Customer Reviews

Best of Rick Nelson, Vol. 2

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

VOL.2 picks up where VOL.1 left off-- with the other half of a single split between the 2 CDs. It then continues on collecting both sides of Rick's next 7 singles. Followed by the next 5 "A" sides, 2 album tracks, 4 previously unreleased alternate takes and a radio promo spot. So they weren't being very consistent... The WORST moment on the CD is the inclusion of no less than 3 studio "out-takes" as part of the intro to one of his very best songs, "Hello Mary Lou". I can't STAND to listen to it here, and had to get a different CD collection just to be able to hear this song uninterrupted. What some may not realize is that while EMI did, indeed, collect all of Rick's Imperial label "A" sides in sequence, the last 7 (from "That's All" to "Lucky Star" were all pulled from earlier albums at the time of their release, purely as a bid by the label to compete with Rick's "new" releases on Decca. Surely the space on this disc could have been put to better songs? Only "My One Desire" really stands out; it's one of those songs that really SHOULD have been a single, but wasn't. And why did they miss the chance to also include his 2 singles on Verve which preceeded "Be-Bop Baby"? I'm still hoping one day SOMEBODY does "definitive" reissues of Rick's work. An artist of his standing surely deserves it!

This CD picks up right where EMI's The Legendary Master Series, Volume 1 left off. It features the last five and a half "real" singles that Rick released Imperial Records. These are all great songs. After Rick left Imperial for Decca, Imperial contiued to release Rick Nelson singles, using old songs that had previously been on his albums. Surprisingly, most of these songs, which make up tracks 12 to 20, are very good. Tracks 21 and 22 are album tracks that didn't appear on singles. Tracks 23 to 26 are previously unreleased alternate takes. Track 27 is a pretty uninteresting recording of a deejay reading a commercial for the "More Songs By Ricky" album. This is a fine companion piece to "The Legendary Master Series, Volume 1".

For Ricky Nelson fans, this and volume two are it. I remember that one of the first two records I ever had was Ricky's "My Bucket Has A Hole In It."

This volume has two of my favorites, "Travelin' Man" and "Hello, Mary Lou." Many more are good, solid cuts as well, including "It's Up to You" and a great version of "It's All In the Game."

With volume two, this is great stuff for us old rockers.

I can readily sympathize with the reviewer who takes issue with the false starts as applied to one of his biggest hits, Hello Mary Lou, which hit # 9 as the B-side to Travellin' Man [# 1] in 1961. I can also do without previously unreleased tracks or alternate takes [tracks 23 to 27 inclusive]. They're OK if well advertised on the package, but not in an album entitled "The Best Of."

Instead, could we not have been provided with the flipside to You Are The Only One? That # 25 Billboard Pop Hot 100 hit [in early 1961] is included at track 1, but whereas they give us both A- and B-sides for his next several hits in order, they omit Milk Cow Blues which hit # 79 Hot 100. Which is strange because they do provide the flip to Teen Age Idol (# 2 Adult Contemporary (AC)/# 5 Hot 100), I've Got My Eyes On You (And I Like What I See) - which only managed to "Bubble under" at # 105. Also omitted are the uncharted B-sides to Today's Teardrops [Thank you Darlin'], and Congratulations [One Minute To One].

Other single releases that failed to make the Hot 100, but did manage to "bubble under" are to be found at tracks 16 and 17, while 20 to 22 are culled from some of his LPs.

What keeps this from dropping to 3 stars, however, is the large fold-out insert which provides not only a complete discography of the contents, but his complete Imperial sessionography and some informative liner notes written by Steve Kalanjian. On the reverse are numerous colour reproductions of some of his LPs, EPs, and 45 rpm records.

Rick's idol was Elvis. In a way, he "sampled" the Big El in many musical spots and certainly in his visuals. He made records between, say, 1962 and 1967, that altogether surpassed Presley. With some of the same songwriters, it's amazing that the Memphis Flash didn't first do something like "Young World" or "It's Up To You".
This is a strong collection, especially for a more than casual but not deep fan of Rick/Ricky. [Was he really "Rick" on any of these numbers?].
It goes without saying that his choice of material and his production was top grade; and he always had the right players, and you know their names.
One surmises that dear Dad, the moderately successful '40s Vig Band leader, encouraged his kid to do things like "That's My Desire", "Fools Rush In", "That's All", etc. The latter, to me, is the best version of the tune I've ever heard. And the second title just mentioned is a Nelson classic - when his man decided to cut it in the '70s, all he could do was use Rick's arrangement. (Like "Hey Jude", shoulda found a safe spot at the Stable at Graceland).
Still, you can't listen to *any* of these tracks and not think of Elvis. I guess that RN wishes he had his dynamic range and color palatte. Rick was a very cool stylist in the '50s Elvis mode, and once in a while he could do an exciting, very creduble Presley "cover", like "Milcow Blues", which isn't here, and "Tryin' To Get To You", which unfortunately, is.
Continuing with the Nelson-Presley connection, actually looking back at an earlier statement, yes, Rick was actually outrockin' Elvis consistently throughout the mid-'60s. "If You Can't Rock Me" [a rare version is found right here!] and "I'm In Love Again" are just two examples.
On the softer side, I flipped over "I Need You", a beat ballad with some of the feel of "Love Me Tender". But they sure didn't need that cliched middle-8 - should have kept it simple. By the way, a beautiful mix here; and on *all others* on this CD.
Another interesting thought is that the supposed Rock and Roll "dark ages" of '58 to '63 is really a misnomer if you review the Nelson catalogue. Along with Jerry Lee, Chuck, Fats, Jackie, Roy, Bo, there was plently of that good ol' sound. And Ricky Nelson surely had the most hits.
(Let's not forget Brenda Lee and Connie Francis, too; are they in the Hall yet?).

It arrived in good condition and excedes my expectation. I adored Ricky Nelson as a sweet 13 year old girl (saw him in concert and thought I would die of happiness)and several years there after. Every time I leason to him now his sultry voice takes me right back to those heart swooning days.

I received my CD fast and in new condition. I will buy from you again.