Movies of the Mind
Live Album Special Edition Update 3

Thank you for your purchase of Michael Nesmith's limited edition "Movies Of The Mind" album project!

Here is another production update on the three editions of the live album project. This is update #3:

ALL EDITIONS

Unfortunately, we will not be shipping out any of the editions this week as hoped. We are deeply sorry for this delay, but as this is a premium product, we do not want to rush out an inferior item.

We will have a further update emailed to you on January 31st with a revised ship date. In the meantime, we are working on ways to make each and every edition a little more special and to get these discs to you as soon as possible. With a project as limited and specialized as this, each and every edition counts and we are so grateful for your investment in this venture. We know that we have something very special on the way to you and we appreciate your understanding in this matter. We plan to keep you as up-to-date as possible with the progress.

STANDARD EDITION

Copies are still available for the limited run of single CD's featuring Nez' personal selections from the Deluxe Edition + a T-shirt. The track list was published in our last update and we can now add the detail that each Standard Edition will be hand numbered. 

Click here to pre-order a Movies Of The Mind Standard Edition 1 CD/1 T-Shirt bundle. 

If you have any questions about these or any of our other products, please call us at 831-384-8800 or email us at vrforeman@videoranch.com.

Sincerely,
The Videoranch Foreman

I have been busy finishing up the collector’s edition CD's of my Movies of the Mind concert live album. It’s been a long time since I have worked on releasing a CD. It seems odd. Weirdly old fashioned. Things have changed so much.

I think the three Editions are coming along well and they look nice. They are signed and numbered like an artist’s run of prints, beautifully packaged with collector's goodies and they are priced like first editions are – which is to say expensive -- but there are only a few hundred of each.

The landscape of recorded music is such unusual territory these days it is hard to know what to do. For instance part of the Super Deluxe Edition – sold out, thank you for that – has a vinyl LP in the set. 

I put it there because of the advice I was getting from Andrew Sandoval, the producer of the Editions, as well as collectors and fans who said it would be a good addition.

It’s a puzzle to me.

I remember how happy I was when the CD came along and made the LP obsolete. No more pops and scratches – no more hiss – no more distorted highs and muddy lows. I was thrilled.

Then software started popping up to reintroduce all those things digitally and finally the LP itself knocked at my back door.

“Who’s there?” I wondered. “You!!?? I thought you left.”

“No” said the LP, “I have been hanging out in the back yard with the compost pile until I saw the light from your computer inviting me back in. It really smells out there. I don't belong with all that garbage. Can I come in?”

What could I say? I let him in. (The LP is male – figures)

So there is a 12” inch LP in the Super Deluxe Edition of 200. I put songs on the LP that I have been sketching for a while and some performances from the Spring Tour. 

The “new” songs have been around for awhile. They are part of a section of my music garden I have been working on and are still fragile buds – tiny – I'm not even sure what species – maybe a fruit – maybe a vegetable – some kind of plant, in any case. They are pretty little things and have a good aroma and they are attractive. 

The first song-bulbs are split and now repotted in the LP but still in the download section of Videoranch. The Videoranch files are digital of course – they don't sound like the LP. Nothing does, actually.

As I say there are three collectors’ Editions and the Super Deluxe and Deluxe are sold out. There are around 200 of the Standard Edition still available.

I will bring those last 200 with me to the Monkees convention. They don't have the vinyl LP but they are a lot cheaper than the other two.

I worry, too, about bringing my solo merch to the Convention. I figure Monkees fans want Monkees stuff and not my solo work. My Monkees fan friends assure me this is not the case so I am bringing Nez stuff -- but I have real trepidations about it.

Those same trepidations apply to my solo show and the Q&A Session that are set up for the Convention. I’ll do the Movies of the Mind show like I wrote it but I decided at the last minute to throw in an extra Monkees song.

The Q&A session was a bit of a problem to solve. I didn't know quite what the Convention hosts wanted but they gave me pretty much free reign to set it up however I wanted so I took it.

I thought a long time and finally decided to invite Rachel Rosenfelt Publisher and Editor of The New Inquiry magazine to ask the questions. She is bringing another editor from TNI with her; Rob Horning. I gave Rachel and Rob the permission to ask me anything.

