“Not Fade Away – The Complete Studio Recordings And More” by BUDDY HOLLY - A Breakdown Of Each CD Followed By An Album Discography Referencing The Box

“Not Fade Away – The Complete Studio Recordings And More” by BUDDY HOLLY.
Released 23 November 2009 on Geffen/Hip-O Select B0012875-02 in the USA.
A Non-Numbered 6CD 203-Track Book-Shaped Box Set - Limited to 7000 Worldwide.
(Available via Hip-O Select's Mail-Order Website from 30 October 2009)

This post is a breakdown of each CD - followed afterwards by an
Album-by-Album Discography referencing the entire box:

Disc 1:
1. My Two-Timin’ Woman
2. I’ll Just Pretend
3. Take These Shackles From My Heart
4. Footprints In the Snow
5. Flower Of My Heart
6. Door To My Heart
7. Soft Place In My Heart
8. Gotta Get You Near Me Blues
9. I Gambled My Heart
10. You And I Are Through
11. Down The Line
12. Baby, Let’s Play House
13. Down The Line
14. You And I Are Through
15. Baby, It’s Love
16. Memories
17. Queen Of The Ballroom
18. Memories
19. Moonlight Baby a/k/a Baby, Won’t You Come Out Tonight
20. I Guess I Was Just A Fool
21. Don’t Come Back Knockin’
22. Love Me
23. Midnight Shift
24. Midnight Shift (false start/alternate)
25. Don’t Come Back Knockin’ (alternate)
26. Don’t Come Back Knockin’
27. Blue Days, Black Nights
28. Love Me
29. Baby Won’t You Come Out Tonight
30. I Guess I Was Just A Fool
31. It’s Not My Fault
32. I’m Gonna Set My Foot Down
33. Changin’ All Those Changes
34. Rock-A-Bye Rock
35. Because I Love You

Disc 1 features 1949-1956, 35 Tracks, 76:22 minutes:
Tracks 1, 4-12 and 19-22 are from the 2CD set “Down The Line Rarities” (January 2009)
Tracks 2, 3, 14, 16, 24 and 25 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED in the USA
Tracks 13, 15, 17 and 18 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Tracks 23, 26, 27 and 28 are from the LP “That’ll Be The Day” (April 1958)
Tracks 29, and 31-35 are from the LP “For The First Time Anywhere” (February 1983)
Track 30 is from the LP “Showcase” (May 1964)

Disc 2:
1. Rock Around With Ollie Vee
2. I’m Changin’ All Those Changes
3. That’ll Be The Day
4. Girl On My Mind
5. Ting-A-Ling
6. Rock Around With Ollie Vee
7. Modern Don Juan
8. You Are My One Desire (false start)
9. You Are My One Desire
10. Gone (incomplete)
11. Gone
12. Gone (alternate take)
13. Have You Ever Been Lonely (incomplete alternate)
14. Have You Ever Been Lonely (alternate)
15. Have You Ever Been Lonely
16. Brown-Eyed Handsome Man
17. Good Rockin’ Tonight
18. Rip It Up
19. Blue Monday
20. Honky Tonk
21. Blue Suede Shoes
22. Shake Rattle And Roll (partial)
23. Bo Diddley
24. Ain’t Got No Home
25. Holly Hop
26. Brown-Eyed Handsome Man
27. Bo Diddley
28. I’m Looking For Someone To Love
29. That’ll Be The Day
30. Last Night (undubbed)
31. Maybe Baby (first version)
32. Words Of Love
33. Mailman Bring Me No More Blues
34. Not Fade Away (alternate overdub)
35. Not Fade Away
36. Everyday

Disc 2 features 1956-1957, 36 Tracks, 70:52 minutes:
Tracks 1-5, 7 and 9 are from the LP “That’ll Be The Day” (April 1958)
Track 6 is from the 6LP Box Set “The Complete Buddy Holly” (March 1979)
Tracks 8, 10 and 14 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED in the USA
Tracks 11-13, 16-25, 30 and 34 are from the 2CD set “Down The Line Rarities” (January 2009)
Tracks 26-27 and 31 are from the LP “For The First Time Anywhere” (February 1983)
Tracks 28, 29 and 35 are from the LP “The Chirping Crickets” (November 1957)
Tracks 32, 33 and 36 are from the LP “Buddy Holly” (February 1958)
[NOTE: Track 15 “Have You Ever Been Lonely” is miscredited in the booklet as Track 13 and has no LP reference, but recording details make it from the

Disc 3:
1. Ready Teddy
2. Valley Of Tears
3. That’ll Be The Day (greetings to Bob Thiele)
4. That’ll Be The Day (greetings to Murray Deutsch)
5. That’ll Be The Day (greetings to Bill Randle)
6. Peggy Sue (alternate take)
7. Peggy Sue
8. Listen To Me
9. Oh Boy (undubbed)
10. I’m Gonna Love You Too
11. Send Me Some Lovin’ (undubbed)
12. It’s Too Late (undubbed)
13. Oh Boy
14. An Empty Cup (And A Broken Date)
15. Rock Me My Baby
15. Rock Me My Baby
16. You’ve Got Love
17. Maybe Baby
18. Send Me Some Lovin’
19. It’s Too Late
20. Tell Me How
21. Little Baby
22. (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care
23. Look At Me
24. Mona (rehearsal)
25. Mona (version 1)
26. Mona (version 2)
27. Mona (version 3)
28. Rave On
29. That’s My Desire (two false starts plus undubbed master)
30. Well…All Right Well…All Right
31. Fool’s Paradise (alternate take 1)
32. Fool’s Paradise (alternate take 2)
33. Fool’s Paradise (undubbed master)

