The Prison - A Book with a Soundtrack

Infobox Album |
Name = The Prison - A Book With A Soundtrack
Type = Album
Artist = Michael Nesmith


Released = 1974
Genre = Rock/Country
Length = 49:10
Label = Pacific Arts
Producer = Michael Nesmith
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3vfwxqw5ldke link]
Last album = "Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash"
(1973)
This album = "The Prison - A Book With A Soundtrack"
(1974)
Next album = "From a Radio Engine to the Photon Wing(1977)

"The Prison - A Book With A Soundtrack" (or simply "The Prison") is Michael Nesmith's eighth album 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 installment is in development, however, no date has been listed for the release [ [http://www.videoranch.com/html/frnezfaq.html Videoranch website FAQs.] ]

"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." [ [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Michael+Nesmith Robert Christgau mention of The Prison.] ]

Track listing

All songs by Michael Nesmith.
# "Opening Theme (Life, the Unsuspecting Captive)" – 3:31
# "Dance Between the Raindrops" – 6:47
# "Elusive Ragings" – 5:11
# "Waking Mystery" – 7:36
# "Hear Me Calling?" – 4:51
# "Marie's Theme" – 11:51
# "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