“Something Else By The Kinks: Deluxe Edition" by THE KINKS (June 2011 Universal/Sanctuary 2CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Lead The School Team To Victory…"

Like many fans of this great British band - I've watched the release of 6 Kinks 'Deluxe Editions' since the beginning of 2011 with a certain amount of scepticism. Haven't these albums been done to death already and isn't this just more monetary milking of it? But then several Reckless Records customers began to rave about the great new remastered sound on these doubles - so I took the plunge and they were right. These are better than previous 2004 single issues - and how. But along with the gains (there's 12 'previously unreleased' tracks), there are some minor omissions too. Here are the schoolboy details...

UK released 20 June 2011 in the UK - "Something Else By The Kinks: Deluxe Edition" by THE KINKS is a 2CD Reissue/Remaster on Universal/Sanctuary 273 214-1 (Barcode 602527 321417) and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (79:46 minutes):

1. David Watts

2. Death Of A Clown

3. Two Sisters

4. No Return

5. Harry Rag

6. Tin Soldier Man

7. Situation Vacant

8. Love Me Till The Sun Shines

9. Lazy Old Sun

10. Afternoon Tea

11. Funny Face

12. End Of The Season

13. Waterloo Sunset

Tracks 1 to 13 are the MONO version of the LP "Something Else By The Kinks" released 15 September 1967 in the UK on Pye Records NPL 18193 and January 1968 in the USA on Reprise Records R 6279 [Mono Variant Was Promo-Only in the USA]

BONUS TRACKS:

Track 14 is "Act Nice And Gentle" – the Mono non-album A-side of a UK 7” single released 5 May 1967 on Pye Records 7N.17321

Track 15 is "Mr. Pleasant" - the Mono non-album A-side of a UK 7" single on Pye Records 7N.17314. Released 21 April 1967, it pressed up for export issue to Europe. It was also issued in the USA on 24 May 1967 on Reprise Records 0587. Its non-album B-side is "That is Where I Belong" - that track is 'not' available here – it’s on the "Face To Face Deluxe Edition"

Track 16 is "Susannah’s Still Alive" – credited to Dave Davies, it’s the Mono A-side of a UK 7” single released November 1967 on Pye Records 7N.17429 – it was issued in the USA on 31 January 1968 on Reprise Records 0660

Track 17 is "Autumn Almanac" – the Mono A-side of a UK 7” single released 13 October 1967 on Pye Records 7N.17400 – it was also issued 29 November 1967 in the USA on Reprise Records 0647

Tracks 18 and 19 are "Harry Rag" and "David Watts" - Alternate Takes, both are 'Previously Unreleased'

Track 20 is "Afternoon Tea" – An Alternate Mix – It was originally issued as a Canadian 7” single on Pye 828 in October 1967

Tracks 21 to 29 are "Sunny Afternoon", "Autumn Almanac", "Mr. Pleasant", "Susannah's Still Alive", "David Watts", "Love Me Till The Sun Shines", "Death Of A Clown", "Good Luck Charm" and "Harry Rag" – all are BBC Recordings (August to October 1967) with 21 to 25 being 'Previously Unreleased'

Track 30 is "Little Women – Unfinished Backing Track" – first released in 1998 on the "Face To Face" CD reissue

Disc 2 (69:42 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 13 (titles as per Disc 1) are the STEREO version of the LP - Pye Records NSPL 18193 in the UK and Reprise Records RS 6279 in the USA

BONUS TRACKS:

Tracks 14 and 15 are "Susannah's Still Alive" and "Autumn Almanac" – these 2 STEREO versions were first slotted for release on the 1968 "Four More Respected Gentlemen" UK LP, but withdrawn - they finally saw release in the USA on the 2LP Reprise Records retrospective "Kinks Kronikles" in March 1972.

