Ricky Nelson - Hello Mary Lou (with solo by James Burton)
Rick Nelson was one of the very biggest of the '50s teen idols, so it took awhile for him to attain the same level of critical respectability as other early rock greats. Yet now the consensus is that he made some of the finest pop/rock recordings of his era. Sure, he had more promotional push than any other rock musician of the '50s; no, he wasn't the greatest singer; and yes, Elvis, Gene Vincent, Carl Perkins, and others rocked harder. But Nelson was extraordinarily consistent during the first five years of his recording career, crafting pleasant pop-rockabilly hybrids with ace session players and projecting an archetype of the sensitive, reticent young adult with his accomplished vocals. He also played a somewhat underestimated role in rock & roll's absorption into mainstream America -- how bad could rock be if it was featured on one of America's favorite family situation comedies on a weekly basis?
Nelson entered professional entertainment before his tenth birthday, when he appeared with father Ozzie, mother Harriet, and brother David on a radio comedy series based around the family. By the early '50s, the series was on television, and Ricky grew into a teenager in public. He was just the right age to have his life turned around by rock & roll in 1956 and started his recording career the following year recording a cover of Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin'" that went to number four. So far the script was adhering to the Pat Boone teen idol prototype -- a whitewash of an R&B hit stealing the thunder from the pop audience, sung by a young, good-looking fella with barely any musical experience to speak of. What happened next was easy to predict commercially but surprisingly satisfying musically as well.
Nelson was a fairly hip kid who preferred the rockabilly of Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley to the fodder dished out for teen idols, and over the next five years he would offer his own brand of rockabilly music, one with some smooth Hollywood production touches and occasional pure pop ballads. Nelson recruited one of the greatest early rock guitarists, James Burton, to supply authentic licks (another great guitarist, Joe Maphis, played on some early sides). Some of his best and toughest songs ("Believe What You Say," "It's Late") were written by Johnny and/or Dorsey Burnette, who had previously been in one of the best rockabilly combos, the Johnny Burnette Rock 'n Roll Trio. Ricky could rock pretty hard when he wanted to, as on "Be-Bop Baby" and "Stood Up," though in a polished fashion that wasn't quite as wild and threatening as rockabilly's Southern originators. Nelson really hit his stride, though, with mid-tempo numbers and ballads that provided a more secure niche for his calm vocals and narrow range. From 1957 to 1962, he was about the highest-selling singer in the U.S. except for Elvis, making the Top 40 about 30 times. "Poor Little Fool" and "Lonesome Town" (1958) were early indications of his ballad style; in the early '60s, "Travelin' Man," "Young World," "Teen Age Idol," and other hits pointed to a more countrified, mature style as he honed in on his 21st birthday (by which time he would shorten his billing from "Ricky" to "Rick"). He could still play rockabilly from time to time, the most memorable example being "Hello, Mary Lou" (co-written by Gene Pitney), with its electrifying James Burton solos.
Nelson was lured away from the Imperial label by a mammoth 20-year contract with Decca in 1963, and for a year or so the hits continued, at a less frenetic pace. Early-1964's "For You," however, would be his last big smash of the '60s. His country-rock outings attracted more critical acclaim than commercial success, until 1972's "Garden Party." A rare self-composed number, based around the frosty reception granted his contemporary material at a rock & roll oldies show, it became his last Top Ten hit. Nelson would continue to record off and on for the next dozen years and toured constantly, yet he was unable to capitalize on his assets. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
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The greatest guitar solo of all time. James Burton is still one of the greatest guitar players of all time.
@georgemoomaw2244
3 жыл бұрын
James called it chickin-pickin
@britisheagle9776
2 жыл бұрын
you said that right im a verry very big fan of mr james burton i wrote to him a bout 7 yrs a go asking him for a sighed photo 3 weeks after i recieved a photo of james and elvis personaly sighed
@DonnSeib
2 жыл бұрын
@@britisheagle9776 excellent. James was E’s favorite guitar player.
@excelsior999
2 жыл бұрын
You got THAT right, and Mr. Burton is still going strong at 80
@peanutsmcgonnagle2458
2 жыл бұрын
@@britisheagle9776 Wow! SOO good to hear that!
