Listen To Me: Buddy Holly

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 6, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve Forecast
• ASIN: B005GKIL0U
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,076 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2011 tribute to the legendary Rock 'n' Roll pioneer, released as part of a year-long celebration, on the eve of Holly's 75th birthday celebration. Produced by the Grammy Award-winning Peter Asher, who assembled a very diverse group of artists to record their favorite Buddy Holly songs, he encouraged each artist to add their own artistic signature to their recording. Rock legends such as Ringo Starr, Brian Wilson, Jeff Lynne, Stevie Nicks and Jackson Browne are joined by contemporary artists Zooey Deschanel, Eric Idle, Chris Isaak, The Fray, Patrick Stump, Cobra Starship, Imelda May, Natalie Merchant, and Pat Monahan. Each offers their own unique take on some of Holly's timeless classics.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An Overall Enjoyable Collection of Holly's Best Known Songs September 6, 2011

By Steve Vrana HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:MP3 Music

This latest entry in the Tribute-To-Buddy-Holly sweepstakes is an enjoyable collection of many of Holly's best known songs on the eve of what would have been his 75th birthday. Overall executive producer Peter Asher has done an excellent job of maintaining Holly's legacy with a string of faithful covers.

Virtually every song pays homage to Holly's original arrangements. Highlights include Brian Wilson's rendition of "Listen To Me," Jeff Lynne's Beatlesque version of "Words of Love," and of course Ringo's affable take on "Think It Over" is a real joy. Not all tracks are new recordings, however. Linda Ronstadt's cover of "That'll Be the Day" is her 1976 hit version.

And just like the recently released RAVE ON tribute album, there is one clunker on this set. Eric Idle's reading of "Raining In My Heart" reminds me of when Steve Allen used to do dramatic readings of rock 'n' roll song lyrics as poetry as host of The Tonight Show. [Check out Steve Allen + "Be Bop A Lula" on YouTube.] This train wreck at the end of the album nearly ruins everything that came before it.

If you can ignore this misstep, you'll find much to enjoy here. RECOMMENDED

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Some Great Interpretations September 6, 2011

By Jon R. Woolsey

Format:Audio CD

Serves as a handy reminder, if one was needed, of the many many catchy tunes Buddy Holly wrote and the influence he had on so many artists. I like all of it...except Eric Idle. What the hell was he thinking? Almost ruins the collection, especially since it's the last cut on the album....the last thing you hear. Jeff Lynn seems to be doing the Beatles' version of "Words of Love," but then he loved the Beatles, so that's not surprising. All in all, however, a great disc.

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Mix - But seek 1996's "Not Fadeaway" for a better Tribute September 7, 2011

By MyMeta4

Format:Audio CD

It's Buddy Holly's 75th Birthday today and I am thrilled to see so much international attention. Having two recent tributes says a lot about his lasting impact. The other new tribute is the new "Rave On" with another interesting mixture of contemporary artists.

Both of these new, 2011 tribute CDs have some highlights, and which songs you see as the highlights may vary from me! But do yourself a favor and check out what I think is the best of the tributes to Buddy, the 1996 "Not Fadeaway": Remembering Buddy Holly." The CD includes The Band, Los Lobos, Nanci Griffith, Marty Stuart, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Mavericks, Steve Earle, Joe Ely, Waylon Jennings, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and (appropriately) the Hollies who created a new backing track to add to a guide vocal by Buddy Holly on "Peggy Sue Got married." The set overall is a little more country flavored, and to my ears a generally more balanced and pleasing tribute. It's available here and there's no reason not to harvest all three tributes and make your own Best of The Tribute Covers to Buddy Holly.

Rock on!