Tracks 16 to 20 are "Sand On My Shoes", "Afternoon Tea", "Mr. Pleasant", "Lazy Old Sun" and "Funny Face" – all are Stereo and 'Previously Unreleased'

Tracks 21 is "Afternoon Tea" – a German Stereo Mix released on the German LP version in December 1967 on Pye Hitton HTSLP 340044

Track 22 is "Tin Soldier Man" – and is 'Previously Unreleased'

The 24-page booklet is as tastefully laid out as the "Face To Face" issue is – they all have the same generic look - liners notes by noted writer PETER DOGGETT (Record Collector magazine), photos of both the UK and US LP artwork along with many rare Euro and US 7" single picture sleeves, trade adverts, newspaper clippings, memorabilia and input from fan sites etc. The breakdown of the tracks is very well done too - what came from what and why. Both of the discs are also themed - the CDs reflect the purple colouring of the original UK Pye Records LP label - with Side 1 pictured beneath the see-through tray of CD1 and Side 2 beneath the tray of CD2 - all nice touches.

ANDREW SANDOVAL, DAN HERSCH (of Digiprep and Rhino fame) and ANDY PEARCE carried out the remasters - and the sound quality is exceptionally good. The STEREO mixes in particular are superb and so fresh, not just separated two-channel reprocessing, but a cohesive whole - very warm and beautifully clear. The difference between the MONO and STEREO versions in fact is acute (as it is on “Face To Face”). Some prefer the stark power of the MONO, but I think this is one of those 'Deluxe Editions' that actually benefits from the presence of both - they different beasts for sure - but equally admirable.

To the record itself - with "Sgt. Peppers" thrashing everything in sight from 1 June 1967 to the end of the year, that goliath’s presence perhaps goes some way to explaining why an album as brilliant as "Something Else…" was virtually ignored by the public on both sides of the pond. It made number 35 on the LP charts for 2 weeks in the UK and barely scraped 153 in the USA for 1 week. Talk about lost masterpiece…

The album opens with a double-whammy – "David Watts" (lyrics above) and "Death Of A Clown" – a duo of lyrical and musical brilliance. "Situation Vacant" is another gem – with lyrics like "…to keep his Mama satisfied, he went and bought the weekly classified…" Few bands excepting maybe The Beatles and The Stones had their finger on the pulse of Sixties society like The Kinks did – the light and the dark. The sonic punch out of both "Afternoon Tea" and the beautiful "Waterloo Sunset" is fantastic too. I love the even-more-trippy vocal on the Alternate "Lazy Old Sun" while the 'Alternate Backing Track' on "Tin Soldier Man" sounds like it will turn up on some retro TV program soon (it may be vocal-less, but it's fully-formed and ready to use). And as with "Face To Face", the keyboard flourishes of ace sessionman Nicky Hopkins can now be heard clearly throughout. Again - the whole thing feels like an embarrassment of riches.

Niggles – couple of B-sides left off (but they’re on the "Face To Face" double if you really want them) and I find these new card-digipaks easy to dent and mark without the outer plastic wrap that was on all initial Deluxe Editions. But these are minor points - at a whopping 52 tracks, there’s genuinely little to moan about.

To sum up - a superb new remaster on both mixes, properly upgraded packaging and liner notes and extra tracks that actually warrant the title 'bonus'.

Recommended like gazing on a fine Waterloo Sunset...

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"The Moonstone" by TOMMY FLANDERS - 1969 Debut US Album on Verve-Forecast Records in Stereo (2007 UK Rev-ola CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Could It Be That We've Both Got Something Together To Share…"

Prior to the end of the Sixties, Tommy Flanders main claim to fame was being the original lead vocalist with 'The Blues Project' whose debut album "Live At The Café Au Go-Go In New York" was released in early 1966 to great acclaim. And although he'd left the band at the time of release and only featured on 4 of the tracks, he'd made a name for himself to such a degree that he signed a solo deal with Verve. But Flanders then went off the radar for years - only to re-appear in late 1969 at the age of 25 with this unheralded and very un-bluesy debut album - "The Moonstone". 

