Charles Hardin Holley, in arte Buddy Holly, nasce il sette settembre del 1936 a Lubbock, Texas. Sin da giovane, influenzato da artisti come Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, Bill Monroe, Lightnin' Hopkins, John Lee Hooker e Ray Charles, decide di dedicarsi a tempo pieno alla musica.
Siamo nel 1953 e il giovane Holly, chiamato così perché il cognome originale perse la "e" a causa di un errore di trascrizione su una locandina di una delle prime esibizioni, forma con un compagno di scuola un duo vocale country-western e hilly-billy, Buddy & Bob. Un gruppo all'apparenza effimero che, grazie ad un programma radiofonico molto popolare all'epoca che porta il loro stesso nome, ottiene un soddisfacente riscontro di pubblico tale da permettere al duo di effettuare alcune registrazioni. Siamo nel 1955 e l'esibizione al Cotton Club di Lubbock di un giovanissimo e vulcanico Elvis Presley spinge Buddy Holly verso il rockabilly. E' lo spunto iniziale di una breve e folgorante carriera, tra le più importanti ed influenti del rock'n'roll originale. Una vicenda artistica eclettica e talmente fondamentale da avere un enorme impatto persino sui Beatles. E' sempre in quell'anno che alcune esibizioni di Buddy & Bob, tra cui una proprio di spalla a Presley, attirano l' interesse di un talent scout, Eddie Crandall, che decide di portare Holly alla Decca nello stesso momento in cui Elvis Presley sta passando con grande clamore alla RCA. La Decca vorrebbe che il giovane texano seguisse la strada tracciata da Presley e così nel 1956 Buddy Holly incide presso gli studi di Nashville una serie di brani, tra cui un' acerba versione di "That' ll Be The Day", che vengono pubblicati a nome di Buddy Holly & The Three Tunes senza però riscuotere alcun successo. Questi pezzi, tra cui ricordiamo per dovere di cronaca "Blue Days Black Nights" e "Modern Don Juan", non soddisfano nessuno e portano all' immediata rescissione del rapporto con quell'etichetta discografica. E' a questo punto che Holly decide di rivolgersi a Norman Petty, responsabile di uno studio di registrazione nel New Mexico, il quale rimane completamente rapito e affascinato dal repertorio del giovane ed intelligente musicista tanto da fargli reincidere la vecchia "That ‘ll Be The Day", già registrata per la Decca ma rimasta inspiegabilmente inedita. Norman Petty decide inoltre di diventare il manager di Buddy Holly a tempo pieno aiutandolo ad allestire un suo gruppo fisso, i Crickets formati da Niki Sullivan alla chitarra, Joe Mauldin al basso e Jerry Allison alla batteria.
Con questa mitica band Holly inizia ad incidere canzoni, entrate di diritto nella storia del rock'n'roll, per le etichette discografiche Coral e Brunswick, entrambe affiliate della Decca. Inoltre, per non venire incontro a problemi legali con la stessa Decca, il manager di Buddy Holly impone una curiosa trovata discografica: le incisioni del gruppo usciranno a nome Crickets per la Brunswick e a nome Holly per la Coral. In pochissimi mesi vengono pubblicate le prime incisioni di un repertorio unico e di enorme successo basato su semplici schemi ritmici che smussano gli spigoli più taglienti del rock'n'roll e che miscelano le abituali coordinate del country con quelle più sensibili del rhythm'n'blues. Brani immortali con testi che narrano vicende prettamente adolescenziali cantati da Holly con il suo inimitabile stile sincopato o a singhiozzi che tanto seguito avrà nei successivi anni sessanta.
Titoli come la già citata "That ‘ll Be The Day", prima in classifica sia negli Stati Uniti che in Gran Bretagna nel 1957, "Peggy Sue", "Not Fade Away", "Oh Boy", "Words Of Love", "Maybe Baby" ed "Everyday" dimostrano da subito di quanto smisurato talento, intuito e genio fosse dotato questo occhialuto, timido e dolce texano. Un talento unico ed innato che lo hanno fatto diventare uno dei più importanti e sensibili autori dell'intera epopea rock. Un anno, quel lontanissimo 1957, in cui Buddy Holly riuscì a raccogliere le soddisfazioni di un successo rincorso per anni e reso ulteriormente epocale dalla famosissima esibizione del dieci dicembre al prestigioso Ed Sullivan Show. Uno stile innovativo, quello di questo enorme artista, che ha trovato il suo coronamento l'anno successivo grazie ad una nuova serie di canzoni indimenticabili e che portano i titoli di "Rave On", "Think It Over", "It's So Easy", "Listen To Me", "Early In The Morning", "Heartbeat" e "Well... All Right". Tutte cartoline musicali vincenti che umilmente fanno sfoggio della tecnica chitarristica di Holly con la sua Fender Stratocaster, del suo particolarissimo timbro vocale e dell'innovativo uso delle sovrincisioni della voce e della chitarra. Tutti elementi rivoluzionari ed essenziali nell'evoluzione del rock'n'roll e di enorme influenza per artisti come Beatles, Everly Brothers e Beach Boys.
