antiMusic.com: Ricky Nelson - Greatest Love Songs Review

Ricky Nelson - Greatest Love Songs Review
by J Simpson

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Born in Teaneck, New Jersey on May 8, 1940 Eric Hilliard Nelson more famously known as Ricky Nelson became a true icon of his era in every sense. From the early age of 9 Ricky began a career that would have his face and voice in every household with a TV or radio for decades. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet his parents radio and eventually long running television show is what quickly catapulted Ricky into showbiz and it was during this period in his teens that Ricky discovered his talent and love of music. He cut his first single record in 1957 which included a cover of Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin" and on the flip side a song called "A Teenagers Romance" both of which made the top five. There was no stopping his musical career when it gained momentum. Ricky was already enormously famous from his parents TV show but when America discovered this blue eyed loveable teenager was a gifted musician he quickly acquired a swooning teenage fanbase along with the interest of the business minded record companys. Spanning a musical career of some 25 yrs Ricky has acquired a very impressive record collection to his name. Unfortunately his career was cut short in 1985 when a plane he was traveling in on the way to another performance went down in Texas. Six people were killed including Ricky.

On January 15 2008 Capitol Records released a disc titled Ricky Nelson-Greatest Love Songs. The album has all of Rick's more famous love songs like "Never Be Anyone Else But You," "Poor Little Fool," and "Hello Mary Lou" along with many others that I was not familiar with totaling 22 tracks including a couple covers like "Unchained Melody" or Bobby Darin's "Dream Lover." The tunes emit a feeling of a period gone by. A lot of the songs were obviously remastered but thankfully not so much that the feeling and musicianship of that period is lost. All the songs showcase Ricky' more romantic side and I would recommend the disc to anyone who enjoys listening to vintage, timeless music.

Oddly enough the very last song Ricky performed was the Buddy Holly song "Rave On." Kinda eerie. In 1987 Rick Nelson was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

CD Info and Links

Ricky Nelson - Greatest Love Songs
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