Nesmith "Lost RCA Victor Recordings" coming this spring on compact disc (UPDATED WITH OFFICIAL TRACK LISTING)

3/5/2021

Back in 2018, Michael Nesmith's six early 1970s albums for RCA Records appeared suddenly on various digital and streaming platforms, and more surprisingly at the time, each album was chock-full of bonus tracks, many of them previously unreleased.

Magnetic South (1970), Loose Salute (1970), Nevada Fighter (1971), Tantamount To Treason (1972), And the Hits Just Keep On Comin' (1972), and Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash (1973) have all seen various reissues over the years on both compact disc and vinyl. And since the CD re-releases featured scant bonus tracks, the 2018 digital/streaming versions of those albums marked the first time that the vaults were truly opened to reveal a plethora of previously unheard recordings by Nesmith and the First and Second National Band line-ups (including new versions of Monkees songs like "Circle Sky," and instrumental renditions of both "Magnolia Simms" and "Tapioca Tundra").

And now, courtesy of the Real Gone Music label, comes Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor Recordings, which will collect "22 tracks drawn from the RCA Victor vaults, every one of which is previously unreleased in any physical format," according to the description found on the Amazon listing of the compact disc. Though no official track listing is available as of this posting, the disc will seemingly be comprised of the songs that were first revealed via the digital and streaming issues of the albums in 2018.

Here is the full description of The Lost RCA Victor Recordings courtesy of Amazon:

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. Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor 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. Don't take our word for it: listen to the band!

Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor Recordings will arrive on April 30, 2021. You can pre-order your copy from Amazon now! And stay tuned to The Monkees Live Almanac for official track listings and more!

UPDATE 3/8/2021:

Thank you very much to Gordon from Real Gone Music for providing the Live Almanac with the official CD track listing for The Lost RCA Victor Recordings. And here is the official link to pre-order from Real Gone Music.

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)
15. Magnolia Simms (Alternate Version)
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 (Alternate Instrumental)
22. Loose Salute (Radio Spots)

JJ Lloyd

3/5/2021 14:47:27

Every time I see/hear the word "plethora," I can't help but think of El Guapo's birthday party in Three Amigos. "Would you say I have a plethora of pinatas?" :)

Alan

3/11/2021 20:47:00

Scot, I’m out, man. Your beef with Joe and 2nd Disc seems personal and way deeper than you’re letting on. So you don’t like their writing style? There are plenty of sites I don’t like...I don’t read them, but I don’t go trashing them, either. So they do fluffy reviews in your opinion...I disagree, but seriously, who cares? I like reading their site, period. I think many others do, too. Seems like a couple or more of the guys there have turned their writing into careers - you just sound like sour grapes. We disagree, you’re not going to convince me they’re bad writers or amateurish or whatever. Sorry man. Everyone here now knows how you feel. They’re not doing anybody any harm by cheering on CDs. Some of us like the info they provide. Live and let live.

3/11/2021 21:16:59

I'm not sure what your comment has to do with the word "plethora," Alan.

3/11/2021 21:19:47

Sorry, JJ. Meant to reply to Scott’s “plethora” of comments below.

Scot Scottsman

3/11/2021 21:24:50

...Al, your comment was delivered with all the lackadaisical precision of someone who enjoys the bland, flavorless content published by TheSecondDisc.com. I'll leave it at that.

3/7/2021 08:34:30

...two quick notes:

1. It's fantastic to see this material coming out! While some of it was available digitally, it did not come with any annotation/credits, so its context in the larger Nes story was completely lost. Real Gone generally does a great job with packaging and liner notes, so I am thrilled to see that they are the ones to bring this project to light.

2. It's also shocking that it hadn't happened sooner...Sundazed couldn't be bothered to add bonus tracks or new notes to their shoddy First National Band reissues, and even ol' Nes hasn't expressed interest in producing any sort of retrospective packaging gathering all this stuff. A few tracks sneaked out on the UK First National Band CD twofers ages ago, whetting our appetites...

I anxiously await this release...and for TheSecondDisc.com publishing the label's press release disguised as editorial content, as they always do...

Joe Marchese link

3/9/2021 15:02:11

Nothing is, or has been, “disguised.” I write the press releases for our Second Disc Records titles, and that’s the info shared with our readers at The Second Disc. No secrecy there. I don’t feel the need to rewrite the same information that I’ve written myself in the first place. Hope you all enjoy the release!

