It’s difficult to say if Don McLean’s epic “American Pie” completely summarizes the “day the music died,” but the day we lost Buddy Holly should be considered the first true rock and roll tragedy (in music history). It was February 3, 1959, when Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson boarded their small plane that crashed near Clear Lake, Iowa, killing the three pioneers. Holly’s effect on music has become immeasurable over the years, finding its way into country, pop, contemporary, rockabilly, folk, etc.
Listen to Me: Buddy Holly – released on September 6, 2011 – mirrors Holly’s broad reach and influence on everything musical. The set features completely new arrangements and adaptations from each artist (that) breathe new life into Holly’s songbook.
Peter Asher (Peter & Gordon fame) produces the new 16-track compilation that gathers together Stevie Nicks (“Not Fade Away”), Ringo Starr (“Think it Over”), Lyle Lovett (“Well All Right”), Jackson Browne (“True Love Ways”), ELO’s Jeff Lynne (“Words of Love”), 10,000 Maniac’s Natalie Merchant (Learning the Game”), The Fray (“Take Your Time”), Imelda May (“I’m Looking for Someone to Love”), Chris Isaak (“Crying, Waiting, Hoping”) and others.
Linda Ronstadt’s re-recording of “That’ll be The Day” is the perfect reminder of her early chart success, but this new version is pure electric guitar-infused rockabilly. Uniquely, actress / singer Zooey Deschanel bravely tackles Ronstadt’s second signature Holly song “It’s So Easy.” To Deschanel’s credit, she delivers a tribute that fits comfortably among her contemporaries.
The big surprise in this collection is the last track; Eric Idle’s broad take on “Raining in My Heart” with his comedic delivery of the lyrics atop a bed of Monty Python-esque instrumentation. You might have a knee-jerk reaction when it first comes on, but by the time the song comes to a close Idle wraps it up with a perfect nod and wink.
Brian Wilson handles “Listen to Me,” and (music director/arranger) Paul Von Mertens’ beautiful adaptation is so good that it had me wondering what it would be like if Brian released an album called, Brian Wilson Reimagines Buddy Holly. That’s a thought worth pondering.
Remarkably, Buddy Holly was a mere 22 years old when he died. Here we are 52 years later celebrating great music that will live on forever.
Suggested listening: “Listen to Me,” “Not Fade Away,” “Words of Love” and “Raining in My Heart”
© David M. Beard/All rights reserved
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT: This article is the original work of David M. Beard. Under no circumstance may any portion of this article be broadcast, copied, published, rewritten or used without the permission of the author. To purchase this or any other article by David M. Beard, please email esqeditor@esquarterly.com.
Comments