Mike Nesmith & the First National Band - magnetic south

From 1970 Mike Nesmith's first solo album after leaving the Monkees and a superb musical treat it is too. The early 70s saw one strand of 60s psychedelia morph into country rock and this album is an early example of that. Its at once harking back to the past and looking forward, steeped in Americana. "Joanne" is a highlight, a sweet country ballad. "Mama nantucket" also rollicks along complete with yodelling!

MV : "Yellow butterfly" by Michael Nesmith

Post (and during of course) The Monkees Michael Nesmith released some wonderful music, but this is one of the best.

The Monkees - the birds, the bees and the monkees

The Monkees' fifth studio album from 1968 and came as the band's star began its downward trajectory. The TV show that had propelled them to stardom had been cancelled, the movie failed and this album was the first not to reach #1 in the Billboard chart (it had to make do with #3). However it was still a solid piece of work that spawned the wonderful "Valleri" and "Daydream believer".

Other highlights include the rootsy "Auntie's municipal court" and the lush Davy Jones number "We were made for each other". Mike Nesmith's psychedelic "Tapioca tundra" is also an entertaining and interesting song. "The poster" is a simple but sweet 60s pop song.

There isn't anything bad about the album at all though it does sound as it was, the start of the band's slide downwards.

The Monkees - head OST

The Monkees feature film "Head" is a messy mysterious psychedelic gem. Does it make sense? Maybe if you are on acid, but it does include some really great songs and this is the soundtrack.

"Long title : do i have to do all this over again" which is the song in the film's club scene (some screen caps below) as a piece of psychedelic pop it can't be beaten. In fact i'd rate it as one of the late 60s' finest songs. Check it out if you don't believe me, it expertly matches the Monkees harmonies and pop sound with something deeper and further maaaan.

The "Porpoise song" with its eerie organs and chilled out vibe also has to rate as a brilliant slice of psychedelia. "Daddy's Song" is a very different kind of song with its horn backing but works remarkably well as does the straight forward 60s rock of "Circle sky". Soundtracks often leave one disappointed but this doesn't. Some of the best songs from one of the best bands of the 60s (YES!)

Friday Links (09/03/12)

• New Order are miming to backing tapes claims the, of course totally unbiased, ex-New Order member Peter Hook.
• The other members of The Monkees will not attend Davy Jones funeral in order for it to remain low-key. There are plans for a number of public memorials.
• (Guardian) readers recommend some Welsh songs.
• Armenia has pulled out of Eurovision, come on the UK choosing Humperdink wasn't that bad was it?

Found on a compilation unearthed from deep in my CD vaults earlier today, great song from the mid-70s.

Friday Links (02/03/2012)

• How pop lost its gay edge.
• If you like Pink Floyd's "The wall" you can test your love with a seven disc box set which includes the remastered original plus live albums and discs full of demos and development versions of the final tracks.
• The NME is nearly 60 years ago, has its influence waned? We can only hope.
• Davy Jones, a life in pictures.
• Davy Jones and the Monkees : childhood's over.

The Monkees Kool-Aid advert

RIP Davy Jones.