Disc 3 features 1957-1958, 34 Tracks, 72:45 minutes:
Tracks 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 22-24 and 29 are from the LP “Buddy Holly” (February 1958)
Tracks 3, 4, 6, 9, 30 and 32-34 are from the 2CD set “Down The Line Rarities” (Jan2009)
Tracks 5, 11 and 12 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Tracks 13-21 are from the LP “The Chirping Crickets” (November 1957)
Tracks 25-28 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED in the USA
Track 31 is from the LP “The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II” (March 1960)

Disc 4:
1. Think It Over (false start & rehearsal take)
2. Think It Over (undubbed alternate)
3. Think It Over (undubbed master)
4. Take Your Time (false start & alternate take)
5. Take Your Time
6. Fool’s Paradise
7. Think It Over
8. Lonesome Tears
9. It’s So Easy
10. Heartbeat
11. Love’s Made A Fool Of You (undubbed)
12. Early In The Morning
13. Now We’re One (fragment)
14. Now We’re One
15. Come Back Baby
16. Reminiscing (undubbed)
17. True Love Ways (mono mix)
18. True Love Ways (stereo mix)
19. It Doesn’t Matter Anymore (mono)
20. It Doesn’t Matter Anymore (stereo)
21. Raining In My Heart (mono)
22. Raining In My Heart (stereo)
23. Moondreams (mono)
24. Moondreams (stereo)
25. You’re The One
26. That’s What They Say (w/fragment)
27. What To Do
28. Peggy Sue Got Married
29. That Makes It Tough
30. Crying, Waiting, Hoping
31. Learning The Game
32. Wait Till The Sun Shines Nellie

Disc 4 features 1958, 32 Tracks, 67:17 minutes:
Tracks 1-4, 11, 26-27, 30 and 32 are from 2CD set “Down The Line Rarities” (Jan 2009)
Tracks 5, 14, 17 (Mono “True Love Ways”) and 23 are from the LP “The Buddy Holly Story, Vol.11” (March 1960)
Track 6 and 8 are from the LP “Holly In The Hills” (January 1965)
Track 7, 9-10, 12, 19 and 21 are from the LP “The Buddy Holly Story” (March 1959)
Track 13 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED in the USA
Track 15 is from the LP “Showcase” (May 1964)
Tracks 16, 18 (Stereo “True Love Ways”), 20 (Stereo “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore”), 24 (Stereo “Moondreams”) and 28-29 and 31 are from the 6LP Box Set “The Complete Buddy Holly” (March 1979)
Track 22 is from the LP “The Best Of Buddy Holly” (April 1966)
*** Track 25 is the 1958 original of “You’re The One” and is miscredited as being from the 1968 overdubbed LP “Giant” (January 1969) ***

Disc 5:
1. Slippin’ And Slidin’ (slow version #1)
2. Slippin’ And Slidin’ (slow version #2)
3. Slippin’ And Slidin’ (fast version)
4. Drown In My Own Tears
(fragment)/Buddy & Maria Elena talking in apartment
5. Dearest (alternate take)
6. Dearest
7. Untitled Instrumental
(a/k/a Buddy’s Guitar/listed as “Tremolo Instrumental”)
8. Love Is Strange
9. Smokey Joe’s Café
10. Peggy Sue Got Married
11. Crying, Waiting, Hoping
12. That’s What They Say (version 2)
13. What To Do
14. Learning The Game
15. That Makes It Tough
16. Baby Won’t You Come Out Tonight
17. Because I Love You
18. Changin’ All Those Changes
19. I’m Gonna Set My Foot Down
20. It’s Not My Fault
21. Rock-A-Bye Rock
22. Brown-Eyed Handsome Man
23. Bo Diddley
24. What To Do
25. Peggy Sue Got Married
26. Crying, Waiting, Hoping
27. That Makes It Tough
28. That’s What They Say
29. Learning The Game
30. Reminiscing
31. Wait Till The Sun Shines Nellie
32. Dearest (version 2)
33. Slippin’ And Slidin’ (slow version 2)

Disc 5 features 1958-1963, 33 Tracks, 72:40 minutes:
Tracks 1-9 are from the 2CD set “Down The Line Rarities” (January 2009)
Tracks 10-15 are from the LP “The Buddy Holly Story, Vol.11” (March 1960)
Tracks 16-23 and 33 are from the LP “Reminiscing” (February 1963)
Track 24 is from the LP “Holly In The Hills” (January 1965)
Track 25 is from the 2LP set “Buddy Holly – A Rock & Roll Collection” (August 1972)
Tracks 26-30 are from the 6LP Box Set “The Complete Buddy Holly” (March 1979)
Track 32 is from the LP “Showcase” (May 1964)
[NOTE: Track 31 is “Wait Till The Sun Shines Nellie” and is uncredited to an LP]

