Buddy Holly ‎– Reminiscing

Buddy Holly – Reminiscing

Released posthumously in February 1963 on Coral Records, Reminiscing is an intriguing collection that offers a glimpse into Buddy Holly’s development as one of the defining voices of early rock ’n’ roll. Although Holly had died in 1959, his recordings continued to reach new audiences, and this album brought together material from different stages of his brief but influential career.

The collection has a particularly strong rockabilly and blues feel. Holly tackles a series of spirited rhythm and blues and rock ’n’ roll favourites, including Little Richard’s “Slippin' And Slidin'”, Bo Diddley’s “Bo Diddley” and Chuck Berry’s “Brown-Eyed Handsome Man”. These sit alongside his own compositions, revealing the instinctive melodic sense, rhythmic drive and distinctive vocal character that made his music so influential.

The title track, written by saxophonist King Curtis, is a notable inclusion, while “Baby, Won't You Come Out To-Night?”, “Because I Love You” and “I'm Gonna Set My Foot Down” highlight Holly’s talent for combining youthful energy with memorable songwriting. “Wait Till The Sun Shines Nellie” adds a more unusual touch to the programme, drawing on an older popular song tradition.

An interesting part of Holly’s posthumous catalogue, Reminiscing was assembled by producer Norman Petty from recordings made between 1956 and 1959. Some of the material was subsequently overdubbed by members of the Fireballs, giving the album a different sound from Holly’s original recordings and making it an interesting document of how his unreleased work was prepared for listeners after his death.

For fans of Buddy Holly, early rock ’n’ roll, rockabilly and the roots of British and American pop, Reminiscing is a worthwhile chapter in the story of a musician whose influence far outlasted his short career.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Reminiscing

2. Slippin' And Slidin'

3. Bo Diddley

4. Wait Till The Sun Shines Nellie

5. Baby, Won't You Come Out To-Night?

Side B

1. Brown-Eyed Handsome Man

2. Because I Love You

3. It's Not My Fault

4. I'm Gonna Set My Foot Down

5. Changing All Those Changes

6. Rock-A-Bye-Rock