I literally get chills Everytime I hear the Burton solo. definitely the best attribute to the song.
@ITILII
4 жыл бұрын
James Burton, lead guitar for both Ricky, and Elvis. The look Ricky gives James at 1:00 is like, many years later, Elvis saying "Play it, James!"
@teletwang26
3 жыл бұрын
It happens the same to me. I've made a cover of this song (including the solo). Check it out if you want kzread.info/dash/bejne/o6Gt06x9qrfMYps.html
@padraiglyons5439
2 жыл бұрын
@@ITILII when I first heard it, I loved the song with it's jaunty rythm but that James Burton solo seemed to come out of nowhere, so unexpected, almost as if it doesn't belong to the song but does at the same time. It's such a cliche of cliches but it really is such a kick-ass solo.
@francoamerican4632
Жыл бұрын
I think the solo is an essential part of the song. I listened to another version of this song that has the solo edited out and it didn't have the same high energy and flow as the solo version has.
@shizueleighhicks6174
Жыл бұрын
Brilliant James Burton🖖
No one else back then could play like James because they hadnt figured out his trick of using four light banjo strings, and then just regular D and A strings for the fifth and sixth strings. So he could easily bend notes that were out of bounds with regular heavier strings.
james Burton a much under appreciated guitar great
@johnlane7324
6 жыл бұрын
Back in the day James Burton was the " God Father of the Tele'''
@rc1564
4 жыл бұрын
He was never under appreciated. Perhaps you're too young to have a appreciated him
@georgemoomaw2244
3 жыл бұрын
@@rc1564 RIGHT ON!!
The solo that never dies!
James Burton is the real star of this song. Unlike Ricky Nelson, he was able to capitalize on his assets for the next 50 years. I don't think James Burton ever changed his style either; he stayed the same and the world came to him. I'm not so much a fan of rockabilly and country music, but I'm a huge James Burton fan. If he's playing, I'm listening.
@hopedove1943
7 жыл бұрын
banjo bo y
@richardodonnell533
3 жыл бұрын
Burton was and still is a guitar legend ,rip
Ricky, gone too soon. Thanks for James Burton on guitar.
Okay, I am 65 years old now, and when I was 6, I saw this on the Ozzie and Harriet show, and loved the song and Ricky's singing, but James Burton's (who was not identified on the show) guitar picking was what made me a rock and roll guitar and rockabilly singing fan for life. Sadly, I was among those who, a few years later, when those long haired blow dried Brits came over with even better music, lost all respect for anyone who looked like Rick, just because of the greasy slick hair that looked so different from my new heroes. Even though most of those guys were terrible, I was wrong. Much later, I came to realize that I still love James' guitar picking, and Rick's unique singing style. I was so wrong Rick, and I am so sorry now for my lack of respect for your great music, even though it is too late to tell you so. If Rick hadn't lost his life so soon, he would have been vastly more appreciated in his own life, by me and many others my age. Thanks Rick, Thanks James.
Great singing by Ricki and a great solo by James Burton!!! 👏👍👏❤️
Rick Nelson made some very pleasant and enjoyable songs that really sound great today. It's too bad that today's pop music can't even remotely compare to his work.
@mj.l
7 жыл бұрын
if you think "today's pop music" is what you hear on the radio, you'd be wrong
@HemingJulner
6 жыл бұрын
Michael Pop music is the popular music in a given era. The music you hear on the radio is the exact definition of pop music.
@EJP286CRSKW
6 жыл бұрын
Heming Julner Except that nobody actually likes it. If you compare surveys from then and now you find many times the oarticipation rate back then. I saw a more recent one that showed 21% of people preferred 'pop' music. You can't call that 'popular'. Classical 2nd at 20%, country 3rd at 17%, etc. When I was a kid you couldn't move for Buddy Holly records, Beatles albums, etc. Never seen any pop music CDs lying around houses in last 35 years.
@excelsior999
2 жыл бұрын
What's a Radio? Is that the Thingie you can turn on to get the weather report?
James Burton was and is one of the greatest guitar players to ever hit the stages... He and Tommy Allsup (who recently passed away Jan. 11, 2017) were two absolutely fantastic guitar players of all time!!! Good clean pickin'~N~playin'...
