The Buddy Holly Collection [2 CD]

There's a lot more to Buddy Holly than "Peggy Sue." Anyone who grew up listening to "Top 40" in the 60s, 70s, and/or 80s will appreciate Holly's earlier versions of songs that became hits for Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, the Rolling Stones, Peter & Gordon, the Beatles. Holly did not actually write all these songs. ("It Doesn't Matter Any More" was written by Paul Anka, for example.) But he had a hand in writing many of them, and he definitely put his stamp on all of them. Holly's "True Love Ways" is so beautiful it brings a tear to your eye, and the saxophone accompaniment is much more lyrical than what you got on the Peter & Gordon cover. One thing I like about the pre-psychedelic classic rock is the simple instrumentation and the lack of distortion - it's the kind of sound that your children think of as "corny," unless their musical heroes are imitating it. Also, with very young artists like Holly, there is the sense of the musician just beginning to find his sea-legs. I am thinking of the guitar work here, but you could say the same about the songwriting and the production. The first of the two discs runs for a while on a decidedly rockabilly and doo-wop style (Holly's version of "Not Fade Away" is both, and nothing like the Stones' version with its wailing blues harp), but his signature tunes clearly pre-figure Beatles-type melody and call-and-answer. Suddenly, on Disc 2, Holly bursts out of the box with "Early in the Morning." He makes good use of his well-known voice alterations on this stand-up and shout piece, but it's all high energy. If he'd only had a full gospel choir behind him it would be enough to raise the hair on the back of your neck. The Helen Way Singers do a pretty fine job, as it is. The lyrics on "Love's Made a Fool of You" and "Learning the Game" show some maturation from the early peevish-boy and sweet-love lyrics of his more famous hits like "That'll Be the Day," "Words of Love," and "Maybe Baby," or the ingenuous "Oh Boy!" You wonder how he would produce and sing these songs today. You wonder if he would have become a straight-ahead country star or an eclectic songsmith. It's clear that Holly was one of the truly great talents of his and our time.

There are a lot of tracks on this two disc collection, yet not a single dud... BUDDY always surprises, not just with his natural songwriting ability, but also with his remarkably presaging productions and wonderful song selections !! No one who loves music will be bored or sorry with this superb collection. Put it on and you won't want to take it off. I think BUDDY deserves an even better collection, and there may be more in the vaults, but I must exclaim the variety of songs and productions, plus the consistent quality of the material, is astounding! At turns, raw and rockin', sentimental, enlightening, remarkably tuneful... Right now, the best BUDDY HOLLY release available though other reviewers, even more eagerly waiting, hawk at BUDDY HOLLY GOLD (released Oct 2005) for being nothing more than a re-release of this set. BUDDY HOLLY GOLD is much cheaper than this set, and remastered, so if all the tracks are included... who'd complain? However, my own copy is this '93 release, and my review is based upon the quality of the source tapes, the sound, and most of all the huge number of recordings (50) on this fantastic collection.

Long time fan of Buddy Holly & his music but only had an old cassette tape purchased back in the 80's with just 12 of his greatest hits. Got this one after my teenage son started playing guitar this year & Peggy Sue was one of his first songs mastered... he had never heard of Buddy Holly or any of his music so I felt the need to educate him. I've never been so impressed with a CD in all my life (and I have quite a collection). 50 song titles, many of them I'd never heard until this purchase and I have to say there's not a stinker on it! Every song is wonderful & I love the sound of these discs... they sound just the way they should have back in the day.

Another reviewer said it too! THIS IS IT! Don't waste your time on other cds..this has 50 awesome songs! I was not alive when Buddy Holly was around...but these songs bring his heart to life with every note played and every word sung...from his heart..from his soul...an incredible genius. I truly believe he would've been much bigger than Elvis had he lived...."True Love Ways" brings a tear to my eyes and takes my breath away every time I hear it...and the songs ..whether a bit raw on the older tunes, to the incredible polish of the later songs..shows such heart of a man with passion and simplicity and love of life and music.

I listen to Buddy Holly frequently when driving! Its peppy.

Lots of early stuff.......

I am pleased with all the songs in this collection.

I've loved Buddy Holly since I was a kid. So happy to listen to all of his songs.

Very good, although a few songs never heard of. Have listened to it 3 times since receiving it,ordered after seeing a Buddy Holly impersonator Gavin Rousseau perform.Keeps you in a happy mood.

I really am happy with this collection. The sound remastering, is quite good.

Many of the songs are NOT sung by Buddy Holly which is very disappointing! The CD is acceptable however, mainly because I really cannot be bothered to return it!

1950年代のロックンロールの創始者の一人として知られるアメリカのシンガー・ソングライター、バディ・ホリーの楽曲50曲を収録した網羅的なベスト・アルバム（CD2枚組）。メロディックなポップソング多数。初期のビートルズやエルヴィス・コステロその他多数のミュージシャンに多大な影響を与えた人。「ヒーカップ」（しゃっくり）と呼ばれた独特のしゃくりあげるような唱法。「Rock Around With Ollie Vee」、「Brown Eyed Handsome Man」（チャック・ベリーのカヴァー）、「That'll Be the Day」、「Words of Love」（ビートルズがカヴァーした曲）、「Not Fade Away」（ローリング・ストーンズがカヴァーした曲）、「Everyday」、「Peggy Sue」、「Maybe Baby」、「Rave On」、「Well...All Right」、「Think it Over」、「It's So Easy」他佳曲多数