Michael Nesmith Garden CD

THE GARDEN is the second part of Michael Nesmith's music/book series which began in 1974 with THE PRISON. The book is enclosed within the double CD jewel box. Cassette consumers will have to send in for THE GARDEN book from Pacific Arts. THE GARDEN is also available on CD-ROM on Rio [94247 2011].

THE GARDEN was nominated for Best New Age Album in the 37th Annual Grammy Awards.

The Garden (1994) is Michael Nesmith's companion release to The Prison (1974). Both works are a departure from his more traditional releases, as the music is specifically designed to aurally complement an equally engaging written novella/short story -- included in the extended liner notes booklet. The idea is for consumers to commence reading Nesmith's prose while simultaneously listening to the recording. The concept may at first seem unusual, although the results are nothing short of profound. No special speed-reading skills are required. Rather, the most useful thing that a potential enthusiast can bring to the multimedia project is an open mind, sense of adventure, and respect for the infinite possibilities inherent within such an subtly demanding correlation . As Nesmith is quick to point out in his preface, The Garden is not a sequel in the strictest sense of the term -- meaning that there isn't a true continuation of the narrative which began in The Prison. Instead, they are correlated thematically and stylistically as both are presented in a linear and consecutive approach. Each of The Garden's seven chapters are also visually enhanced, if not somewhat inspired by a series of Claude Monet paintings. There is a much more subtle connection between the prose and these unqualified masterworks, yet he is able to relate them in a contextual sense. The music retains Nesmith's inimitable and signature sound, yet compared to his most concurrent effort, Tropical Campfires (1992), The Garden is exceedingly ethereal and more often than not instrumental. There are vocals that feature not only the artist, but also his children Jason -- who is likewise the central character in the short story -- Christian, and Jessica. The backing band also includes Christian Nesmith as well as most of the musicians the senior Nez had collaborated with on the aforementioned Tropical Campfires, most notably Desert Rose Band string man John Jorgenson (guitar/sax/bassoon/mandolin/oboe/bandurila/mandocello), Joe Chemay (bass), and John Hobbs (keyboards), as well as studio maven Sid Page (violin). ~ Lindsay Planer

2008 digitally remastered edition of Nez's sequel to his critically successful album The Prison comes packaged with a CD-sized book, both housed in a slipcase. In 1994, some 20 years after The Prison, Nesmith wrote and recorded this sequel. The story follows on directly from The Prison, although it can be appreciated by itself. The music was recorded and mixed in Dolby Surround Sound at the same time as his Tropical Campfires album by the same excellent musicians, but with the addition of a woodwind and string sections, the only time Nesmith has used such instrumentation. As a member of the first-ever manufactured group, Michael Nesmith needs little introduction. Aside from his ground-breaking projects in the field of music video and film production, he has enjoyed a solo career since he left the Monkees that has encompassed many styles of music, but has always been supported by his wonderful songwriting. Edsel.

Recorded at Footprint Studios and Trax, Los Angeles, California between October 1991 and September 1993. Includes liner notes by Michael Nesmith.

Personnel: Michael Nesmith (vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar), Christian Nesmith (acoustic guitar, background vocals), Sid Page (violin), John Yoakum (oboe, English horn), Joe Romano (trumpet), John Hobbs (keyboards, background vocals), Joe Chemay (bass, background vocals), Curt McGetrick (bass), Jessica Nesmith, Jason Nesmith, Rick Logan, Susie Stevens Logan, Donna Davidson, Gene Miller (background vocals).

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