Rave On, a Tribute to the Songs of Buddy Holly

Author

By Alan Segal

Publish Date

Aug. 24, 2011

Buddy Holly's been dead 52 years. He died at 22 in a plane crash described "as the night the music died" by singer Don McLean in his classic-rock anthem "American Pie."

Though his recording career lasted only three years, Holly's influence and song catalogue helped define rock and roll. On this new tribute album, you can hear Holly's rock influence best as interpreted by Paul McCartney's channeling of the early Beatles sound on a memorable cover of "It's So Easy."

There are 19 Holly songs in this collection, and for someone who is familiar with the original Holly versions, it is a treat to hear them reworked by pop artists old and new. Florence and the Machine add a touch of zydeco to "Not Fade Away," Cee Lo Green speeds up and modernizes "You're So Square," Jack White and Karen Elson stylize "Crying, Waiting, Hoping,” and Lou Reed does a traditional take of “Peggy Sue,” as does Fiona Apple on her beautifully rendered cover of "Everyday."