News

Before embarking with Micky Dolenz on the acclaimed, currently-playing The Monkees Present: The Mike & Micky Show, Michael Nesmith staged another remarkable event earlier this year.  For five performances only in January, Nesmith reformed his pioneering country-rock group, The First National Band.  The FNB didn’t venture out of California, but the sold-out concerts attracted worldwide attention.  Now, everyone will have a chance to hear what they missed when 7a Records – the label dedicated to all things Monkees – issues Michael Nesmith and The First National Band Redux Live at the Troubadour on July 27 in the United Kingdom and August 3 in the United States.

Though the FNB only released three albums in 1970 and 1971 (Magnetic South, Loose Salute, and Nevada Fighter), the cult classic LPs have only grown in stature and reputation over the years.  A reunion of the original band would have been impossible, as pedal steel guitarist O.J. “Red” Rhodes and bassist John London had died, and drummer John Ware had retired.  So Mike recruited a new group for 2018 including his sons Christian (guitar) and Jonathan (piano/guitar/vocals), bassist Jonathan Chesney, pedal steel guitarist Pete Finney, drummer Christopher Ailis, and singers Amy Spear and Circe Link.  (Christian Nesmith and Circe Link previously released a joint EP with Micky Dolenz on 7a.)

Michael Nesmith and The First National Band Redux Live at the Troubadour will be issued on both single CD and double vinyl, with the vinyl edition boasting one bonus track (“Rio”).  It’s drawn from the band’s performance at that fabled Hollywood nightspot on January 25 of this year.  Christian Nesmith has recorded, mixed and produced this album.   In the press release, Michael Nesmith comments, “I’ve never been happier with a record. I’ve never been more proud and pleased to get it out in front of people, and play it and leave it with the people, in their care. It’s at the top of my form. It’s the best I can do. So if I die now… that was it, guys.”

The deluxe CD digipak edition with an embossed cover will include a 16-page color booklet featuring Papa Nez’s own liner notes as well as previously unpublished photos.  The first 1,000 copies of the double-LP iteration will be housed in a gatefold sleeve with an embossed cover, and pressed on 180-gram opaque gold vinyl.  It also includes Nesmith’s liner notes and features “Rio” as a bonus track.

Live at the Troubadour arrives on July 27 in the U.K. and August 3 in the U.S., but all Amazon links aren’t yet available.  In the meantime, you can pre-order at Deep Discount and peruse the track listing below!

Michael Nesmith and The First National Band Redux Live at the Troubadour (7a Records 021, 2018)

Deep Discount (U.S.) / Amazon U.K. (U.K.) / Amazon U.S.

LP 1 Side 1

1. Intro (1:16)
2. Nevada Fighter (3:23)
3. Calico Girlfriend (2:42)
4. Nine Times Blue (2:00)
5. Little Red Rider (2:49)
6. The Crippled Lion (3:30)
7. Joanne (3:50)

LP 1 Side 2

1. Dedicated Friend (3:33)
2. Grand Ennui (6:58)
3. Lady Of The Valley (4:05)
4. Rio (6:26) (Vinyl Only Bonus Track)

LP 2 Side 1

1. 50 Years Ago (2:30)
2. Propinquity (I’ve Just Begun To Care) (3:10)
3. Different Drum (2:10)
4. Papa Gene’s Blues (2:38)
5. Tengo Amore (4:02)
6. Keys To The Car (3:06)

LP 2 Side 2

1. Mama Nantucket (3:07)
2. Bye Bye Bye (4:07)
3. Some Of Shelly’s Blues (3:58)
4. Silver Moon (4:27)
5. Thanx For The Ride (4:21)

Michael Nesmith and The First National Band Redux Live at the Troubadour (7a Records 022, 2018)

Deep Discount (U.S.) / Amazon U.K. (U.K.) / Amazon U.S.

CD:

1. Intro
2. Nevada Fighter
3. Calico Girlfriend
4. Nine Times Blue
5. Little Red Rider
6. The Crippled Lion
7. Joanne
8. Dedicated Friend
9. Grand Ennui
10. Lady Of The Valley
11. 50 Years Ago
12. Propinquity (I’ve Just Begun To Care)
13. Different Drum
14. Papa Gene’s Blues
15. Tengo Amore
16. Keys To The Car
17. Mama Nantucket
18. Bye Bye Bye
19. Some Of Shelly’s Blues
20. Silver Moon
21. Thanx For The Ride