Bright Lights & Country Music/Country Fever

Ricky Nelson

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 27, 2004)
• Original Release Date: June 23, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ace Records UK
• ASIN: B000007O74
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #55,448 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where my quest began..., May 30, 2002

By	Scott G. Shea (Easton, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I must've searched months for these two albums when I was a teenager. Being a fan of Rick Nelson, 1950s rockabilly, and country music of the 1950s/1960s, naturally, I was intrigued to find out that Rick Nelson recorded two country-flavored albums at the start of one of the most prolific eras in country music (Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and many others were in the infinite stages of outlaw-ism). When I finally got these albums, I taped them so as not to wear out the vinyl, and it's a good thing I did, because I've worn out tape after tape after tape listening to these tracks.

Rick's voice is a natural to handle these country tunes, and these albums were really a breath of fresh air. Although I enjoyed many of the tracks on his previous Decca albums, it was becoming painfully obvious that Rick's artistic freedom and license were stagnating in a dying music form. With these two albums, it was like Rick picked up right from where he left off in the early 1960s, and now had a definitive career path, although he'd continue experimenting with his next two follow-ups.

The interesting thing about these albums is that Rick must've been aware of many different forms of country music, because his selections range everywhere from polished Nashville Sound tunes like "Hello Walls" and "I'm A Fool to Care", to Jimmy C. Newman-esque bayou-flavored rhythms like "Louisiana Man" and "Take A City Bride", and they all come together nicely. We also witness for the first time that Rick can also put a good tune together himself with his self-penned debut in "You Just Can't Quit" and subsequent follow-up "Alone." The only regrettable missing track is probably his best self-penned tune from the era "I'm Called Lonely," which was released as a single in 1967. Will somebody out there put this on CD, please?

The final thing I need to say is a big thank you to Rick, wherever you are. I was born in the 1970s, well after Rick's heyday, but Rick really turned me on to the rock and roll music I love and listen to today. As a kid, I used to watch the Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on Disney. Like most kids, I listened only to what was on radio and MTV. But by watching his show, I was able to hear his music and I fell in love with it. I begged my mother to buy me a cassette of his greatest hits and she obliged. Well, Rick's music got me turned on to some of his contemporaries like Buddy Holly and The Everly Brothers. From there, I picked up on their disciples the Beatles, the Who, the Rolling Stones, and from there Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Genesis, The Clash, The Smiths, and on to some of the modern-day rockers. The list is too long to name all of them here, but thanks Rick. For 20 years, your music has always been in my life, and it's helped sculp my musical taste, which is varied and entertaining. Your music and talent may have been under-appreciated, but it's never been overlooked here.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rick gives Buck Owens a run for his money!, October 3, 1999

By A Customer

Following several disappointing pop albums in a row, Rick did a pair of country-western albums that rival the best work from Buck Owens. I had a previous version of this CD with the songs rearranged, but bought this more accurate "twofer" despite already having all the songs. SURPRISE! The stereo mix is completely different here, the sound quality FAR better than the earlier CD! Of all Rick's 1960's albums being reissued in England, THIS may be the BEST one! One great tune after another, many of them covers, on which Rick repeated proves he can sing BETTER than the original artists did!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A welcome visitor to the country, July 8, 2002

By	Peter Durward Harris "Pete the music fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

There is a long history of pop and rock singers recording country albums and country singers recording pop and rock albums. Some work well, some don't, but the two country albums of Rick's, paired on this twofer, are among the best.

At the time these recordings were made, a lot of country singers were restricted to doing so-called Nashvillr Sound records. Rick, being an outsider, was not restricted. He just recorded these albums for the sheer enjoyment of it - and it shows.

Most of these songs are covers, although Rick wrote three of the songs himself (Salty dog, Alone, You just can't quit). The covers are not necessarily better than the originals (sometimes they are) but they are distinctive. The sources range from mainstream country to cajun, yet they are all done in a traditional country style, but without those Nashville Sound strings.

An earlier reviewer claims that Lonesome whistle and Take these chains from my heart are hardly the most famous songs in the Hank Williams songbook. They may be less famous than (say) Jambalaya (which I'm sure Rick would have done brilliantly, had he recorded it) but Take these chains from my heart was a massive pop hit for Ray Charles and Lonesome whistle has been recorded by countless country singers over the years.

Following these two albums, country fans would have been happy to accept Rick as one of their own (just as they accepted Jerry Lee Lewis), but perhaps Rick didn't want to commit himself. Nobody knows, nor ever will, as Rick is long gone.

Enjoy this twofer - it not only shows Rick at his best, it also shows sixties country music at it's best. Then seek out one or more of Tracy Nelson's country album, Rhino's Jerry Lee Lewis anthology (All killer no filler), Buffy Sainte Marie's I'm gonna be a country girl again, and Nancy Sinatra's Country my way - all great examples of sixties country recorded by excellent singers who just visited the country (although Jerry Lee stayed for about ten years and Nancy recorded country songs on other albums).