Rick Nelson was gone from the top 40 charts by 1965, but that didn't stop him from recording. "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" was still on television, and his many fans could still count on seeing him sing his latest records on the show. He also starred in the motion picture "Love and Kisses", directed by his father Ozzie. The two albums here kind of blend together. Rick's style was set by the time he moved over to Decca in 1963, so there's not really any surprises here, just more fine music in the style he was known for. Although this is often referred to as the "adult contemporary" period of Rick's career, both albums contain a fair amount of faster or harder edged material. "Mean Old World", written by Billy Vera (of "At This Moment" fame), is a moody, dark song with Rick at his most expressive. "When the Chips Are Down" is sort of the flip side, with nice guitar work from James Burton. 'I'm Not Ready for You Yet" is catchy, with a strong lyric. A few tracks point the way towards Rick's country albums, notably "I Catch Myself Crying" (sung on one of the final season episodes of "Ozzie and Harriet"). Three songs are from the soundtrack of "Love and Kisses" - "Say You Love Me", "Come Out Dancin'", and of course, "Love and Kisses". They'll be familiar to anyone who caught the movie on tv over the years. Overall, both albums are very good listens, if not quite his best. 1966 would bring some of his best music yet.
November 11, 2007 |  | Rick Nelson - Best Always & Love and Kisses |  |
Great 2 albums combined. Good songs.
June 12, 2007| | | Say You Love Me is my favorite of all time from Love and Kisses | |
Well, I guess I'm just an old sentimental fool that goes way back to when I was only fifteen and dating the seventeen-year-old that I did eventually marry. Our song was "Say You Love Me" for the reason that I was young and determined I would never say those words to anyone unless I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that I was certain. My Tony tried to get me to say it many times and he would sing this song to me (SMILE) so it became very special to me. We were going to have it sung at our wedding later, but couldn't find the sheet music at the time.... I was seventeen, he was nineteen when we married!! We were married for 38 1/2 wonderful years before he passed on in 2005. A real romance story!!! I have the original album on vinyl and also a cassette that I had copied at a record store when I lost my first album... They wouldn't sell me their only copy! But I was fortunate to have someone gift it to me later on because they knew it meant so much to me!!! I am currently trying to find the DVD of the movie "Love and Kisses" It is very hard to find. If you are a Ricky Nelson fan, then these songs will add to your collection. I know there are other albums that have a lot better songs.... but this is the only album that has "Say You Love Me" on it; because it was featured in the film. Love you Ricky Nelson....I KNOW YOU'RE SINGING UP THERE IN HEAVEN WITH MY TONY NOW!!!!.... Thanks for the memories!!!! Signed....MSNTONY2005!
February 8, 2007| | | best always/love and kisses | |
Great product, reminds me of the record albums that I purchased so many years ago. I still have them. It is great that amazon can do this.
November 4, 2006Rick's career was at a low ebb in 1965. His hit-making days wee over (although he eventually made a mini-comeback in the seventies with Garden party) and he was looking for a new direction in his career. The two albums presented here mostly contain covers - a mix of contemporary pop, old standards and country songs, the latter providing a pointer to the two country albums that came later in the sixties - though there were a few originals including the minor American hit, Mean old world. The writer of the liner notes is somewhat lukewarm about the music contained herein, but even he accepts that there are some great tracks here. Maybe I am more easily satisfied, but I like these albums.
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Among the covers are You don't know me (Eddy Arnold), Lonely corner, Liz (both Johnny Burnette), I know a place (Petula Clark), Since I don't have you (Skyliners), My blue heaven (an oldie from 1927), I catch myself crying (Roger Miller) and Try to remember (Nana Mouskouri). Of these, Rick does particularly well on Since I don't have you. Three of the original songs featured in a movie (Love and kisses), these being the title theme, Come out dancing and Say you love me.
While Rick's music was largely ignored in a year when British acts (especially the Beatles) dominated the world's airwaves, these albums are much better than some people (including the liner notes writer) would have you believe. This isn't the place to begin a collection of Rick's music but his fans will enjoy this twofer.
April 16, 2005More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(8 reviews)