Ricky Nelson - For You: The Decca Years 1963-1969 (2008)

'The American Dream' was Bear Family's complete edition of Ricky Nelson's Verve and Imperial recordings from 1957-1962. The story ended when he left Imperial Records at the end of '62. During those five years, he was among the top-selling record stars… up there with Elvis and Pat Boone. We pick up the story in 1963 when he signed an unprecedentedly lucrative contract with Decca Records. It was the most challenging period of Rick's career. The family sitcom, 'The Adventures Of Ozzie & Harriett,' was winding down and Ricky Nelson had to carve out his own future as a musician. After a few hits reviving standards like For You and Fools Rush In, Ricky Nelson completely reinvented his music… and along the way he made the first and some say the greatest country rock records. His two LPs, 'Country Fever' and 'Bright Lights And Country Music,' were groundbreaking in their day (1966) and set the stage for Californian country rock, so perhaps it was no surprise that he hired Glen Campbell, Clarence White (soon to join the Byrds) and Randy Meisner (who would go on to form the Eagles). Ricky Nelson was that far ahead of his time. Ricky Nelson also made a hit out of a Bob Dylan song, She Belongs To Me, that Bob Dylan himself said was one of his favorite cover versions. Ricky Nelson also pulled songs from the era's other top songwriters, including Randy Newman, and by the end of the set in November 1969, he was becoming a very accomplished songwriter. Just how accomplished will become clear on the next box.

Tracklist:

CD 1
1. You Don't Love Me Anymore ( Decca De9-31 475, DL 74 419 ) 1963 (2:03)
2. I Got A Woman ( Decca De9-31 475, DL 74 419 ) 1963 (2:25)
3. What Comes Next ( Decca DL 74 419 ) 1963 (2:07)
4. Everytime I See You Smiling ( Decca DL 74 419 ) 1963 (1:58)
5. Everytime I Think About You ( Decca DL 74 419 ) 1963 (2:43)
6. For Your Sweet Love ( Decca DL 74 419 ) 1963 (2:15)
7. Gypsy Woman ( Decca De9-31 495, DL 74 419 ) 1963 (2:33)
8. I Will Follow You ( Decca DL 74 419 ) 1963 (2:27)
9. Let's Talk The Whole Thing Over ( Decca DL 74 419 ) 1963 (2:01)
10. One Boy Too Late ( Decca DL 74 419 ) 1963 (2:07)
11. Pick Up The Pieces ( Decca DL 74 419 ) 1963 (2:10)
12. String Along ( Decca De9-31 495, DL 74 419 ) 1963 (2:23)
13. You're Free To Go ( Decca DL 74 479 ) 1963 (2:01)
14. Hello Mister Happiness ( Decca DL 74 479 ) 1963 (2:11)
15. That Same Old Feeling ( Decca DL 74 479 ) 1963 (2:09)
16. Down Home ( Decca De9-31 533, DL 74 479 ) 1963 (2:44)
17. I Rise, I Fall ( Decca DL 74 479 ) 1963 (2:18)
18. ( I'd Be ) A Legend In My Time ( Decca DL 74 479 ) 1963 (2:35)
19. Fools Rush In ( Decca De9-31 533, DL 74 479 ) 1963 (2:35)
20. Just Take A Moment ( Decca DL 74 479 ) 1963 (2:10)
21. That's All She Wrote ( Decca De9-31 574, DL 74 479 ) 1963 (2:13)
22. For You ( Decca De9-31 574, DL 74 479 ) 1963 (2:18)
23. Hey There, Little Miss Tease ( Decca DL 74 479 ) 1963 (2:18)
24. The Nearness Of You ( Decca DL 74 479 ) 1963 (2:09)
25. My Old Flame ( Decca DL 74 559 ) 1964 (2:10)
26. Love Is The Sweetest Thing ( Decca DL 74 559 ) 1964 (2:15)
27. I Wonder ( If Your Love Will Ever Belong To Me ) ( Decca De9-31 612, DL 74 559 ) 1964 (2:29)
28. Be My Love ( Decca DL 74 559 ) 1964 (2:19)
29. The Very Thought Of You ( Decca De9-31 612, DL 74 559 ) 1964 (1:56)

