Customer Reviews

Essential Collection

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"The Essential Collection" of Rick Nelson's Country Rock Era is almost that. A few minor quibbles about song selction but on the whole a fine introduction. Leaving off "Easy To Be Free", "Gypsy Pilot" "Last Time Around" and "One Night Stand" come to mind as important losses. However, everyone has a favorite in these type of releases that get left off.

Rick Nelson made a HUGE change in his recording career when he debuted April 1, 1969 at LA's Troubadour Club, with his new sound. He had been virtually reclusive all of 67 and 68 and surprised the heck out of those in attendance. Most did not remember or recall his strong Country feel on his early hits or the two Country albums in 1966-67. Reviews were outstanding and he was the talk of the LA music scene. He went into the studio and cut "She Belongs To Me" with Buddy Emmons on Steel (not Tom Brumley) as the liner notes state. Brumley would appear on the B side "Promises" and continue with Rick until 1979, "She Belongs To Me" would reach number 33 on Billboards Hot 100 but Top 5 on LA's charts.

You do get most of the charted Rick Nelson and The SCB songs. "California" (top 20 in Australia), "Life" (23 in the Adult Contempary charts), "Palace Guard" (#65 in Hot 100), "I Shall Be Released" (#102, just missing and the best version ever released...in my mind) and obviously "Garden Party" (#6 Hot 100 and #1 Adult Contempory)and "Windfall" (#44 Adult Contempory).

So if you want an excellent "primer" on Rick Nelson and The Stone Canyon Band...this is a good start. Or wait until Bear Family Records next Box Set release in early 2010 and get the 1970-85 Rick Nelson.

Rick Nelson grew up and so did his music. I started with Ricky nelson in 1958. He was my man. I bought an album in 1959, Songs By Ricky, and I still listen to it today. When I got this new collection by Rick Nelson and his new band I was blown away. Normally I buy a new cd, put it on my Mac and move on. This album I actually had to listen to and then put it away. Boy was I wrong. Rick was one of the Finest entertainer we had. If you were a kid in the late 50's or early 60's you knew Ricky Nelson. All of a sudden, it's the 70's and we're flooded with new stars and song. Rick didn't try to keep rockin' with the kids, he took his sound toward a kinda country rock with some pedal steel, and some very tasty harmonies and came up with a good old country rock sound. He does kick it a bit at times and wow what a marriage. When He gets into a Rolling Stones tune, Honey Tonk Women. He owns that song. He tackles some Dylan on this collection. She Belongs to me is Rick Nelson at his very BEST. The Essential Collection probably covers his Best. Man when he got to Mystery Train, I was sold. This collection is one of his finest. He even has a couple of old Ricky Nelson songs on there, but my favorites are The Palace Guard and Garden Party. What a surprise hearing Rick sing Just Like A woman, The whole album is like that, one surprise after another. If you ever owned a Rick Nelson album, Get this one, Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band, Essential Collection. I want more Rick. There Isn't a bad track on this album. Enjoy, Michael Jay

This product is great! It is especially wonderful for anyone who loves the music of the 70s & 80s such as Ricky Nelson and "Garden Party."
Wonderful collection!

RICK NELSON MADE QUITE AN IMPACT ON MUSIC AND HIS LEGACY IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED.THIS CD HAS SO MANY GOOD SONGS FROM A TRUE ROCK AND ROLL LEGEND.TIMELESS.

Great collection of his "Stone Canyon Band" years....Check out if your into later day "Byrds", "Gram Parsons", Poco and other "COUNTRY-Rock" artists.