Chirping Crickets

One of my favourite albums ever. Also, one of my favourite anecdote ever, taken from Little Richards self biography "The Life and Times of Little Richard". Angel, a stripper, later on said this MIGHT not be true, but seriously, never fact check a good story. “One time Buddy came into my dressing room while I was jacking off with Angel sucking my titty. Angel had the fastest tongue in the west. She was doing that to me and Buddy took out his thing. She opened up her legs and he put it in her. He was having sex with Angel, I was jacking off, and Angel was sucking me when they introduced his name on stage. He finished and went to the stage still fastening himself up. I’ll never forget that. He came and he went.”

Hard to rate this one cuz of how old it is. At this point the songs are like a novelty which is fun to hear once in a while but I can’t really take it too seriously. Gonna give it a 3 cuz I see how it’s important for music history and hearing a song or two once in a while is fun but I wouldn’t ever listen to the whole album. I think I would just put on an oldies playlist cuz this is really before albums were meant to be a cohesive piece of work anyways. That being said, I did enjoy the album a lot and the simplicity of the songs gives off a nostalgic feeling. The reverb on it’s too late sounds cool. 👍:that’ll be the day, maybe baby, it’s too late

The ones you know (Oh Boy!, Not Fade Away, Maybe Baby, It's Too Late, That'll Be The Day) are straight fire, though not a raging one. Just a few isolated fires, actually. Perfectly controlled and never threatening to spread. In other words, Holly wasn't a purveyor of the type of excess the 60s myth tells us his brand of R'n'R turned into (but probably didn't). He was a formalist, a model railway builder, a de rigger songsmith. When he was great--which wasn't all the time, as the duller numbers here testify to--he crafted rockers where every strum, hum and warble was in service to a rhythm that never muscles through like Chuck Berry or skitters tilt-a-whirl like Little Richard but doesn't need to. Tiny paintbrush and glue gun in hand in hand, Holly crafted space for everything to breathe, creating the effect of songs more compulsive and propulsive than they really are. And effect is all. The apotheosis is when everything but the drums and Holly's voice drop out in the fourth chorus of That'll Be the Day. It goes "When. You (boom). Make (boom). Me (boom). Cry (boom)-y (boom)." At that moment, you can literally hear early-Beatles John Lennon take the baton from him. Except not really - that's preposterous.

One of those defining classics that exists at a very particular time and place. It's an extremely well-performed, well-written album deserving of a place on this list for its historical importance alone, but it still holds up musically more than 60 years after its recording.

I was brought up on this stuff, Dad was a huge Buddy Holly fan. These songs are ingrained in my soul, I knew them all before I even knew what music was. They've always been there, and I love them like family members. It's all so damn cheerful as well, how can you not love it! I wish there were more than 25 minutes of this.

What a sweet record from Buddy Holly! While I don't remember ever giving The "Chirping" Crickets a full listen before, I'm pretty sure I was listening from the womb as he was someone my parents had on the radio or spinning in the console. As one of the early rock-n-roll troubadours, his short 22 years of life not only influenced rock music moving forward, but was a definitive variable in my own musical development. The record is wonderful from beginning to end and has just inspired a 50s rock-n-roll listening party here in me. All I've listened to since yesterday morning is Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Elvis, Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson and more. With fresh ears I'm transported back to my childhood and the childhoods of my parents. Thanks for your music, Buddy! It's made a difference in endless lives. RIP.

Old but gold

2/5 I hate to be a party pooper, but I found "Chirping Crickets" by Buddy Holly & The Crickets to be a bit of a snoozefest. Sure, the album is considered a classic and has been influential in the development of rock and roll, but to my ears, it just sounds sleepy and boring. The songs are all pretty much the same, with a slow tempo and a twangy guitar sound that never seems to change. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, with nothing particularly interesting or thought-provoking to say. I found myself nodding off halfway through the album and struggling to stay awake until the end. Even the upbeat tracks, like "That'll Be the Day," fail to get me excited or energized. The production is flat and uninspired, with no real dynamic range or interesting textures to grab my attention. I know that "Chirping Crickets" is considered a landmark album in the history of rock and roll, and that many people hold it in high regard. But for me, it just doesn't do anything. It's like a warm glass of milk - it might be comforting to some, but for me, it just puts me to sleep. If you're a die-hard fan of classic rock and roll and are looking for an album to add to your collection, then by all means, give "Chirping Crickets" a listen. But if you're looking for something with a bit more energy and excitement, you might want to look elsewhere.

