Various Artists: Rave On Buddy Holly

Various Artists
Rave On Buddy Holly
Fantasy/Concord Music Group [2011]









Fire Note Says: Buddy Holly would have been proud that 52 years after his death his music has held the test of time as it gets the royal treatment here on this solid tribute record!

Album Review:
Rave On Buddy Holly is a celebration of the icon's short career and enduring legacy just in time for what would have been his 75th birthday. This compilation stands out because of the high caliber contributions from big names like Paul McCartney, The Black Keys, Cee Lo Green, Lou Reed, Nick Lowe, Patti Smith, Modest Mouse, My Morning Jacket, Florence + The Machine, Kid Rock, Julian Casablancas and more. This cover record separates itself out a bit from other albums of this nature because it is very faithful to the originals and never seems to go to overboard with changing things up but lets the talented roster here still make it there own. Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas shakes it up a little with some added reverb while Justin Townes Earle gives "Maybe Baby" a nice twang that is easy to foot tap along with. One of the best tracks here is from Sir Paul McCartney and his rambunctious romping take on "It's So Easy" that is fun, fresh and takes him back to his early rock n roll days. The delicate and superb Black Keys cover of "Dearest" once again shows their growth, while "Crying, Waiting, Hoping" from Karen Elson has a perfect retro sound complete with Jack White on drums. My Morning Jacket gives a daunting vocal performance on the graceful "True Love Ways" while Kid Rock turns in a solid performance as he goes Motown on the fun "Well All Right". I always have a hard time giving tribute records high grades because we already know the quality of music so the evaluation comes down to what the artists do with the tracks. Here, I don't believe the selected talent go too extreme but in the case of Rave On Buddy Holly this more simple approach completely works and highlights how well written songs can live forever. Most of the time tribute albums for me are one listen and move on but Rave On Buddy Holly had me coming back for more and will be in my shuffle playlist for some time to come!

Key Tracks: "Dearest" - The Black Keys, "True Love Ways" - My Morning Jacket, "It's So Easy" - Paul McCartney

Rave On Buddy Holly Website
Buddy Holly Facebook
Concord Music Group

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony