Record #0759: Teen Age Idol / I've Got My Eyes on You (And I Like What I See) – RICK NELSON

Imperial X5864 (original) USA, 4. August 1962
Words & Music by:  Side A – Jack Lewis; Side B – Dave Burgess
Musicians: Side A - Rick Nelson (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), James Burton (lead guitar), Tommy Tedesco (rhythm guitar), Leroy Vinnegar (bass), Richie Frost (drums), Pete Jolly (piano), John Anderson (trumpet), Holly Humphreys (trumpet), Marshall Cram (trombone), John Rotella (sax), and an unknown chorus; Side B - Rick Nelson (lead vocals), James Burton (lead guitar), Glen Campbell (guitar), Joe Osborn (bass), Richie Frost (drums), Allen Harris (piano), John Audino (trumpet), Tony Terran (trumpet) Darlene Love & the Blossoms (backing vocals)
Recording sessions: Produced by Jimmie Haskell at Western Recorders, Hollywood, CA, Side A – 20. June 1962; Side B - backing track 13. June, vocals added 20. June 1962
Highest chart positions:  Side A - US #5, US AC #2, UK #39; Side B - US #105

I’ve already posted a different variant of this single here.

The flip side was penned by Dave Burgess, who used to be a member of the Champs. He left the band (but remained their manager) and was replaced by Glen Campbell in 1960.

List price:  Very Good+ is $10, Near Mint is $20. Picture sleeves are VG+ $20, NM $40.

 

Record #0758: Ricky Sings Again (Restless Kid) (EP) – RICKY NELSON

A1 “Restless Kid”, A2 “Believe What You Say”, B1 “It’s All In the Game”, B2 “You Tear Me Up”

Imperial IMP-160 (original) USA, January 1959
Words & Music by:  A1 -  Johnny Cash; A2 – Johnny Burnette, Dorsey Burnette; B1 – Charles Dawes, Carl Sigman; B2 – Baker Knight
Musicians: Ricky Nelson (vocals, rhythm guitar), James Burton (lead guitar on A1, A2, B2), Howard Roberts (guitar on B1), Billy Strange (guitar on B1), Jud DeNaut (bass on B1), James Kirkland (bass on A1, A2, B2), Richie Frost (drums on A1, A2, B2), Earl Palmer (drums on B1), Gene Garff (piano), the Jordanaires (backing vocals overdubbed on A1, A2, B2), Jack Halloran Singers (backing vocals overdubbed on B1)
Recording sessions: Produced and arranged by Jimmie Haskell at Master Recorders, Hollywood, CA; A1 & B2 – 24. November 1958; A2 – 17. February 1958; B1 – 2. September 1958
Highest chart positions:  No information found for this EP

Again, Nelson’s album (“Ricky Sings Again”) was also released on three EPs, this being in the middle.

Johnny Cash’s “Restless Kid” was an interesting choice for a cover song. It’s a good one, though. Just sticks out a bit. Nelson recorded his first version of the song in the session, where the songs for the movie “Rio Bravo” on 2. September 1958. “Restless Kid” may have been intended for the movie just like “Cindy” and “My Rifle, My Pony and Me”, but it wasn’t included. Again, sticking out, “It’s All In the Game” was recorded in the same session along all that country & western stuff.

B1 is a classic pop song, originally recorded by Tommy Edwards in 1951 (US #18, US R&B #1) and again in 1958 (US #1, UK #1) and covered by Nat King Cole (on 1957 album “Love Is the Thing), Cliff Richard (1963, US #25, US AC #10, UK #2), Four Tops (1970, US #24, US AC #39, US R&B #6, UK #5) and many others (including Nelson).

Looks like I don’t have the vinyl for this. Gotta go shopping. 😊

List price:  Very Good+ is $25, Near Mint is $50. Picture sleeves are VG+ $25, NM $50.

 

Record #0757: Down the Line (EP) – RICKY NELSON

A1 “Down the Line”, A2 “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, B1 “I’m In Love Again”, B2 “My Babe”

Imperial IMP-157 (original) USA, July 1958
Words & Music by:  A1 -  Roy Orbison; A2 – Ricky Nelson; B1 – Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew; B2 – Willie Dixon
Musicians: Ricky Nelson (vocals, rhythm guitar), James Burton (lead guitar), James Kirkland (bass), Richie Frost (drums on A1, A2, B2), Gene Garff (piano), the Jordanaires (backing vocals overdubbed later).
Recording sessions: Produced and arranged by Jimmie Haskell at Master Recorders, Hollywood, CA; A1 – 1. April 1958; A2 & B1 – 21. April 1958; B2 – 17. April 1958
Highest chart positions:  No information found for this EP

All songs were included on Nelson’s second album “Ricky Nelson”, released in July 1958 (US albums #7). The album tracks were released on three Eps; this one is volume 2.

A2 was penned by Nelson, and this was the first time he recorded his own song. It’s not a bad ballad at all.

B2 is a cover of a Chicago blues classic that Willie Dixon wrote for Little Walter in 1955 (US R&B #1). In addition to Nelson, it has been covered by artists and bands like Sonny Boy Williamson, Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Lonnie Mack, Spencer Davis Group, Memphis Slim, Ike & Tina Turner, Gerry and the Pacemakers, to name a few.

List price:  Very Good+ is $25, Near Mint is $50. Picture sleeves are VG+ $25, NM $50.