Michael Nesmith
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Although he had racked up a total of eight solo long-players to his credit by the time of this self-titled anthology, only five are represented here. The primary impetus for Michael Nesmith (1977) -- alternately known as the "Michael Nesmith Compilation" -- was to gather highlights from the LPs Magnetic South (1970), Loose Salute (1970), Nevada Fighter (1971), And the Hits Just Keep on Comin' (1972), as well as Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash (1973). Of course, as is the case with any "best-of", there will inevitably be personal favorites that are M.I.A.. For instance, "Mama Nantucket" and "Grand Ennui" would have been more than welcome additions. That said, what is served up are a dozen of the artist's undeniable best of the era. Even before abandoning the Monkees project, Nesmith's heart and soul had been leaning toward C&W; most notably the originals "Some of Shelly's Blues" and "Propinquity (I've Just Begun to Care)" -- both of which were (at the very least) demo'ed during his waning days as a prefab teen idol. And predating those is his own reading of "Different Drum," a tune that had been a folk-rock hit for Linda Ronstadt's band Stone Poneys. He also had exquisite taste when selecting vintage nuggets to reinvent for modern (younger) listeners. Among those found here are "I Fall to Pieces," "Born to Love You," a spot-on update of the Sons of the Pioneers' "Prairie Lullaby," and a tender overhaul of Derek & the Dominos' "I Looked Away" that, frankly, takes the tune to a whole new strata of rural satisfaction. Rounding out the set are additional highlights from the seminal solo Nez era, such as the pious and poetic "Continuing," "Harmony Constant," and "Silver Moon." As a suitable finale, "Roll with the Flow" concludes Michael Nesmith's own condensation of his early-'70s recordings. Fans of the song should also check out the comparatively raucous remake on Live at the Palais (1976) -- which Nez finally reissued on CD in 2004. Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide Releases:
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