Wikipedia

The Memphis Sessions (Rick Nelson album)

The Memphis Sessions is American musician Rick Nelson's final studio album.[1][2] It was released posthumously in May 1986. Nelson recorded it in 1978–79 in Memphis, Tennessee. A few months after Nelson's death, CBS hired Nashville producer Steve Buckingham to replace the original drum and lead guitar tracks and remix the material.[3] Guitar player John Beland thought that the record label ruined Nelson's material.[4]

The Memphis Sessions
Studio album by
Rick Nelson
ReleasedMay 1986
GenreRock and roll, rockabilly
Length29:29
LabelEpic
ProducerSteve Buckingham
Rick Nelson chronology
All My Best
(1985) 		The Memphis Sessions
(1986)
Singles from The Memphis Sessions
  1. "Dream Lover""
    Released: May 1986

The Real Gone Music label included the album in the 2012 The Complete Epic Recordings box set.[5]

The album charted for four weeks on the Billboard Top Country Albums, peaking at No. 62.[6]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [7]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [8]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide     [9]

Billboard gave the album a positive review, saying that "these recordings from 1978-79 show off Neslon's rockabilly and '60s-rock leanings."[10] Cashbox gave the album a positive review, saying that it features "a compilation of favorites, including 'True Love Ways', 'Send Me Somebody to Love', [and] 'Sleep Tight, Good Night Man'".[11]

The Chicago Times wrote: "The result transforms inspired work that no doubt would have excited Nelson fans into a package that should delight anybody who enjoys classic rock and roll, heartfelt vocal work and good music-making. Buckingham's technique brings Nelson's voice out front as never before."[12] The Ottawa Citizen opined that "Nelson's vocals have never sounded better on such rockabilly songs as 'Rave On' and 'That's All Right Mama'."[13] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution concluded that "the backing, some of which was added after Nelson's death, is uninspired."[14]

Track listing

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Side one

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."That's All Right"Arthur Crudup2:36
2."It's All Over Now"Bobby Womack, Shirley Womack3:28
3."Dream Lover"Bobby Darin3:12
4."Rave On"West-Tilghman-Petty2:44
5."Sleep Tight, Good Night Man"John Lorber, Jeff Silbar3:24

Side two

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Almost Saturday Night"John Fogerty2:42
2."Lay Back in the Arms of Someone"Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman3:04
3."Stuck in the Middle with You"Gerry Rafferty, Joe Egan3:29
4."Send Me Somebody to Love"Tim Krekel2:55
5."True Love Ways"Buddy Holly, Norman Petty1:55

Charts

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Chart (1986) Peak
position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[6] 62

References

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  1. ^ Taylor, Jonathan (8 June 1986). "Albums May Renew Rick Nelson's Star Status". Los Angeles Times. p. L11.
  2. ^ Albert, George (22 June 1986). "A True Superstar". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 12.
  3. ^ Hurst, Jack (18 May 1986). "A Rick Nelson Album". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. J5.
  4. ^ Lewis, Jim (9 Jan 1987). "Friend Defends Nelson One Year After Death". Features Showtime. Sun Sentinel. p. 37.
  5. ^ "Rick Nelson - The Complete Epic Recordings". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Ricky Nelson | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  7. ^ "The Memphis Sessions Rick Nelson". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  8. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press.
  9. ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 498, 499.
  10. ^ "Billboard Country's Recommed LPs: Rick Nelson – The Memphis Sessions". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 24. June 14, 1986. p. 69.
  11. ^ "Country Album Reviews: Rick Nelson The Memphis Sessions". Cash Box. Vol. 50. June 21, 1986. p. 32.
  12. ^ "RICK NELSON'S 'MEMPHIS SESSIONS' DUSTED OFF AND POLISHED WITH". Chicago Tribune. 1986-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  13. ^ Abrams, Mike (11 July 1986). "Rock". Ottawa Citizen. p. D5.
  14. ^ Kloer, Phil (July 5, 1986). "Record Reviews". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. L26.
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