UPDATE: A year after release of this "Memorial Collection", the complete studio recordings were issued as "Not Fade Away-The Complete Buddy Holly". That CD box set is the one all serious Buddy Holly fans should purchase as it is the best and most complete set of his studio recordings available in a single CD collection.
The 3-CD "Memorial Collection" however was released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Buddy Holly in a plane crash, and doesn't quite deliver what would have been expected. First, it was advertised as a "Box Set" but it's just 3 CDs in digipak housing, with sleeves to hold the 3 CDs that quickly tear on the edges when removing or replacing the CDs, and the CDs slip out easily then. Second, the notes in the booklet really don't provide much new information (at least for long-term fans). Third, the personnel listings for the tracks included are sometimes incorrect; e.g., the Fireballs are listed on some undubbed tracks.
While the sound quality is generally pretty good, and a few tracks sound improved, it's questionable if the original master tapes were used for all the tracks, as a few sound muddier than on other CD issues. And the three October 1958 New York string-session tracks which were recorded in STEREO and released that way on most prior CD issues, are instead presented here in MONO. Looks like the CD company pulled the wrong masters.
Although I ordered my copy from amazon.com, it has a sticker on it that indicates "Best Buy Exclusive".
Overall, this release is a disappointment. The musical content is excellent, and it is good to have the recordings in chronological order, but problems with lesser sound quality of some tracks, and the written material in the accompanying booklet disappoint.
I can't praise Buddy Holly's music enough and his legacy is valid, but can't recommend "Memorial Collection". I'd recommend other prior Geffen CD releases, such as the 2004 issues of the two original albums from the 1950s, or the hits collections released on CD, and the 2-CD set "Down the Line-The Rarities" which was also just released is also excellent and has exceptional sound quality.