Search - Ricky Nelson :: More Songs By Ricky / Ricky Is 21

More Imperial Greats!

B. Baldwin | 07/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The 3rd release in a series of 4. "More Songs by Ricky" again finds superior production work and a peerless band, led by guitarist James Burton. This album differs from Ricky's previous efforts in that it finds him moving away from the traditional 1950's rock-n-roll/rockabilly style to a bigger "more mature" sound. We hear more piano and find the sax taking a big part in many of the songs found on this album. This appears to be move directed more by Ricky's father, Ozzie, than by Ricky himself. The material is more jazz-pop/rock than pure rock-n-roll. There are several stand-out tracks, including "Ain't Notin' But Love" & "Mighty Good" to name but two. Clearly, Ricky wasn't entirely comfortable with this direction and returned to form on "Rick is 21". Here we find his biggest selling single release, "Travelin' Man"/"Hello Mary Lou". "Hello Mary Lou" must be ranked among the best rock songs of all time. James Burton delivers, hands down, THE BEST guitar solo EVER, BAR NONE! This album also finds Ricky at the peak of his vocal powers & his band as hot as ever. Again, Capitol has done an excellent job with remastering, has included the original album art, bonus tracks and a fine essay by James Ritz.If for no other reason, this cd belongs in everyone's collection for "Hello Mary Lou" alone. Fortunately, this release has much, much more to offer than just one song. This cd is not to be missed!"

Fine two-fer CD by the great Rick Nelson

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 03/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"More Songs by Ricky/Rick Is 21 is a splendid two-fer CD that gives us all the tracks from two of Ricky Nelson's record albums entitled More Songs By Ricky and Rick Is 21. The sound quality is excellent; and I love that artwork!



"I'm Not Afraid" starts the CD with a great number; Rick sings this very well in his great voice with a lot of sensitivity. The guitar arrangement shines and the backup vocalists do affine job of harmonizing flawlessly! "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home" has a strong show tune feel to it with an arrangement full of brass and percussion. Rick sings this so beautifully and the female backup chorus works well for this number. "Baby Won't You Please Come Home" is easily a major highlight of this CD. "Here I Go Again" has a terrific Rick Nelson interpretation and he bats this one straight out of the ballpark! There's a solid although all too brief musical interlude, too, on "Here I Go Again."



"When Your Lover Has Gone" features Rick's vocals squarely in the spotlight; and he delivers this just like all the best crooners of the day! I really like this tune and the piano arrangement is just grand. "Time After Time" is yet another special tune when Rick sings it; he makes it sound fresh as he puts his own stamp on this classic ballad by singing it just his way. It all works very well, too! Listen also for "Young Emotions;" this tender love song has Rick singing rather sweetly; he could charm the birds out of the trees with this number! Rick handles the numerous key changes like a pro!



"You Are My Sunshine" gets a rock and roll/country flavor to it that lets this number hold its own very well; Rick sings this with all his heart and soul and I could never tire of hearing this number! "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans" again marks a masterpiece made so true when Rick delivers this with panache in his own singularly beautiful way. The female chorus enhances the natural beauty of this number even more.



"Travelin' Man" was definitely one of Rick's greatest hits; and when you hear it there'll be no doubt as to why. Rick sings this passionately and the percussion bolsters the musical accompaniment for Rick on this ballad. "Stars Fell On Alabama" is an older tune that shines like new when Rick sings this beyond perfection! "Stars Fell On Alabama" is perfect music for lovers--and the rest of us, too.



"Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart)" is another of Rick's greatest hits; the country flavor makes this sparkle and Rick sings this without a flaw. I always enjoy this ballad!



Overall, this is one fine Rick Nelson two-fer CD that his fans simply must put in their collections. People who enjoy oldies and even classic pop vocals will also appreciate this CD.

"

Exploring New Grounds and Sounds!

Morten Vindberg | Denmark | 09/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"These 2 originals released as one were Nelsons fifth and sixth Imperial albums, originally released in 1960 and 1961. The earliest album "More Songs by Ricky" has often been called Nelson's weakest Imperial release. This may be the case, but that doesn't necessarily make it a completely throw-away album.



Nelson had been one of the pioneers of rock'n roll, who in 1960 had had several big rock'n roll hits like "Believe What You Say", "Waiting in School" and "I Got a Feeling". But rock'n roll or rockabilly had always only been part of Nelson's repertoire. He was from the very beginning an artist with great versatility . This had shown in his choice of songs for new singles. Ballads like "Lonesome Town" and "Someday" had been just as popular as his rock'n roll singles.



In 1960 the popularity of rock'n roll was on the downward, and this shows on "More Songs by Ricky". The terrific rocker and single "Mighty Good", which was released to pave the way for a new album, had only managed to peak at 38; so it's no surprise Nelson and the people around him felt like trying out new fields and sounds. But recording old standards like "Baby Won't You Please Come", "Here I Go" and "Time After Time", obviously wasn't the way for him.



The mixture of ballads, rockers and standards which had characterized his first 4 albums, is continued on the 5th. One difference may be that the rocking tracks appear slightly softer. Moreover, some tracks come very close to jazz, and there is a use of female voices and horns and strings on several tracks.



Nelson's back-up band James Burton, James Kirkland, Richie Frost and Gene Garf is behind him on the rocking tracks and Baker Knight, one of Nelson's favourite songwriters, contributes 3 of these rockers; best of those probably is "Proving My Love". My favourite track in that genre is "Make Believe".



Among the ballads "I'm Not Afraid" and "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain" are as good as most of his older soft songs.



Even though the well-known album prescription is continued on the next album, compared to the spotty ""More Songs by Ricky", "Rick is 21" is a much better and more modern sounding album. The songs are generally stronger, and Rick's new songwriting discoveries Dave Burgess and Jerry Fuller in particular give the album a more modern approach; obviously also thanks to better production. Jerry Fuller's "Travellin` Man" ( and "Hello Mary Lou") actually was Rick's comeback as charttopper. Jerry Fuller contributed one more fine pop-ballad "That Warm Summer Night" and the rocking "Break My Chain".



The, by far, strongest rocker, though, is Dorsey Burnette's "My One Desire"; of course featuring a new killer solo from James Burton.



Dave Burgess' two songs both sound inspired, and much in the same vein as Fuller's.



The usual inclusion of a couple of old standards, give place to "Miss New Orleans" and "Stars Fell on Alabama"; both good songs in their own right, but they seem out of place here.



The CD's final two bonus tracks are both great; especially Baker Knight's ballad "You Are the Only One" ( even though it does sound a little like remake of "There'll Never Be Anyone Else")



"Milk Cow Blues" is Rick rocking with his young band.



Again fine informative sleeve notes with this release!"