The Prison: A Book with a Soundtrack

The Prison - A Book With A Soundtrack (or simply The Prison) is Michael Nesmith's seventh solo album of his post-Monkees career and his first to be released under his own record label, Pacific Arts. It includes a novella meant to be read while listening to the album as its "soundtrack". In 1994 Nesmith recorded a companion novella/album entitled The Garden. According to Nesmith's website (Videoranch), a third instalment is in development; however, no date has been listed for the release^[1]

The Prison and The Garden were re-released together on CD in 2004 by Video Ranch.

Critical reception

Allmusic called The Prison "a brilliant multimedia concept marrying the personal and inner visual experience of Michael "Papa Nez" Nesmith's novella with the aural medium of an equally original soundtrack." Robert Christgau called it a "ghastly boxed audio-allegory-with-book."^[3]

Remix

"The Prison" was dramatically remixed by Michael Nesmith for the CD release in 1990. Some changes include the removal or addition of drum machines, extra reverb on vocals, among many other changes. As of August 2010, the original mix that appeared on vinyl has not been officially released on CD. Numerous bootlegs of the original mix sourced from vinyl copies exist.

Track listing

All songs by Michael Nesmith.

1. "Opening Theme (Life, the Unsuspecting Captive)" – 3:31
2. "Dance Between the Raindrops" – 6:47
3. "Elusive Ragings" – 5:11
4. "Waking Mystery" – 7:36
5. "Hear Me Calling?" – 4:51
6. "Marie's Theme" – 11:51
7. "Closing Theme (Lampost)" – 9:23

Personnel

• Michael Nesmith - vocals and guitars
• David Kempton - Arp Odyssey
• O.J. "Red" Rhodes - pedal steel guitar
• Michael Cohen - keyboard
• Chura - congas
• Roland Rhythm 77 - drums

References