Disc 6:
1. Baby Let’s Play House (I Wanna Play House With You)
2. Down The Line
3. Wait Til’ The Sun Shines Nellie (overdub version 2)
4. Reminiscing
5. Flower Of My Heart
6. Door To My Heart
7. Soft Place In My Heart
8. I Gambled My Heart
9. Gotta Get You Near Me Blues
10. Gone (version 3)
11. Rip It Up
12. Honky Tonk
13. Blue Suede Shoes
14. Shake Rattle And Roll
15. You And I Are Through
16. Baby It’s Love
17. Memories
18. Queen Of The Ballroom
19. Love’s Made A Fool Of You
20. Wishing (mono)
21. Wishing (stereo)
22. Maybe Baby
23. That’s My Desire
24. Have You Ever Been Lonely (version 1)
25. Good Rockin’ Tonight
26. Blue Monday
27. Ain’t Got No Home
28. Holly Hop
29. Slippin’ And Slidin’
30. You’re The One
31. Love Is Strange
32. (Ummm, Oh Yeah) Dearest
33. Smokey Joe’s Café

Disc 6 features 1962-1968, 33 Tracks, 69:57 minutes:
Tracks 1-2 are from the LP “Holly In The Hills” (January 1965)
Tracks 3-4 is from the LP “Reminiscing” (February 1963)
Tracks 5-9, 15 and 21 are from the LP “Holly In The Hills” (January 1965)
Tracks 10-14 and 19 are from the LP “Showcase” (May 1964)
Tracks 16-18, 20 and 22-23 are from the 6LP Box Set “The Complete Buddy Holly” (March 1979)
Tracks 24-33 are from the LP “Giant” (January 1969)

*************************************************************************************

An Album-By-Album DISCOGRAPHY referencing all 6 CDs of
"Not Fade Away The Complete Studio Recordings And More"
A 2010 Hip-O Select BUDDY HOLLY Box Set.

THIRTEEN of his album releases name-checked and pictured in the Hip-O Select booklet have been referenced using an alphabetical system – from his debut LP “The Chirping Crickets” in November 1957 (A) through to the 2CD set “Down The Line Rarities” issued in January 2009 (N). I’ve kept to this.

Also - as you can imagine - there have been countless compilations for the years inbetween - so huge amounts of track-duplication has taken place. I have not attempted to fill in the gaps (used only the Box Set references).

Last - while the Hip-O Box set doesn't provide a 'proper' Discography (as say a Bear Family Box set would) - it does at least tell us where each track is from - and I've found only 3 errors in it to date.

(A) “The Chirping Crickets”
November 1957 USA LP on Brunswick LP 54038 [Mono]

Side 1:
1. Oh, Boy! [Disc 3/Track 13]
2. Not Fade Away [Disc 2/Track 35]
3. You’ve Got Love [Disc 3/Track 16]
4. Maybe Baby [Disc 3/Track 17]
5. It’s Too Late [Disc 3/Track 20]
6. Tell Me How [Disc 3/Track 21]

Side 2:
1. That’s Be The Day [Disc 2/Track 29]
2. I’m Looking For Someone To Love [Disc 2/Track 28]
3. And Empty Cup (And A Broken Date) [Disc 3/Track 14]
4. Send Me Some Lovin’ [Disc 3/Track 19]
5. Last Night [Disc 3/Track 18]
6. Rock Me My Baby [Disc 3/Track 15]

(B) “Buddy Holly”
February 1958 USA LP on Coral CRL 57210 [Mono]

Side 1:
1. I’m Gonna Love You Too [Disc 3, Track 10]
2. Peggy Sue [Disc 3, Track 7]
3. Look At Me [Disc 3, Track 24]
4. Listen To Me [Disc 3, Track 8]
5. Valley Of Tears [Disc 3, Track 2]
6. Ready Teddy [Disc 3, Track 1]

Side 2:
1. Everyday [Disc 2, Track 36]
2. Mailman Bring Me No More Blues [Disc 2, Track 33]
3. Words Of Love [Disc 2, Track 32]
4. (You’re So Square) Baby, I Don’t Care [Disc 3, Track 23]
5. Rave On [Disc 3, Track 29]
6. Little Baby [Disc 3, Track 22]

© “That’ll Be The Day”
April 1958 USA LP on Decca DL 8707 [Mono]

Side 1:
1. You’re Are My One Desire [Disc 2/Track 9]
2. Blue Days, Black Nights [Disc 1/Track 27]
3. Modern Don Juan [Disc 2/Track 7]
4. Rock Around With Ollie Vee [Disc 2/Track 1]
5. Ting-A-Ling [Disc 2/Track 5]
6. Girl On A Mind [Disc 2/Track 4]

Side 2:
1. That’ll Be The Day [Disc 2/Track 3]
2. Love Me [Disc 1/Track 28]
3. I’m Changing All Those Changes [Disc 2/Track 2]
4. Don’t Come Back Knockin’ [Disc 1/Track 26]
5. Midnight Shift [Disc 1/Track 23]

(D) “The Buddy Holly Story”
March 1959 USA LP on Coral CRL 57279 [Mono] and Coral CRL 757279 [Stereo]