3/10/2021 13:15:01

So you *DO* publish press releases as editorial content...good to know!

3/10/2021 13:22:42

Perhaps I'm misreading you, but you seem to be implying there's something sinister or untoward about running our own press releases as editorial content? Would you prefer we announce our own titles in another way? I write the content and it's shared on Real Gone Music's website and on The Second Disc. We have never (and I reiterate, NEVER) run another label's press release verbatim without stating it as such. Again, my apologies if I'm misinterpreting your remarks.

3/10/2021 16:21:23

So sorry, Joe! I think we're both misreading each other. I sincerely apologize for the confusion...I appreciate you clearing it up. Now I understand that you do not publish record label press releases without disclaiming it: Much of the editorial content on TheSecondDisc.com is just so toothless and devoid of objective critical analysis that it *SEEMS* like label-supplied promo copy.

Thanks again for setting us straight!

3/10/2021 16:28:19

Editor of The Second Disc, I respectfully disagree with your characterization of our editorial content, but hey, that’s what makes a horse race. I’m proud of what we’ve built over the past decade-plus, of our Second Disc Records releases, and of our readership and community. I’m certain you can find the kind of content you’re seeking elsewhere.

3/10/2021 16:56:09

...indeed I can. I had to stop reading TheSecondDisc because every post was so fawning and deferential: I much prefer outlets that examine new and catalog titles with enthusiasm, insight, passion, and a critical eye and ear -- which sometimes mean you disagree with the decisions that labels make and bite the proverbial hand that feeds you...

3/10/2021 17:19:46

Your cheap shots speak for themselves. I'm sure those other outlets are happy to have you as a reader. Hope you enjoy the Nesmith title, anyway.

3/10/2021 17:24:58

You're correct -- my observations do speak for themselves: That's how words work. My "cheap shots" are rooted in fact and a thorough evaluation of your content over the years. If there are pieces that you feel are exceptional or counter my characterization that 99% of your content is just rehashed/paraphrased marketing copy, I'd love to read them. Post your recommendations here...I look forward to them!

3/10/2021 17:37:17

I'll pass on your offer. We clearly have a fundamental difference of opinion as to the quality and content of The Second Disc. I'm incredibly proud of The Second Disc - not just of my own work, but moreover, that of my three colleagues. If it's not your cup of tea, that's fine. Why take the time to repeatedly attack us in a personal manner here on a forum about The Monkees? Let's instead come together to agree on the music we both care about. Peace.

Dale Gammon

3/10/2021 20:41:05

...it's hilarious that Marchese is spending his time responding to internet blog comments: In the time it took him to write all this, he could have paraphrased three Cherry Red press releases and posted them as news items on TheSecondDisc.com!

Raymond S

3/10/2021 22:01:18

I really don't understand all the negativity. I am really looking forward to this Nesmith release. I don't see what your opinion of the Second Disc's site has to do with it. I've been going there for nearly ten years now and I find them informative and I like their releases with Real Gone. I can now see why more professionals involved music releases with don't hang out on message boards and blogs.

That site is free and no one is forcing you to read it. I can't understand the continued attack. But I disagree completely with you assessment of the site anyway. I find it a good resource for news just like The Monkees Live Almanac. And I can't wait to have the Nesmith CD in hand.

Kramer Brown

3/10/2021 22:08:02

I'm with Raymond on this one...I mean, TheSecondDisc.com isn't supposed to be any sort of towering bastion of musical criticism or artistic integrity -- heck, two-thirds of the time it feels like reading a Collector's Choice catalog from 1998 -- but sometimes that's what I need to silence the voices in my head.

Jake Santiago

3/11/2021 11:05:00

Oh, come on, Raymond: The Monkees Almanac is way more fun than TheSecondDisc! The Monkees Almanac shares rare photos and video, and offers insider insight into one of the most fascinating pop culture phenomenons of the past sixty years...TheSecondDisc just kinda regurgitates promotional copy from other sources.

