Magnetic South

Because Michael Nesmith’s The Wichita Train Whistle Sings and Gram Parsons & The International Submarine Band’s Safe at Home both came out in 1968, music historians and enthusiasts have long debated who was the forefather of country-rock. Frankly it’s just interesting to hear how ahead of the curve (and The Eagles) both Parsons and Nesmith were—especially Nesmith. Magnetic South surfaced in 1970, just months after he'd quit The Monkees. And right from the opening “Calico Girlfriend,” it was obvious that he had sophisticated songs in him that he couldn’t have released with the Prefab Four. He balances a buttermilk-smooth melody with a complex rhythm shuffle, courtesy of A-listers like drummer John Ware and bassist John London. Acclaimed pedal steel innovator Red Rhodes also contributes some incredible parts here and throughout Magnetic South. Check out Rhodes’ rich tone and cool restraint as he picks and slides over Ware and London’s country-funk backdrop in “Little Red Rider.” It’s all a perfect fit for Nesmith’s refined singing. In the outstanding “JoAnne,” Nesmith reaches up to his higher register.