Michael Nesmith & The First National Band – Nevada Fighter (1971)

The First National Band or Michael Nesmith and The First National Band was a short-lived American collaborative band, led by former Monkee Michael Nesmith. During the two active years, The First National Band released three albums in the country rock genre between 1970 and 1971.

Nevada Fighter is the third solo album by American singer-songwriter Michael Nesmith during his post-Monkees career. The album is also the third and final album with the First National Band. Released by RCA Records in 1971, the LP failed to chart in the top 200 but bubbled under at #202. The lead off single “Nevada Fighter” peaked at No. 70 on the Billboard charts.
Nevada Fighter kicks off with the witty and loose-limbed “The Grand Ennui,” and for a moment it sounds like the album will pick up where Michael Nesmith‘s previous album with the First National Band, Loose Salute, left off.
But before long, the album shifts gears, and it becomes obvious that Nesmith had something different in mind this time. Except for the rollicking side-closer, “Nevada Fighter,” most of the material on side one suggests the more introspective moments of Magnetic South but without the same balance of charm and dry humor that made that album so appealing (though “Propinquity (I’ve Just Begun to Care)” is a fine love song that’s a good bit more approachable than its title would lead you to expect). Side two is turned over to material by other songwriters, and while this shifts the album’s lyrical tone rather dramatically, Nesmith reveals himself to be a fine interpretive vocalist, and “Texas Morning” and “The Rainmaker” are splendid songs that would merit anyone’s attention.
The First National Band were also augmented by a number of session musicians on Nevada Fighter (including James Burton and Ronn Tutt from Elvis Presley‘s band), and the arrangements have a decidedly different flavor than on Nesmith‘s previous two albums, especially in the second half (though Red Rhodes‘ pedal steel is predictably splendid throughout). Nevada Fighter is a fine album, but it’s also the weakest of the three Nesmith would cut with the First National Band, and it’s not hard to imagine that Nesmith was starting to look for new pastures while he was recording this set.
John London and John Ware left the group in late November 1970.
Two tracks were left to finish the album – “Here I Am” (recorded in early January 1971) and “Only Bound” (recorded in late January). Nesmith recruited James Burton, Joe Osborn and Ron Tutt to help finish the album — all three had worked with Nesmith during his days with The Monkees.
The track “Nevada Fighter” was originally recorded under the title “Apology.” “Propinquity” was the third version of this song Nesmith recorded — he demoed it for The Monkees in 1966 and recorded a 1968 version for the group.

1. “Grand Ennui” – 2:07
2. “Propinquity (I’ve Just Begun To Care)” – 2:59
3. “Here I Am” – 3:15
4. “Only Bound” – 3:23
5. “Nevada Fighter” – 3:06
6. “Texas Morning” (Mike Murphy, Boomer Castleman) – 3:00
7. “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” (Bob Nolan) – 4:10
8. “I Looked Away” (Eric Clapton, Bobby Whitlock) – 3:13
9. “Rainmaker” (Harry Nilsson, Bill Martin) – 3:17
10. “René” (Red Rhodes) – 1:40

All songs by Michael Nesmith except where noted.

Personnel

• Michael Nesmith – vocals, guitar
• John London – bass
• John Ware – drums
• O.J. “Red” Rhodes – Pedal steel

Additional musicians:

• Joe Osborn – bass
• Max Bennett – bass
• Glen D. Hardin – keyboards
• Michael Cohen – keyboards
• Ron Tutt – drums
• Nelson Stump – Cowbell
• James Burton – guitar
• Al Casey – guitar

Credits

• Design [Album] – Dean O. Torrence
• Engineer – Dennis Smith, Lynn Kent Tunks, Pete Abbott
• Producer – Michael Nesmith

Notes
Released:  1971
Recorded:  Oct 1970 – Jan 1971
Genre:  Country rock
Length:  30:10
© 1982

Label - RCA Records