Customer Reviews

Bright Lights & Country Music/Country Fever

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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).

Bright Lights and Country Music/Country Fever was certainly worth buying because Rick Nelson made something absolutely different than what was going on in the Rock and Roll scene of 1966 and 1967. While most artists were into psychedelic music during this period, Rick Nelson pursued a stint in Country music. Every song could have been a hit because each one has a Country-Pop feeling that shows his over-the-top vocals and well-driven backing band that included James Burton, Ritchie Frost, Glen Campbell, and Joe Osborne. His most notable songs are You Just Cant Quit, Alone, Take A City Bride, The Bridge Washed Out, Night Train to Memphis, Louisiana Man, and Salty Dog. Only Rick Nelson could make such sublime music in a genre of music that was going nowhere at the time. This CD deserves an infinite number of stars for its amazing resonance. Check it out!

Bought this CD out of sheer curiosity. Finding (okay, not surprisingly) that Rick's warm mellow voice was as well suited to Country as to Rock'n Roll. And guitar virtuoso James Burton on dobro is indeed something. Twenty-four songs, varied enough to offer new pleasant discoveries at each listening, for a long time. My personal favourites: "Take These Chains From My Heart" (where Rick sings a few lines in French!)and "Welcome To My World."

Everyone has an opinion. I remember playing these albums to a country friend who didn't know Rick's fame as a rock star. He commented that Rick should stick with this stuff and implied that he might make a name for himself. He was partly right. We'll never know how far he would have gone in the country field if he kept it up and had some significant airplay. He displayd his early songwriting talent with three songs; "You Just Can't Quit" is a personal theme song for me. "Funny How Time Slips Away" is especially super! I get a kick out of "Big Chief Buffalo Nickel" and "The Bridge Washed Out". This album should be rated nothing but the very best. Knowing 5 is the top, I'd rate this album 6 stars!

The beautiful man with the beautiful voice, Rick Nelson, has done it again. This man could sing any style music and make it Award Winning.
It's too bad his life was cut short for many reasons. But,for his fans, he could have been a Country Star.
The song "You Just Can't Quit" written by him, should have and still could be a hit. No matter what kind of songs Rick Nelson sang, they were beautiful, and they all told a story.

The harmonies are fantastic ! Rick Nelson's voice is superb and these country LPs (CDs) are as good as any Country cds I've heard. The band is great and James Burton is a music legend as of coarse is Ricky Nelson. These are must have cds if you are a Ricky Nelson fan. Rick Nelson shows on these 2 cds that he had so much talent and vision. From Teen Idol, to Country artist to Country Rock pioneer he was and is a Rock-n-Roll legend. He made his mark in country and here are the 2 cds to prove it. They are British imports and 2 cds in one so that is why they are a little more than a single cd but it is sooooo worth it. Buy it,you'll love it.

I wrote the above after I had purchased this cd a few years ago. As time goes by and I have played this many times I have grown in appreciation for this cd with the 2 country lps Rick did. I have to say it grows on you more and more. I feel now that this effort by Rick Nelson is really a masterpiece and I am so glad he did it. The songs he chose to cover are gems and very well done and as one reviewer said rival the originals. Ricky Nelson really had a wonderful voice and put such emotion into his singing. I feel we are lucky to have this to listen to. If you have not purchased this for your collection you really will be happy if you do. If you are a fan of Classic Country you will love this. If you are a fan of Rick Nelson you will love this. If you are a fan of The Jordanaires you will love this. If you are a fan of James Burton and good country pickin' and steel slide guitar and dobro you will love this!

Some ordinary performance but more than enough outstanding tracks to make this a good buy. I had the Country Fever Album back in the LP days, after 40 years I've found I enjoyed it much more. "Take these Chains' and 'Louisiana Man' tracks are worth the price alone. If Rick had survived I'm sure he would have achieved great success as a country music star.

Rick Nelson's music always had a country influence (check out "I Catch Myself Crying" on the "Love and Kisses" cd, or "A Legend in my Time" on "Rick Nelson Sings 'For You'"), so it should come as no surprise that these albums are among his best. His usual team, including arranger Jimmie Haskell, and guitarist James Burton are here (Burton plays dobro on many tracks), but the songwriting of Jerry Fuller, Baker Knight, Dave Burgess, et al, is not. Most of the songs are country standards by people like "Whisperin'" Bill Anderson, Hank Williams, and Willie Nelson. Rick wrote 2 of the songs himself (his first songwriting efforts since his second album, way back in 1958). Both songs, "You Just Can't Quit", and "Alone", are deeply personal, reflecting part of the inner Rick Nelson. He also tackles Junior Parker's "Mystery Train" in a pure country arrangement, Bob Dylan's "Walking Down the Line", and Glen Campbell's "Here I Am". The better known songs include "Truck Drivin' Man", Doug Kershaw's "Lousiana Man", the Jim Reeves classic "Welcome to my World", and "Night Train to Memphis". I'm sure some observers thought it was kind of a novelty back in 1966/67, Rick Nelson doing country albums, but he sounds completely at home here. He doesn't adopt a twang to make his voice sound more country, he is who he is, and his band members were just at ease with country as they were with rock and roll. Rick Nelson is overlooked in bringing country sounds to the rock audience, but look no further than these two albums. Gram Parsons gets all the glory for pioneering country rock, but Rick did it first. He also proved that you don't need to record in Nashville to make a great country record. If you liked Rick's 50's rockabilly hits, you'll like this. If you liked his 70's work with the Stone Canyon Band, you'll like this. Essential.