky-tonk flavored version of an old Monkees' hit, Listen To the Band (the Monkees' version is better). Also included is Conversations, an updated version of another previously unheard Monkees tune originally called Carlisle Wheeling.
The bonus track here is interesting, and all in all, Nesmith laid down some compelling music, making a strong case for his place in the catagory of innovator and visionary. He may not think so, but to us fans, Papa Nez is a legend. If you think you know country music, you don't until you hear Michael Nesmith's much underrated solo work. Trust me - this disc is a worthy buy.

With his late 1969 departure from The Monkees (other than some promotional work completed around June 1970), Michael Nesmith now embarked on a resumption of the solo career he had had before he was hired for the TV series and group that ultimately made him famous. Teamed with longtime cohort John London, drummer John Ware (who'd played for a group, The Corvettes, produced by Nesmith), and pedal steel ace Orville "Red" Rhodes, Mike and his new group, The First National Band, started out with the recording of the two albums featured on this CD.

The CD captures the underappreciated and pioneering quality that makes Nesmith's work a gem in the annals of country-rock and more than holds its own compared to modern pop-country - imagine Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, or The Dixie Chicks trying to do justice to numbers like Little Red Rider, Hello Lady, or Hollywood; they could not do it, though SheDaisy has made a miniature career out of lifting Nesmith melodies and chords for their music, on such songs as "Little Goodbyes" (Little Red Rider sideways) and "I Wish I Were The Rain" (Dance Between The Raindrops inverted).

Magnetic South opens with a three-song continuity, Calico Girlfriend-Nine Times Blue-Little Red Rider. Perhaps recognizing that many of his listeners still associated him with The Monkees, Mike double-tracked his vocals on Calico Girlfriend and Nine Times Blue to give the impression of dueting with Micky Dolenz, a trait he continued on Lady Of The Valley and to a lesser extent on Hollywood, and on songs of his subsequent LPs. The styles of all three numbers here are completely different, yet they blend into each other with a graceful effortlessness.

The tender Joanne garnered considerable airplay and helped with the LP's sales. Mike then closed out Side One of Magnetic South with the funny, openly Monkee-esque tag First National Rag, before launching into the whimsically major Mama Nantucket, who tried to kick the habit cut couldn't and she got stung.

South's best number is Hollywood. Opening with a slowish fade in of guitar, bass, and cymbal tapping, Mike then launches into a barely audible, tinny opening lyric sung as Micky Dolenz would have done it, then segues into the potent chorus as he narrates his tale of encountering Hollywood and then leaving to a place where things don't start just to end - a subtle hint about his Monkees-era feud with Don Kirshner.

Loose Salute then starts with the very strong Silver Moon and Mike's stellar cover of Pasty Cline's I Fall To Pieces. A few tracks later he forsees the Latin invasion of Glora Estefan and Ricky Martin with Tengo Amore and manages to outdo his younger successors quite nicely.

Listen To The Band was first done for The Monkees (first on the 1969 special 33.3 Revolutions Per Monkee, then on The Monkees Present LP) and here Mike recuts it in less overblown form.

The track that caused Mike and company the most trouble was the thrilling Jo Dee Messina-esque number Bye Bye Bye. Taking a whopping ten recording and mixing sessions between April and October 1970 to finish, the extravagent work proves worth it, particularly with Johnny Ware's drumming and Mike's own twin-stab organ figure (which Mike first used to excellent effect on The Monkees' Peter Tork anthem For Pete's Sake).

But perhaps the best number is Hello Lady; here Mike multitracked his vocals and gave the impression of not only dueting with Micky, but Peter and Davy as well. The song does suffer, though, from an overblown brass outro and fade partly inspired by the brass portions of "Goin' Down." Cut the overblown outro out and the song stands very well.

On the CD the closing track is the previously unreleased First National Dance, a mostly-instrumental jam credited to London, Rhodes, and Ware, in which Mike enters vocals at the very end. Intended to be the opening track of Loose Salute, it was dropped in favor of Silver Moon. It is disappointing that this rollicking instrumental jam didn't see release at the time, as it stands out with Red Rhodes' pedal steel riffing and Johny Ware's pulsating drumming. It nonetheless serves as a great way to close out his impressive "debut" as a solo artist.

