Customer Reviews

The Older Stuff: Best of Michael Nesmith (1970-1973)

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If you want a great sampling of the best of Michael Nesmith's early years, 'The Older Stuff' is the CD for you. Compiled here are excellent examples of Nesmith as a solo artist immediately after his departure from The Monkees. Every song is excellent, with classics like 'Joanne', 'Silver Moon', 'Propinquity', among others. If you want to hear what Nesmith did before becoming a Grammy winning video pioneer, then listen to this CD. You'll enjoy it.

I always try to state my personal biases up front in a review, and in this case I feel it's particularly important. This review isn't directed to those who already like country rock or country music, because I'm not qualified to speak on the subject, and you probably already know far better than I do what contributions Michael Nesmith has made in this field. This is rather directed at the Monkees fan who is looking to (belatedly) explore what came after the lads went their separate ways; more specifically to those who, like me, learned early on that when Mike Nesmith performs his own songs, those are ones that we can't ever seem to get out of our heads. (Let me face up to it; Mike could sell me the Brooklyn Bridge if he set his sales pitch to music and sang it.)

I can not by any stretch of the imagination call myself a fan of country music, as there is a limit to how much twang and misery I can take. Perhaps once a year, the right song in the right setting is enjoyable. Likewise, while I have periodically heard the slide guitar used to very nice effect, when combined with country music the sound conjures up for me an image of an old gas pump on a dusty road and fly buzzing outside a decaying screen door. However, my desperation for more Nesmith material drove me to sample his post-Monkees work with the First and Second National Band and beyond, and I have to confess that after about ten listenings, my resistance has eroded steadily and quickly.

The bottom line is this: if you like Michael's material on the Monkees' "Missing Links" albums and the post-"Birds, Bees" Monkees albums, you are already ten steps down this road - the songs on this CD are not that far off in musical style, and while more of them are of the somebody-done-somebody-wrong variety, I would recommend that you give this collection a try. This is a "best of" compilation, which I thought was a good way to be introduced to this material. The music is what I think of as an older variety of country - something softer and quieter in the background vs. the current concert-volume flashy stuff one sees advertised. I did cringe the first time I heard "Tumbling Tumbleweeds", "Born to Love You" and "Prairie Lullaby" (warning: "Lullaby" contains yodeling), but now I can smile at the first two and really enjoy the latter. For those of us who grew up hearing Linda Ronstadt's rendition of "Different Drum", I actually like Mike's better - it's downright refreshing and has a bite to it. There are also re-workings of songs like "Listen to the Band" and "Some of Shelly's Blues" which are more countrified, but I find that I like them better than the earlier ones because they seem to be loaded with personality.

Michael has a gift for infectious melodies, shrewd observation and eloquent, armor-piercing lyrics that is hard to beat no matter what type of music he puts his mind to. Based on this CD's contents, I definitely plan to delve further into some of the First- and Second National Band recordings that have been released on disc.

I would also recommend that you try "The Newer Stuff" (especially if his later Monkees material did not sit well with you), which is another good representation of the very different direction that he moved into in later years - a bit surprising at first, but definitely all Nesmith. And that's a good thing in my book.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.

The Older Stuff: Best of Michael Nesmith (1970-1973) is a tremendous tribute to the myriad of talent possessed by the former Monkee. Most musicians even those that have grand stature have a niche. Nesmith's genius allows him a split persona. By day, think of him as one of the Monkees, enjoying the success of a TV show and worldwide hits. In the nighttime as a superhero, he changes his identity and becomes a completely different individual.

The post Monkees material that encompasses the eighteen tracks include his stints with the First & Second National Band and solo LP's as well. Nesmith's love of country music is evident on these recordings. "Joanne" the opening song is powerful in the lyrical content and how Nesmith's heavy heart is conveyed. "The Crippled Lion" expands the musical odyssey with the mix of country and folk. Nesmith vocals are more powerful than given credit. The production on the song is superlative. "I Fall To Pieces" takes a page right out of the Nashville music scene. Michael could easily pass for a singer/songwriter born and bred in Tennessee. If you want to hear something completely different, check out the rendition here of "Listen To The Band." A country flavor to a song originally penned for rock and roll. Seven is indeed a lucky number on this disc. Nesmith covers Derek & The Dominos! The Eric Clapton/Bobby Whitlock treasure "I Looked Away" is given a superlative country rendition. The running time is only 3:15 but you'll find this getting endless play in the house. Speaking of covers, Linda Ronstadt took Nesmith's "Different Drum" and made it recognizable all over the globe. Listen to his very different vision of the song and you can appreciate how many different roads his mind travels. "Prairie Lullaby" will catapult you back to the old west. Nesmith's vocal inflection is impeccable.

If you appreciate the work of an artist that wasn't concerned about hits or image as the 1970's unfolded, "The Older Stuff" will shine brightly on a new CD copy.

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.

The Older Stuff: Best of Michael Nesmith (1970-1973) is a tremendous tribute to the myriad of talent possessed by the former Monkee. Most musicians even those that have grand stature have a niche. Nesmith's genius allows him a split persona. By day, think of him as one of the Monkees, enjoying the success of a TV show and worldwide hits. In the nighttime as a superhero, he changes his identity and becomes a completely different individual.

