| Spotlight on Rick | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Rick Nelson |
| Cover: | Spotlight on Rick.jpg |
| Released: | November 23, 1964 |
| Genre: |
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| Length: | 28:00 |
| Label: | Decca |
| Producer: | Charles "Bud" Dant |
| Prev Title: | The Very Thought of You |
| Prev Year: | 1964 |
| Next Title: | Best Always |
| Next Year: | 1965 |
Spotlight on Rick is the eleventh studio album by rock and roll and pop idol Rick Nelson, and his fourth for Decca Records, released on November 23, 1964.
The track, "A Happy Guy", was released as a single and peaked at number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] and number 83 on the Cashbox singles chart.[2] it features the early recording of "I'm a Fool" (which would later be a hit for Dino, Desi & Billy the following year) and a cover of Chuck Berry "I'm Talking About You",[3] (which he would re-record it on His Album Garden Party 8 years later).[4] Jimmie Haskell arranged the album and Charles "Bud" Dant produced it.
The album was released on compact disc by Ace Records on December 9, 1997, as tracks 13 through 24 on a pairing of two albums on one CD with tracks 1 through 12 consisting of Nelson's 1964 album, The Very Thought of You.[5] Bear Family included the album in the 2008 For You: The Decca Years box set.[6]
Richie Unterberger of AllMusic wrote that 'Nelson's mid-'60s albums would have seemed like far more respectable efforts had they been able to escape comparison with a fast-changing rock scene. which had some average contributions by above-average writers like Baker Knight and Jerry Fuller. An energetic stab at Chuck Berry's "I'm Talking About You," and a nice tune from the pen of ex-Cricket Sonny Curtis ("Don't Breathe a Word"), were mild highlights'.[7]
Billboard selected the album for a "Spotlight Album" review, and stated his easy-going ballads and delivered in his usual winning style. The songs are teen-grooved".[8]
Cashbox stated his 'distinctive wide range baritone voice and emotion-packed delivery carries him in good stead.'[9]
Record Mirror give the album a positive review, saying "[Nelson] persents a new collection of songs"[10]
Variety praised Nelson for "his delivering his ballads with strong rock feeling and belting out the uptempo sides in a manner that should catch the teen beaters."[11]