Theres no denying that this little guitar solo was one small step for a guitarist, one giant leap for guitarists.
Never missed an episode of Ozzie and Harriet, the end of the show was always the best, Ozzie Nelson was a genius, he was one of the first if not the first to present music videos, he new how to promote his son Ricky's music....Great back up band, James Burton a pioneer in Rock n Roll Guitar!
James Burton ,an greatest Guitar-Player, He Looks very friendly and a fun Man.
As a child I loved watching James Burton play as Ricky sang. I have since come to know the unassuming bass player in back was none other than the late, great Joe Osborn. RIP.
I can still remember having to wait for the radio in my father's car to "warm up" so the tubes could conduct and for us to hear Ricky and James play music. What a GREAT time !!!!!
What can you say about this guy? I have seen more musically and voice talented, but Ricky is super special and a total package 😊
Burton invented country style guitar
Good music never gets old. Good to hear always.
Great song by one of the best , group, and of course Jame Burton,,thanks
James Burton is the BEST!
James Burton's solo was impeccable and perfect for the song. What an incredible talent. His work with Roy Orbison and Elvis was truely some of the best picking of the time.
Beautiful classic! Thanks.
el ritmo es hermoso !!!
Teenage James Birton back there, playing stuff people today can't play. And the people today playing low-action guitars with bendy strings. Rick Nelson was a beast
A clean, almost atmospherical, voice with the haunting guitar of James Burton. The rhytm section, the voice, guitar lines, everything is perfect here. Many artists, including Rick himself, have tried to recreate this song on several occasions. They have all failed. But I must admit that I like the second night rendition that Queen made on Wembley 1986.
Love Ricky who sang this song very well. Also love James Burton who played a legendary guitar solo here, Only one other solo was even better, and that was Burton's playing on :Fools Rush In!
It's very difficult to play like guitarist James Burton, he has a unique style, firstly he listened a lot to the old guys, then he put everything together and made the perfect dish...he's a phenomenal guy, the bassist and the drummer, and James Burton was the backbone of the band. Brazil band 🇧🇷
@user-ip5dm6jf8k
2 ай бұрын
More cowbell!
Wow!,strike one for Jimmy Burton, one of the most heard but unheralded guitarists in pop music history He was playing roughly the same time as Cliff Gallup of Gene Vincent`s Blue Caps but Gallup did not like full time show business so he played week ends as a semi pro till he died in 1989.James is till with us I think.Both brilliant players ,influential and relatively unknown (except to millions of guitar players.!)
Freaking James Burton has always been one of my favorite guitarists....up there with Jeff Beck, Mick Ronson, Robert Fripp, Steve Hunter/Dick Wagner...all totally different but they have one thing in common...they never disappoint.
I remember waiting for the end of the show to see if Ricky had something new. Strange, I never bought a record.
Okay, so Ricky was never going to be another Elvis. But he could make music good enough to make Elvis say, "I want his guitar player." James Burton.
Yep! That solo blew everyone’s minds when they heard it. It is by far the best part of the song. He is a legend!
James Burton helped "write the book" on rock n roll guitar, along with several others. Chuck Berry , Scotty Moore, for example. We owe them a huge debt for inventing the style ...
What a great Birthday Wish.....thank you Mark Linke!!! Loved it!!!!!
One of the most intricate rhythms for a song ever recorded, along with Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition.' Masterful.
Timeless classic
Started watching him as a kid on the Ozzie and Harriet show, he would perform at the end separate from the episode. Fast forward, I was staying at the hotel in Dallas he was to perform at on Dec 31 1985 with my girlfriend but we didn't know he was to be there, we saw the poster after we checked in. His plane crashed en route to this performance.
Das war schon in meiner Jugendzeit ein großartiges Musikvergnügen. Heute ist es nicht andrrs Bin begeistert ( 76 ).❤❤❤
Beautiful song with attractive voice of Rick
The flip side "Traveling Man" went to #1. This one stopped at #9 but over the years radio has played this side a lot more. It's my favorite. Once again guitarist James Burton delivers nicely.
