Rick Nelson - Album Seven by Rick/Rick Sings Spirituals

Nelson's final Imperial release before leaving for Decca, Album Seven was his last hurrah before his early '70s comeback with the Stone Canyon Band. The hits he scored with Decca are covers of standards, as the former teen idol aimed for "adult" acceptance, a strategy that backfired with the arrival of the Beatles. The liner notes to this reissue point out that Nelson was one of the main catalysts in bringing country to rock & roll, and much of Album Seven displays a decidedly country edge, particularly in James Burton's guitar licks. The rerelease is fleshed out with bonus hits such as the self-examining "Teenage Idol" (a thematic precursor to "Garden Party") and "It's Up to You," which may have been Burton's finest moment. This is the only twofer reissue not arranged chronologically, since the second part is the 1959 Ricky Sings Spirituals EP. While not as good as the gospel music produced by his idol, Elvis Presley, the four religious cuts (including one composed by dad Ozzie) is noteworthy for the background vocals by Darlene Love & the Blossoms. --Bill Holdship Amazon.com

Album Seven and counting

Although Imperial would continue to release many repackagings of Rick Nelson material for several years, this 1962 album was his final set of new recordings for the label before moving over to Decca Records. "Album Seven" is not among the top tier of Nelson albums, but is still a solid collection of songs, with his usual contributors (Dave Burgess, the Burnette brothers, Jerry Fuller, Baker Knight) all represented here. The kickoff track, a rock version of the Gershwin standard "Summertime", is one of Rick's most overlooked recordings. Play this one for anyone who ever accused Nelson's music of being "bubblegum"! (They might even recognize what Johnny Rivers and Blues Magoos stole from the arrangement!) The album closer, "There's Not a Minute", is one of the saddest songs I've ever heard ("when I see two lovers run to meet each other/then I think of all my dreams that won't come true/when I realize I'll never love another/so many things, dear, remind me of you.."). "Mad, Mad World" makes me want to get away from it all, and just sit by a river in the mountains somewhere. There's a strong country feel on songs like "Congratulations" and "Can't Stop Loving You", and plenty of rock and roll on "Stop Sneakin' Around" and "Excuse Me Baby". The addition of Rick's 1962 hit singles "Teenage Idol", "Young World", and "It's Up to You" is a welcome bonus, as are the 4 songs from his super rare extended play 45 "Ricky Sings Spirituals". Ricky may not have loved gospel music as obsessively as his pal Elvis Presley, but he does just fine with the four songs included here. There's passion in his voice as he sings "I Bowed My Head in Shame", and Baker Knight's "Glory Train". Too bad Ricky never recorded a full album of songs in this style. November 8, 2007

Rick Nelson album 7

I bought this LP when it first came out in the early '60s, still have it and wore it out. The range of songs runs from rock, pop, to country.
The rock version of George Gershwin's "Summertime" still stands out to this very day, Joe Osborn's bass line has been copied many times. "Stop Sneakin' 'Round' has a very unique sound and syncopated rhythm and sounds new, as if it was recorded yesterday. Many of Ricks songs were way ahead of his time. I have a son-in-law that loves county music and I have played some of Ricks country songs, he was amazed when I told him that they were recorded 40 years ago. He said "This sounds like what is Nashville is turning out NOW"
As all wise the legendary guitar playing of James Burton is on all the tracks, his guitar solos are worth the price of admission. John



July 18, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...