Side 1:
1. Raining In My Heart [Disc 4/Track 21 – Mono Version]
2. Early In The Morning [Disc 4/Track 12]
3. Peggy Sue
4. Maybe Baby
5. Everyday
6. Rave On

Side 2:
1. That’ll Be The Day
2. Heartbeat [Disc 4/Track 10]
3. Think It Over [Disc 4/Track 7]
4. Oh Boy!
5. It’s So Easy [Disc 4/Track 9]
6. It Doesn’t Matter Anymore [Disc 4/Track 19 – Mono Version]

(E) “The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II”
March 1960 USA LP on Coral CRL 57326 [Mono]

Side 1:
1. Peggy Sue Got Married [Disc 5, Track 10]
2. Well…All Right [Disc 3/Track 31]
3. What To Do [Disc 5, Track 13]
4. That Makes It Tough [Disc 5, Track 15]
5. Now We’re One [Disc 4/Track 14]
6. Take Your Time [Disc 4/Track 5]

Side 2:
1. Crying, Waiting, Hoping [Disc 5, Track 11]
2. True Love Ways [Disc 4/Track 17 – Mono Version]
3. Learning The Game [Disc 5, Track 14]
4. Little Baby
5. Moondreams [Disc 4/Track 23 - Mono Version]
6. That’s What They Say [Disc 5, Track 12 – Version 2]

(F) “Reminiscing”
February 1963 USA LP on Coral CRL 57426 [Mono] and CRL 757426 [Stereo]

Side 1:
1. Reminiscing [Disc 6, Track 4]
2. Slippin’ And Slidin’ [Disc 6. Track 33 – Slow Version 2]
3. Bo Diddley [Disc 5. Track 23]
4. Wait Till The Sun Shines, Nellie [Disc 6, Track 3 – Overdub Version 2]
5. Baby, Won’t You Come Out Tonight [Disc 5. Track 16]

Side 2:
1. Brown-Eyed Handsome Man [Disc 5. Track 22]
2. Because I Love You [Disc 5. Track 17]
3. It’s Not My Fault [Disc 5. Track 20]
4. I’m Gonna Set My Foot Down [Disc 5. Track 19]
5. Changin’ All Those Changes [Disc 5. Track 18]
6. Rock-A-Bye-Rock [Disc 5. Track 21]

(G) “Showcase”
May 1964 USA LP on Coral CRL 57450 [Mono] and CRL 757450 [Stereo]

Side 1:
1. Shake, Rattle & Roll [Disc 6, Track 14]
2. Rock Around With Ollie Vee
3. Honky Tonk [Disc 6, Track 12]
4. I Guess I Was Just A Fool [Disc 1, Track 30]
5. Ummm, Oh Yeah [Disc 5, Track 32 – Version 2 - aka "Dearest"]
6. You’re The One

Side 2:
1. Blue Suede Shoes [Disc 6, Track 13]
2. Come Back Baby [Disc 4, Track 15]
3. Rip It Up [Disc 6, Track 11]
4. Love’s Made A Fool Of You [Disc 6, Track 19]
5. Gone [Disc 6, Track 10 – Version 3]
6. Girl On My Mind

(H) “Holly In The Hills”
January 1965 USA LP on Coral CRL 57463 [Mono] and CRL 757463 [Stereo]

Side 1:
1. I Wanna Play House With You [Disc 6, Track 1]
2. Door To My Heart
3. Fool’s Paradise [Disc 4, Track 6]
4. I Gambled My Heart
5. What To Do [Disc 5, Track 24]
6. Wishing

Side 2:
1. Down The Line [Disc 6, Track 2]
2. Soft Place In My Heart
3. Lonesome Tears [Disc 4, Track 8]
4. Gotta Get You Near Me Blues
5. Flower Of My Heart
6. You And I Are Through

(I) “The Best Of Buddy Holly”
April 1966 USA 24-Track 2LP set on Coral CXB-8 [Mono] and Coral 7CXSB-8 [Stereo]

Disc 4, Track 22 - “Raining In My Heart” [Stereo] (Side 3, Track 5)

(J) “Giant”
January 1969 USA LP on Coral CRL 757504 [Stereo]

Side 1:
1. Love Is Strange [Disc 6, Track 31]
2. Good Rockin’ Tonight [Disc 6, Track 25]
3. Blue Monday [Disc 6, Track 26]
4. Have You Ever Been Lonely [Disc 6, Track 24 – Version 1]
5. Slippin’ And Slidin’ [Disc 6, Track 29]

Side 2:
1. You’re The One [Disc 6, Track 30]
2. (Ummm, Oh Yeah) Dearest [Disc 6, Track 32]
3. Smokey Joe’s Café [Disc 6, Track 33]
4. Ain’t Got No Home [Disc 6, Track 27]
5. Holly Hop [Disc 6, Track 28]

(K) “Buddy Holly: A Rock & Roll Collection”
August 1972 USA 2LP set on Decca DXSE7-207 [Stereo]

Disc 5, Track 25 – “Peggy Sue Got Married” (Side 1, Track 3)

(L) “The Complete Buddy Holly”
March 1979 UK 6LP/6MC 122-Track BOX SET with light blue cover, six card inner sleeves and a 64-page booklet on MCA Coral Records CDSP 807. It was later issued February 1981 in the USA with a darker blue coloured outer box, 6 paper inner sleeves, a single page track sheet and a 64-page booklet on MCA Records MCA6-80, 00. It’s been reissued a few times since (again with different front artwork, but using essentially the same inners and booklet inside). It was NEVER issued on any official CD and from what I can glean - “Not Fade Away” represents the first time you can sequence all 120 songs (the last 2 tracks are interviews) on CD…
(I’m working on a separate listing for this Box Set to be posted later – June 2011).