CD 2
1. Dinah ( Decca DL 74 559 ) 1964 (3:56)
2. I'll Get You Yet ( Decca DL 74 559 ) 1964 (2:59)
3. I Don't Wanna Love You ( Decca DL 74 559 ) 1964 (2:09)
4. Just A Little Bit Sweet ( Decca DL 74 559 ) 1964 (2:13)
5. I Love You More Than You Know ( Decca DL 74 559 ) 1964 (2:49)
6. The Loneliest Sound ( Decca De9-31 656, DL 74 559 ) 1964 (2:39)
7. You'll Never Fall In Love Again ( Decca DL 74 559 ) 1964 (3:04)
8. Lonely Corner ( Decca DL 74 660 ) 1964 (2:05)
9. Just Relax ( Decca DL 74 608 ) 1964 (2:03)
10. There's Nothing I Can Say ( Decca De9-31 656 ) 1964 (2:05)
11. I've Been Lookin' ( uv CD Ace 995 ) 2004 (2:06)
12. That's Why I Love You Like I Do ( Decca DL 74 608 ) 1964 (2:39)
13. A Happy Guy ( Decca De9-31 703, DL 74 608 ) 1964 (2:16)
14. In My Dreams ( Decca DL 74 608 ) 1964 (2:26)
15. Don't Breathe A Word ( Decca De9-31 703, DL 74 608 ) 1964 (2:07)
16. I'm Talking About You ( Decca DL 74 608 ) 1964 (2:05)
17. Yesterday's Love ( Decca De9-31 800, DL 74 608 ) 1964 (2:11)
18. Live And Learn ( Decca DL 74 608 ) 1964 (2:21)
19. Liz ( Decca DL 74 678 ) 1964 (2:28)
20. I Tried ( Decca DL 74 608 ) 1964 (2:43)
21. I'm A Fool ( Decca DL 74 608 ) 1964 (1:58)
22. Stop, Look, And Listen ( Decca DL 74 608 ) 1964 (2:11)
23. From A Distance ( Decca DL 74 608 ) 1964 (3:01)
24. When The Chips Are Down ( Decca De9-31 756, DL 74 660 ) 1965 (2:04)
25. Ladies Choice ( Decca DL 74 660 ) 1965 (2:20)
26. Only The Young ( Decca DL 74 660 ) 1965 (2:25)
27. Mean Old World ( Decca De9-31 756, DL 74 660 ) 1965 (2:21)
28. Since I Don't Have You ( Decca DL 74 660 ) 1965 (2:36)
29. Say You Love Me ( Decca De9-31 845, DL 74 678 ) 1965 (2:26)
30. Love And Kisses ( Decca De9-31 845, DL 74 678 ) 1965 (1:48)
31. Love And Kisses Movie Promo 1 1965 (0:56)
32. Love And Kisses Movie Promo 2 1965 (0:58)
33. Love And Kisses Movie Promo 3 1965 (0:30)
34. Love And Kisses Movie Promo 4 1965 (0:33)
35. Love And Kisses Movie Promo 5 1965 (0:20)
36. Love And Kisses Movie Promo 6 1965 (0:19)