As you may know if you read my reviews,I dont talk much about the music and the style of music. Thats your taste and perception.
I dig into the remastering and the technical side of things like source material and handling of the master.

This set consists of 2 albums poorly remastered from god knows what source.
The first album, "the blue one", really suffers here with an amature noise reduction disaster complete with whistling artifacts.
The original album sounded bad on the post dynagroove pre dynaflex thick orange label RCA vinyl.
It was a bad master. Dont make it worse.
What was the Quad 8 track made from. Perhaps it was better.
CD companies rarely do any homework or research when putting together a package.
Steve Hoffman is an example of a person who cares and does a stellar job!!! I wish he was consulted on this project.
The new pictures are nice but the CD is an audio product.
This is forgotten time and again.
Maybe there is a better CD out there. There are more to choose from.
This one is ok if you dont care that much about audio quality. ie mp3

Great two-fer! Each album is wonderful in it's own way. Michael Nesmith finally gets to really explore in fantastic detail the kind of music he skirted around with the Monkees. I enjoy every track, but especially the tracks written by Nez. I'm absolutely amazed with the speed and quality of his early solo releases. He had three albums recorded in 13 months, and they are all great! He would not compromise or get sucked in by the current trends. He knew the kind of music he wanted to create and just did it. Nez added to and broadened the musical landscape, and it is a real shame that more folks haven't gotten the chance to enjoy these absolutely classic songs. He was definitely a poet with his heart in the country and his mind in the city, who really knew how to rock!

This is classic country-rock coming from Michael Nesmith right off the heels of his stint with the Monkees. Nesmith had already shown his country-flavor tendencies with many of his songs for the Monkees, some of which weren't released until the 90's.

On his first solo album, Magnetic South, Nez takes several of these unreleased Monkees tunes and beautifully does them again, with the help of fantastic steel-guitarist Red Rhodes, who almost steals the show with a few songs. Magnetic South is one of those few albums where EVERY song is a good listen, from track 1 to track 11.

The 2nd album in this collection is Loose Salute, which didn't quite live up to the strength of Magnetic, but is still quite solid. Its opener, "Silver Moon", is a top 5 Nez song. Nesmith also redoes his Monkees hit "Listen To The Band," which is unlike the original, but still good (in a different way). I particularly like "Conversations."

The bottom line here is you CANNOT go wrong with this album. It is worth every penny and you won't regret it!

Many bad things have been said about the Monkees.... they were a pretend group... they didn't play on their albums..... they were wierd... they were a teen group...Good bad or indifferently, Michael Nesmith came from The Monkees. His first real claim to fame since his mother invented liquid paper in the 50's.

Michael was a budding musician and songwriter when he was drafted into the Monkees. He constantly fought for creative power and independence, and sometimes he actually won. He did, however, write many of the songs: good or bad.

This was his second venture out on his own, with a select group of musicians featuring "Red" Rhodes on steel guitar. The First National Band was one of the first groups in the country which featured and pounded out Country-Rock. Later, he would be followed by Rickey Nelson, and many, many more.

To be allowed to create unusual sounds and unique styles on a record label (RCA) that knew very little, if anything, about Rock 'n' Roll (remember Roy Orbison?) was quite unique in itself. Let alone being one of the first to release this unique sound to the world. These were the first two albums and probably the best of the group.

The hot licks of "Red" Rhodes, Steel-Player Unique, are heard, or should I say felt, on just about every track, especially the instrumentals. Michael's non-chalont, sing as you will, lovingly making fun of The Country Songs method of singing more than makes one listen and want more.

My favorite cuts are : Calico Girlfriend, Joanne (of course), First National Rag, The One Rose (That's Left In My Heart), Beyond The Blue Horizon (done with a different flair), Silver Moon (Love Song?), I Fall To Pieces (for the traditionalists in the audience), Dedicated Friend (Steel Guitar Workshop), Tengo Amore (sex appeal with a beat), Listen To The Band, 1st National Dance (Instrumental). Alright, so all the CD is good.

Recommended for students of Rock and Country everywhere.