3/11/2021 14:01:48

I’ve been reading this site for awhile now and I’m a little surprised by the comments here. 2nd Disc doesn’t do anything differently from Rolling Stone or Billboard when they write up a news piece on a new CD or vinyl. They all paraphrase a press release and usually add more info. I look to 2nd Disc or Super Deluxe Edition or Ultimate Classic Rock for news of CDs I might like. They do a pretty good job of that, especially on more obscure releases which I don’t see covered much elsewhere. I also like the discographies which sometimes aren’t in the CDs themselves. Their Nez CD looks pretty cool, too. Nice to have their guys around here to answer any questions we might have about it.

Allen Edwards

3/11/2021 14:20:33

Yes and no, Alan. Sure Rolling Stone and the like take information from press releases and publish them as little news items, but -- unlike Second Disk -- they take a position in their reviews. Second Disk's "reviews" are really weak: they show no enthusiasm or judgement, and they never take any sort of stance on the material. It's pretty dull, which is why I stopped reading it ages ago...I need more bite, more commitment, and more excitement in my reviews...

But I do enjoy their curated releases.

3/11/2021 15:03:32

Cool, Allen. Thanks for clarifying. I think the other guys here were talking about 2nd Disc news which I think is comparable to those other sites I mentioned. I happen to like their reviews too but it’s all up to taste. I think they are informative, knowledgeable and enthusiastic and their recent Elvis Costello review of Armed Forces was one of the best i read. Agree that their releases are always well done and looking forward to the Papa Nez on CD.

3/11/2021 20:29:00

Alan,

Therein lies the issue: The "news" and "reviews" sections are indistinguishable from each other -- they are both soft, easygoing factual statements, with no trace of critical assessment. Read their "reviews," and you get the impression that Joe and his cohorts just like everything -- which makes them both boring and unreliable...hardly what you want from music criticism. I may not agree with Christgau or Fricke or Greg Tate or Lois Wilson, but I know where they stand when they write about a project, and they don't blindly love everything with the amateurish enthusiasm of a junior high kid writing reviews in his school newspaper (actually, that ALSO sounds more interesting than TheSecondDisc)...not that schools have newspapers anymore...

Mike Duquette link

3/11/2021 22:02:26

Hey Scott,

Owner/publisher of The Second Disc here. I'm going to say something I never thought I'd say in TSD's 11-year history: please try hard not to read or think about our site. Clearly our coverage is getting to you.

Joe's been curating and promoting Second Disc/Real Gone's releases fabulously. Just about every title the imprint has put out has been his idea, in concert with folks at the major labels. He's gotten stuff on CD I never expected to be released and has rescued valuable listens out of expensive box sets. We both started as fans and have managed to work with and write about music full time by sheer force of will - no small feat considering the tough year so many of us have had work-wise since COVID reared its head around the world.

I find it a bit baffling that information about a product we'd like Monkees fans to buy would be described as anything other than positive. I think a lot of our editorial coverage is mistaken for reviews, which stinks. I personally don't like writing reviews; especially since I try not to take product for free and - because of my work writing elsewhere for money taking up most of my day - I wouldn't want to waste time with an inferior product. If something is really bad on the QC side, we do try to let folks know, ideally without ragging on the real people at labels who put their all into these titles. (I have been one of those people in varying capacities - I'm speaking from experience here.)

What I can tell you is many of the releases we cover don't get covered elsewhere. Sure, the big box sets get press in Rolling Stone or bigger outlets, but smaller labels, boutique labels? There are other sites out there that cover reissues, but I'm proud to say we cover a wide array of titles - even I get surprised sometimes by what's coming out.

The Second Disc has been the "fun" side of my work since I was a minimum-wage retail employee after graduating college. It remains that way as a full-time writer and husband with bills to pay like anyone else. Life's too short to look at music of the past and present any other way. I really wish we could be what you want us to be and I'm sorry we're not. To the other fans out there, thanks for reading and I hope us trying to defend our honor in your comments section doesn't come off as too corny. Everyone here is clearly passionate and that can be tough sometimes. But if it's bumming you out that much it's probably best not to read TSD - we're not gonna stop doing things the way we think they're worth doing.

Love4oneanother,
-MD

Scot Scottsman link

3/12/2021 08:18:50

Mike --

One small point of contention: I never said anything bad about SD's CD releases, which are generally excellent. My initial note literally said "I anxiously await this release."

I'm happy to disagree about the content of your site's editorial content, which objectively reads like slightly re-tooled label promo copy, but I've enjoyed several of your released titles. As someone who has also compiled/released a number of reissues of esoteric music, I appreciate the labor that goes into these kind of projects.