CD 3
1. I'm Not Ready For You Yet ( Decca DL 74 660 ) 1965 (2:07)
2. It's Beginning To Hurt ( Decca DL 74 660 ) 1965 (2:01)
3. My Blue Heaven ( Decca DL 74 660 ) 1965 (2:20)
4. How Does It Go ( Decca DL 74 660 ) 1965 (3:04)
5. You Don't Know Me ( Decca DL 74 660 ) 1965 (2:25)
6. Come Out Dancin' ( Decca De9-31 800, DL 74 678 ) 1965 (2:07)
7. I Know A Place ( Decca DL 74 660 ) 1965 (2:50)
8. Love Is Where You Find It ( Decca DL 74 678 ) 1965 (2:20)
9. I Should Have Loved You More ( Decca DL 74 678 ) 1965 (2:43)
10. I Paid For Loving You ( Decca DL 74 678 ) 1965 (2:09)
11. Raincoat In The River ( Decca DL 74 678 ) 1965 (2:24)
12. I Catch Myself Crying ( Decca DL 74 678 ) 1965 (2:01)
13. Our Own Funny Way ( Decca DL 74 678 ) 1965 (2:04)
14. I Need You ( uv CD Ace 995 ) 2004 (2:48)
15. Try To Remember ( Decca DL 74 678 ) 1965 (2:22)
16. More ( Decca DL 74 678 ) 1965 (2:00)
17. Stop The World ( And Let Me Off ) ( uv ) 2004 (1:56)
18. Your Kind Of Lovin' ( Decca De9-31 900 ) 1966 (2:43)
19. Freedom And Liberty ( uv CD Ace 995 ) 2004 (2:20)
20. Fire Breathin' Dragon ( Decca De9-31 900 ) 1966 (2:35)
21. Louisiana Man ( Decca De9-31 956, DL 74 779 ) 1966 (3:08)
22. Congratulations ( Decca DL 74 779 ) 1966 (3:02)
23. Truck Drivin' Man ( Decca DL 74 779 ) 1966 (2:06)
24. No Vacancy ( Decca DL 74 779 ) 1966 (2:22)
25. Hello Walls ( Decca DL 74 779 ) 1966 (2:23)
26. Night Train To Memphis ( Decca DL 74 779 ) 1966 (2:17)
27. I'm A Fool To Care ( Decca DL 74 779 ) 1966 (2:30)
28. You Just Can't Quit ( Decca De9-31 956, DL 74 779 ) 1966 (2:22)
29. Here I Am ( Decca DL 74 779 ) 1966 (2:26)
30. Bright Lights And Country Music ( Decca DL 74 779 ) 1966 (2:29)
31. Kentucky Means Paradise ( Decca DL 74 779 ) 1966 (2:13)
32. Welcome To My World ( Decca DL 74 779 ) 1966 (2:11)

CD 4
1. Alone ( Decca De9-32 026, DL 74 827 ) 1966 (2:37)
2. Big Chief Buffalo Nickel ( The Desert Blues ) ( Decca DL 74 827 ) 1966 (2:13)
3. Peddler Man ( uv CD Ace 995 ) 2004 (3:28)
4. Blue Moon Of Kentucky ( uv ) ( uv CD Ace 995 ) 2004 (2:03)
5. Mystery Train ( Decca DL 74 827 ) 1966 (2:26)
6. You Win Again ( Decca DL 74 827 ) 1966 (2:49)
7. ( I Heard That ) Lonesome Whistle Blow ( Decca DL 74 827 ) 1966 (2:38)
8. The Bridge Washed Out ( Decca DL 74 827 ) 1966 (1:46)
9. Take These Chains From My Heart ( Decca DL 74 827 ) 1967 (2:35)
10. Things You Gave Me ( Decca De9-32 026, DL 74 827 ) 1967 (1:52)
11. ( Standing ) On The Outside Lookin' In ( uv CD Ace 995 ) 2004 (2:28)
12. Helpless ( with backing vocals ) ( uv CD Ace 995 ) 2004 (1:54)
13. Funny How Time Slips Away ( Decca DL 74 827 ) 1967 (2:54)
14. Take A City Bride ( Decca De9-32 120, DL 74 827 ) 1967 (1:57)
15. Salty Dog ( Decca DL 74 827 ) 1967 (2:36)
16. Walkin' Down The Line ( Decca DL 74 827 ) 1967 (2:22)
17. It Doesn't Matter Anymore ( Decca DL 74 836 ) 1966 (2:18)
18. They Don't Give Medals ( To Yesterday's Heroes ) ( Decca De9-32 055, DL 74 836 ) 1966 (2:05)
19. Take A Broken Heart ( Decca De9-32 055, DL 74 836 ) 1966 (2:41)
20. Try To See It My Way ( & Joanie Sommers ) ( Decca DL 74 836 ) 1967 (2:29)
21. Freedom And Liberty ( uv CD Ace 995 ) 2004 (2:23)
22. I'm Called Lonely ( Decca De9-32 120 ) 1967 (2:19)
23. Suzanne On A Sunday Morning ( Decca De9-32 176, DL 74 944 ) 1967 (1:57)
24. Moonshine ( Decca De9-32 176 ) 1967 (2:14)
25. Helpless ( without backing vocals ) ( uv CD Ace 995 ) 2004 (1:58)

