Search - Michael Nesmith :: Best Of: Original Hits

Papa Nez At His Finest

Wil | AL | 01/13/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, its really not possible to critique a 'best of' collection the way one would a regular album release. But this is one collection that is truly deserving of the title "best".
Michael Nesmith may be forever remembered as the 'serious Monkee', but he was also the one Monkee who got down to some serious writing and recording. Several songs he recorded during his days as a Monkee were country-tinged, so this disc should come as no big revelation to anyone who is even mildly familiar with his output in the 'Pre-Fab Four'. Also, for Monkees fans, many of these tracks will be familiar, as Nez recorded many of them as a Monkee, though they may have not been officially released until decades later on Missing Links (outtakes, rarities) CD's. Tracks like Listen To the Band (which was released as a single with the Monkees), Some Of Shelly's Blues, Propinquity, The Crippled Lion, Little Red Rider and Nine Times Blue should ring bells for Monkees fans. The versions here are less 'pop' sounding in their production. Also the track Conversations was recorded as Carlisle Wheeling in the Monkees. That Monkees-era version is, in my opinion, superior to this version, as is the original version of Hollywood. But they are still great songs, no matter what Nez does with them.
Other standout tracks here include Silver Moon, Joanne, Different Drum (which he gave to Linda Rondstadt and the Stone Poneys), Nevada Fighter, Grand Ennui...I could go on and on.
Nesmith's sense of songcraft that he honed in the Monkees works well here, as the songs are to the point, unpretentious, yet have a certain artistic edge to them that set them apart from other country songs.
The only clunkers here include the inclusion of First National Rag, which seems pointless given CD technology, and a meandering rendition of Beyond the Blue Horizon (here mistakenly credited as a Nesmith original).
And speaking of mistakes -- I know this is an import from Belgium, but the time and effort (if you can call it that) put into the artwork and liner notes is pitiful. I have seen bootlegs with better care put into getting information correct. Aside from the previously mentioned credit for Beyond the Blue Horizon, there are also misspelled words (it's Two DIFFERENT Roads, not DEGGERENT) and graphic errors. As for the cover listing songs by The Guess Who, my CD actually lists songs by Nez, so that was a relief. But this poor quality control in the art department, as well as scant song info (it would be nice to have a booklet with Nez related info in it) is what keeps this collection from getting 5 stars.
Bottom line: great work from an underrated talent. This truly is the 'best country music never heard'. Higly recommended."

OBSCURE TUNESMITH

Pieter | Johannesburg | 05/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This talented but obscure musician was a member of the Monkees and in the early seventies became a successful singer/songwriter. This collection includes his greatest hits plus other very memorable tracks. Silver Moon is a brilliant piece of country pop, Listen To The Band is very tuneful and Harmony Constant has an uplifting spiritual undertone. Most tracks, but especially I've Just Begun To Care, the poignant Keys To The Car, Joanne and I Fall To Pieces are out and out country, but others like Some Of Shelley's Blues and Nevada Fighter with its innovative drumming, have a rock vibe. Different Drum was a huge hit for Linda Ronstadt but his original version is great too. All of these songs are tuneful and Nesmith came up with some truly poetic lyrics. His is an original talent that made exceptional music deserving of more recognition."

The Greatest Music Never Heard

Wil | 03/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've always been a great fan of Nez and this is a great collection of his best work. For some strange reason, the song titles on the CD cover shown here lists songs that are not only NOT on the CD, but were never even recorded by Nez. They are songs by that great Canadian band, The Guess Who."