Well, a Bear box would be nice for the financially ready, since any Rick
recommendation up to now can't go cross-label--which is what you have to do
to get the whole picture.
The huge hits (and they really WERE huge, among the biggest selling singles
of the entire rock era, BTW)...were the 50s to early 60s Imperial
cuts...and there's nothing at all wrong with the standard 2-disc or even
shorter 1 disc Best ofs for that. (I still have an old EMI 15-cut "Best of
Ricky Nelson" which covers the bases, cheap.) On the other hand, I later
added that excellent UK Ace "Rockin with Ricky" because it's NOT just the
hits--but a terrific intro to his rockabilly/rock and roll stuff beyond
those singles. (They wear very WELL with age for a supposed teen idol
singer, BTW; the TV kid could sing rockabilly for real, and betyter than
mos.
You'll want to hear his comeback period California country rock stuff too,
and it's amongst the best of THAT genre. A good place to start is the UK
Edsel disc "Rick Nelson and ther Stone Canyon Band: 1969-1976"...which has
his fmaous backing band, "Garden Party" and other originals ...the hit
Dylan covers; etc. And the, as was just pointed out, the Ace 2fer of the
two straight counry albums are pretty good, but definitely an extra after
the other stuff is covered.
Now If Bear Familky would put this all together on less than 30 CDs for
less than $500!...
Barry M.
