Audio CD review:
Ricky Nelson - A&E Biography - Ricky Nelson

Ricky Nelson - A&E Biography - Ricky Nelson

Band: Ricky Nelson Title: A&E Biography - Ricky Nelson Rating: Release Date: 08 June, 1999 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: I'm Walking 2: Be-Bop Baby 3: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? 4: Believe What You Say 5: Poor Little Fool 6: It's Late 7: Lonesome Town 8: Cindy (Get Along Cindy) 9: Glory Train 10: Travelin' Man 11: Hello Mary Lou 12: String Along 13: She Belongs To Me 14: Garden Party

Customer Reviews All Good Songs What I didn't realize then is that he could sing really very well. 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. 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. Great collection from another artist who left us too soon There's just one major difference: Ricky had some real talent. 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. 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. Complete enough Then, this set will do you just fine. 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. 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. . You can see a complete list of all Ricky Nelson discography, or go back to the Ricky Nelson tabs