The post Monkees material that encompasses the eighteen tracks include his stints with the First & Second National Band and solo LP's as well. Nesmith's love of country music is evident on these recordings. "Joanne" the opening song is powerful in the lyrical content and how Nesmith's heavy heart is conveyed. "The Crippled Lion" expands the musical odyssey with the mix of country and folk. Nesmith vocals are more powerful than given credit. The production on the song is superlative. "I Fall To Pieces" takes a page right out of the Nashville music scene. Michael could easily pass for a singer/songwriter born and bred in Tennessee. If you want to hear something completely different, check out the rendition here of "Listen To The Band." A country flavor to a song originally penned for rock and roll. Seven is indeed a lucky number on this disc. Nesmith covers Derek & The Dominos! The Eric Clapton/Bobby Whitlock treasure "I Looked Away" is given a superlative country rendition. The running time is only 3:15 but you'll find this getting endless play in the house. Speaking of covers, Linda Ronstadt took Nesmith's "Different Drum" and made it recognizable all over the globe. Listen to his very different vision of the song and you can appreciate how many different roads his mind travels. "Prairie Lullaby" will catapult you back to the old west. Nesmith's vocal inflection is impeccable.

If you appreciate the work of an artist that wasn't concerned about hits or image as the 1970's unfolded, "The Older Stuff" will shine brightly on a new CD copy.

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.

The Older Stuff: Best of Michael Nesmith (1970-1973) is a tremendous tribute to the myriad of talent possessed by the former Monkee. Most musicians even those that have grand stature have a niche. Nesmith's genius allows him a split persona. By day, think of him as one of the Monkees, enjoying the success of a TV show and worldwide hits. In the nighttime as a superhero, he changes his identity and becomes a completely different individual.

The post Monkees material that encompasses the eighteen tracks include his stints with the First & Second National Band and solo LP's as well. Nesmith's love of country music is evident on these recordings. "Joanne" the opening song is powerful in the lyrical content and how Nesmith's heavy heart is conveyed. "The Crippled Lion" expands the musical odyssey with the mix of country and folk. Nesmith vocals are more powerful than given credit. The production on the song is superlative. "I Fall To Pieces" takes a page right out of the Nashville music scene. Michael could easily pass for a singer/songwriter born and bred in Tennessee. If you want to hear something completely different, check out the rendition here of "Listen To The Band." A country flavor to a song originally penned for rock and roll. Seven is indeed a lucky number on this disc. Nesmith covers Derek & The Dominos! The Eric Clapton/Bobby Whitlock treasure "I Looked Away" is given a superlative country rendition. The running time is only 3:15 but you'll find this getting endless play in the house. Speaking of covers, Linda Ronstadt took Nesmith's "Different Drum" and made it recognizable all over the globe. Listen to his very different vision of the song and you can appreciate how many different roads his mind travels. "Prairie Lullaby" will catapult you back to the old west. Nesmith's vocal inflection is impeccable.

If you appreciate the work of an artist that wasn't concerned about hits or image as the 1970's unfolded, "The Older Stuff" will shine brightly on a new CD copy.

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

This is an excellent collection of tunes. Anyone who is "into" Mike Nesmith will enjoy this record---those who are not, may alter their views after hearing this. It's unfortunate that Nesmith is primarily known as a "former Monkee"---he has much more going than that! Of particular interest is Nesmith's version of his song "Different Drum"---it's quite unlike the version made famous by Linda Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys. "Propinquity" is another "ovelooked gem"!!!! Buy it---you'll like it!!!

I love this CD and missed listening to this for many years until i became close to replacing most of my vinyl formats with CD"S
Michael Nesmith is my favorite Monkee

I can't find enough superlatives for this collection!
You know Michael Nesmith from the Monkees, of course.
But he is also a wonderful solo singer and songwriter.
"Joanne" is one of his single hits, and he does that wonderful falsetto thing (which allegedly Linda Ronstandt encouraged him to do).
And he does it again on "Silver Moon."
Listen to his "talking" version of "Different Drum." It gives a totally different perspective from the Stone Ponies version (which is good, too).
"Born to Love You" makes me cry when I listen. Such a great love song.
"Roll with the Flow" has intricate rhymes and tempos. Great. (Reminds me of "Jug Band Music" by the Lovin' Spoonful.)
He puts his mark on covers of "Tumblin' Tumbleweeds" and "I Fall to Pieces."

I can't say enough good things about this CD.
Get it. Enjoy it. Love it.

If you do not like folk music don't waste your time with this CD. For me this CD took me back over 35 years to one of the fondest times in my life. I was looking for the title "Her name was Joanne" and I smile everytime I hear the song for the fond images that are brought out of the depth of my memories. I loved the Monkees and after the Monkees Michael Nesmith was the only one I remember who carried on with music. Thank you for the smiles Michael. Your talent was definately appreciated by Linda Rondstat and of course myself. This is a good collection of great music from a very talented artist.

This is possibly the best music CD that exists. It definitely rates among the Top 10. They don't make quality music CD's like this anymore, where all tracks -- 18 of them on this CD! -- are winners. If I were stranded on an island and could have only one CD, THIS WOULD BE IT.