One of the great gentlemen in rock 'n' roll history, Ricky Nelson was never better than when he dug into a ballad, a point this tasty 22-song overview emphasizes over and over. Working with a gifted arranger/producer in Jimmie Haskell and fronting a band led by one of the architects of rock 'n' roll guitar, James Burton, Nelson artfully fashioned one heart-tugging...
Read moreOne of the great gentlemen in rock 'n' roll history, Ricky Nelson was never better than when he dug into a ballad, a point this tasty 22-song overview emphasizes over and over. Working with a gifted arranger/producer in Jimmie Haskell and fronting a band led by one of the architects of rock 'n' roll guitar, James Burton, Nelson artfully fashioned one heart-tugging moment after another as the years rolled by, records of complex beauty that have retained their luster -- the music collected here is truly timeless. Some of these are familiar, oft-programmed oldies classics: "Never Be Anyone but You"; "Poor Little Fool"; the bopping "Hello Mary Lou"; the haunting "Lonesome Town," with the Jordanaires' yearning, close-harmonized background hums and Nelson's tender, reverbed vocal; the lament of "Teenage Idol," in which Ricky elegantly and without self-pity laid bare the loneliness that was the other side of megastardom. But this smart set also includes some gems less frequently programmed. Check out Haskell's immaculate string arrangement and Nelson's touching vocal on the beautiful, classically styled pop ballad "Again"; every element is in its proper place, creating a subtle but powerful emotional impact. The spare treatment of Bobby Darin's "Dream Lover" is fueled by a deliberately picked acoustic guitar, shakers, bongos, and a soothing background chorus in a mesmerizing pop-country arrangement that was years ahead of its time, whereas the Spanish-flavored death ballad "Gloomy Sunday" is one of the true demo-like oddities in the Nelson canon. Great work from top to bottom.
Brand: CAPITOL
