IGN Film Force Reviews
(All written by Ken P.):
#1. From A Radio Engine To The Photo Wing, Infinite Rider On The Big Dogma and Tropical Campfires
As part of my continuing effort to spotlight the works of the wonderful Mike Nesmith, I'd like to point you towards a trio of his later releases – From a Radio Engine to a Photon Wing, Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma, and Tropical Campfires (Rio Records, $14.95 each). It was during this period that Nesmith's folk/country/rock style began to incorporate a decidedly tropical overtone, resulting in a unique sound that reminds me of a souped-up Jimmy Buffett. Of the three albums, Tropical Campfires is a must-have (if your budget is limited), although all three albums are worth having (particularly From a Radio Engine... , if only for the song "Rio"). As always, all of these titles and more (including audio samples of the titles listed above) are available from Nesmith's Videoranch.
#2. Timerider DVD and The First National Band Imports
Timerider (Anchor Bay, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP) is one of those films that the '80s seemed to produce in great quantities – quirky independent films that deserve to be seen. Lyle Swann (Fred Ward) is a motorcycle champion cruising the Mexican desert when he unexpectedly gets caught in the operational radius of a time machine. Shunted back to 19th Century on his 20th Century motorbike, Swann soon comes across an Old West town, where the inhabitants see him as a demon. But don't you know it, soon he's swept up in a romance and on the run from murderous thieves. The DVD contains an audio commentary from director Bill Dear. Producer/co-writer Mike Nesmith's soundtrack to the film (a mix of rock, pop, synth, and imagination) can be found over at videoranch.com.
While I'm on a Mike Nesmith kick (see last week's Guide), I thought I'd recommend a trio of double album reissues from Camden in the UK (similar to the Harry Nilsson titles they've been re-releasing for the past few years). The 3 discs collect Nesmith's first 6 albums – Magnetic South/Loose Salute, Nevada Fighter/Tantamount to Treason,and And the Hits Just Keep on Comin'/Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash (Camden, $19.95 SRP each over at Nesmith's Videoranch site). Of the three collections, Nevada Fighter and And the Hits... are probably my favorites, particularly the latter – which is done with just acoustic and steel guitar, lending a sparse yet earthy quality to the whole affair.
#3.Elephant Parts DVD and The Complete First National Band Recordings (2 disc set)
Elephant Parts (Anchor Bay, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP, available directly from Videoranch.com) gets its name from the old saw about the blind men encountering an elephant – each one examined a different part of the massive beast, and drew their own widely varied conclusions as to what the animal looked like based on their own personal perspective. Michael Nesmith's groundbreaking video is much the same, allowing each viewer to draw their own conclusions about the widely varied – and incredibly unique – audio/visual experience. It's not too difficult, in viewing the mixture of nascent music videos and comedy bits, to place Elephant Parts in its proper context as the fertile crescent that would give rise to MTV (Nesmith was one of the creators of the cultural juggernaut). The DVD contains an audio commentary with Nesmith and a production still gallery.
To try and place a label on the kind of music that Michael Nesmith creates would be like calling both Monet and my Uncle Mike painters. Sure – technically – they both apply paint to a surface for aesthetic reasons, but it's not entirely accurate, either. Nesmith's work can't be pinned down to a specific genre, and to do so would be to do the work a disservice. There are country threads, folk threads, rock threads, pop threads, classical threads – have you gotten my tapestry metaphor yet? I'm going to be spotlighting more Nesmith CDs in the future, but I wanted to point you in the direction of a fine first release that would do your CD player proud – The Complete Michael Nesmith and The First National Band (Pacific Arts Audio, $21.95 SRP). This 2-disc set collects the three albums comprising Nesmith's first post-Monkees solo work, and it's a damn good set to start with. A pioneering work of country rock (but I'm not labeling it, honest!), it also features some incredibly witty lyrical work (particularly on "Propinquity (I've Just Begun to Care)"). For information on ordering, samples, and much more, head over and explore Nesmith's Videoranch site. Trust me – it's worth the trip.
