Legendary Masters Series Vol 1

Ricky Nelson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 16, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00000DRAC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #275,236 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

This CD is an out of print collectible! It is the original 1990 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "A"-sides & "B"-sides--but with irritations!, September 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Legendary Masters Series Vol 1 (Audio CD)

EMI had the admittedly cool idea of collecting both sides of Rick Nelson's 1st 10 singles on one disc. So why did they blow it in so many ways? The CD is missing "Don't Leave Me "b"-side of "Poor Little Fool"); they inexplicably included previously-unreleased "alternate takes" of "Never Be Anyone Else But You" and "Sweeter Than You" (instead of the originals); and they tacked on "Milk Cow Blues" (the "b"-side of "You Are The Only One", which appears on Vol.2!). But WORST of all, whatever possessed them to include studio "out-takes" at the start of "Be-Bop Baby" and "It's Late"? I can't believe ANYONE really wanted to hear these, and they ruin the songs(thus necessitating getting other CDs to be able to hear them without these "interruptions"). At least they've learned: when they released the 25th Ann. Ed. of Deep Purple's IN ROCK, the included "out-takes" were given separate tracks, which you could program your CD player to skip over if you wanted.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A flawed but potent introduction to a rockabilly great, July 3, 2001

By 

Harley P. Payette (Phillipsburg, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Legendary Masters Series Vol 1 (Audio CD)

There was no incentive for Ricky Nelson to make great records. In an era where Johnny Crawford and Richard Chamberlain had hit records based solely on a their looks and TV exposure, he could have sold millions with garbage. The impulse to cruise must have been furthered by his pleasant but limited tenor which was far from one of the best voices of the era. That Nelson went on to become one of the great rockabilly singers and even one of the era's best balladeers is one of the true miracles in rock history. The best part about it is that Nelson was directly responsible for that miracle by pushing his thin voice to the limit, forming a series of great bands and truly discovering a team of top flight writers.

All of that is on display in this first disc of the Legendary Masters' Series. You can hear Nelson's rapid development as a singer from the careful almost halting phrasing on "Be Bop Baby" to the rapid fire delivery on "Waiting in School" to the cool swinging confidence of "It's Late" one of rockabilly's all time classics.

The great band is best displayed on "Waiting in School" which contains a furious attack on both lead and rhythm guitar. It's one of the wildest and most intense records in rock history. If Nelson were not such a restrained singer the record would be almost too hard to take. Elsewhere on the album, James Burton unleashes brilliant, inventive and economic solos on song after song. Notice also how Nelson eggs the band on to even greater efforts with well placed asides like "ohh yeah," and "Let's go now."

Dorsey and Johnny Burnette and Baker Knight are Nelson's song writing discoveries here. Nelson's interpretations of their work are top knotch. No Burnette record (except "Train Kept a Rolling") is better than what Nelson does here with their work on "Believe What You Say", "It's Late" etc. And Nelson's plain tenor is perfectly suited for Knight's "Lonesome Town".

That all being said, the set is not perfect. At just under 46 minutes it's way too short. Another ten tracks could have easily been added. Tracks like "You Tear Me Up" and Johnny Cash's "Restless Kid" are dying to be included. Also "Never be Anyone Else But You" and "Sweeter Than You" are alternate takes not the originals. I happen to the think the alternate of the latter is better than the original and the former is almost indistinguishable from the original, but both the originals and the alternates should have been included especially considering the length of the CD. Also while the opening chatter on some cuts is interesting, it becomes annoying on repeat listens.

Still the liner notes are great, the sound is superb and the quality of most (two weaks cuts of 20) of the material is excellent. This is an excellent introduction to the hall of famer.

P.S. If you like this check out Vol.2 and the new Capital Ricky Sings Again/Songs by Ricky reissue.They fill in the holes left here.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A flawed but potent introduction to a rockabilly great, July 3, 2001

By 

Harley P. Payette (Phillipsburg, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Legendary Masters Series Vol 1 (Audio CD)

There was no incentive for Ricky Nelson to make great records. In an era where Johnny Crawford and Richard Chamberlain had hit records based solely on a their looks and TV exposure, he could have sold millions with garbage. The impulse to cruise must have been furthered by his pleasant but limited tenor which was far from one of the best voices of the era. That Nelson went on to become one of the great rockabilly singers and even one of the era's best balladeers is one of the true miracles in rock history. The best part about it is that Nelson was directly responsible for that miracle by pushing his thin voice to the limit, forming a series of great bands and truly discovering a team of top flight writers.

All of that is on display in this first disc of the Legendary Masters' Series. You can hear Nelson's rapid development as a singer from the careful almost halting phrasing on "Be Bop Baby" to the rapid fire delivery on "Waiting in School" to the cool swinging confidence of "It's Late" one of rockabilly's all time classics.

The great band is best displayed on "Waiting in School" which contains a furious attack on both lead and rhythm guitar. It's one of the wildest and most intense records in rock history. If Nelson were not such a restrained singer the record would be almost too hard to take. Elsewhere on the album, James Burton unleashes brilliant, inventive and economic solos on song after song. Notice also how Nelson eggs the band on to even greater efforts with well placed asides like "ohh yeah," and "Let's go now."

Dorsey and Johnny Burnette and Baker Knight are Nelson's song writing discoveries here. Nelson's interpretations of their work are top knotch. No Burnette record (except "Train Kept a Rolling") is better than what Nelson does here with their work on "Believe What You Say", "It's Late" etc. And Nelson's plain tenor is perfectly suited for Knight's "Lonesome Town".

That all being said, the set is not perfect. At just under 46 minutes it's way too short. Another ten tracks could have easily been added. Tracks like "You Tear Me Up" and Johnny Cash's "Restless Kid" are dying to be included. Also "Never be Anyone Else But You" and "Sweeter Than You" are alternate takes not the originals. I happen to the think the alternate of the latter is better than the original and the former is almost indistinguishable from the original, but both the originals and the alternates should have been included especially considering the length of the CD. Also while the opening chatter on some cuts is interesting, it becomes annoying on repeat listens.

Still the liner notes are great, the sound is superb and the quality of most (two weaks cuts of 20) of the material is excellent. This is an excellent introduction to the hall of famer.

P.S. If you like this check out Vol.2 and the new Capital Ricky Sings Again/Songs by Ricky reissue.They fill in the holes left here.