😢😢🎉🎉❤❤ música lindíssima boa gosto Rick Nelson cantor faz muito sucesso até hoje faz muito sucesso até hoje faz muito
I remember watching James over Ricky's shoulder often during my childhood.
great song lv all his songs 🤩😍🤩😍😻😻 i have all his song
It’s been said a million times, but still I say, this is the greatest guitar solo of all time.
Rick & James! This is a great song, Rick does it very well and the guitar solo was literally history making! I remember seeing this on Ozzie and Harriett with my musician friends and we went nuts! This was the first time I saw James play a Jazzmaster! Great post! Thanks!
@dennylibertario2246
4 жыл бұрын
Is that a Jazzmaster or a Jaguar? He should have had a Telecaster as we all know him by for the rest of his career. This video was the epitome of bad synching between video and audio, and some not so deft faking it by the musicians. Wouldn't it be great if we had a decent quality video of a live performance where he actually picked that solo and played it thru an amp instead of hamming it up for the camera to a recording?
@jacquescousteau217
4 жыл бұрын
the1realanalogman Funny you mention that. James played his 54 Telecaster on ALL of Ricks records, but on the show he used to mix up the guitars, like the Jazzmaster,and even 6120 Gretsch. It used to drive me nuts. “ How is he getting that sound out of a gretsch or jazzmaster. He wasn’t , it was the old red Telly with banjo strings on top so he could bend. James was sooo far ahead of the curve.
Great foot-tapping rhythm on this song. Fantastic live performance, perfect vocals and THAT guitar solo.
I remember Rick, he was a great performer. Wonderful.....Don.
Music that lasts forever! Wonderful Ricky Nelson.
James Burton is sooo great! Just listen to the break!!! He was on a lot of the Lew Chudd Imperial records rockabilly and he injected all that influence into rick's performances.... Wonderful memories from the unspoiled days...
One of my 2 favorite rock 'n roll songs of my early teen years. Both by Ricky Nelson and both because of the James Burton guitar break between the second and third verses. The songs are Hello Mary Lou and Believe What You Say.
Inolvidable canciones del recuerdo
In 1961 some guitarist named James Burton accomplishes in 19 seconds what most shredders have been trying and failing to do ever since. Creating the perfect guitar solo while gaining a reputation of being "cool."
Keith Richards said he never bought a Ricky Nelson record. He bought James Burton records.
What would we have done without the KING & Ricky ? My teenage idols.....yeeeeezzzzzz..
A true iconic legend America's son Ricky Nelson you are missed worldwide and you're loved worldwide The traveling Man Ricky Nelson your music not only remains in our hearts and generations to come as well
James Burton is the greatest solo guitar player.
Ricky had those young babes bopping to the music all along.
Ricky's parents had access to the very best people to promote their son. Everything they did was first class.
One of the true classics!
😮😢❤❤🎉🎉 música lindíssima boa gosto Rick Nelson cantor faz muito sucesso até hoje faz muito sucesso até hoje faz muito sucesso até hoje faz muito
This is the guitar solo that inspired Brian May to change his string gauge and switch to banjo 🪕 strings……a huge influence on Clapton, Brian May and so many great guitar players 👏👏👏
Written by the one and only Gene Pitney.
1:00-1:19 James Burtons guitar solo ... still incredibly!
Hank Garland, James Burton... Shoulda gotten the credit they deserved decades ago... 'Nuff said!!!
This song is not the same without Burton's solo...Thanks for posting.
Ricky was really really ridiculously good looking.
I'm havin all my geeetar students learnin this solo...a lesson in string- bending!
@mrbelcherful
9 жыл бұрын
Sock it to em my friend, I love playing the solo too !!
@JellyrollHorton
7 жыл бұрын
That solo is really difficult. I can get the notes OK but I can"t get the right hand picking. James is a master for sure.
@Johngonefishin
7 жыл бұрын
Finger chicken picken good !
@tomhits
7 жыл бұрын
When I was a kid I always hungered for R.Nelson to come on the radio, so I could listen to Burton`s licks. Some say they´re easy to play, but I say take a closer listen and try again. Left hand might be ok but most fail right hand to even get close to what Burton sounds like. Listened to a couple renditions here on utube, nothing even close there....
When I was 16 this is the music I got when I was right a the dance halls brilliant it brings back all the. Memories 'agh I wish I could go back to them days I'm now 62 were has the time gone
I'm 64. All I can think is we were so spoiled.
