Classic Rock Album of the Day- Buddy Holly- The Chirping Crickets (1957) ** 1/2
Earlier in the month, February 3, 1959 in the Rock Vocabulary is known as the Day That the Music Died. On that date in 1959, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and J.P Richardson died in a snowstorm induced plane crash in Northern Iowa. All three were charting acts who were seeding the trees of Rock and Roll. It has been a lot of debate of where Holly sat in the pantheon of Rock direction. I don't think there is any argument that Elvis had the most influence, but a strong case could be made for Chuck Berry or Holly as No.2. When you hear his stuff there is that 4/4 chordal structure and playing and feel that can be heard in early Beatles music. In fact the Beatles admitted their name was a name sake as a bug to Holly's Crickets.
There is nothing spectacular or elaborate in the content or presentation, and in fact, I am not 100% sure, but if Holly wrote 50% of his catalog, I'd be surprised. But what he did have was very very different from the rest of the rockabilly product in the late 1950's. It had that phrasing and style that basically redefined the decade change 1950's to 1960's.
It might surprise some that today's album was the only one of three studio album in Holly's career, and the only one that credited the band, in name. Though they played in the latter two. I have no idea, but maybe it was for the same reason the Jordanaires were left off in Elvis-world. The front man persona thing I guess. And last, reviewing my parent's music and an album made the year I was born, am I really being fair or bias free. Probably not. I truly understand the historic significance, but I just can't get past the dated sound of it. But,, I am sure there are plenty of Gen Z's who say the same about Zeppelin.
Fun Fact: And the least kept trivia secret question of all time. For those who do not know Rock and Roll History: Country legend Waylon Jenning gave up his seat on that fated plane trip in 1959 to J.P. Richardson... "The Big Bopper". So not only was Rock highly impacted but so was the future of Outlaw Country.
Side 1-
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Oh Baby- Big hit for Holly, and nicely hooked, and guitar runs that were excellent for the time. 2
Not Fade Away- Very influential to a lot of the resurgence of '80's rockabilly acts. Synced in that .... "Whoooooo Do You Love" Stuff at the time 3
You've Got Love- Standard sappy '50's balladry, not good, especially in Holly standards. 12
Maybe Baby- Nice piece that has that hollow sounding guitar that harkens to Surfer Rock that shows up in about 5 years. 4
It's Too Late- Chuck Willis remake from doo wop era, and done decently. Holly did nicely blending the rockabilly and R&B stuff, which in essence is a lot of how and what rock became into the early to mid '60's. 7
Tell Me How- Pretty much style par wise with Holly's other well known works, just a tad less better. Extra points for a bass solo though. 8
Side 2-
-----------
That'll Be the Day- Holly's first and maybe most signature hit. You know the song has a legacy when the likes of Linda Rondstadt at her height does a cover. Solo, is some of the best in the late '50's outside a guy named Chuck. 1
I'm Looking For Someone too Love- So true to formula at the time! This one can't even be saved by a decent solo. 10
An Empty Cup- The Platters did this kind of stuff better. And Jim Reeves? Even Better Better . No Thank You. 11
Send Me Some Lovin' - Doowop like stuff, and not that great 9
Last Night- Doowop, but sang in a ballad style that is the better of this genre on the LP. Voice inflection is so genuine, that even my sarcastic angle saw it as heartfelt. 5
Rock Me My Baby- Buddy does Elvis. No, not near as good, but not bad either. 6
Earlier in the month, February 3, 1959 in the Rock Vocabulary is known as the Day That the Music Died. On that date in 1959, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and J.P Richardson died in a snowstorm induced plane crash in Northern Iowa. All three were charting acts who were seeding the trees of Rock and Roll. It has been a lot of debate of where Holly sat in the pantheon of Rock direction. I don't think there is any argument that Elvis had the most influence, but a strong case could be made for Chuck Berry or Holly as No.2. When you hear his stuff there is that 4/4 chordal structure and playing and feel that can be heard in early Beatles music. In fact the Beatles admitted their name was a name sake as a bug to Holly's Crickets.
There is nothing spectacular or elaborate in the content or presentation, and in fact, I am not 100% sure, but if Holly wrote 50% of his catalog, I'd be surprised. But what he did have was very very different from the rest of the rockabilly product in the late 1950's. It had that phrasing and style that basically redefined the decade change 1950's to 1960's.
It might surprise some that today's album was the only one of three studio album in Holly's career, and the only one that credited the band, in name. Though they played in the latter two. I have no idea, but maybe it was for the same reason the Jordanaires were left off in Elvis-world. The front man persona thing I guess. And last, reviewing my parent's music and an album made the year I was born, am I really being fair or bias free. Probably not. I truly understand the historic significance, but I just can't get past the dated sound of it. But,, I am sure there are plenty of Gen Z's who say the same about Zeppelin.
Fun Fact: And the least kept trivia secret question of all time. For those who do not know Rock and Roll History: Country legend Waylon Jenning gave up his seat on that fated plane trip in 1959 to J.P. Richardson... "The Big Bopper". So not only was Rock highly impacted but so was the future of Outlaw Country.
Side 1-
-----------
Oh Baby- Big hit for Holly, and nicely hooked, and guitar runs that were excellent for the time. 2
Not Fade Away- Very influential to a lot of the resurgence of '80's rockabilly acts. Synced in that .... "Whoooooo Do You Love" Stuff at the time 3
You've Got Love- Standard sappy '50's balladry, not good, especially in Holly standards. 12
Maybe Baby- Nice piece that has that hollow sounding guitar that harkens to Surfer Rock that shows up in about 5 years. 4
It's Too Late- Chuck Willis remake from doo wop era, and done decently. Holly did nicely blending the rockabilly and R&B stuff, which in essence is a lot of how and what rock became into the early to mid '60's. 7
Tell Me How- Pretty much style par wise with Holly's other well known works, just a tad less better. Extra points for a bass solo though. 8
Side 2-
-----------
That'll Be the Day- Holly's first and maybe most signature hit. You know the song has a legacy when the likes of Linda Rondstadt at her height does a cover. Solo, is some of the best in the late '50's outside a guy named Chuck. 1
I'm Looking For Someone too Love- So true to formula at the time! This one can't even be saved by a decent solo. 10
An Empty Cup- The Platters did this kind of stuff better. And Jim Reeves? Even Better Better . No Thank You. 11
Send Me Some Lovin' - Doowop like stuff, and not that great 9
Last Night- Doowop, but sang in a ballad style that is the better of this genre on the LP. Voice inflection is so genuine, that even my sarcastic angle saw it as heartfelt. 5
Rock Me My Baby- Buddy does Elvis. No, not near as good, but not bad either. 6
