Search - Rick Nelson :: Rick's Rarities 1964-1974

A Big Positive Surprise

Morten Vindberg | Denmark | 10/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Rick Nelson was really a big positive surprise for me. The CD contains rarities from his Decca period ; from 1964-74.



I never cared very much for his early Decca albums ( up till his formation of the Stone Canyon Band - the two country albums are okay), and most of the songs from that period that are included here, are in fact better than a great deal of what was originally released.



The opening track, Sonny Curtis' "I've Been Lookin`" is among these positive surprises. Recorded in 1964 with great guitarist James Burton, it's a track that comes pretty close to the sound of his great Imperial recordings.



"I Need You" is not the same song that was released as a single on Imperial, but the song is almost as fine, which says quite a lot, since "I Need You" is one of my all-time Rick Nelson favourites.



Most of the non-album singles which are also included are pretty good, though not outstanding.



Next positive surprise for me was the unreleased song "Freedom and Liberty" which Rick wrote himself. A beautiful song with a tasteful sparse arrangement showing that Rick as early as 1965 was beginning to develop the sound that would eventually blossom with the Stone Canyon Band. The lyrics may sound a little naive today, but there is an innocent charm to them too. The re-recorded version in a more country-flavoured style from 1967 is equally good; both versions are included here.



A previously unreleased Jerry Fuller song can also be found here. Fuller wrote a lot of Rick best songs for Imperial, and "Peddler Man" is a song which reminds me a lot of "Travellin' Man", and it's almost as great. Interesting that it features the great Byrds guitarist Clarence White.



Rick's self-penned single "I'm Called Lonely" was also "new" for me; a fine song from his country-period.



"Moonshine" is song untypical of the material Rick usually chose; recorded just before the formation of his own band.



The previously unreleased "Lady From Baltimore" which though it sounds like a demo-recording is great performance, showing the early incarnation of the Stone Canyon Band, featuring Allen Kemp, Randy Meisner and Shanahan. Same band gives a fine performance of "I Think It's Going to Rain Today".



"Promises", the B-side to "She Belongs to Me", is another Nelson original which is CD released here for the first time. The song was also a highlight on the fine Live album from 1969, "Rick Nelson in Concert - The Troubador 1969".



Last track is another Stone Canyon Band recording, featuring the Dennis Larden line-up. "California Free" would have fitted nicely onto the "Windfall" album; yet another Nelson original.



Though a few of the tracks may be under par, I'll have to give the CD five stars."

At last!

Ron | Tacoma, WA | 09/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Us Nelson fans have been waiting years - no, decades - for these treasures from the Decca vaults. The "Legacy" box set contained many rarities from Rick's Imperial and Capitol sessions, but I suspected Decca also had some gems hidden away in their vaults. Some songs have been previously released, but only on rare singles or albums. It's nice to have Rick's 4 songs from the tv special "On the Flip Side" as it is one of the few Rick albums still not available on CD. "Promises" is a rocker from the Stone Canyon Band that amazingly never appeared on any of the numerous collections of those years. The real treat, though, is hearing the previously unreleased material. "I Need You" is not a remake of the old Imperial b-side, but a completely different song, and a nice one at that. Occasionally I read where some rock critic has said that "Nelson didn't have much of a voice", but I can't imagine anyone singing "I Need You" better than Rick does. "Peddler Man" is another outstanding song from his country sessions, featuring excellent dobro work from James Burton. There are two versions of a Nelson original titled "Freedom and Liberty", both are good, and the lyrics seem relevant in 2004 America. "California Free" is an outtake from Rick's final sessions for MCA, and has nice harmonies from Rick and his bandmates. The booklet is the best I have ever seen with any CD - tons of information on the tracks included here, as well as info about the remaining (unfinished) tracks in Decca's vaults."

You Can't Please Everybody...

Gerald J Reynolds | Stevenson Ranch, Ca United States | 05/29/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"An interesting if not spectacular mix of Decca tracks from the mid 60's to the early 70's that will probably please the die hard Rick Nelson fans. I bought it primarily to get hold of "Your Kind Of Lovin' b/w "Fire Breathin' Dragon", a pretty good single that sank like a stone when released in 1966. Sound quality is excellent and the 28 page booklet is informative and well put together. Ace UK always does a first rate job on their reissues. 4 stars overall; 5 stars for sound quality and 3 for some of these tracks that might have done better left buried in the MCA vaults. Check out 1963's "Rick Nelson sings "For You" for some prime 60's Decca material or 1974's "Windfall" for some first rate Stone Canyon Band era tracks."