Disc 2, Track 6 – “Rock Around With Ollie Vee” [1956 Original]
Disc 4, Track 16 – “Reminiscing” (1958 Undubbed Version)
Disc 4, Track 18 - “True Love Ways” (Stereo Mix)
Disc 4, Track 20 - “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” (Stereo)
Disc 4, Track 24 - “Moondreams” (Stereo)
Disc 4, Track 28 – “Peggy Sue Got Married” [Original 1958 ‘Apartment’ Recording]
Disc 4, Track 29 – “That Makes It Tough” [Original 1958 ‘Apartment’ Recording]
Disc 4, Track 31 – “Learning The Game” [Original 1958 ‘Apartment’ Recording]
Disc 5, Track 26 – “Crying, Waiting, Hoping” [1962 Overdubbed Version]
Disc 5, Track 27 – “That Makes It Tough” [1962 Overdubbed Version]
Disc 5, Track 28 – “Peggy Sue Got Married” [1962 Overdubbed Version]
Disc 5, Track 29 – “Learning The Game” [1962 Overdubbed Version]
Disc 5, Track 30 – “Reminiscing” [1962 Overdubbed Version]
Disc 6, Track 16 – “Baby It’s Love” [1963/1964 Overdubbed Version]
Disc 6, Track 17 – “Memories” [1963/1964 Overdubbed Version]
Disc 6, Track 18 – “Queen Of The Ballroom” [1963/1964 Overdubbed Version]
Disc 6, Track 20 – “Wishing” (Mono) [1964 Overdubbed Version]
Disc 6, Track 22 – “Maybe Baby” [1966 Overdubbed Version]
Disc 6. Track 23 – “That’s My Desire” [1966 Overdubbed Version]

(M) "For The First Time Anywhere"
February 1983 USA LP on MCA Records MCA-27059

Side 1
1. Rock-A-Bye Rock [Disc 1, Track 34]
2. Maybe Baby (1st Version) [Disc 2, Track 31]
3. Because I Love You [Disc 1, Track 35]
4. I’m Gonna Set My Foot Down [Disc 1, Track 32]
5. Changing All Those Changes [Disc 1, Track 33]

Side 2
1. That’s My Desire
2. Baby Won’t You Come Out Tonight [Disc 1, Track 29]
3. It’s Not My Fault [Disc 1, Track 31]
4. Brown-Eyed Handsome Man [Disc 2, Track 26]
5. Bo Diddley [Disc 2, Track 27]

(N) “Down The Line Rarities”
January 2009 USA 59-Track 2CD set on Geffen/Decca B0011675-02
DISC 1: Tracks 1, 4-12 and 19-22 (14 Tracks)
DISC 2: Tracks 11-13, 16-25, 30 and 34 (15 Tracks)
DISC 3: Tracks 3, 4, 6, 9, 30 and 32-34 (8 Tracks)
DISC 4: Tracks 1-4, 11, 26-27, 30 and 32 (9 Tracks)
DISC 5: Tracks 1-9 (9 Tracks) [55 Tracks in Total]

"Buddy Holly' by BUDDY HOLLY. His debut album re-issued on CD in 2004 as part of the ROCK 'N' ROLL 50th ANNIVERSARY SERIES

Holly fans have lambasted MCA (who've had charge of his catalogue) for decades now - both here in the UK and elsewhere. Why? Well, back in the day, they released two seminal compact discs when CDs were completely new. They were both called "From The Original Master Tapes" - one for Buddy Holly and the other for Bill Haley & His Comets. And they weren't just good - they were outstanding! An absolute wow - both of them! Stereo tracks in some cases, studio chatter, and sound quality that was mind-blowing. These issues in the UK single-handedly went a long way to convincing music lovers that there really was something in this new format other than hype by the industry. Remastered by STEVE HOFFMAN, they featured sound that for 1985 was a sensation. So why mention this now - because having had their appetites whetted, fans expected more - and then - well nothing. For nearly 20 years - zip. No follow ups of the same calibre - nothing. No sign of the magnificent 1979 6LP Box Set "The Complete Buddy Holly" - which to this day is still unreleased - one of the last great box sets to be so on CD.

However, everything changes with this gorgeous 2004 re-issue. It reproduces the original US album artwork on both front and back of the booklet. There's a repro of the beautiful original label on the inlay beneath the see-through tray, a nice booklet with detailed notes - and best of all - stunning remastered sound quality care of Erick Labson. Tracks 1-12 are the original US album supplemented by 3 non-album relevant bonus tracks, "Take Your Time", "Now We're One" and "Early In The Morning". The 3 bonus tracks allow you to sequence his first five 7" singles on Coral Records.

