Ricky Nelson (album)


Ricky Nelson is the second album by teen idol Ricky Nelson, released in 1958. The album charted in the Top 10 on the Billboard album charts, and has since been re-issued on iTunes.

Musical content

The album contained Ricky Nelson's first composition, "Don't Leave Me This Way", and a track written by his lead guitarist James Burton along with bass player James Kirkland called "There Goes My Baby". The album also included a cover of Fats Domino's "I'm in Love Again", along with a cover of Roy Orbison's "Down the Line". Also included were covers of then-recent hits and older songs updated for his style. The Jordanaires provide backing vocals.

Track listing

  1. "Shirley Lee" – 2:00
  2. "Someday " – 2:51
  3. "There's Good Rockin' Tonight" – 1:50
  4. "I'm Feelin' Sorry" – 2:19
  5. "Down the Line" – 2:33
  6. "Unchained Melody" – 2:21
  7. "I'm in Love Again" – 2:20
  8. "Don't Leave Me This Way" – 2:29
  9. "My Babe" – 2:33
  10. "I'll Walk Alone" – 2:39
  11. "There Goes My Baby" – 2:15
  12. "Poor Little Fool" – 2:33

    Reception

A review by Allmusic said that Ricky Nelson "remained a slavish imitator of the Sun Records rockabilly style on his sophomore long-player, but he had improved enormously in the endeavor", and gave the album a positive rating.