VIA PRESS RELEASE | Michael Nesmith has always travelled to the beat of a “Different Drum”–whether as the writer of that classic hit for Linda Ronstadt and The Stone Poneys, the wool hat-clad member of The Monkees, or one of the earliest progenitors of the country-rock genre. In recent years, Nesmith has penned a critically acclaimed autobiography, reformed the First National Band to sold-out audiences, and both recorded and performed live to fans young and old with The Monkees.
Now, Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records are proud to present a major deep dive into the Nez archives. Recordings features 22 tracks drawn from the RCA Victor vaults, every one of which is previously unreleased in any physical format. Over six RCA albums released between 1970 and 1973, Nesmith blossomed as a singer, songwriter, bandleader, and producer under the aegis of RCA Nashville legends Chet Atkins and Felton Jarvis. With bandmates including legendary pedal steel guitarist O.J. “Red” Rhodes, John Ware, and John London, Nesmith pioneered country-rock with a spiritual and searching style all his own.
Different Drum premieres on CD some of his most remarkable musical explorations from this vivid period including cosmic reimaginings of Monkees-era favorites like “Tapioca Tundra,” “Magnolia Simms,” “Circle Sky,” and “Listen to the Band;” unheard outtakes like “American Airman” and “Six Days on the Road;” vastly different alternate takes of “Different Drum,” “Dedicated Friend,” and “Tengo Amore;” and even an early version of “Marie’s Theme” from his cult classic multimedia project The Prison.
The mind-altering music on Different Drum has been mixed from the original multitracks by Andrew Sandoval and mastered by Vic Anesini at Sony’s Battery Studios, while Papa Nez himself has contributed insightful new commentary to the liner notes by The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese. Rare photos by renowned photographer Henry Diltz and previously unseen images round out this landmark package. Different Drum is a freewheeling, widescreen journey through the world of one of rock’s greatest iconoclasts.
