Bright Lights and Country Music/Country Fever [CD]

Rick's voice is a natural to handle these country tunes, and these albums were really a breath of fresh air. Although I enjoyed many of the tracks on his previous Decca albums, it was becoming painfully obvious that Rick's artistic freedom and license were stagnating in a dying music form. With these two albums, it was like Rick picked up right from where he left off in the early 1960s, and now had a definitive career path, although he'd continue experimenting with his next two follow-ups.

The interesting thing about these albums is that Rick must've been aware of many different forms of country music, because his selections range everywhere from polished Nashville Sound tunes like "Hello Walls" and "I'm A Fool to Care", to Jimmy C. Newman-esque bayou-flavored rhythms like "Louisiana Man" and "Take A City Bride", and they all come together nicely. We also witness for the first time that Rick can also put a good tune together himself with his self-penned debut in "You Just Can't Quit" and subsequent follow-up "Alone." The only regrettable missing track is probably his best self-penned tune from the era "I'm Called Lonely," which was released as a single in 1967. Will somebody out there put this on CD, please?

The final thing I need to say is a big thank you to Rick, wherever you are. I was born in the 1970s, well after Rick's heyday, but Rick really turned me on to the rock and roll music I love and listen to today. As a kid, I used to watch the Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on Disney. Like most kids, I listened only to what was on radio and MTV. But by watching his show, I was able to hear his music and I fell in love with it. I begged my mother to buy me a cassette of his greatest hits and she obliged. Well, Rick's music got me turned on to some of his contemporaries like Buddy Holly and The Everly Brothers. From there, I picked up on their disciples the Beatles, the Who, the Rolling Stones, and from there Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Genesis, The Clash, The Smiths, and on to some of the modern-day rockers. The list is too long to name all of them here, but thanks Rick. For 20 years, your music has always been in my life, and it's helped sculp my musical taste, which is varied and entertaining. Your music and talent may have been under-appreciated, but it's never been overlooked here.

At the time these recordings were made, a lot of country singers were restricted to doing so-called Nashvillr Sound records. Rick, being an outsider, was not restricted. He just recorded these albums for the sheer enjoyment of it - and it shows.

Most of these songs are covers, although Rick wrote three of the songs himself (Salty dog, Alone, You just can't quit). The covers are not necessarily better than the originals (sometimes they are) but they are distinctive. The sources range from mainstream country to cajun, yet they are all done in a traditional country style, but without those Nashville Sound strings.

An earlier reviewer claims that Lonesome whistle and Take these chains from my heart are hardly the most famous songs in the Hank Williams songbook. They may be less famous than (say) Jambalaya (which I'm sure Rick would have done brilliantly, had he recorded it) but Take these chains from my heart was a massive pop hit for Ray Charles and Lonesome whistle has been recorded by countless country singers over the years.

Following these two albums, country fans would have been happy to accept Rick as one of their own (just as they accepted Jerry Lee Lewis), but perhaps Rick didn't want to commit himself. Nobody knows, nor ever will, as Rick is long gone.

Enjoy this twofer - it not only shows Rick at his best, it also shows sixties country music at it's best. Then seek out one or more of Tracy Nelson's country album, Rhino's Jerry Lee Lewis anthology (All killer no filler), Buffy Sainte Marie's I'm gonna be a country girl again, and Nancy Sinatra's Country my way - all great examples of sixties country recorded by excellent singers who just visited the country (although Jerry Lee stayed for about ten years and Nancy recorded country songs on other albums).