1. Words Of Love/Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues (1957 Coral 61852)
2. Peggy Sue/Everyday (1957 Coral 61885)
3. I'm Gonna Love You Too/Listen To Me (1958 Coral 61947)
4. Rave On/Take Your Time (1958 Coral 61985) (B-side Non-Album)
5. Early In The Morning/Now We're One (1958 Coral 62006) (Non-Album A&B)

There were only two albums really in his short but mighty career, the debut album, "The Chirping Crickets" (1957 USA, 1958 UK) and this - his first solo album, "Buddy Holly" (released in Feb 1958 just one year prior to his untimely death in February 1959 at only 22). So Universal have re-issued both of these and not the subsequent compilation albums that made up all of his 60's output.

PS: A few words on the "ROCK 'N' ROLL 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION" Series in general:
It should also be noted that this issue is part of the above named series issued in 2004 by Universal.
'Rock 'N' Roll 50th Anniversary Edition' is a secondary series title and is displayed vertically on the side inlay beneath the see-through tray of each release, but unfortunately, if you try to search databases for ANY titles under this moniker, it doesn't recognize the 'name' at all.

For those interested - the other six titles are:

1. "After School Session" by CHUCK BERRY (His Chess Debut LP In The States, see REVIEW)
2. "Rock Around The Clock" by BILL HALEY & HIS COMETS (ground-breaking 1956 LP, see REVIEW)
3. "The Chirping Crickets" by THE CRICKETS (their debut LP featuring BUDDY HOLLY, see REVIEW)
4. "St. Louis To Liverpool" by CHUCK BERRY (1964 STEREO LP on Chess, see REVIEW)
5. "Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger" by BO DIDDLEY (1960 STEREO Chess LP, see REVIEW)
6. "Rock, Rock, Rock! - Original Soundtrack" by VARIOUS (Chuck Berry, The Flamingos and The Moonglows) (1956 Chess 'Rock'n'Roll Movie Soundtrack LP, see REVIEW)

I bought all 7 of these titles and I can't recommend them enough - each album remastered to superb sound quality, colour artwork lovingly restored and each bolstered up with 3 or 4 relevant single releases from the time (some previously unreleased). Fans of Haley, Holly, The Crickets, Berry, Diddley and Rock'n'Roll in general should quickly acquire all of these exemplary CDs. They make for the best basis of a collection in a minefield of lesser compilations. Enjoy!

"The Chirping Crickets" by THE CRICKETS. 27 November 1957 to 27 November 2007. 50 Years On and His Stunning Debut Album Still Shines!

A full half century ago, "The Chirping Crickets" by The Crickets was released in the USA on Brunswick Records (BL 54038) and it stands to this day as one of the great debuts of all time. (It was released March 1958 in the UK on Vogue Coral LVA 9081 - both sleeves are pictured above). Holly had had several 7" single releases on Decca throughout 1956 and 1957, but this was his first album proper. His group `The Crickets' (in a not-very-Rock'n'Roll manner) are credited on the back of the album sleeve as a `Vocal Group With Orchestra'! Yikes!!

This 2004 Universal CD reissue gives us all 12-tracks of the original Mono album remastered to gorgeous sound quality from the 1st generation master tapes by Erick Labson and then tags on 4 bonus tracks at the end. The extra tracks are the A&B sides of two singles in and around the release of the album. So this allows the listener to sequence The Crickets' first five US 7" singles as follows (all featuring Buddy Holly):

1. That'll Be The Day/I'm Looking For Someone To Love (Brunswick 55009, 1957)
2. Oh, Boy!/Not Fade Away (Brunswick 55035, 1957)
3. Maybe Baby/It's Too Late (Brunswick 55053, 1957)
4. Think It Over/Fool's Paradise (Non-Album A&B sides) (Brunswick 55072, 1958)
5. It's So Easy/Lonesome Tears (Non-Album A&B sides) (Brunswick 55094, 1958)

(Note: the version of "That'll Be The Day" put out on a Decca 7" single in June 1957 credited to Buddy Holly as a solo artist is different to the version featured on The Crickets album above. The 1st issue is more rockabilly and is rarely heard above the more familiar re-issued version. The song only became a hit second time around - a number 1).

The albums' iconic colour shot of the Lubbock young bucks is reproduced in gorgeous colour on the front page of the booklet with the liner notes of the rear sleeve on the last page. The other 12 pages are given over to a brief history of the album, discography information and re-issue production credits. Very tastefully done. Another nice touch is that beneath the see-through tray holding the CD is a gorgeous reproduction of the original album's chocolate brown label (an original of the album is $800 + if you can find one!).

There were only two albums really in his short but mighty career, this his debut, followed quickly by his first proper solo album, "Buddy Holly" (released in Feb 1958 just one year prior to his untimely death in February 1959 at only 22). Universal have re-issued both of these and not the subsequent compilation albums that made up all of his 60's output (see my review of "Buddy Holly" also). Listening to them again, you're struck even now by the brilliance of his song writing - and what a crime it was that the world was robbed of him at such a young age. There's a classy feel to these CD reissues and I recommend both albums without hesitation.