CD 5
1. Reason To Believe ( Decca DL 74 944 ) 1967 (3:45)
2. Marshmallow Skies ( Decca DL 74 944 ) 1967 (2:17)
3. I Wonder If Louise Is Home ( Decca DL 74 944 ) 1967 (2:19)
4. Georgia On My Mind ( Decca DL 74 944 ) 1967 (2:41)
5. Barefoot Boy ( Decca De9-32 298, DL 74 944 ) 1967 (2:35)
6. Dream Weaver ( Decca De9-32 222, DL 74 944 ) 1967 (2:52)
7. Baby Close Its Eyes ( Decca De9-32 222, DL 74 944 ) 1967 (1:40)
8. Don't Make Promises ( Decca De9-32 298, DL 74 944 ) 1967 (2:50)
9. Daydream ( Decca DL 74 944 ) 1967 (2:40)
10. Don't Blame It On Your Wife ( Decca De9-32 284, DL 74 944 ) 1967 (2:37)
11. Promenade In Green ( Decca De9-32 284, DL 74 944 ) 1967 (2:07)
12. Three Day Eternity ( Decca DL 75 014 ) 1968 (2:22)
13. The Lady Stayed With Me ( Decca DL 75 014 ) 1968 (2:14)
14. I Think It's Gonna Rain Today ( Decca DL 75 014 ) 1968 (3:21)
15. When The Sun Shined Its Face On Me ( Decca DL 75 014 ) 1968 (2:21)
16. Medley; So Long Dad & Love Story ( Reprise ) ( Decca DL 75 014 ) 1968 (4:01)
17. Wait Till Next Year ( Decca DL 75 014 ) 1968 (2:18)
18. For Emily Wherever I Find Her ( Decca DL 75 014 ) 1968 (2:46)
19. Without Her ( Decca DL 75 014 ) 1968 (2:33)
20. Stop By My Window ( Decca DL 75 014 ) 1968 (2:52)
21. Hello To The Wind ( Bonjour le vent ) ( & Kris Nelson ) ( Decca DL 75 014 ) 1968 (3:05)
22. Love Story ( Decca DL 75 014 ) 1968 (3:02)
23. Lady Came From Baltimore ( uv CD Ace 995 ) 2004 (2:16)
24. I Think It's Gonna Rain Today ( uv CD Ace 995 ) 2004 (3:06)
25. She Belongs To Me ( Decca De9-32 550 ) 1969 (3:04)
26. Promises ( Decca De9-32 550 ) 1969 (2:37)
27. Easy To Be Free ( Decca De9-32 635 ) 1970 (3:15)
28. If You Gotta Go, Go Now ( Decca DL 75 162 ) 1970 (2:31)
29. Promises ( uv CD Ace 995 ) 2004 (2:38)

CD 6
1. Believe What You Say ( Decca DL 75 162 ) 1970 (3:06)
2. Bye-Bye Love ( & Don Everly ) 2000 (2:11)
3. Come On In ( Decca De9-32 635, DL 75 162 ) 1970 (2:50)
4. Easy To Be Free ( Decca DL 75 162 ) 1970 (3:19)
5. Hello Mary Lou ( Decca DL 75 162 ) 1970 (2:37)
6. If You Gotta Go, Go Now ( Decca De9-32 676, DL 75 162 ) 1970 (2:50)
7. I'm Walkin' ( Decca DL 75 162 ) 1970 (2:03)
8. I Shall Be Released ( Decca De9-32 676, DL 75 162 ) 1970 (3:37)
9. It's Late ( uv ) 2008 (2:16)
10. I Think It's Going To Rain Today ( uv ) 2008 (3:18)
11. Lady Came From Baltimore ( uv ) 2008 (2:27)
12. Louisiana Man ( Decca DL 75 162 ) 1970 (3:02)
13. My Bucket's Got a Hole In It ( uv CD Ace 995 ) 2004 (1:54)
14. Poor Little Fool ( uv ) 2008 (2:19)
15. Red Balloon ( Decca DL 75 162 ) 1970 (3:19)
16. She Belongs To Me ( Decca DL 75 162 ) 1970 (2:59)
17. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here with You ( uv ) 2008 (2:48)
18. Travelin' Man ( uv ) 2008 (2:32)
19. Violets Of Dawn ( Decca DL 75 162 ) 1970 (4:21)
20. Who Cares About Tomorrow & Promises ( Decca DL 75 162 ) 1970 (6:11)