The Collection

This rather random assortment of Buddy Holly sides features some that are well-known ("Peggy Sue," "Words of Love"), and others that are a good deal more obscure, including the very country-sounding "Blue Days, Black Nights," which Holly recorded in 1956 in the early phase of his Decca contract when all concerned were trying to figure out what to do with this guy. Decca never really did figure it out, but Holly did, and he ended up being arguably the most interesting and unique of the early stars of rock & roll. Other highlights collected here include "Not Fade Away," "That'll Be the Day," and "Maybe Baby," among others. It's not everything, by any means, and nothing distinguishes this set from dozens on the market just like it, but Holly's brief recording career, which really only lasted a couple years, was built on quality songs, and therefore any anthology of his material will be more than listenable. ~ Steve Leggett|