To this day it remains a bit of a Folk-Rock Singer-Songwriter unknown. But as the liner notes to this fab-sounding 2007 Rev-Ola CD Reissue and Remaster on CR REV 206 (39:15 minutes) proudly heralds, here is an LP that deserves "...much overdue re-appraisal..." - and in parts, I agree.

With Flanders producing and Denis McCarthy arranging, "The Moonstone" was recorded in May 1969 in Los Angeles and featured BRUCE LANGHORNE (Electric Guitars), DICK ROSMINI (Acoustic & 12-String Guitars), JERRY SCHEFF (Bass) and MICHAEL BOTTS (Drums). The album was first released in the USA in late 1969 on Verve Forecast FTS-3075 (in Stereo Only) and wasn't released in the UK until February 1970 on Verve SVLP 6020 (reissued in 1972 on MGM Records 2353 027). For all accounts, its arrival went unnoticed on both sides of the pond and it didn't seem to trouble LP charts anywhere.

The album produced a lone US 7" single at the time of release (1969) - "The Moonstone" b/w "Between Purple And Blue" on Verve Forecast PB 3075. Rare copies even had the album artwork as a picture sleeve, but it tanked (in some cases it appears to have been Promo-only as stock copies are unseen). There was a further attempt at 45-success in 1970 by pairing "Between Purple And Blue" with the non-album "First Time, Last Time" on MGM 14143, but again to no avail. Prior to these two issues, he'd even made a very rare single in 1967 called "Friday Night City" b/w "Reputation" on Verve 5064 - but again no joy. With regard to this CD reissue, it's a damn shame that these non-album sides (there's also album outtakes known to exist) weren't included as 'bonus' tracks here, but alas...

Vocally Tommy Flanders is very similar to that other star 'The Blues Project' produced - Al Kooper - only there's also touches of Tim Buckley, Tim Hardin and even Dylan thrown in. The arrangements are very easy on the ear - it opens with the lovely "Since You've Been Gone" and your hit with a big plus - the superb sound quality. Remastered by NICK ROBBINS at London's Sound Mastering, he's done a gorgeous job - it's warm, clear and gives a real loveliness to the primarily acoustic ballads (the "Big Sur" song "Morning Misty Eyes" and the jaunty "Boston Girls" for example).

So why is the album forgotten - the truth is that it's not just melancholic in tone; it's only half good at it. Flanders wrote all the songs himself except "Morning Misty Eyes" which is co-written with Gabriel Mekler (worked with Etta James among others) - and many are nice, but not much more. However, I would argue that 3 tracks on the record are truly great and absolutely worth the price of your admission - "Blue Water Blue", "The Moonstone" and "She's My Love". The title track is the most inspired tune on the record - slightly trippy, it's instantly catchy and has turned up on cool compilations like Jon Savage's "Meridian 1970" (see separate review), while the finisher "She's My Love" (lyrics above) is undeniably beautiful (even if it does have some cruddy dialogue at the beginning and end of it).

This is a clever reissue on the part of Rev-Ola (a subsiduary of Cherry Red Records). It's not all genius of course, but the good stuff genuinely deserves your attention.
Check "The Moonstone" out - it's worth the effort...

PS: another very nice release in this series is the gorgeous "If The Jasmine Doesn't Get You...The Bay Breeze Will" by VINCE MARTIN (Fred Neil's old folk partner in the mid Sixties on Elektra). It's another folky gem rarity from 1969 (on Capitol Records) - and again - it has beautiful sound quality.

“Bright Star”. A Review Of The 2009 Jane Campion Film Now On A 2010 DVD.