#4.The Newer Stuff
Michael Nesmith: The Newer Stuff (Rhino, $12.95 SRP, available at Videoranch.com) features just about a 50/50 mix of new material and choice cuts from some of Nez's later albums (songs like "Rio," "Magic," and "Cruisin"). Nez is definitely still channeling a tropical jet stream in these tracks, but combined with his countrified drawl and beautiful arrangements, the effect is more than agreeable.
#5.The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora Hardcover and Audio Book
The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora (St. Martin's Press, $24.95 SRP) is an interesting nut to crack. On one page, it's a deeply spiritual journey – only to veer into a comic interlude on the next, followed by a bit of drama, then an intellectual discourse. On every page, though, it's a profoundly engaging work of fiction that occasionally made me wonder, "Did any of this really happen?" The plot involves a musician's quest to find the (possibly) mythical Neftoon Zamora – who may be a man or woman, a brilliant musician, a philosopher, a fighter of wolves, a real person, or pure Santa Claus/Easter Bunny fiction. Or maybe all of these things. If reading's not your thing, author Michael Nesmith has produced a CD audiobook (Pacific Arts, $29.95) set that benefits immensely from his delivery. Both of these releases can be found at Nesmith's Videoranch site.
"...It is a very great collection of music from Nez.
Really do think it is one of the most adventuresome and enjoyable listening experiences I've had in recent memory.
To me, it's Nez's equivalent to Brian Wilson's SMILE! album...."
"...The song "Rays" is beautiful and the disc defies category. It's unlike
anything I have ever heard and gives me a sense of exiliration when I listen.
I especially like the way the tracks segue together. I'm 48 and have been a fan since '66 and can say that Papa Nez has never
sounded better!!! ..."
"...What a great sounding collection of music.
Sure, I wish there were more of Nez's vocals on it...but I almost gasp
at the clarity and depth of sound everytime I play it. Wow!..."
"..The title song Rays was worth the cost of the entire CD. Oh that's such a good song in every sense of the word. I love the music and lyrics, I can't get enough of that one..."
"...I 've enjoyed "Rays". A very different departure which is truely a Nez trait which takes us down a " Different Road " or " Highway without Melange". The blending of one song ending to the beginning of the next flows effortlessly. Four years was worth the wait..."
First published in 1974 as I recall, The Prison is an amazing allegorical tale of the quest for truth amist the prisons of fear. It is a story which has reverberated for me over three decades. This version with CD for the musical "soundtrack" and the booklet of the story is handsomely done. The music was ahead of its time then, and still probably is -- something like a cross of the western music of the prairies and new age soundscape. But the story! Oh what an enchanting tale. Michael does a masterful job of drawing you into the seemingly simple story, only to have more and more pieces which don't seem to fit. Finally, the prison break is made and the utterly mindblowing realization that the Truth shall set you free! This is a marvelously artistic portrait of that wonderful proverb, made so real and touchable by the seemingly simple story. This is a story which wears well because it deals with timeless truths. It reads well when performed out loud and is a marvelous tool for teaching truth to young minds. I expect it will still be inspiring people a century from now! The continuation of the tale in the volume "The Garden" is also worthwhile. Although your feet may be on Earth, if your mind can touch the stars, don't miss this magnificent story! saturn@skantech.com or Lee Armstrong from Greenville, North Carolina , September 4, 1998
"Nesmith echoes the styles of two writers...Gabriel Garcia-Marquez and Lewis Carroll. He constructs a narrative that's part magical realism part "The Red Queen's Race."
"The Long Sandy Hair Of Neftoon Zamora is an impressively unexpected novel. It is not the sort of thing a celebrity would toss off in the hope of cashing in on a famous name. Instead, it serves notice that a compelling literary career may be just beginning. Michael Nesmith, hats off".
--L.D. Meagher, CNN
"The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora is a funny-ha-ha, funny-strange, love-is-strange panorama that flows like the tresses of its mythic musical protagonist..."
Indeed, a keen descriptive sense and a full-bodied humanity are the soul of this notable first novel..."
"Unlike so many novels involving the mystical, life-shaping properties of music, Nesmith doesn't ask you to merely have faith that the music is important. He's convincing, and his characters -- wonderfully expressive and eccentric -- are believably moved by the music Nesmith dreams up for them."
