Magnetic South (album)

History

Nesmith formed the backing group "The First National Band" and gave them billing on both the cover and label of the record. Band member John London had previously played bass on several Monkees tracks and appeared as an extra on several episodes of the TV show, while Red Rhodes had played on a few 1969 Monkees tracks, notably "Steam Engine."

Five of the album's eleven tracks are from Nesmith's career with The Monkees. The first four tracks were recorded in 1968-69 for The Monkees, while "Hollywood" was also recorded in 1968 but first demoed by Nesmith for possible inclusion on the album Headquarters. As Nesmith would attempt to distance himself from The Monkees, he did, however, dedicate the album to Bert Schneider, David, Micky, and Peter (as well as to Lester Sill). Nesmith would not allude to or mention the Monkees again for nine years until The Michael Nesmith Radio Special.

Felton Jarvis was given production credit even though he did no actual production work — the credit is primarily a thanks to Jarvis, given that he'd helped sign The First National Band to RCA Records. Jarvis would also be the only person listed as a producer of Michael Nesmith albums other than Nesmith himself.

Magnetic South was reissued in 1999 as 16 Original Classics with five bonus tracks. It was also reissued with Loose Salute (both remastered) on CD by RCA/BMG International in 2000.

Reception

Magnetic South didn’t set the world on fire commercially, but did succeed in reinventing Nesmith and helping him escape from his image as a Monkee. During one of the band's first gigs, they played alongside Gram Parsons and the brand new, Flying Burrito Brothers. Nesmith recalles how others seeing a former Monkee decked out in a Nudie suit with a steel player in tow must have been laughable to seasoned Country devotees, such as Parsons. However, their unique sound was enough to win over the LA club scene and create a new image for Nesmith.

Allmusic stated in their review "Mixing a country sound with a rocker's instincts and blending airy thoughts on the nature of life and love with iconography of life in the West that brought together the old and the new, Michael Nesmith reveled in contradictions on Magnetic South, making them sound as comfortable as well-worn cowboy boots and as fun as a Saturday night barn dance. It's a minor masterpiece of country-rock, and while the Eagles may have sold more records, Nesmith yodels a hell of a lot better than any of them."

Track listing

All songs by Michael Nesmith except where noted:

1. "Calico Girlfriend" – 2:37
2. "Nine Times Blue" – 1:39
3. "Little Red Rider" – 2:34
4. "The Crippled Lion" – 3:10
5. " Joanne" – 3:10
6. "First National Rag" (Red Rhodes) – 0:21
7. "Mama Nantucket" – 2:36
8. "Keys to the Car" – 2:52
9. "Hollywood" – 5:03
10. "One Rose" (D. Lyon, L. McIntyre) – 3:27
11. "Beyond the Blue Horizon" (Richard A. Whiting, W. Franke Harling, Leo Robin) – 5:55

12. "Silver Moon" – 3:11
13. "Lady of the Valley" – 2:57
14. "Here I Am" – 3:19
15. "Nevada Fighter" – 3:08
16. "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" (Bob Nolan) – 3:49

Personnel

with: