A huge regret of mine is never having seen Michael Nesmith (with or without his trademark woolly hat); when the Monkees got back together for the first time in the late 80s (riding high on the wave of an MTV revival of their 60s TV show) I was lucky enough to see them live - with a full band but sans Nesmith - at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham. I still have the programme somewhere.
If you haven't already, his solo work is well worth digging out: you won't be disappointed. I love this next song. I also love its title. If you don't know what propinquity means, look it up (it's fascinating. And far reaching). Nesmith's song explores the propinquity effect. It's been covered loads, not least by fellow Monkee Micky Dolenz, but Nesmith's rendition (below) is utterly beguiling.
Michael Nesmith - Propinquity (1971)
★
Michael Nesmith (1942-2021)
Duly looked up "propinquity" - what a great word and I can think of a few examples of friends made because of it.
ReplyDeleteGreat song too. Like Mike's slight Texan drawl in these kinds of songs.
It is a great song. Much, if not all, of his stuff solo stuff is straight out of the top drawer. His songwriting is very underrated, but no less brilliant for that. I don't think he ever shook off his 'Ex-Monkee' shackles. (Whereas Dolenz never wanted too.)
Delete