-Christopher Arnott, The Advocate
Amazing and witty. This book really does have it all, dry humor, spirituality, ravenous fish, magic rocks, broken bones, American pate, and a gigantic gas station in the middle of nowhere. All tied to a compelling plot with excellent writing...a book that's wonderful the first time around and demands to be read again almost immediately.
Carrie (mitchp@whitman.edu)
The best In years! The Long Sandy Hair Of Nefttoon Zamora is a topnotch novel from a multitalented Michael Nesmith. This book is beautifully written and is difficult to put down once you have started. Nesmith weaves an intriguing tale featuring great characters, and enough romance, adventure, humor, myth, and imagination to make this a compelling read. It's the best book I've read in years!
Jeff Bailey (jbailey@choctaw.astate.edu) 12/21/98
One word for Mr. Nesmith's book:'Perfect'! This is one you just can't put down or even try to define; is it a love story?: yes- is it a fantasy?: yes- is it fun?: most definately, Yes! Michael's bookwriting is as wonderful as his songwriting and performing! Treat yourselves to the kind of feeling you just don't get from many books today!!
Mr. Earl
Positively Fantastic. In a time when society is so distressed, troubled and confused, it's refreshing to find a literary work filled with so much heart, sentiment and light. "Neftoon Zamora" is a beautifully crafted tale comprised of fanciful adventure, realism and romance, which exceeds the ordinary realm of fictional work. Unique characters and an ever-turning storyline make this an enjoyable reading experience that captivates the heart, inspires the soul, and entertains the mind.
sabrina_ald@geocities.com
Fun and Fantasy from Michael Nesmith. Imagine, in your search for your favorite musician, you fall in love with a myth, discover a secret place where all is love and deal with evil beings with odd names. Welcome to 'The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora', or Neffie as the main character, Nez, calls her. He is looking for a long lost blues singer that he has heard and cannot get out of his mind. As he searches, Nez meets Neffie and Harouk and embark on a journey with many facets and jokes that crop up like flowers in the desert. Love in this novel is the classic kind...romantic and warm. The adventure continues with a fire, chases and kidnaping! Suffice it to say that the climax has to do with the Internet and a villian named Armando Hotchkiss. This is the book to sit by the fire on those cold nights and head for the Southwest! Fantastic reading...and hope that there is more to come from Michael.
Pat Alder, a Radio Personality
The Return of the Old Fashioned Storyteller. Do you remember sitting at the feet of a teacher, librarian, or even a relative as they told a story that kept you spellbound? Well that feeling is back in this incredible adventure. This is a book that makes you cheer, think (yes you heard right, something we are not supposed to do these days), feel the storytellers pain, thoughts, and caring for the people he meets along the way. It is an adventure of heart, mind and soul and one very much worth the taking.
Joanne Rempfer (jrempfer@astro.icis.temple.edu)
Redefining the Boundaries of Faith. This novel is an exciting blend of adventure and romance in which the author's skilled use of vocabulary paints pictures in your mind and emotion in your soul. The author's warmth, honesty, wisdom and humor touched this reader's heart and it was a relief to read a book that supported many of the values I hold most dear. The real treasure of 'The Long Sandy Hair Of Neftoon Zamora' is not so much the story plot as it is the feeling one gets in their soul as they read. Those who understand Michael Nesmith's message will return over and over again to renew their faith in the spirit of Neftoon Zamora.
Donna Bailey
A Breathless Adventure. Mr. Nesmith has long entertained audiences through his music and videos, creating images in our minds with his wit and wisdom. He has been known as an innovator, infamous for his ability to try, and succeed, at new and exciting venues. The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora takes us on a journey we ourselves could not even dream of undertaking. His ability to paint pictures in your mind while bringing out emotions you may not have known you had, will at times, leave you completely breathless. Sometimes, you may want to set the book down long enough to catch your breath, take time to absorb what you've just experienced. This is not critical to the way the book was written, rather praise for the author's unique way of making you ponder more than just the words on the page. As you ride along with him on his search for the legendary bluesman, Neftoon Zamora, you find yourself caught up in the adventure, wanting to feel the music, see Welach, meet it's people, breath the air, even sit naked in the rain. When you're done, you will want to start over, to relive the experience which ended way too soon. This entrancing interaction between the magical world of Welach, and the real world we live in is well worth the read. Enjoy, and feel the love that went into this piece of literary art.
