Published on Jul 18, 2001
Michael Nesmith’s solo career has always been interesting. He
was an experienced musician who auditioned for a TV show in the
1960s, called “The Monkees”. And even though the final four
applicants didn’t play instruments at first, Nesmith knew he would
not have any trouble in attempting to place his musical skills to
work.
Nesmith’s solo career began in 1968, where he would focus his
musical style towards country, as in typical country and/or
California rock country, as in such acts as The Eagles and Jackson
Browne. He would later become famous with video production, and in
the 1980s he was the only member who did not join The Monkees’
reunion tour. Years later, the original four Monkees recorded new
songs for their album
Justus.
And The Hits Just Keep Comin’, Nesmith’s solo release from
1972, was listed as one of
Rock Critics’ Choice: The Top 200 Albums (Paul Gambaccini,
1978). “Tomorrow And Me” features the slide steel guitar heard in
many of The Eagles and Jackson Browne tunes. If you’re familar with
The Eagles’ “Peaceful Easy Feeling,”it has that kind of style,
being a medium-tempo song. The melody and harmonies on “Tomorrow
And Me” are just plain beautiful, and can be a regular album cut
favorite on internet and/or regular radio stations.
Like “Tomorrow And Me,” “The Upside Of Good-bye” is another
peaceful song, but it doesn’t feature the steel guitar as much, yet
it’s another off-country tune. “Lady Love”has a more Jackson Browne
ballad style, as heard on Browne’s
Late For The Sky release. “Listening,” “Two Different Roads”
and “Keep On” identify Nesmith’s own sound, having the steel and
accoustic guitars, off-country/folk music styles.
“The Candidate” has a different sound, having a more pop
acoustic sound. Towards the end, it has a slight psychedelic touch;
much different than the country/folk sound throughout this entire
album.
Linda Ronstadt’s first hit (as a member of The Stone Poneys),
“Different Drum,” is a Nesmith composition. Nesmith’s version is
here, and it is much different than Ronstadt’s, having a more
folkish country style, as compared to Rondstadt’s pop/off-country
sound. The steel guitar returns with “Harmony Constant,” as it is
another Jackson Browne-type ballad song, yet t’s Nesmith’s own
“sound,” being country/folk, with some beautiful harmony
vocalizing. The album’s closing song, “Roll With The Flow,”
features more of the incredible steel guitar, an instrument that is
not used as much as it was in today’s country music.
For fans of country and folk,
And The Hits Just Keep On Comin’ is a very relaxing
“country” album to listen to. Many popular music performers can be
compared here: The Eagles, Jackson Browne, Gram Parsons, and Poco.
The California sound of off-country and folk music is definitely
heard in Nesmith’s early solo career, and his solo recording career
is always interesting, as he always had an interest in country and
folk music.
Old-fashioned country can also be identified here, and his music
is definitely different than that of The Monkees. The Monkees never
did any off-country/folk songs, but if you’re familiar with The
Monkees’ “What Am I Doing Hanging Round” and the nostalgic
“Magnolia Sims,” these two songs can give you some indication of
what Nesmith’s solo career is all about: very different than The
Monkees.
Country music is brought back as it used to be, decades ago,
where today’s country has a more pop/rock sound. Oh, it’s country
music (today’s country), but Nesmith’s solo career brings back
old-fashioned country; traditional country with a folk music
quality. Country & Western fans will definitely enjoy this
album.