A questo punto Buddy Holly è una star di prima grandezza che già da tempo chiede maggiore libertà creativa e sente fortemente la necessita artistica di esplorare altri generi musicali. Così il musicista texano, dopo aver sposato in gran segreto una giovane ragazza portoricana ed essersi stabilito a New York, decide di rompere il suo sodalizio artistico sia con Norman Petty che con i Crickets. Così nell'ottobre del 1958 ha luogo l'ultima session ufficiale di Buddy Holly che produce brani come "True Love Ways", "Moondreams", "Raining In My Heart" e l'innovativo pezzo composto da Paul Anka, "It Doesn' t Matter Anymore", arricchito dall' elegante presenza di una sezione d'archi. Sono le ultime gemme di un arista che per alcuni decenni rappresenterà un inesauribile patrimonio e fonte d' ispirazione per Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Linda Ronstandt, Joe Ely e decine di altri musicisti. La luminosa cometa di Buddy Holly terminerà infatti la sua breve ma luminosa corsa in una fredda notte di febbraio del 1959 a causa di un tragico incidente aereo in cui perderanno la vita anche i colleghi Big Bopper e Ritchie Valens. Una morte improvvisa e prematura quella di Holly che lascia l' intero mondo del rock incredulo e prigioniero di sensazioni negative che verranno in seguito meravigliosamente semplificate nel brano di Don McLean "American Pie".
Pubblicata nel 2008, "The Very Best Of Buddy Holly And The Crickets", è l'ideale compendio per chi desidera avvicinarsi alla musica di questo importante musicista. Una raccolta completa e ben strutturata che nelle sue cinquanta tracce contiene la storia di buona parte del primo e vero rock'n'roll. Ascoltando queste storiche canzoni una di seguito all'altra è facile percepire il talento di questo ragazzo che riusciva a coniugare perfettamente ritmo, melodia ed immediatezza. Un talento sparito purtroppo troppo in fretta che, nel breve volgere di neppure due anni, riuscì a cambiare le regole del rock'n'roll rivoluzionando lo stile compositivo dei brani, arricchendoli di melodia e donando al rock il suo aspetto più pop. Oltre alla sua opera, ci rimane solo il quesito di quali altri obbiettivi artistici avrebbe potuto raggiungere se in quella infausta notte del febbraio 1959 non fosse salito su quel maledetto aereo. Ma è la stessa domanda senza risposta che ci poniamo ogni volta che pensiamo ad Otis Redding, ai Lynyrd Skynyrd e a Stevie Ray Vaughan che hanno in comune con Buddy Holly la stessa tragica sorte.
Elenco tracce testi e video
01 Heartbeat (02:11)
Heartbeat
Why do you miss when my baby kisses me
Heartbeat
Why does a love kiss stay in my memory
Piddly pat
I know that new love thrills me
I know that true love will be
Heartbeat
Why do you miss when my baby kisses me
Heartbeat
Why do you skip when my babies lips meet mine
Heartbeat
Why do you flip and give me a skip each sign
Piddly pat
And sing to me love's story
And bring to me love's glory
Heartbeat
Why do you miss when my baby kisses me
02 That'll Be The Day (02:17)
verse 1
well, you give me all your lovin' and your turtle dovin',
all your hugs and kisses and your money too;
well, you know you love me, baby,
still you tell me, maybe,
that some day, well, i'll be through!
chorus
well, that'll be the day
when you say good bye,
yes, that'll be the day,
when you make me cry,
ah, you say you're gonna leave,
you know its a lie,
'cause that'll be the day when i die.
well
verse 2
when cupid shot his dart,
he shot it at your heart,
so if we ever part and i leave you,
you say you told me an' you told me boldly,
that some day, well, i'll be through,
chorus
well, that'll be the day
when you say good bye,
yes, that'll be the day,
when you make me cry,
ah, you say you're gonna leave,
you know its a lie,
'cause that'll be the day when i die.
