There’s added poignancy on this reissue of Nesmith’s fourth post-Monkees album, following his loss of life in December final yr. But quite than being a sentimental salute, Tantamount To Treason underscores Nez’s standing as a country-rock forefather of a quite idiosyncratic bent.
Produced by Nesmith himself, Tantamount To Treason was his solely recording with the Second Nationwide Band, a sextet that includes simply him and pedal-steel guitarist Orville “Pink” Rhodes from the primary incarnation, plus session musicians together with bassist Johnny Meeks, who did time as lead guitarist with the Blue Caps, and famous jazz drummer Jack Ranelli. Within the run-up to launch, Nez had been feeling the affect of diminishing market returns on his First Nationwide Band information, which makes this set much more of a triumph. It’s the total realisation of his aesthetic, interpreted by expert gamers – 9 tracks of expansive nation rock with psychedelic and jazzy thrives, intriguing experimental touches and a relaxed, virtually meditative really feel.
This remastered version – expanded for each vinyl and CD – follows proper behind 7a’s reissue of And The Hits Simply Preserve On Comin’, from later the identical yr. First up is the stomping “Mama Rocker”, equal elements Chuck Berry and CCR, with a contact of Jimmy Web page – doubtless a bid to win listeners over forward of the extra reflective and/or out-there tracks. It’s in sharp distinction to what instantly follows: “Lazy Girl” is solid as a standard nation quantity with lachrymose pedal-steel work, although it’s skewed by an odd, descending guitar coda. It’s additionally a reminder, have been it wanted, of the tender honesty of Nesmith’s lyrics and the keening energy of his voice.
Ravishing epic “In The Afternoon”, a mirrored image on change and the constructing of a house, is equally languid and a standout, whereas the irresistibly woozy circulate and reverb manipulations of “You Are My One” throw ahead to Eric Chenaux’s “bent jazz” model. The band’s cowl of the Lee/Duffy customary “She Thinks I Nonetheless Care” is a diametric reverse, however nowhere close to as strikingly in order “Freeway 99 With Melange”. Written by keyboardist Michael Cohen, it opens with metallic clanging, then suggests a automobile radio flipping between stations (faint snatches of Nesmith’s voice, sudden sub-Zep blasts), including seagull cries and thunder. The tune correct adopts a comically exaggerated tone for a road-trip monologue, whereas pianos hammer out what feels like two totally different bar-room tunes behind. Cohen’s tune is a curate’s egg nevertheless it’s additionally a sign of the breadth of Nesmith’s imaginative and prescient and his enthusiasm for change.
Document firm stress received the day, nevertheless, and quite than Tantamount To
Treason Vol 2, he (and simply Rhodes) delivered the extra commercially viable And The Hits Simply Preserve On Comin’.