@HardRockMaster7577
3 жыл бұрын
There was no Rock'n'Roll in my house. My parents were already in their mid-30s and wanted nothing to do with it. There was no family viewing of TV shows with Rock'n'Roll... Until 1964 when The Beatles came along and I insisted on watching them debut on the Ed Sullivan show. My parents didn't think much of them, but I loved The Beatles, and that changed everything for me. It was only The Beatles "pop" music that I paid attention to as a child. The only crooners that I remember hearing in my home were Nat King Cole and Andy Williams. No teen idol crooners. But by the time I was a teenager in 1968, the music world had changed forever with album Rock supplanting any desire for "pop" music on my part.
I can’t ever skip this!
He was a great singer. RIP.
Thank you very much, John1948Ten, for your beautifully written, informative notes about Ricky Nelson. I'm 65 and I think a lot of us just loved him without appreciating what a hardworking, musical student and sophisticate he was. Accompaniment by James Burton. That must have been Rick's doing, yes? I wish now there were a little "Open My Notes" button on your video. You have no idea how many times I've enjoyed this clip of Hello Mary Lou and now, this morning, I finally see your wonderful notes. Thank you so much!
@HardRockMaster7577
3 жыл бұрын
Please note that the article is credited to Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide, so you can thank John1948Ten for posting it.
@shizueleighhicks6174
Жыл бұрын
I second that!
More cowbell!
@EverTheTwain
5 жыл бұрын
i know, that guy is so steadyyyyyyyy!!!!
@gns423
3 жыл бұрын
Love that cowbell!
Thank you for sharing your videos with us. I was born the last year of the baby boomers and love the era these songs were created in.
The song was written by Gene Pitney, that's probably why it's my favorite song by Rick Nelson.
Hey you guys...pleeease, don't forget Scotty Moore! Another "monster"! He played some precious solos in Elvis' gold records, to name a few, "Don't be cruel", "Hound dog", "I need your love tonight", Gotta lotta livin' to do", "Like a baby"! Superb solos! Great, just greeeat!!!
Wooo my best song 🙌💖
James Burton was a beast on guitar, this solo is so good
More cowbell!!
Doesn’t get much better than this ! 😅❤
Es toda una estrella en el lejano firmamento que lo tenemos frente a nosotros ahí nomás disfrutemos pues lo bueno lo mejor de lo mejor.
That's so silky smooth....
Lekker nummer,kun je goed op swingen.👍💕
My grandads' favourite song. What a banger
I do believe that's Joe Osborne from The Wrecking on bass.
James Burton is the greatest 👍👍👍
To Nelson's left is the amazing bass player, Joe Osborn. He and James Burton are both from Shreveport.
God Bless RICKY NELSON...good to hear this one again...Joe Nania a.k.a. Hollywood Joe
congrats and thanks for posting this version which actually gives James Burton the face time he deserves during his solo
The GREAT piano fills up the undertone and undefscores the whole song - besides the solo being great
Classic
I love you ricky nelson 👍
Looks like George Harrison got some of his moves from James. :)
@shizueleighhicks6174
6 жыл бұрын
You are so right!
@kianikalander4233
4 жыл бұрын
Yeah I noticed that too!
@jacquescousteau217
4 жыл бұрын
George and James had a mutual admiration society. Both killer players . Ironically James was 19 when this was shot,same age as George when Beatles hit in 1963. Talent at such young ages.
I loved to listen to him. He was pretty easy on the eyes too.
James Burton was ahead of his time. He was doing "chicken pickin'" long before it was fashionable. Watch Jerry Reed, Vince Gill and many others and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Average? You obviously don't know guitar players or are not familiar with Burton's career.
@ITILII
5 жыл бұрын
James Burton is a LEGEND....lead guitarist first for Ricky Nelson, and years later, when Elvis started touring again, he asked James to be his lead guitarist.....enough said
@elainekerslake6865
2 жыл бұрын
More than enough.
Jumpin James Burton take a bow son
It's so cute seeing the girls' backs and how they r all moving & swinging. Now they may be in their 80s and 90s or have passed away. But I bet they had a wonderful evening back then.
Love you Ricky Nelson