Commemorating the 60th anniversary of Buddy Holly’s tragic plane crash (which also took the lives of Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson) True Love Ways presents 12 songs featuring Holly’s original vocals and guitar, all lovingly produced by Nick Patrick and accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Just four months before his death, Buddy Holly entered Decca Studios in New York City for a three-and-half hour session with an 18-piece orchestra. He managed to record the songs “Raining In My Heart,” “Moondreams,” “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore,” and “True Love Ways.” This release sees Holly’s orchestral concept taken up a notch six decades later.
The strings are an integral part of the production, as they elevate “Moondreams,” the title track, and “Words Of Love.” For more lively numbers like “Oh Boy,” “Rave On,” and “That’ll Be The Day,” the strings just about tickle the production.
Music fans and critics have often wondered what we might have heard from Buddy Holly if he had lived to write, record, and produce more music. These well realized gems featuring strings, horns and percussion over that very recognizable vocal and simple yet effective guitar, possibly gives us an idea of what we might have heard from this American master.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
