Search - Michael Nesmith :: Wichita Train Whistle Sings/Timerider

Wichita Train Whistle Sings

Allan Freedman | Seattle | 03/09/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Timerider is a recording which I have never heard, or knew of its existence, until now. The Wichita Train Whistle Sings, however, is another matter. This recording, in my opinion, one of the greatest albums of instrumental music recorded in the past 50 years. Michael Nesmith jumps from "teen idol" to this, as yet, undefined style of music. Who would have thought?

I first heard this album in 1968 when working for Ampex Stereo Tapes. I re-mastered this recording (from the orignal studio tapes) to an 8-track cartridge format. the music dazzled me then, as it does now.

Sadly I recall then, as now, the original master was poorly mixed. If this was a multi-track recording session, then the final mix from the multi-track was executed poorly. Many of the instruments that should jump out at the listener, are buried in the cacophony of sounds. If it was recorded as a 2-track stereo with multiple microphones, then the placement of those microphones leaves a great deal to be desired.

Never-the-less, I find this to be a top-notched recording and I listen to it regularly. I once had the original Dot Records vinyl of this album but it has vanished in my cross-country move to the west coast. I have since acquired from Goodwill, of all places, a re-release or knock-off on the Pacific-Arts label (PACB 7-113). It sounds very much like the Dot release (as best I can remember) but like many things....having the original is far more desirable than having a copy."