“The Door To Yesterday” will return in longform next week.
In the meantime, here’s a flashback to a
classic ballad namely DIFFERENT DRUM
written by Michael Nesmith of The Monkees.
When I was with EMI Music Publishing, I asked Michael
to compile a list of some of his key compositions for a promotional CD.
Understandably he included DIFFERENT DRUM and he featured the version by
The Lemonheads from their 1991 “Favorite Spanish Dishes” EP on Atlantic.
Referring to their interpretation, Michael commented:
‘It’s almost punk but still shows the strength of the song’.
Listen to it here:
The memorable hit version of DIFFERENT DRUM
was by Stone Poneys featuring Linda Ronstadt
which was a track on their second Capitol album …
Produced by Nick Venet and released in 1967,
the single reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100
in late January ’68.
Here’s the YouTube link:
This became Linda Ronstadt’s very first chart record.
The prominent harpsichord was played by Don Randi.
The song had first been recorded by bluegrass group
The Greenbriar Boys in ’66 and Michael himself included it
on his “And The Hits Just Keep On Comin’” album in 1972.
Various other artists have recorded DIFFERENT DRUM including:
P.P. Arnold, Huddersfield Transit Authority,
Lobo, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes,
Kenny O’Dell and also Carrie Underwood;
In addition, Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs
included it on their first ‘Under The Covers’ collection in 2006.
Other best-selling Michael Nesmith compositions include JOANNE
which charted for him and his group The First National Band in 1970:
Also his song SOME OF SHELLY’S BLUES was successfully recorded by
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in ’69 and was a chart single for them in 1971.
Rock on.
Alan Warner
© Alan Warner, 2020.
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