PS: A few words on the "ROCK 'N' ROLL 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION" Series in general:
It should also be noted that this issue is part of the above named series issued in 2004 by Universal. 'Rock 'N' Roll 50th Anniversary Edition' is a secondary series title and is displayed vertically on the side inlay beneath the see-through tray of each release, but unfortunately, if you try to search most databases for ANY titles under this moniker, it doesn't recognize the 'name' at all.

For those interested in the "Rock 'N' Roll 50th Anniversary Edition Series". The other six titles are:

1. "Buddy Holly" by BUDDY HOLLY (1958 1st solo LP on Coral, see REVIEW)
2. "Rock Around The Clock" by BILL HALEY & HIS COMETS (ground-breaking 1956 LP, see REVIEW)
2. "After School Session" by CHUCK BERRY (1958 Chess debut LP, see REVIEW)
3. "St. Louis To Liverpool" by CHUCK BERRY (1964 STEREO LP on Chess, see REVIEW)
4. "Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger" by BO DIDDLEY (1960 STEREO Chess LP, see REVIEW)
5. "Rock, Rock, Rock! - Original Soundtrack" by VARIOUS (Chuck Berry, The Flamingos and The Moonglows) (1956 Chess 'Rock'n'Roll Movie Soundtrack LP, see REVIEW)

I bought all 7 of these titles and I can't recommend them enough - each album remastered to superb sound quality, colour artwork lovingly restored and each bolstered up with 3 or 4 relevant single releases from the time (some previously unreleased). Fans of Haley, Holly, The Crickets, Berry, Diddley and Rock'n'Roll in general should quickly acquire all of these exemplary CDs. They make for the best basis of a collection in a minefield of lesser compilations. Enjoy!

ERICK LABSON - A Remasters List

ERICK LABSON'S superb remastering work is featured extensively as part of my Series "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters 1970s Rock And Pop" Download Book available to buy on Amazon to either your PC or Mac (it will download the Kindle software to read the book for free to your toolbar). Click on the link below to go my Author's Page for this and other related publications:

                       http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00LQKMC6I

ERICK LABSON works mostly with the UNIVERSAL catalogue.

REMASTERING/MASTERING CREDITS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
“20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection” Series
“Blues Classics Remastered & Revisited” Series
“Chess 50th Anniversary Collection” Series
“The Definitive Collection” Series
“Gold” Series
“Rock ‘N’ Roll 50th Anniversary Edition” Series

Labson has over 800 credits to his name (1990s to 2008) for Engineering, Mastering, Restoration and Digital Re-mastering. This is a sample list of titles worth checking out. DRM = Digital Remastering.