"…A Thing Of Beauty…"

“Bright Star” opens with a close-up of a thread being needled - but the pull and placing of the wool is not methodical nor part of some daily Nineteenth Century drudgery - it’s being done carefully – almost as if there’s tenderness being sown into each cross-stitch. We then see that the seamstress is a 20-year old lady sat by a window in the early hours of the morning in her bonnet and ribbons – she is Fanny Brawne (beautifully played by the Australia actress Abbie Cornish). Her younger sister Toots (Edie Martin) then wakes up in the bed nearby and sighs at Fanny – Toots may only be 6, but she knows exactly who all the 'just so' work is for…

Jane Campion’s 2009 re-telling of the mercurial love affair between the struggling English romantic poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne has been accused by scholars and purists as being historically inaccurate and frankly hogwash. But I feel this is to miss the point. This is a movie - and some artistic allowance is to be expected. But more importantly, Campion absolutely makes it work – and for the whole journey too. You care about these idealistic people – you are enthralled by their short but oh so sweet shot at happiness – and Fanny’s destruction at her soulmate’s loss is one of the most powerful scenes committed to celluloid in decades.

The setting is Hampstead Village, London in 1818 – and Greig Fraser’s Cinematography puts huge amounts of detail on screen. This is a world of Inky Quills, Scullery Maids and Pantaloons - where men smoke cigars, gulp brandy and sing chummy Acapella songs for the gathered Ladies and Gentlemen at society parties. A triple-pleated mushroom collar is a clothing advance and a man who is dying of consumption (Keats’ brother) is described as ‘diminished’.

Words are all in this society and Campion’s script revels in it. Keats’ poems “Endymion”, “Bright Star” and “When I Have Fears That I May Cease To Be” are all quoted – and the dialogue in-between is just as elegant and insightful. But of course the movie lives and dies on the dance of love between Cornish and Whishaw – and that courtship and deepening of feeling features so many great moments… a look she gives Keats in the woods as they walk and exchange ideas, her reaction to Tom’s death - create something of beauty to remember him by – an embroidered pillow case that she sat up all night making – her feet curling on a bed as she devours one of Keats love letters – her tender kisses on the paper as she posts her reply…
It could all have been so terribly corny, but both the actors and the script give it life and a genuine beating heart. Mark Bradshaw’s music is also used sparingly and with great effect – and when it isn’t there – the silence engenders a terrible feeling of foreboding (sickness, death).

Special mention should also go to Paul Schneider who is exceptional as the arrogant and obsessive Mr. Brown – supposed friend and fellow accomplice in poetry with Keats. Brown does everything to thwart the burgeoning romance between Keats and Brawne – feeling her a distraction from their lofty writing and a danger to his talent - even coveting her as his own. His vehemence forces Keats to step up to the plate and Fanny is well able for him. The core 3 actors here are fabulous together. Special mention should also go to Kerry Fox as Fanny’s practical mother and Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Liam Neeson’s son in “Love Actually”) as her younger brother Samuel - also quietly superb.

The extras include (a) Working With Jane Campion Documentary (b) Behind The Scenes Featurette (c) Deleted Scenes (d) Photo Gallery and (e) Trailer – the lone subtitle is ‘English For The Hearing Impaired’. My only real gripe is that it’s not on BLU RAY - a format that would surely make this beauty shine like a diamond (due in 2011 apparently).

Campion and her exceptionally talented cast are to be congratulated – “Bright Star” is a literate, sensual, beautifully staged and gushingly romantic tale - and proud of it. They did a great job and I for one was deeply moved…

“Face To Face: Deluxe Edition” by THE KINKS (June 2011 Universal/Sanctuary 2CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 100s Of Others Is Available in my

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"...The Eagle Spreads Its Mighty Wings..."

Like many fans of this great British band, I've watched the release of 6 Kinks 'Deluxe Editions' since the beginning of 2011 with a certain amount of skepticism. Haven't these albums been done to death already and isn't this just more monetary milking of it? But then several pals began to rave about the great new remastered sound on these doubles - so I took the plunge on "Face To Face", "Something Else"" and "Arthur..." - and they were right. They're better than previous issues - and how. But along with the gains (there are 8 'previously unreleased' tracks) there are some strange omissions too...

Here are the details first - "Face To Face: Deluxe Edition" by THE KINKS was UK released 20 June 2011 on Universal/Sanctuary 277 262-0 (Barcode 0602527726205) as a 2CD set of Remasters and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (57:35 minutes):

1. Party Line

2. Rosy Won’t You Please Come Home

3. Dandy

4. Too Much On My Mind

5. Session Man

6. Rainy Day In June

7. House In The Country

8. Holiday In Waikiki

9. Most Exclusive Residence For Sale

10. Fancy

11. Little Queen Of Darkness

12. You’re Looking Fine

13. Sunny Afternoon

14. I’ll Remember

Tracks 1 to 14 are the MONO version of "Face To Face" LP released 28 October 1966 in the UK on Pye Records NPL 18149 and 7 December 1966 in the USA on Reprise Records R 6228

BONUS TRACKS:

Tracks 15 and 16 are "Dead End Street" and "Big Black Smoke" - they are the MONO A&B-side of a non-album 7" single released 18 November 1966 in the UK on Pye Records 7N.17222 and 30 November 1966 in the USA on Reprise Records 0540

Track 17 is "This Is Where I Belong" - the MONO non-album B-side of a UK 7" single on Pye Records 7N.17314, released 21 April 1967, pressed up for export issue to Europe - it's A-side is "Mr. Pleasant" (that track is missing here - it's on the 2004 CD reissue)

Track 18 is "She's Got Everything" - the MONO non-album B-side of the UK 7" single on Pye Records 7N.17573, released 28 June 1968 (A-side is "Days"). It was also released in the USA on 24 July 1968 on Reprise Records 9762.

Track 19 is "Little Miss Queen Of Darkness" - a Previously Unreleased Alternate Take

Track 20 is "Dead End Street" - a Previously Unreleased Alternate Version first issued on the 2008 Sanctuary Records 6CD box set "Picture Book"

Disc 2 (63:28 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 14 are the STEREO version of the LP - Pye Records NSPL 18149 in the UK and Reprise Records RS 6228 in the USA (tracks as per Disc 1)

BONUS TRACKS:

Tracks 15, 16 and 17 are "This Is Where I Belong", "Big Black Smoke" and "She's Got Everything" - these 3 STEREO versions were first slotted for release on the 1968 "Four More Respected Gentlemen" UK LP, but withdrawn - they finally saw release in the USA on the 2LP Reprise Records retrospective "Kinks Kronikles" in March 1972. 15 and 16 are listed as 'Previously Unreleased'

Tracks 18 - 22 are "You're Looking Fine (Alternate Stereo Mix)". "Sunny Afternoon (Alternate Stereo Mix)", "Fancy (Alternate Stereo Mix)", "Little Miss Queen Of Darkness (Alternate Stereo Mix)" and "Dandy (Alternate Stereo Mix)" - all are listed as 'Previously Unreleased'

The 24-page booklet is tastefully laid out - liners notes by noted Kinks expert DANIEL RACHEL, photos of both the UK and US LP artwork along with many rare Euro and US 7" single picture sleeves, trade adverts, newspaper clippings, memorabilia and input from fan sites (www.kindakinks.com) etc. The breakdown of the tracks is very well done too - what came from what and why. Both of the discs are also themed - the CDs reflect the purple colouring of the original UK Pye Records LP label - with Side 1 pictured beneath the see-through tray of CD1 and Side 2 beneath the tray of CD2 - all nice touches.

The remasters were carried out by ANDREW SANDOVAL, DAN HERSCH (of Digiprep and Rhino fame) and ANDY PEARCE and the sound quality is exceptionally good. The STEREO mixes in particular sound superb and fresh, not just separated two-channel reprocessing, but a cohesive whole - very warm and beautifully clear. The difference between the MONO and STEREO versions in fact is acute - some prefer the stark power of the MONO, but I think this is one of those 'Deluxe Editions' that actually benefits from the presence of both - they different beasts for sure - but equally admirable.