I've been following your directive to not read the site for some time now...and will continue to. Good advice is always welcomed!

Guy Smiley

3/7/2021 13:21:53

First, it’s terrific this is happening.

Second, what’s odd about this is that these are all the Bonus Tracks quietly released as “digital only” Sony remasters of Nez’s first six solo albums (In other words “The RCA albums”) a few years ago (2018?).

So... Why no physical release of the original albums, using these outstanding remasters? Nez’s early catalogue has been reissued a number of times, it’s true, but the Sony remasters are, quite simply, the best those albums have ever sounded. By far.

Seems a shame Sony only saw fit to release them as digital only, with no physical release, and now Real Gone appears to be ignoring the proper albums too. Shame, as it’s a real opportunity for fans to finally get good sounding versions of the RCA albums on CD.

Releasing these “lost” tracks as bonus tracks on the original albums, as Sony did with the “download only” versions would’ve made the most sense.

If this sells well enough for Real Gone, I hope they’ll see fit to license the actual albums (In their Sony remastered versions) soon. With more bonus tracks, maybe?

There’s a long version of “Silver Moon,” for instance, that doesn’t have that sloppy, fast fadeout the “official” version does. How that’s gone unreleased, all this time, I don’t understand.

Qualms aside, looking forward to this. Great cover, and I’ll happily support more Nez releases.

3/9/2021 15:08:46

All of Nesmith’s RCA albums are currently available and/or in print in various editions (the “Songs” box set; the “Original Album Classics” collection; the Videoranch FNB set, the Sundazed vinyl reissues); expanded editions were not possible or even feasible. I hope this proves to be an enjoyable “bonus disc” to those other releases.

Moky Dilenz

3/10/2021 16:23:55

Guy is lamenting that there is no physical edition of the 2018 Sony remasters...the existing CDs and LPs of Nez's early records are all pretty old and could really stand to be improved...

Reginald Elliot

3/10/2021 17:20:33

...Moky, indeed, all the masterings on the market these days sound pretty tired -- but it's hard to imagine that there is much demand for these titles. They've been on the market a long time. I was hoping that Sundazed would use new masters and do expanded editions on CD, but no dice. Those Sundazed LPs were a really lazy, redundant effort...

Phil O.

3/7/2021 15:47:26

I'll definitely pick this up, even though I have these tracks from the digital-only reissues a few years back. But I wonder: does this release have Nez's blessing? As I recall, these tracks were released without his knowledge, and they weren't included on his recent SONGS box set because he doesn't have the rights to include them.

And at least so far, Videoranch hasn't promoted this release on FB.

Lastly, this line is interesting: "The mind-altering music on Different Drum has been mixed from the original multitracks by Andrew Sandoval". So did Andrew do the remixes on the digital reissues a few years back, and this CD will contain the same mixes? Or are these mixes new to this CD?

Monkees Live Almanac

3/9/2021 06:51:11

Hi Phil,

I recently communicated with a representative from Real Gone Music and was told that Nez approves of this project and that he also provided an interview for the liner notes.

It was also confirmed that the mixes are the same as the digital versions.

3/9/2021 09:59:21

OK - that's all good info. I'm looking forward to the liner notes, too. Thank you!

MagneticNorthpaw

3/10/2021 15:27:57

The Michael Nesmith's Videoranch Page commented on Facebook today that a VINYL release is also apparently coming.

Peter Denmark

3/11/2021 04:53:05

Although not mentioned, I trust this will also include the trailers for "Nevada Fighter" as those were among the downloads released in 2018.

Matt

3/21/2021 21:03:29

Enough of all this petty invective directed at that website or any other site for that matter. The only sure-fire way to bring an end to such a trivial difference of opinion is:
Oh For Pete's Sake! Throw on one of the several versions of Auntie's Municipal Court, turn the volume knob up to 11, and let's all see if THAT don't flatten everybody out!

Scott Scotsman

3/23/2021 10:25:50

Matt, this thread is two weeks old. We've all learned from it and moved on. I invite you to join us in the present day.

Comments are closed.

Nesmith "Lost RCA Victor Recordings" coming this spring on compact disc (UPDATED WITH OFFICIAL TRACK LISTING)

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