Lorrie Dewar (dewar@techheadnet.com)
SPELLBINDING! 'LSHONZ' is a brilliantly written novel packed with humor, romance, adventure, etc. The reader cannot help but to be swept away and become a part of Nez's quest to find the ever-mysterious Neftoon. This novel has taken my imagination to new heights....a must read!
J.S.Corsino, from Honolulu, Hawaii
Nez has done it again! Being a longtime fan of Nez's music, I naturally wanted to read his new book. It is incredible. It is one of the few books I could recommend without reservation to everyone including my husband, my sister or my Dad. No one will be disappointed.
Karen (ntsnblts@pe.net)
Wonderful! Michael Nesmith's novel of the century! Funny, witty, and keeps you thinking throughout the whole story. It's a book I recommend to all adventure-mystery lovers!
Tigris Blessing (tigriseye@yahoo.com)
Fantastic! This is the best book I've read in a long time. A true masterpiece. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes adventure/romance stories.
Marcy (peaceluv67@hotmail.com)
"This book rises in the imagination like a fantastical building in the desert. It is an extraordinary assemblage. You simply have no idea what Nesmith is going to spring on you in the next paragraph--ancient stories, new wisdom, or a sudden damn good joke, all held together with the rhythm of prose which flows like music. America may have temporarily mislaid its soul, but luckily it has been found again and returned intact in the pages of this remarkable book."
--Douglas Adams, author ofThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
"The Long, Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora is a first rate novel, informed by an imagination that turns the story truly in the direction of myth. To read it is to be enchanted. To have read it is to be haunted. Michael Nesmith is accomplished in several worlds. To these accomplishments he now adds a significant contribution to the world of fiction."
--N. Scott Momaday, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of House Made of Dawn
"You fear there is no romance left in the world? You fear that the glorious word 'love' no longer means anything other than 'sex'? Then you must read this, Michael Nesmith's compelling first novel. It is the ultimate romance, the refreshing balm we need for our utilitarian time; it is just such an...exquisite... relief"
--Georgie Anne Geyer, author and syndicated columnist, United Press Syndicate
"A mystical search through the southwest for beauty and truth, Michael Nesmith writes with a rythym and color that is as enveloping as his terrain. This is a writer rich in humor, with a delighfully canny sense of the modern picturesque novel. It's a wonderful ride with Mr. Nesmith.
--Wendy Wasserstein, author and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of "The Heidi Cronicles"
"Beautifully written."
— New York Times - read the full review
"Penetrating... As a writer, Nesmith is practical without being conventional. And he riffs on metaphysical topics like 'non-time moments' -- when portent and symmetry seem to enter our lives -- without sounding trippy or losing his relatability. He also abstains from using his pen to settle scores, something from which other celebrity memoirists could learn. In fact, he's delightfully self-deprecating... [Infinite Tuesday is] a nonlinear realm to which [Nesmith] is a distinctly likable, erudite guide."
— Washington Post - read the full review
"In his memoir, Infinite Tuesday, the highlights of [Nesmith's] career speak for themselves... Jimi Hendrix, who supported the Monkees on their first tour, got the Monkees; John Lennon got the Monkees; Zappa did too. These countercultural icons understood the genius of its premise -- simultaneously celebrating and satirizing popular culture, fabricating a faux-Beatlemania to rival Beatlemania itself -- and recognized its brilliant execution."
— Wall Street Journal - read the full review
"Reads like the chronicle of a relentless seeker... although Nesmith certainly doesn't ignore the professional and social collaborations he's had with Douglas Adams, members of the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, actor Jack Nicholson and numerous others."
— Los Angeles Times - read the full review
"This selectively revealing, insightful memoir casts the cerebral Monkee as a spiritual seeker and self-deprecating visionary. Popular culture has barely revealed the tip of the iceberg that is Nesmith . . . . A book -- and a life -- unlike any other in rock."