The three of us will be talking about all things Monkees from what I hope is a high and interesting perspective. Both Rachel and Rob are wicked smart, both are young – Rachel is 28 and just recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the brightest and best “30 under-30’s in the U.S." – both are deep thinkers and avid Monkees fans. I think it will be a good session.

I hope they don't ask me about LP’s though. I am clueless as to the appeal. If they do maybe I will just bust into a crazy non-sequitur song like “Shrimp Boats are A’Comin”. That makes as much sense to me as a vinyl LP.

Still, overall I am happy to be working hard on this Editions release and the Convention. I am getting more and more excited to be going – the LP mystery notwithstanding. See you there.

Movies of the Mind
Live Album Special Edition Update 2

Thanks for your purchase of Michael Nesmith's limited edition "Movies Of The Mind" album project!

Here is another production update on the three editions of the live album project. We plan to keep you updated with email information, photos and videos as the album takes shape. Here is update #2:

SUPER DELUXE EDITION

Vinyl test pressing sounds great and today we are awaiting Nez's final word on the LP. Pressing of the album will take longer than the CDs, so we will keep you posted if there will be any delays. We should have another update for you early next week.

See update below on the now finalized tracklist for the double CD that comes with this package.

DELUXE EDITION

Nez has been busy sorting through the final mixes of this set by his son Christian and bassist Joe Chemay. It is a stunner! We can now reveal what will be on each disc:

DISC ONE:
Welcome & Introduction of Band/Calico Triptych/Calico Girlfriend/Nine Times Blue/Little Red Rider/Introduction to Propinquity/Propinquity/Introduction to Tomorrow & Me/Tomorrow & Me/Introduction to Different Drum/Different Drum/Introduction to Some Of Shelly's Blues/Some Of Shelley's Blues/Introduction to Joanne-Silver Moon Diptych/Joanne/Silver Moon

DISC TWO:
Introduction to Rio-Casablanca Moonlight Diptych/Rio/Casablanca Moonlight/Introduction to Yellow Butterfly/Yellow Butterfly/Introduction to Light-Rays Diptych/Light/Rays/Introduction to Crusin'-Dance-Tonight Triptych/Cruisin'/Dance/Tonight/Introduction to Grand Ennui/Grand Ennui/Interlude: Goodnight-Encore/Rising In Love/Listen To The Band

STANDARD EDITION

Copies are still available for this limited run of single CD's featuring the best of the selections from the Deluxe Edition + a T-shirt. Each edition features a numbered card. And the tracklisting can now be revealed!

Welcome & Introduction of Band/Calico Triptych/Calico Girlfriend/Nine Times Blue/Little Red Rider/Introduction to Propinquity/Propinquity/Introduction to Different Drum/Different Drum/Introduction to Some Of Shelly's Blues/Some Of Shelley's Blues/Introduction to Joanne-Silver Moon Diptych/Joanne/Silver Moon/Introduction to Rio-Casablanca Moonlight Diptych/Rio/Casablanca Moonlight/Introduction to Yellow Butterfly/Yellow Butterfly/Introduction to Light-Rays Diptych/Light/Rays/Introduction to Crusin'-Dance-Tonight Triptych/Cruisin'/Dance/Tonight/Introduction to Grand Ennui/Grand Ennui

Click here to pre-order a Movies Of The Mind Standard Edition 1 CD/1 T-Shirt bundle. 


FAQ

Q: Where's my stuff?
A: We are working as fast as we can on getting you your editions of this album as soon as possible. The holidays slowed our manufacturers to a halt and we are only now getting firm dates on delivery. We will send you a ship date update next week. We want these items to be of the highest quality and do not want to cut corners in haste. Also, we need to factor in time for Nez to sign every copy of the SUPER & DELUXE copies. We truly appreciate each and every purchase of this album and want each copy to be wonderful and unique.

If you have any questions about these or any of our other products, please call us at 831-384-8800 or email us at vrforeman@videoranch.com.

Sincerely,
The Videoranch Foreman

Thanks for your purchase of Michael Nesmith's limited edition "Movies Of The Mind" album project!

