Masters, The

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合計収録時間 : 01:12:38
This compilation is drawn from Michael Nesmith's First National Band LPs Magnetic South (1970), Loose Salute (1970) and Nevada Fighter (1971), and the solo efforts Tantamount to Treason (1972) And the Hits Just Keep on Comin' (1972) as well as its follow-up Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash (1973). The sheer amount of material that the one-time Monkees' member had backlogged during his somewhat repressive tenure in the mid-'60s made-for-TV pop phenom is simply staggering. And while The Master (2002) does an adequate job of presenting some of it, the track selection is questionable in terms of providing listeners what would be "the best" of the bunch. Those wishing to do so can trace Nesmith's ability to pen obtuse country-tinged pop songs and faithfully cover Western-flavored favorites right through his contributions to the Monkees. When he went solo in 1970, those rural leanings became the artist's musical impetus. Prime examples are laid out in the first half of the CD. His soulful (yes, soulful) updates of "She Thinks I Still Care," "Born to Love You," "Texas Morning," "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," "One Rose," and especially Derek & the Dominoes' "I Looked Away" are among the best. Sadly, the trend doesn't continue in earnest as the assortment of Nesmith-penned titles are, at best, an odd lot to contend with. "Hollywood" actually dates back to his Pre-Fab Four days, while the remainder skim what is arguably the most outstanding of his copious self-penned catalog. Where is his biggest solo hit "Joanne" for example? Or, "Grand Ennui," "Propinquity," "Wax Minute," "Conversations," "Listen to the Band," "Two Different Roads," etc. Granted, " Hello Lady," "Here I Am," "Dedicated Friend," "Bye, Bye, Bye," and the criminally under-appreciated Tantamount to Treason originals "Lazy Lady," "In the Afternoon," and "Mama Rocker" are here. However, the lack of otherwise solid entries -- such as those named above -- means that the good certainly doesn't outweigh those that are, in effect, M.I.A. ~ Lindsay Planer