''From a Radio Engine to the Photon Wing'' was released in 1977 and is the ninth album by

Michael Nesmith Robert Michael Nesmith or Mike Nesmith, (December 30, 1942 – December 10, 2021) was an American musician, songwriter, and actor. He was best known as a member of the pop rock band the Monkees and co-star of the TV series ''The Monkees'' (1966� ...

and eighth studio album as a singer/songwriter during his post-

Monkees The Monkees were an American rock and pop band, formed in Los Angeles in 1966, whose lineup consisted of the American actor/musicians Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork alongside English actor/singer Davy Jones. The group was conc ...

career. The album was Nesmith's second with vocals released on his own label,

Pacific Arts The Pacific Arts Corporation, Inc. is a company formed by Michael Nesmith circa 1974 to manage and develop media projects. History Pacific Arts Corporation, Inc. began as Pacific Arts Productions, Inc. when incorporated on October 18, 1974, as ...

. The song "Love's First Kiss" is rare example of Nesmith collaborating with other songwriters to compose a song. One single was released from the album in the US and worldwide, "

Rio Rio or Río is the Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and Maltese word for "river". When spoken on its own, the word often means Rio de Janeiro, a major city in Brazil. Rio or Río may also refer to: Geography Brazil * Rio de Janeiro * Rio do Sul, a ...

". Because of the length of the song, approximately three minutes were edited out of the song for the release of the single. Additionally, Nesmith recorded a promotional video for the track, "Rio", which was created by Nesmith,

William Dear William Dear (born November 30, 1943) is a Canadian actor, director, producer and screenwriter. He is known for directing the films ''Harry and the Hendersons'', '' If Looks Could Kill'', '' Angels in the Outfield'', '' Wild America'', and ''San ...

, and

William E. Martin William E. Martin (October 8, 1945 – January 27, 2016) was an American musician, songwriter, screenwriter, and voice actor. Life and career A friend of Monkee Michael Nesmith, Martin wrote the first song (" All of Your Toys") to be recor ...

. In other areas of the world where "Rio" gained chart success (such as England and Australia), a follow-up single, "Navajo Trail" b/w "Love's First Kiss", was issued.

Track listing

All songs by Michael Nesmith except where noted. # "Rio" – 7:02 # "Casablanca Moonlight" – 6:40 # "More Than We Imagine" – 3:22 # "Navajo Trail" (Marjorie Elliott) – 5:39 # "We Are Awake" – 4:54 # "Wisdom Has Its Way" – 5:12 # "Love's First Kiss" (

Fred Myrow Fredric Myrow (July 16, 1939 – January 14, 1999) was an American composer. He composed the soundtracks for '' Soylent Green'', ''Scarecrow'', and '' Phantasm''. He was composer in residence of the Los Angeles Theatre Center in the mid-1980s, and ...

, Michael Nesmith) – 3:55 # "The Other Room" – 4:20

Charts

Personnel

– vocals, guitar * David Briggs – keyboards *

Jerry Carrigan Jerry Kirby Carrigan (September 13, 1943 – June 22, 2019) was an American drummer and record producer. Early in his career he was a member of the original Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and later worked as a session musician in Nashville for over ...

– drums *

Shane Keister Shane Keister is an American musician. He is known for his work as a studio musician, writer, arranger and producer. He plays synthesizer, piano, Hammond B3, Synclavier, Fairlight CMI, Fender Rhodes, and others. History Keister was born in Huntin ...

– keyboards *

Larrie Londin Ralph Gallant (October 15, 1943 − August 24, 1992), better known by the stage name Larrie Londin, was an American drummer and session musician. According to journalist James Byron Fox, "If not the best known, Larrie is one of the most liste ...

– drums *

Lonnie Mack Lonnie McIntosh (July 18, 1941 – April 21, 2016), known as Lonnie Mack, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was an influential trailblazer of blues rock music and rock guitar soloing. Mack emerged in 1963 with his breakthroug ...

– guitar *David MacKay – bass *

Weldon Myrick Weldon Myrick (born Weldon Merle Myrick; April 10, 1938 – June 2, 2014) was an American steel guitar player.Linda Hargrove Linda Hargrove (married name Bartholomew, born Tallahassee, Florida February 3, 1949 – October 24, 2010, Tallahassee, Florida) was an American country songwriter and musician. She wrote many country music hits for a variety of artists and h ...

– background vocals *Marcia Routh – background vocals *Nelson Stump - cowbell *Lisa Silver – violin *

Greg "Fingers" Taylor Greg "Fingers" Taylor (born June 3, 1952) is an American harmonica player, best known for his work with Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band. Career Greg Taylor was born in Wichita, Kansas, June 3, 1952 where he attended Wichita North High School. ...

– harmonica

References

1977 albums Michael Nesmith albums {{1970s-rock-album-stub