Here are some product and production updates on the three versions. We plan to keep you updated with email information, photos and videos as the album takes shape. Here is update #1:

SUPER DELUXE EDITION

This item sold out quickly and we can now reveal details of the vinyl component of the package. The compilation of these tracks is unique to this edition and will feature the first "physical" release of selections from Nez' "Around The Sun" project (or, "bouquet"), as well as rare selections from Nez' first live stateside tour of 2013. These songs were not carried over to the "Movies Of The Mind" tour and do not feature on the CD versions.

SIDE ONE: "THE LATEST STUFF"
1. Only Understanding Love (3:29)
2. I Know What I Know (4:35)
3. Love Is The Place (3:45)
4. Life Is Long (4:10)
5. Smiles Of Autumn (4:22)

SIDE TWO: "THE OTHER LIVE STUFF"
1. Papa Gene's Blues (3:07)
2. Life, The Unsuspecting Captive (3:56)
3. Marie's Theme (4:46)
4. Lamp Post (4:58)
5. Laugh Kills Lonesome (4:34)
6. Thanx For The Ride (3:41)

The album was cut to lacquer on December 16, 2013 by esteemed audiophile engineer, Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and supervised by Grammy-nominated producer/engineer, Andrew Sandoval. The limited run of just 200 12" 33 1/3 rpm long players will be pressed on 180 gram vinyl.

The album will ship at the end of January with the double CD and assorted goodies. Each edition will be hand signed and numbered by Michael Nesmith.

DELUXE EDITION

This edition of "Movies Of The Mind" has now sold out. Michael has been hard at work sorting through the very best of the live performances from his most recent tour with his team of mixers. We will publish the final tracklisting in our next production update. Each CD will come in a Deluxe cardboard CD wallet signed by Michael Nesmith.

STANDARD EDITION

Copies are still available for this limited run of single CD's featuring the best of the selections from the Deluxe Edition. The CD will come housed in a DigiPak. Each edition features a numbered card.

Click here to pre-order a Movies Of The Mind Standard Edition 1 CD/1 T-Shirt bundle. 

FAQ

Q: When do I get my stuff?

A: The Videoranch team are working through the holidays to get you your "Movies Of The Mind" package ASAP. However, due to the production timelines of the manufacturers involved and the limited run of goods, we have been advised to promise the products no sooner than the last week of January. If it is possible to ship any sooner, we will send you an update. We truly appreciate your patronage and patience with this exciting musical project!

Q: What's the deal with the plastic cards?

A: Nez thought it would be cool if each copy of the limited pressing had a custom numbered plastic "key" card. They are safely stored at the ranch and while we have contemplated the best way of presenting this one-of-a-kind item to purchasers, for security's sake, our plan is to deliver each card with the numbered edition that you ordered.

Q: You didn't mention shirts, do I still get a shirt?

A: Yes! The shirt you selected will come with your order when the CD's and vinyl LP are ready to ship.

If you have any questions about these or any of our other products, please call us at 831-384-8800 or email us at vrforeman@videoranch.com.

Sincerely,
The Videoranch Foreman

"Back in California. Starting work on the live album. It sounded pretty good from the samples we listened to on the road. I'll start editing the best of all the versions of the songs and it will come out in January. It is only a limited edition and won't be available on Amazon or iTunes for a while.

The Super Deluxe is sold out and the Deluxe is almost sold out but there are a stack of the Standards left.

You can read all about it here. www.videoranch.com.

Live albums are hard to do -- so many things have to fit together -- and it's not like taking a recording of one show and having that be the representative of all the live shows. It is almost impossible to catch all the subtleties and nuances in one show. We did 22 shows on this tour and I think there is a little magic in all of them. But it will be a long and arduous editing process. The band performances and the slight changes in the arrangements and the different reactions of the crowds make editing it all together almost intractable --- finding the one take where everything meets and melds just right.

Nonetheless I am going to try to leave each song as complete in one take as I can and try to use the whole song and performance as a minimum meme.

It may not work.

Then again, it might.

Like all Thanksgiving dinners -- one never knows. Just plenty to be grateful for."

