The Memphis Sessions is American musician Rick Nelson's final studio album.[1][2] It was released posthumously in May 1986. Nelson recorded it in 1978–79 in Memphis, Tennessee. A few months after Nelson's death, CBS hired Nashville producer Steve Buckingham to replace the original drum and lead guitar tracks and remix the material.[3] Guitar player John Beland thought that the record label ruined Nelson's material.[4]
The Real Gone Music label included the album in the 2012 The Complete Epic Recordings box set.[5]Bear Family included the album in the 2010 The Last Time Around box set.[6]
The album charted for four weeks on the Billboard Top Country Albums, peaking at No. 62.[7]
Billboard gave the album a positive review, saying that "these recordings from 1978-79 show off Neslon's rockabilly and '60s-rock leanings."[11]Cashbox gave the album a positive review, saying that it features "a compilation of favorites, including 'True Love Ways', 'Send Me Somebody to Love', [and] 'Sleep Tight, Good Night Man'".[12]
The Chicago Times wrote: "The result transforms inspired work that no doubt would have excited Nelson fans into a package that should delight anybody who enjoys classic rock and roll, heartfelt vocal work and good music-making. Buckingham's technique brings Nelson's voice out front as never before."[13] The Ottawa Citizen opined that "Nelson's vocals have never sounded better on such rockabilly songs as 'Rave On' and 'That's All Right Mama'."[14]The Atlanta Journal-Constitution concluded that "the backing, some of which was added after Nelson's death, is uninspired."[15]
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