Search - Ricky Nelson :: In Concert

One of the most under-rated live albums ever

12/28/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hard to believe, but before the Eagles flew it was Rick Nelson who help inspire them. This live album, recorded during the hey-day of L.A.'s rock club "The Troubador", features future Eagle Randy Meisner as a member of Nelson's band. Steel guitar player Tom Brumley's performance alone is worth the price. You'll listen and be saddened and surprised -- Rick Nelson was so much more than his teen-age idol image. Yet, for so many of us, the perception prevented a true appreciation of his music."

Return Of A Long Lost Talent!

Ian Cooke | Highland, CA USA | 07/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Rick Nelson "In Concert" was released in January 1970 it came as a quite a shock to many who purchased it. Here was an artist who was so ingrained in the minds of most as a fabricated "Teen Idol." How could "Ricky Nelson" interepret Bob Dylan, Eric Anderson and Tim Hardin such respected singer songwriters? Well it turns out quite well and he could even approach their caliber of songs with his own ie, "Easy To Be Free." Eric Anderson in the liner notes to this album writes "Easy To Be Free is one of the most beautiful songs I ever heard."



The band, not yet offically known as "The Stone Canyon Band," consisted of Randy Meisner on Bass/Vocals, Pat Shanahan Drummer, Alan Kemp Guitar/Vocals and Tom Brumley on Steel Guitar. Meisner would of course go on to be a founding member of the Eagles, Shanahan and Kemp to first Roger McGuinn and then New Riders Of The Purple Sage. Brumley of course was "Steel Guitarist Of the Year" in 1967 while with Buck Owens and the Buckeroos. He is now in the Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame and brought the most credibilty to the band at the time. The band and Rick would present great three part harmony and tight instrumention.



Opening with "Come On In" Rick lets the audience know "you can be just what you want to be" and Nelson wanted to be a serious musician respected for his talent. With this album Rick clearly shows that he was right there with contemporary music. Dropping right into "Hello Mary Lou" you would think you were at a honky tonk enjoying what Mike Nesmith called " the first Country Rock song." Author Stephen King (yes that Stephen King) writes "the live version of She Belongs To Me is maybe the best cover of a Dylan song ever recorded." Rick did a nice country version of "I'm Walkin" and a Cajun song "Louisianna Man" from his "Bright Lights and Country Music" album. His Rockabilly classic "Believe What You Say" is givin a rousing spirited version with a great steel solo by Brumley and fiery " I Believe" in the chorus by Meisner and Kemp. Concluding the album/cd is, in my mind the best version of "I Shall Be Released" his meaning/feelings clearly amplified by Rick and the band.



Afte being in release for over Thirty years, MCA has deleted "In Concert" and so now it sells for well over a $100 if you can find it. Recently "Bye Bye Love" with Don Everly joining Rick and "My Buckets Got A Hole In It" have surfaced. Its very clear that several songs are missing so MCA/ Andy McKaie why not give us the complete show/songs and also the bonus DVD of "Easy To Be Free" that David Nelson filmed and has only been seen by a very few. Incorporate Rick's appearance from "The Everly Brothers Show" where Nelson performs "Violets Of Dawn" and "I Shall Be Released" which are not in "Easy To Be Free" and do right by Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band.



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Classic Live Recording!

Ian Cooke | 11/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It took me over 1 year to find a used CD of this classic and it was worth the wait. Violets of Dawn, Louisiana Man and I Shall Be Released are standouts. Fantastic pedal steel by Tom Brumley. Many of the cuts on this CD are on the Rick Nelson & the Stone Canyon Band compilation CD's but they simply don't have the same "feel" of this live recording because they have omitted the audience reaction. One of the best live recordings ever. It's a real shame this CD has not been re-issued. If you're a fan of the late 60's country-rock genre, this is a must have."