Great tracks include the hypnotic "Rainy Day In June" (lyrics above) which sounds like its going to turn up in an episode of "Mad Men" real soon, while it's followed by the equally classy Sixties pop of "House In The Country" - Ray at his acidic best. The sonic punch out of both "Sunny Afternoon" and "Too Much On My Mind" is fantastic. The acoustic guitars at the beginning of "Dandy" and "Too Much..." are so clear now - as are the keyboard flourishes of ace sessionman Nicky Hopkins throughout. I was also surprised at how different the previously unreleased Stereo mixes of "You're Looking Fine" and "Little Miss Queen Of Darkness" are, but not in a bad way. They're very cool additions - and all in all (released or unreleased) = the whole thing feels like an embarrassment of riches.

Niggles - on Disc 1, Tracks 17 and 18 are ‘B-sides’, when a quick glance at the short playing time for Disc 1 will reveal that there was plenty of room for the A's - "Mr. Pleasant" and "Days" - yet you have to keep your 2004 version for those or buy the DE of "Something Else". It's a small point, but it's worth making.

To sum up - a superb new remaster on both mixes, properly upgraded packaging and liner notes and extra tracks that actually warrant the title 'bonus'. Very nice indeed.

Recommended like lazing on a Sunny Afternoon...

“Bad Reputation” by THIN LIZZY. A Review Of The June 2011 CD Reissue Now Newly Remastered & Expanded By 6 Tracks.

"…Chocolate Stains On My Pants…"

After the bad taste the last 3 Lizzy Deluxe Editions seem to leave in many fans mouths (advertised as new remasters, Universal simply used the 1996 versions and didn’t change the booklets or adverts) – I’m glad to say this reissue of Lizzy’s much-loved 8th album “Bad Reputation” is a real improvement on the former 1996 outing - and packs some nice surprises in the bonus department too.

Tracks 1 to 9 are the original LP "Bad Reputation" released 2 September 1977 on Vertigo Records 9102 016 in the UK and on Mercury SRM1-1186 in the USA. It peaked at Number 4 in the UK album charts and at 49 in the US. This June 2011 'Expanded Edition' CD on Universal/Mercury 2772693 adds on 6 bonus tracks and breaks down as follows (57:24 minutes):

Tracks 10 to 15 are "Killer Without A Cause", "Bad Reputation", "That Woman’s Gonna Break Your Heart", "Dancing In Moonlight (It’s Caught Me In Its Spotlight)" and "Downtown Sundown" – all are Previously Unreleased - a BBC Session Recorded 1 August 1977 (no other details provided).

Track 16 is "Me And The Boys (Soundcheck)" – this version is Previously Unreleased - no details are provided as to where or when this live recording was made…

The expanded 16-page booklet has new liner notes (doesn’t say who wrote them) and features the album’s original inner sleeve along with some new live photos of the band in both colour and black and white. It’s nice, but oddly doesn’t reference the bonus tracks at all except to list their titles (I mean 'Soundcheck' – where, when?)

The remaster was carried out by ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM at Wired Masters in the UK in 2010 – and the sound is much improved. The 1996 version always seemed slightly muffled – muddy almost – but each track here is very clear - especially the rhythm section. I’ve always loved the slightly romantic feel to "Southbound", "Downtown Sundown" and "Dear Lord" – and each sounds great – really clear, punchy without being overly cranked for effect. The irrepressible "Dancing In The Moonlight…" (lyrics above) leaps out of the speakers at you. The only two I found slightly underwhelming are "Soldier Of Fortune" and "Opium Trail" – maybe there’s just too much going on in the tracks – but they sound even more 'dense' that before – and not in a good way - but obviously it’s a matter of personal taste.

