Best Always is the twelfth studio album by rock and roll and pop idol Rick Nelson, and his fifth for Decca Records, released on April 19, 1965. One single, "Mean Old World", debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in the issue of the magazine dated March 20, 1965, eventually reaching number 96 during its two-week stay.[1]Jimmie Haskell arranged the album and Charles "Bud" Dant produced it.
Richie Unterberger of AllMusic said that "It boasts a quite good pop melody. Nelson stretches his vocal range on the cover of the Skyliners' "Since I Don't Have You," and gives a taste of his upcoming move into country with a version of "You Don't Know Me."[2]
Billboard called it "A Strong support" and stated that "a dozen pop hits, some old, some recent are given fine interpretations."[4]
Cashbox gave a positive review, saying "it a compilation of mixed tunes, some soft and some driving. Along with his recent single, “Mean Old World,” Nelson bounces through “I Know A Place” and the while back “Since I Don’t Have You."[5]
Record Mirror called it "genuinely entertaining" and claimed "The contents are a good selection. and every track given single treatment. rather than a general album sound".[6]