1. Louis Armstrong – The Definitive Collection (DRM, 2006)
2. Chuck Berry – After School Session (DRM)
3. Chuck Berry - Blues (DRM)
4. Chuck Berry – The Definitive Collection (DRM, 2006)
5. Chuck Berry – Gold (DRM)
6. Chuck Berry – His Best, Volume 1 (DRM, 1997)
7. Chuck Berry – St. Louis To Liverpool (DRM)
8. Bobby Bland – The Anthology (DRM, 2001)
9. Bobby Bland – The Definitive Collection (DRM)
10. Bobby Bland – Blues & Ballads (DRM, 1999)
11. Bobby Bland – Greatest Hits Volume 1 – The Duke Recordings (DRM, 1998)
12. Bobby Bland – Greatest Hits Volume 2 – The ABC/Dunhill/MCA Years (DRM)
13. Bobby Bland - That’s It! Duke Recordings Vol. III (DRM, 1996)
14. Bobby Bland – Turn On Your Love Light – Duke Recordings Vol. II
(DRM, 1994)
15. Bobby Bland – Two Steps From The Blues (DRM, 2001) (Blues Classics Series)
16. The Crickets – Chirping Crickets (Expanded & DRM) (see also Buddy Holly)
17. The Dells – Bring Back the Love/Classic Soul (DRM, 1996)
18. The Dells – Oh, What A Night – The Great Ballads (DRM, 1998)
19. Neil Diamond – Play Me – Complete Uni Studio Recordings (M, 2002)
20. Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger
(50th Anniversary Series, 5 extras – 3 previously unreleased, DRM, 2004)
21. Bo Diddley – The Definitive Collection (DRM)
22. Bo Diddley – His Best (DRM, 1997)
23. Willie Dixon – The Original Wang Dang Doodle (DRM, 1995)
24. The Dramatics - Shake It Well (Best Of 1974 – 1980) (DRM, 1998)
25. Steve Earle – Best Of (20th Century Masters… Series) (DRM, 2003)
26. Cass Elliott – Dream A Little Dream: Collection (DRM, 1997)
27. Four Tops – Keepers Of The Castle – Their Best 1972-78 (DRM, 1997)
28. Flamingos – Complete Chess Recordings (DR)
29. Billy Haley & His Comets – Rock Around The Clock (DRM, 3 extra, 2004)
30. Richie Havens – Dreaming As One – The A&M Years (M, 2004)
31. Buddy Holly – Buddy Holly (Expanded & DRM)
32. Buddy Holly – see also The Crickets
33. Buddy Holly – Gold (2CD, 1993/2004)
34. Buddy Holly – The Definitive Collection (DRM, 2006)
35. Earl Hooker – Simply The Best (DRM, 1999)
36. John Lee Hooker – The Complete 50’s Chess Recordings (DRM, 1998)
37. John Lee Hooker – His Best Chess Sides (DRM, 1997)
38. John Lee Hooker – Live At The Café Au Go Go (DRM)
39. Howlin’ Wolf – Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog
40. Howlin’ Wolf – The Definitive Collection
41. Howlin’ Wolf – His Best Chess (50th Anniversary Collection) (DRM, 1997)
42. Howlin’ Wolf & Friends - The Howlin Wolf London Sessions (DRM), 2003
43. Howlin’ Wolf – Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk… (DRM, 2002)
44. Impressions – Greatest Hits (DRM, 1998)
45. Impressions – Further Impressions (DRM, 1996)
46. Joe Jackson – Look Sharp! (DRM, 2001)
47. Etta James – The Chess Box (DRM, Mixing, 2000)
48. Etta James – Come A Little Closer (DRM, 1974 title)
49. Etta James – The Definitive Collection (DRM)
50. Etta James – Her Best – Chess 50th Anniversary Collection (DRM, 1997)
51. Etta James – Love Songs (DRM, 2001)
52. Etta James – Tell Mama – The Complete Muscle Shoals Sessions
(Blues Classics – Remastered & Revisited Series) (DRM, 2001)
53. Etta James - These Foolish Things (DRM, 1995)
54. Elton John – Love Songs (DRM, 1996)
55. B.B. King – The Anthology (DRM, 2000)
56. B.B. King - Chronicles (3CD Eco Pak) 2005
57. B.B. King – Greatest Hits (DRM, 1998)
58. B.B. King – Here & There: The Uncollected B.B. King (DRM, 2001)
59. B.B. King – His Best – The Electric B.B. King (DRM, 1998)
60. B.B. King – His Definitive Greatest Hits (DRM, 1999)
61. B.B. King – How Blue Can You Get? – Classic Live Performances (DRM, 1996)
62. B.B. King – King Of The Blues Box Set (DRM, 1992)
63. B.B. King – Live At San Quentin (DRM, 1991)
64. B.B. King - Live At The Regal (DRM, 1997)
65. B.B. King – Live In Japan (DRM, 1999)
66. B.B. King – Take It Home (DRM, 1998)
67. B.B. King – The Ultimate Collection (DRM, 2005)
68. Patti LaBelle – Definitive Collection (DRM, 2006)
69. Leadbelly – Storyteller Blues (Restoration, 1994)
70. Brenda Lee – The Definitive Collection (DRM, 2006)
71. Peggy Lee – Love Songs (DRM, 2003)
72. Ramsey Lewis – In Person 1960-1967 (DRM, 1998)
73. Ramsey Lewis – Maiden Voyage (& More) (DRM)
74. Little Milton – Greatest Hits (Chess 50th Anniversary Collection)
75. Little Milton – Welcome To The Club – Essential Chess Recordings
(DRM, 1994)
76. Little Walter – Confessin’ The Blues (1996 DRM)
77. Little Walter – His Best (DRM, 1997)
78. Jimmie Lunceford – For Dancers Only (DRM, Restoration of 1935 Tracks)
79. The Mamas & The Papas – Greatest Hits (DRM, 1998)
80. John Mayall – Drivin’ On: The ABC years (1975-1982) (DRM, 1998)
81. Brownie McGhee – A Long Way From Home (1998, DRM)
82. Stephanie Mills - The Power Of Love – Ballads (DRM)
83. Joni Mitchell – The Beginning Of Survival (M, 2004)
84. Moonglows – Their Greatest Hits (DRM, 1997)
85. The Move – Shazam! (Tape Transfer, 2007)
86. Muddy Waters – The Complete Plantation Recordings (DRM, 1993)
87. Muddy Waters – The Definitive Collection (DRM, 2006)
88. Muddy Waters – Folk Singer (DRM)
89. Muddy Waters – Fathers & Sons (DRM)
90. Muddy Waters – His Best 1947-1956 (DRM, 1997)
91. Muddy Waters – His Best 1956-1964 (DRM, 1997)
92. Muddy Waters – Live At Newport 1960 (DRM)
93. Muddy Waters – Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues (DRM)
94. Muddy Waters – Rollin’ Stone – A Golden Anniversary (DRM, 2000)
95. Oliver Nelson – More Blues & The Abstract Truth (DRM)
96. Aaron Neville – Love Songs (DRM, 2003)
97. The Neville Brothers – Best Of (20th Century Masters… Series) (DRM, 2004)
98. Junior Parker – Backtrackin’ – The Duke Recordings Vol.2 (DRM, 1998)
99. Minnie Ripperton – Her Chess Years (50th Anniversary Collection) (DRM, 1997)
100. Jimmy Rogers – The Complete Chess Recordings (DRM, 1997)
101. Jimmy Rogers – His Best (DRM, 2003)
102. Rufus & Chaka Khan – The Very Best Of (DRM, 1994)
103. Steppenwolf - Gold (DRM)
104. Koko Taylor – Koko Taylor (DRM)
105. Big Mama Thornton – Hound Dog – The Peacock Recordings
(DRM, 1992)
106. Three Dog Night – The Complete Hit Singles (2004)
107. The Who - My Generation (2CD DELUXE EDITION)
108. Wishbone Ash - Argus (Expanded Edition)