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) - read the full review
"Nesmith may be most remembered for his role as the stoic guitarist in the Monkees, but his brilliant, candid, and humorous new autobiographical musings give readers a much clearer picture of his originality and inventiveness... Nesmith's entertaining memoir reveals his creative genius, his canny ability never to take himself too seriously, and his restless questions about the value of spirituality."
— Publishers Weekly - read the full review
“The Monkees were the beginning for me, the amazing thing is they were only the beginning for Mike Nesmith. This is the way a genius lives life right. Great stories of his buddies Hendrix, Timmy Leary, and Douglas Adams, adventures while inventing the music video and changing home video, yogis in California, VR, and why you should never complain about the air conditioning on a private jet. Nez inspired me when I was 13 and now with this book he continues to inspire me at 61."
— Penn Jillette of “Penn and Teller”
“You know it’s a good book when you quote lines and anecdotes from it, and claim them as your own. Infinite Tuesday is fascinating and funny! In a word, Nezmerizing.”
— Jack Handey, author of Deep Thoughts and The Stench of Honolulu
“Mike Nesmith is a pop-culture spirit guide. Every creative person should take this revealing, hilarious, semi-hallucinogenic trip back in time through all the biggest cultural revolutions of the late 20th century. Nesmith himself was a driving force in many of them. This book is honest, moving, and inspirational.”
— Jay Roach, director of Austin Powers and Meet the Parents
“Infinite Tuesday is a picnic in forward motion. The table is full of gems, big and small, and studded throughout with a full cast of characters. I am already looking for volume two and, please, let there be one.”
— Ed Ruscha
“Nesmith is an artist, adventurer and thinker whose nimble creativity soared far above the appellation he was given: “The smart Monkee.” In Infinite Tuesday, he details the inner forces, from personal to spiritual, that kept him forging ahead –and that created stumbling blocks as well. Unsparing and revealing, this book is an unusual, unforgettable read.”
— Ben Fong-Torres
“Nesmith is witty and ironic and has a fund of amazing and often absurd stories. Infinite Tuesday is unlike any other music or movie autobiography.”
— Alex Cox, director of Repo Man
"I love the way he describes people, places, and situations. I could picture each character and the settings in my head."
-Marcia
"I purchased the book to read on vacation -- I figured it would be about right for an 8-day road trip -- something to read after I put the kids to bed and before I went to sleep each night. It only lasted five days (I read the first half over four days and stayed up until 1:00 in the morning finishing the last half on the fifth night because I couldn't wait another day to find out what happened to the characters -- I felt like a little kid with a flashlight under the covers trying to finish my book -- well, no flashlight because I was reading it on a tablet, but the sentiment is the same).
"A very well-written novel about a man at the doorstep of 50 years old who begins to reflect on his life and starts to make changes. His narrative is interwoven with the story of a musically gifted much younger woman who is also facing changes in her life -some of which are the result of the actions he is taking. Their stories are accompanied by a cast of characters whom you might encounter if you spent any time on the Gulf Coast. The background of the story is the concept of the America Gene -- that at some point in the life of Americans, something wakes up in them, and they begin spiraling towards their Personal Las Vegas (in a nutshell, think: Elvis - talented, innovative musician who ends up a caricature of himself in Las Vegas - it's more complicated than that - for a better explanation, read the book). The characters and places feel real -- as though you are sitting in a booth at a diner with a gifted storyteller who is regaling you with a great tale about some of his friends. The empathy with which the author deals with the characters is superb. Somehow he evokes compassion in the reader for all of the characters -- even the few whom you might not really like too much if you met them on the street. You might not agree with the actions they are taking, but you feel sympathetic towards them.
"Fans of the author's songwriting will not be surprised that the book is beautifully written. The realistic descriptions of the Texas coast will make you swear you can feel the Gulf breeze, and there are a few passages about the relationship between the main character and his father that made me want drop the book to call my dad and hug my kids. The real gems are the passages describing the spiritual connection between musicians and their art. I don't have the gift of relating a description that does them justice, but they were brilliant to read. There is also a good bit of humor interspersed throughout."
-Melanie