well that'll be the day (whoo oh)
well that'll be the day ( whoo oh)
well that'll be the day (whoo oh)
well that'll be the day
03 Peggy Sue (02:31)
If you knew Peggy Sue, then you'd know why I feel blue
About Peggy, 'bout Peggy Sue
Oh well, I love you gal, yes I love you Peggy Sue
Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue
Oh how my heart yerns for you
Oh Peggy, my Peggy Sue
Oh well, I love you gal, yes I love you Peggy Sue
Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, Peggy Sue
Oh, my Peggy, my Peggy Sue
Oh, well, I love you gal and I need you, Peggy Sue
I love you, Peggy Sue, with a love so rare and true
Oh, Peggy, My Peggy Sue
Oh well, I love you gal, yes I want you, Peggy Sue
Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue,
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, Peggy Sue
Oh, Peggy, my Peggy Sue
Oh well, I love you gal, yes I need you, Peggy Sue
I love you, Peggy Sue, with a love so rare and true
Oh Peggy, My Peggy Sue
Oh well, I love you gal, yes I love you, Peggy Sue
Oh well, I love you gal and I want you Peggy Sue
05 Rave On (01:50)
Well the little things you say and do
Make me want to be with you
Rave on it's a crazy feelin and
I know its got me reelin
When you say, I love you
Rave on
The way you dance and hold me tight
The way you kiss and say goodnight
Rave on it's a crazy feelin and
I know its got me reelin
When you say, I love you
Rave on
Well rave on
Its a crazy feelin
and I know
Its got me reelin
Im so glad
That you're revealin your love for me
Well rave on
Rave on and tell me
Tell me
Not to be lonely
Tell me
You love me only
Rave on to me
Well rave on
Its a crazy feelin
and I know
Its got me reelin
Im so glad
That you're revealin your love for me
Well rave on
Rave on and tell me
Tell me
Not to be lonely
Tell me
You love me only
Rave on to me
06 Think It Over (01:47)
Think it over what you just said
think it over in your pretty little head
are you sure that I’m not the one
is your love real or only fun
you think it over - yes, think it over
a lonely heart grows cold and old
Think it over and let me know
think it over but don’t be slow
just remember all birds and bees
go by twos through life’s mysteries
you think it over - yes, think it over
a lonely heart grows cold and old
Think it over and think of me
think it over and you will see
a happy day when you and I
think as one and kiss the blues goodbye
you think it over - yes, think it over
a lonely heart grows cold and old
07 Brown Eyed Handsome Man (02:05)
Arrested on charges of unemployment
He was sitting in the witness stand
The judge's wife called up the district attorney
Said, "Free that brown-eyed man
You want your job, you better free that brown-eyed man"
Flying across the desert in a TWA
I saw a woman walking across the sand
She been a-walkin' thirty miles en route to Bombay
To reach a brown-eyed handsome man
Her destination was a brown-eyed handsome man
Way back in history, three thousand years
Back ever since the world began
There's been a whole lot of good women shedding tears
Over a brown-eyed handsome man
A lot of trouble - was a brown-eyed handsome man
The beautiful daughter couldn't make up her mind
Between a doctor and a lawyer man
Her mother told her, "Darling go out and find yourself
A brown-eyed handsome man
That's what your daddy is - a brown-eyed handsome man"
Marlo Venus was a beautiful lass
She had the world in the palm of her hand
But she lost both her arms in a wrestling match
To win a brown-eyed handsome man
She fought and won herself a brown-eyed handsome man
Well, 2-3 the count an' nobody on
He hit a high fly into the stands
a-rounding third he was headed for home
It was a brown-eyed handsome man
That won the game - it was a brown-eyed handsome man
09 True Love Ways (02:50)
Just you know why
why you and I
will by and by
know true love ways
Sometimes we'll sigh
sometimes we'll cry
and we'll know why
just you and I
know true love ways
Throughout the days
our true love ways
will bring us joys to share
with those who really care
Sometimes we'll sigh
sometimes we'll cry
and we'll know why
just you and I
know true love ways
repeat
10 Raining In My Heart (02:48)
The sun is out
The sky is blue
There's not a cloud
To spoil the view
But it's raining
Raining In My Heart
The Weather Man
Says "Clear today"
He doesn't know
You've gone away
And it's raining
Raining In My Heart
Oh misery - misery
What's gonna become of me
I tell my blues
They mustn't show
But soon these tears
Are bound to flow
Cause it's raining
Raining In My Heart
Raining In My Heart
Raining In My Heart
11 Everyday (02:08)
Everyday, it's a gettin' closer,
Goin' faster than a roller coaster,
Love like yours will surely come my way, (hey, hey, hey)
Everyday, it's a gettin' faster,
Everyone says go on up and ask her,
Love like yours will surely come my way, (hey, hey, hey)
Everyday seems a little longer,
Every way, love's a little stronger,
Come what may, do you ever long for
True love from me?
Everyday, it's a gettin' closer,
Goin' faster than a roller coaster,
Love like yours will surely come my way, (hey, hey, hey)
Everyday seems a little longer,
Every way, love's a little stronger,
Come what may, do you ever long for
True love from me?