We are over the hump. Less shows to do than we have done. Went to the Lobster Stop in Quincy to celebrate. Lobsters just caught and fresh steamed. Good stuff! 

Food is a big part of road touring. It is hard to plan for and harder to find. I think its because no one really understands each other out here. I say "out here" and I mean "away from home". I think we must all have a kind of homespeak that no one understands but the immediate family. The circle of homespeak starts out small -- like when an infant starts communicating and only Mom or Dad or someone very close knows that "gerbitraganath" means "pretty picture".

But there is a homespeak for all communities of any size as any linguist will tell you.

Today Joe and Chris and I went to a diner in Fall River and the owner came up to us afterwards and said "How is everything?" We all nodded and smiled that "just fine" smile we all flash as an answer to any restaurant owner who asks that --regardless of how bad things are.

But then he launched into a homespeak announcement -- a particularly cryptic gibberish that was a cross between telling us about his schedule and recipes and the airplane announcements that the flight attendant says while cleaning up. "Federal regulations require that all seabackas and tratables and smoking detectors are in use while crew is moving about the cabin to make sure in flight baggage is no longer below the seat pocket and all belongings are part of the lavatory where smoking is never allowed or has shifted during the flight."

It was unintelligible and untranslatable. He talked for about two or three minutes in a sing-songy rehearsed patois that to us was only pure meaningless sound floating on air. When he left Chris said "I did not understand one word he said" I didn't either. The food was good -- but the homespeak announcement shall remain forever unknown to us.

It got a touch stranger on the way to the venue. Some one in the car -- maybe the driver -- said in homespeak "Ask in the battleship scurry around to see the marks upside the water." I think he was pointing out a sight we should be seeing. Then again I am not even sure it was him who was talking.

The performance is usually a short moment of general clarity. I try to speak slow and distinct -- I have a microphone -- and I am careful not to employ my own homespeak. I know how important it is to be understood by a crowd. Which is not to say that I am always understood by them -- only that I know how important it is. Singing is much easier. Many people seem to understand that message without much trouble.

Life on the road is plenty fun -- and it has all sorts of little twisty-turnies that make me laugh. It's a good way to get out of myself and listening to homespeak other than your own opens whole new worlds.

Tonight Fall River MA-- tomorrow Englewood NJ and then points west until I am home. Singing all the way.

Here's "Calico Girlfriend," "Nine Times Blue" and "Little Red Rider" from last evening's performance in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Enjoy!

(All photos by Craig K. Photography)

Here's a quote from the third interview where Michael talks about his 12-string Gretsch guitar:

Q: The 12-string Gretsch you played on the last Monkees tour was a thing of beauty, terrific-looking and sounding. What instruments are you using on this tour, and how does your gear set-up differ between Monkees shows and solo dates?

A: As I say, in the solo shows I play in front of a wonderful band. Paul Leim and Joe Chemay, drums and bass respectively, and Chris Scruggs on stringed instruments and Boh Cooper on keys. So they do the heavy lifting and make the evening really alive with great performances. I focus on singing and sort of strum along with a Martin J40-12 – which they no longer make – and I send it into the board direct with a mix of a pick-up and an on board microphone. It sounds wonderful and sits in the background of this band in just the right way. I also have a great front of house mixer and monitor mixer that makes the show a real joy to hear and to play. It all sounds fantastic to my ears.

In contrast, the Gretsch is front and center with Peter’s guitar and bass on the Monkees tour. The Monkees have a back up band so that Mick can get out from behind the drums and sing. With the backup band the complex arrangements of the records are maintained. The Gretsch really sings as you noticed – and for the end I switch over to a Strat with Seymour Duncan pickups for “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “Listen to the Band” – which also closes the Monkees show. Both Gretsch and the Strat go through a Fender Super Sonic Twin –one of the new ones with tubes.

Michael's 'Movies of the Mind' tour continues, with Nez performing outside of Washington, D.C. in Vienna, Virginia this evening. Upcoming stops in Maryland on Tuesday, New York on Thursday and Pennsylvania on Friday have limited tickets available for each show. Sunday evening's performance in Massachusetts is sold out.

Get your tickets to see Nez this week while you can...