James Burton, of course, is known for being Elvis’ guitarist throughout the 1970s, but he played with everyone, most notably Ricky Nelson. Listen to some of that old Ricky Nelson stuff. Listen to Burton’s guitar solos. Astonishing stuff. Completely contemporary, thrilling stuff. James Burton is still alive. Me and Charley went to go see him in 2013, and it was such a memorable awesome night. Burton played with legends. Burton is a legend. I went on a bit of a Ricky Nelson/James Burton tear yesterday and found a couple of clips.
The first one is from 1958, from Ozzie and Harriet. Ricky and James sit down and play acoustic guitars together, an extended duet. Wonderful!
The second clip is from when James Burton played with The Nelson Brothers (Matthew and Gunnar Nelson), sons of Ricky Nelson. They play a really fun Ricky Nelson song, “It’s Late,” (listen to how strong the 1950s are in the lyrics! The couple stayed out too late, and they will be in big trouble!).
Ricky Nelson’s original is a lot of fun.
The contemporary version, with Nelson’s sons and James Burton, is awesome as well.
Zoom in on what James Burton is doing on that guitar in that last clip. Goosebumps.
So interesting that for so long, James gave Ricky credibility. Even in the sixties/seventies when it was often (falsely) assumed Ricky was just a pretty boy teen idol, the serious folks couldn’t quite dismiss his RECORDS because, well, James Burton played on them. That first clip is especially nice because it makes clear that Ricky was no mean guitar player himself…takes more than a little skill to be that in tune with a guy that good, playing in that many different modes.
And, wow, the family vocal resemblance on the clips from the boys is remarkable. Not something I would have guessed from their hair metal days!
NJ – Yes, I love that first clip too – you’re totally right, Ricky can keep up, hold his own, no easy feat indeed.
I can see why Burton gave him credibility – although it’s ridiculous that Ricky Nelson somehow lacked that. I mean, there’s barely a bad song in his library. He had it down. I love his stuff. God help you if you become a teen idol – because then no one will take you seriously!
// the family vocal resemblance on the clips from the boys is remarkable. //
Right?? I had never seen that clip before, and in surfing around I came across it. I love at one moment during “It’s Late” you can see the Nelson drummer in the background, drumming, looking up at Burton, and smiling like he can’t believe how awesome life is. Beautiful!
Ricky also had that curse of making it look (and sound) too easy…I always remember something Frankie Avalon said once, which was to the effect that people tended to forget how many thousands apply for the job and how few actually get hired (let alone sell millions of records). Still holds true, alas.
No worse crime than making it look easy!
Unless it’s being that good-looking while you do it!