Everyday, it's a gettin' closer,
Goin' faster than a roller coaster,
Love like yours will surely come my way, (hey, hey, hey)
Love like yours will surely come my way.
12 Wishing (02:02)
Wishing - that I could see you every day
wishing - that I could steal your heart away
Dreaming - of the time I can hold you tight
wishing - that the time would come tonight
I’ve been hoping all along - things would turn out right
if I could find a wishing star - then I could spend the night
Wishing - that I could see you every day
wishing - that I could steal your heart away
13 It's So Easy (02:11)
It's so easy to fall in love
It's so easy to fall in love
People tell me love's for fools
So here I go breaking all of the rules
Well it's so easy, so dog-on easy
Well it's so easy
Where you're concerned my heart's concerned
It's so easy to fall in love
It's so easy to fall in love
It's so easy to fall in love
It's so easy to fall in love
Look into your heart to see
What your love book has set apart for me
Well it's so easy, so dog-on easy
Well it's so easy
Where you're concerned my heart's concerned
It's so easy to fall in love
It's so easy to fall in love
14 Listen To Me (02:22)
Listen To Me and hold me tight
And you will see our love so right
Hold me darling
Listen closely to me
Your eyes will see what love can do
Reveal to me your love so true
Listen To Me, Listen closely to me
I've told the stars you're my only love
I want to love you tenderly
Those same bright stars in heaven above
Know now how sweet - sweethearts can be
Listen To Me hear what I say
Our hearts can be nearer each day
Hold me darling, Listen closely to Me
15 It Doesn't Matter Anymore (02:04)
There you go and baby here am I
Well, you left me here so I could sit and cry
Golly gee, what have you done to me?
Well, I guess it doesn't matter anymore
Do you remember, baby, last September
How you held me tight each and every night
Whoopsie daisie, how you drove me crazy
But I guess it doesn't matter anymore
There's no use in me a-crying
I've done everything and now I'm sick of trying
I've thrown away my nights and wasted all my days over you
Now you go your way and I'll go mine
Now and forever 'til the end of time
And I'll find somebody new and, baby, we'll say we're through
And you won't matter anymore
There's no use in me a-crying
I've done everything and now I'm sick of trying
I've thrown away my nights and wasted all my days over you
Now you go your way and I'll go mine
Now and forever 'til the end of time
And I'll find somebody new and, baby, we'll say we're through
And you won't matter anymore
You won't matter anymore
You won't matter anymore
19 Bo Diddley (02:20)
Bo Diddley buy baby a diamond ring
if that diamond ring don't shine
he gonna take it to a private eye
if that private eye can't see
he better not take that ring from me
Won’t you come to my house back at home
take a-my baby on away from home
love a-that photo, where ya been
up to your house and gone again
Bo Diddley caught a fat cat
to make a-pretty baby a Sunday hat
Bo Diddley caught him a nanny goat
to make a pretty baby a Sunday coat
Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley have you heard
my pretty baby says she wants a bird
23 Midnight Shift (02:11)
If you see old Annie better give her a lift
cause Annie’s been a-workin on a midnight shift
If Annie puts her hair up on her head
paints them lips up bright, bright red
wears that dress that fits real tight
starts stayin’ out 'til the middle of the night
says that a friend gave her a lift
well, Annie’s been workin’ on a midnight shift
If she acts a little funny - seems a little strange
starts spendin’ your money for brand new things
tells you that she wants to use the car
never explains what she wants it for
brother, there just ain’t no “ifs�?
cause Annie’s been workin’ on a midnight shift
Early in the morning when the sun comes up
you look at old Annie and she looks kinda rough
you tell her “honey, get on out of that bed�?
she says “leave me alone - I’m just about dead�?
brother, there just ain’t no “ifs�?
cause Annie’s been workin’ on a midnight shift
If you got a good mama that’s stayin’ at home
you’d better enjoy it - cause it won’t last long
when you think everything’s all right
she starts slippin’ round in the middle of the night
brother, there just ain’t no “ifs�?
cause Annie’s been workin’ on a midnight shift
25 Crying, Waiting, Hoping (02:05)
Crying, waiting, hoping, that you'll come back
I just can't seem to get you off my mind
Crying, waiting, hoping, that you'll come back
You're the one I love and I think about you all the time
Crying, my tears keep fallin' all night long
Waiting, I feel so useless, I know it's wrong
To keep crying, waiting, hoping, that you'll come back
Maybe someday soon things will change and you'll be mine
Crying, my tears keep fallin' all night long
Waiting, I feel so useless, I know it's wrong
To keep crying, waiting, hoping, that you'll come back
Maybe someday soon things will change and you'll be mine
Crying, waiting, hoping
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