Different Drum--The Lost RCA Victor Recordings

The late, great Michael Nesmith always travelled to the beat of a "Different Drum"–whether as the writer of that classic hit for Linda Ronstadt and The Stone Poneys, the wool hat-clad member of The Monkees, or one of the earliest progenitors of the country-rock genre.

Now, in the sizeable wake of Nesmith's recent passing, Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records are proud to honor his legacy with a major deep dive into the Nez archives. Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor Recordings features 22 tracks drawn from the RCA Victor vaults, every one of which is previously unreleased on vinyl. Over six RCA albums released between 1970 and 1973, Nesmith blossomed as a singer, songwriter, bandleader, and producer under the aegis of RCA Nashville legends Chet Atkins and Felton Jarvis. With bandmates including legendary pedal steel guitarist O.J. "Red" Rhodes, John Ware, and John London, Nesmith pioneered country-rock with a spiritual and searching style all his own.

Different Drum premieres on record some of his most remarkable musical explorations from this vivid period including cosmic reimaginings of Monkees-era favorites like "Tapioca Tundra," "Magnolia Simms," "Circle Sky," and "Listen to the Band;" unheard outtakes like "American Airman" and "Six Days on the Road;" vastly different alternate takes of "Different Drum," "Dedicated Friend," and "Tengo Amore;" and even an early version of "Marie's Theme" from his cult classic multimedia project The Prison.

Side A
1    Different Drum (Alternate Version) - Michael Nesmith & The First National Band
2    American Airman - Michael Nesmith & The First National Band
3    Bye, Bye, Bye (Alternate Version) - Michael Nesmith & The First National Band
4    Dedicated Friend (Alternate Version) - Michael Nesmith & The First National Band
5    Tengo Amore (Alternate Instrumental) - Michael Nesmith & The First National Band
Side B
1    Texas Morning (Alternate Take) - Michael Nesmith
2    Rene (Uncut Version) - Michael Nesmith
3    Six Days on the Road - Michael Nesmith
4    Circle Sky - Michael Nesmith
5    Listen to the Band (Alternate Version) - Michael Nesmith & The First National Band
Side C
1    Some of Shelly’s Blues (Alternate Version)
2    Keep On (Alternate Version)
3    Roll with the Flow (Alternate Version)
4    Marie’s Theme (Alternate Version)
5    Magnolia Simms (Instrumental)
6    Born to Love You (Instrumental)
Side D
1    Hollywood (Alternate Backing Track)
2    Tapioca Tundra (Instrumental)
3    Roses Are Blooming – Come Back to Me Darling (Instrumental)
4    Tan My Hide (Instrumental)
5    You Are My One (Alternate Instrumental)
6    Loose Salute Radio Spots