Ricky Nelson - A&E Biography - Ricky Nelson

short but sweet--some of Rick's best on ALL three labels

Just as another reviewer correctly notes, A&E Biography - Ricky Nelson is a single CD that gives us some of Ricky's greatest hits from all three record labels he worked on--Verve, Imperial and Decca. The sound is fine and the artwork is pretty cool. I wouldn't consider this to be a true blue greatest hits collection; but as a single CD with hits from all three labels it does become very useful--especially for the newcomer or casual fan who doesn't want to shell out big bucks for CDs and box sets that are more substantial.

"I'm Walking" starts off the CD with Rick doing some mighty fine rockabilly work that sounds so wonderful! This is truly fine music to dance to; and the guitar work stuns me because Ricky was able to play very complicated arrangements very rapidly and flawlessly. Impressive! Rick sounds great on "I'm Walking." "Be-Bop Baby" features a young Ricky Nelson singing very well; he sounds fresh and warm while he bats this one out of the ballpark! Rick's excellent diction bolsters his performance even further. "Be-Bop Baby" again sports a fine guitar arrangement that only a pro like Rick could ever handle. Great!

"Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?" features Rick singing sweetly like the best of the crooners of the twentieth century; and the backup chorus sounds great when they combine their forces with Rick's delivery of this ballad. "Poor Little Fool" also scores a big hit for Rick as he sings this country flavored ballad to perfection. The guitar and percussion adds a lot to "Poor Little Fool." There's also "Lonesome Town;" this ballad is about a place where broken hearted people go after their lover is gone. Rick performs "Lonesome Town" very well and his polished performance stuns me with its beauty.

"Travelin' Man" was one of Rick's biggest hits ever; and when you hear it there's no doubt as to why! Rick sings this strong and yet he is able to inject a certain degree of sensitivity that just makes this tune sparkle. I love it! "Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart)" is another huge hit by Rick Nelson; the country/soft rock approach lets this song hold its own very well and Rick gives it all his might as he sings this. "She Belongs To Me" showcases a more mature Rick who still never misses a beat; and "She Belongs To Me" is a ballad I think you'll enjoy very much. The album ends with his hit entitled "Garden Party;" Rick laments that people want him to sing only his older songs while he wants to perform newer songs. "Garden Party" has a great country feel to it and it brings a strong ending to this collection of songs.

If you are a casual fan who wants a brief but very shiny retrospective of Rick's very best on all of the three labels he recorded on, this CD's for you! More diehard fans like me will want albums that are more substantial; and of course they are for sale on this website.
March 17, 2008

All Good Songs

It was hard to take Ricky Nelson seriously in the days when he was just one of the actors on the Ozzie & Harriet Show; one who just happened to sing and who the young girls went crazy for. What I didn't realize then is that he could sing really very well. I was never a fan (at least not then) and then a few years ago heard Garden Party and Travelin' Man and I was hooked. That's what got me to buy the album and then what a treat to discover that all the songs on this album are very good. Some of the reviews complain that the album isn't very complete, but it has 14 songs which is more than most single albums. It's a good value and the sound quality is good. Don't be fooled by the "Biography" heading, which might make you think this contains a biography; it doesn't; it's all Ricky singing. No disappointments here. March 31, 2007

Great collection from another artist who left us too soon

Ricky Nelson had the mis-fortune of being lumped in with all the other "teen idols" of the early 60's like Frankie Avalon and Fabian.There's just one major difference: Ricky had some real talent.Of course,that may of had something to do with the fact that his parents were the versitile performing couple of Ozzie and Harriet.But nonetheless,Rick deserved to have his name along side great rock-a-billy icons like Buddy Holly,Eddie Cochran,the Everly Brothers,and yes,Elvis.Just listen to his hit songs like "Traveling Man","Poor Little Fool",and "Hello,Mary Lou".Yes,they may have sold because he was a T.V. star,but there's no denying that those songs were just as good as those afore mentioned artists.In fact,it's to his credit that after the "teen idol" status faded out,he tried to re-invent himself into a "country rock" star,kicking off the craze that made bands like The Eagles famous.You can hear that influence in his "comeback" hit "Garden Party".A&E and Capitol has done a fine job of putting together a good album.And for those of you who saw the classic western "Rio Bravo" with Ricky,Dean Martin,Walter Brennan,and....of course....John Wayne,the bonus track of Ricky,Dean,and Walter singing "Get Along Cindy" is a funny little treat.In short,for long time Rick Nelson fans,and the newcomers who are discovering the golden oldies.This is a good album for your collection. July 6, 2003

Complete enough

Are you, like me, looking for a set that features original versions Nelson's classic songs from the 1950s and 1960s, along with some of his pioneering country/rock sides from Decca/MCA. Then, this set will do you just fine. Nice retrospective of Nelson's whole career, very good liner notes and photos. I saw the A&E BIography episode on Nelson, to which this CD is a companion, and I actually think it's better than the show itself. Very good

Four stars instead of five: There's a weird outtake with Dean Martin and Walter Brennan that makes no sense. I would have swapped that for something else from Nelson's Stone Canyon days. October 9, 2001

Rick's Music Lives Forever!

I am so happy to see the re-surgence of interest in one of my all-time favorite singers and pioneer of early rock'n'roll. Many have said that Rick is the most under-appreciated of talents...I sort of wonder if this is really true, in the light of the wonderful reviews of his latest re-releases. My love and admiration of Rick and his tremendous contribution to the world of American Music has never waned...on the contrary, it has gotten deeper and deeper over the years.This great collection of Rick's music is a must for any avid collector of r'n'r. Capitol has really done a marvelous job of giving us good, clean mixes of the music, from all the phases of his career, from 1957's I'M WALKING up until 1972 with GARDEN PARTY. I said it in another Rick Nelson review and I say it again...Rick, we love you and miss you!!! July 7, 2001

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