Love That Album Podcast Episode 142 - Michael Nesmith and the First National Band "Magnetic South"

 

So many musicians have become popular based on one thing the caught the public's imagination. Daring to try something different artistically could be a “bad career move”. Of course, some musicians might have been “hiding in plain sight” with their real artistic ambitions all along.

Welcome to episode 142 of Love That Album, the first episode for 2021.

Michael Nesmith along with Peter Tork, Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz spent the latter half of the sixties rallying against the image bequeathed on them by NBC and Don Kirshner. The Monkees wanted to show that they could be (and were) a real band. Right from the start, Mike would infuse his own songwriting with his love of country music.

However, country is only a small part of the Monkees' own sound. When he announced he was quitting (4 days after McCartney announced The Beatles were no more), he already had plans for his next ensemble, The First National Band. Over a period of a little over a year, they released three brilliant albums, allowing Nesmith to finally make his approach to country music the focus.

I am joined by musician, songwriter, comedian and regular co host on All Time Top Ten Podcast, Joe Lavelle to look at the first of those First National Band albums, Magnetic South. Of course we look at a range of things peripheral to the album like The Monkees (duh!), the real origins of country rock, being a musician known for comedy (and a pioneer in music video), Brazil and the link between Magnetic South and Star Trek.

It took a year to get around to this episode (I move slower than zombies in a George Romero film), but it was worth it. Joe is a great conversation partner – something you'd know if you've heard him on the ATTT podcast. It was a pleasure and privilege for me to finally have him on the show.

You can find the music for his jazz ensemble Brandy Sidecar at https://brandysidecar.bandcamp.com/album/the-christmas-3-ep

Ben Eisen's All Time Top Ten podcast can be found at https://alltimetoptenpod.com/

Download this episode of LTA from Spotify, Stitcher or iTunes (search for “Love That Album podcast”).

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to http://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

You can send me feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

If you’d consider writing an iTunes review I’d be immensely grateful. However, it’d be even better if you told a friend about the podcast and Pantheon – at a (socially distanced) barbecue, over coffee (on Skype), on social media….whatever way you choose, consider me grateful.

Download episode 142 from here.

Love That Album Episode 47 - The Monkees- Pisces, Capricorn, Headquarters and Head

Here we come…walking down the street….we get the funniest looks from….everyone we meet….

If you can sing the next line of that song, then Love That Album episode 47 is for you. The Monkees TV show theme would have to be one of the most beloved and recognised of its era and beyond. Arguments have gone back and forth about whether the Monkees were really a band, given their start as actors who just happened to be playing the parts of band members for a TV show. Well, like all good Frankensteinian monsters, they decided to take on a life of their own.

On LTA 47, I am joined by two co-hosts in separate segments. First of all, I welcome back to the show my friend and fellow Monkee nut, Julian Gillis to discuss two classic albums released in 1967 (a watershed year for rock). First of all, we discuss “Headquarters”, the album that by and large avoids the use of session musicians and features more Monkee-penned compositions. Then we look at the next record they released “Pisces, Aquarius Capricorn & Jones”. They return to the use of outside song writing help and they share the platform with session musicians, but to great effect. Julian and I both discuss the notion about the whether they were a real band, and what their legacy has been. How do these albums stand up against other albums released by the more conventionally assembled bands of the day? We both had fun recording this one and discussing some real pop gems.

But wait…there’s more Monkee business at hand. For his first LTA appearance, Terry Frost (of the wonderful “Paleo Cinema” and “Martian Drive In” podcasts) joins me to discuss the 1968 surreal piece of Monkee cinema, “Head”. To say this film has been much maligned is an understatement. Devised by Bob Rafelson, Jack Nicholson and the band while allegedly digesting a bag of fauna, this has no linear narrative to speak of – but does it have something to say? Why does Davy end up figthing Sonny Liston in a boxing ring? How does Mickey beat them both? Is Mike the best kisser? Is Peter really the dummy? Terry and I have a good time finding out.

Eric Reanimator returns with his Album I love segment to discuss the album by Danny and Dusty, “The Lost Weekend”, part of the underground paisley movement of the 80s. I really dig this album, as it reminds me of my beloved Weddings Parties Anything. Another classy segment courtesy of Eric.

You can download the podcast at iTunes by searching for “love that album”. You can stream or download it at “http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com”.

The podcast can also be listened to via Stitcher Radio. Download the app from stitcher.com, and listen to any episode streaming over your Android or Apple device after searching for “love that album”.

  

Send me any feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum.

Right click to download and save Episode 47 here