Amazingly, the opening two BBC tracks "Killer Without A Cause" and "Bad Reputation" start out sounding like the band live-in-the-studio (exciting and alive), but the next three end up sounding like polished overdubbed versions which are virtually indistinguishable from the album cuts. On the opening two, you really feel the songs coming alive – and the sheer rocking tightness of the group who’d been touring their wrinkled butts off for years – shines through also. There’s a rush of excitement on the first two – the last three are just a little 'too' polished – almost sedate.

And then you’re presented with a truly astonishing diamond in the rough - a genuine Thin Lizzy bonus track gem. "Me And The Boys" first turned up as a crowd-storming track on the "Live And Dangerous" double in 1978 (its also famously featured on the video of the concert), but it disappointingly wasn’t on the DE version of "Live & Dangerous" in 2010. Well – here it is – albeit in a 'Soundcheck' version – and it’s ragged and absolutely amazing. This is what Lizzy fans have craved – their band rocking like an absolute monster – tight even when they were shambolic. As I say - it’s messy - but man is it good!

To sum up – despite the booklet being slightly disjointed – the remaster is great and the bonus tracks – proper fan pleasers.

I remember being at Dalymount Park in Dublin (a football stadium) in the Summer of 1977 when Lizzy were at their peak – Phil pointing the reflection plate of his black bass through the crowd as the light caught it in the approaching evening. He was laying into the cool lyrics of “Dancing In The Moonlight…” and the whole place was boogieing – I remember thinking just how 'magic' they were.

I like it that this CD has brought some of that vibe back to me…after all these years…
Recommended.

“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]

"Not Fade Away - The Complete Studio Recordings And More" by BUDDY HOLLY. A Review of the 2009 Hip-O Select 6CD Box Set.

"…In My Heart…You’re The One…"

First available via Hip-O Select’s own website from 30 October 2009, “Not Fade Away – The Complete Studio Recordings And More” saw its commercial US release on 23 November 2009 (delayed to 2 Dec 2009 in the UK). 203-tracks are housed on 6 label-themed CDs in an oversized hardback book – a worldwide limited edition of 7000 (non-numbered). As well as including almost the entirety of the 57-track “Down The Line Rarities” 2CD set from 2009, a further 8 are ‘Previously Unreleased’ with 14 more ‘Previously Unreleased in the USA’. Here’s a disc-by-disc breakdown first…

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 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 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 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 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 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)

PACKAGING and SOUND:
Worldwide Buddy Holly authority BILL GRIGGS acted as consultant, while long-time R’n’B and Doo Wop champ BILL DAHL does the knowledgeable and hugely affectionate liner notes. ANDY McKAIE was compiler and co-ordinator, while one of Universal’s top engineers ERICK LABSON (nearly 1000 mastering credits to his name - including most of the Chess catalogue) did the remastering. The sound varies as you can imagine from the barely tolerable (demos) to the sublime (official studio tracks). For the most part I found the transfers warm and beautifully rendered throughout – “Little Baby” from “Buddy Holly” sounds just amazing (lyrics above).

Niggles - as you tell from a photograph of it, Hip-O Select knew they’d a prestigious project on their hands and pulled out the stops packaging-wise. It is a lovely thing to behold. Having said that – if Bear Family had done this – the book would have been a work-of-art – and new ‘Buddy’ stuff would festoon every page. The book is lovely don’t get me wrong, but it’s over all too soon. Also – Page 20 has a full-page black and white shot of Buddy alighting the tour bus on 19 Jan 1958 in the snow and it’s just eerily beautiful – I wish they’d used it as the cover art instead of the rather naff and safe choice they did choose.

Summing up – fans have waited years for a CD replacement of their beloved “Complete Buddy Holly” 6LP/6MC Box Set from 1979 by the wonderful JOHN BEECHER and MALCOLM JONES – and this tastily presented homage is the closest they’re going to get to it.

What an artist – and what a legacy. Rave On indeed...

PS: For fans, I’ve created an album-by-album Discography referencing the entire contents of this box (took me a while that) – see separate posting...