Review: Michael Nesmith – Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor Recordings

By Fred Velez

Without question, Michael Nesmith had the most successful solo career after The Monkees officially called it a day in 1970.  After completing some contractual obligations with the group, Nesmith launched into his solo career, forming the First National Band with John London, Johnny Ware and the legendary Red Rhodes, recording a conceptual trilogy of albums for RCA comprising of Magnetic South, Loose Salute and Nevada Fighter. After the FNB folded, Nez continued with Red Rhodes on the Second National Band‘s only  album Tantamount to Treason, Vol. 1, and two final  solo albums for RCA, And The Hits Just Keep On Coming and Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash. From these albums emerged several classic songs in Nesmith’s solo catalogue; Different Drum, Some of Shelly’s Blues, Propinquity, Dedicated Friend, Silver Moon among others.

On the new Real Gone Music compilation Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor Recordings, outtakes and alternate versions, along with instrumentals, have been collected on CD for the first time after previously seeing download only releases on their corresponding albums. Having these rarities available in one collection is quite a revelation when compared to the original released versions. You can practically examine Nesmith’s thought process as he developed these songs along with his fellow band members, especially the unique artistry of Red Rhodes on pedal steel guitar. Listening to the alternate versions of songs like Different Drum, Bye Bye Bye, Tengo Amore, Listen To The Band, Some of Shelly’s Blues, Roll With The Flow, Marie’s Theme, Rene, Hollywood, Circle Sky, Tapioca Tundra, along with the rare outtakes American Airman, Six Days On The Road, Tan My Hide, Roses Are Blooming – Come Back To Me Darling?, gives the listener a behind the scenes look at Michael Nesmith as a creative recording artist. With the contributions of the First National Band and the other musicians on the tracks, one can only admire the incredible talents that Nesmith surrounded himself with. The informative liner notes by Joe Marchese from TheSecondDisc.com offers the biographical background on Michael Nesmith during this fascinating period of his solo career, plus including great photos of Nez in his famous cowboy Nudie suit.

Real Gone Music‘s Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor Recordings is a wonderful addition to Michael Nesmith’s classic RCA catalog.

Track Listing:

Outtakes and Alternates

1. Different Drum (Alternate Version)
2. American Airman
3. Bye, Bye, Bye (Alternate Version)
4. Dedicated Friend (Alternate Version)
5. Tengo Amore (Alternate Instrumental)
6. Texas Morning (Alternate Take)
7. Rene (Uncut Version)
8. Six Days on the Road
9. Circle Sky
10. Listen to the Band (Alternate Version)
11. Some of Shelly’s Blues (Alternate Version)
12. Keep On (Alternate Version)
13. Roll with the Flow (Alternate Version)
14. Marie’s Theme (Alternate Version)

More Instrumentals

15. Magnolia Simms (Instrumental)
16. Born to Love You (Instrumental)
17. Hollywood (Alternate Backing Track)
18. Tapioca Tundra (Instrumental)
19. Roses Are Blooming – Come Back to Me Darling? (Instrumental)
20. Tan My Hide (Instrumental)
21. You Are My One (Instrumental)
22. Loose Salute – Radio Spots

Purchase Links:

Real Gone Music: https://realgonemusic.com/products/michael-nesmith-different-drum-lost-rca-victor-recordings-cd?_pos=1&_sid=9b1ec95b4&_ss=r

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Different-Drum-Lost-Victor-Recordings/dp/B08Y675LCZ/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=eKPfr&pf_rd_p=49ff6d7e-521c-4ccb-9f0a-35346bfc72eb&pf_rd_r=00EDG0QFY2B609AAEBB6&pd_rd_r=c209963f-5e7f-4f81-a116-abaa2ce0192f&pd_rd_wg=3ZsoH&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d

DeepDiscount: https://www.deepdiscount.com/different-drum-the-lost-rca-victor-recordings/848064010449

Autographed copies of Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor Recordings can be purchased on Michael Nesmith’s VideoRanch website: https://www.videoranch3d.com

Fred Velez, 2021.

Fred Velez is the author of the books A Little Bit Me,  A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective and A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You 2: The Monkees From International Fan Perspectives.

Books Link: https://www.amazon.com/Fred-Velez/e/B08RW1N1YY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1620247161&sr=1-1