the original PUNKS

One of the beginnings of rock and roll documented and a great album with loads of influential songs to be found on it

Yes! Or better yet, hell yes! Was just last week that I was lamenting the fact that we had no Buddy Holly on here yet, while we did get the Stones album with a cover of "Not Fade Away." Buddy was a pioneer in his own right, a master of the rockabilly style and an actual songwriter. He didn't write all of these songs, but some of the best he did, like "Not Fade Away" and "Maybe Baby." I love getting albums like this as a true time capsule of what was hot back then. A lot on here that actually rocks, and I can just imagine kids going brazy at the sock hops. It's a shame Buddy Holly died so tragically, I would have loved to see what his music would have evolved into as he got older. He was ONLY 22 YEARS OLD when he died in that plane crash, if he had lived just to 50 he would've been making music in the '80s, what a crazy alternate timeline that would be. Rest in peace, this album rocks and rolls. Favorite tracks: Not Fade Away, Oh Boy, Maybe Baby, That'll Be the Day, I'm Lookin for Someone to Love, Send Me Some Lovin, Last Night. Album art: Nothing really crazy, just a band photo, but man, look at these young dudes. Buddy Holly having the time of his life, like 20-21 years old here. Just unbelievable still that he died when he did. 4.5/5

It is really hard to rate this. Buddy Holly is so engrained in the history of pop music that it is unfair to judge without that lens. I appreciate it but since it set the stage for so much later that it sounds a bit quaint now. It is a shame we never saw him develop as an artist. 4.5/5

the 50s are the first decade of music i really care about that much, and probably the first decade that's all that interesting outside of like a few notable albums or w/e. maybe someones gonna see this thats really really really into 40s music but i doubt it. if u are that person, please give me recommendations, i'd love to have my horizons expanded :D personally i think it makes since, the 50s are the first decade with many musicians that get referenced a lot. even if someone like frank sinatra or buddy holly or miles davis or whatever is fairly far removed at this point from modern music, u can probably still recognize their names. maybe ur even really into their music!!! i think one thing everyone can agree on, though, is that a lot of 50s music is kinda lame. either quality-wise, or just sort of intangibly lame. obviously this isnt a blanket statement but like...doo-wop, 50s pop, most 50s rock, all that stuff is kinda lame by now. it doesnt have to be in a bad way though!! this album is very lame and silly, but that's just part of the charm. it's fun!!! everything here is pretty simple, short, and focused on being catchy, and the full album is under a half hour. probably for the best. if u have it in u to enjoy old-ass rock music this is definitely worth a listen :P

So I think Buddy Holly’s debut album is pretty straight-forward… For it’s time, I could see how this would have been incredibly popular… I liked that that there was a bit of an edge to his music – both with his original work on this album, as well as with all of the covers on this album, as I think most of the music up to that point was “nice” and really wasn’t edgy at all… The 2 best originals are easily “Not Fade Away” & “That’ll Be The Day” – and most of the covers are fairly well done, and you can clearly hear Holly’s style embedded in each song… Definitely dated, but you have to start somewhere, and this was a stepping stone for sure in the evolution of rock… Solid 3 for me for historical context, and being Buddy’s 1st album – which introduced his original style into the mix…

An unbelievable debut. Somewhat inconsistent, but the highs are incredibly high and hugely influential. And no song over 2:30. The influence is sometimes taken for granted as is genre blending aspect of the tunes. Hits especially hard considering Holly's tragic death.

Beautiful, harmonius, lively and catchy. Quintessential rock'n roll

The ‘Chirping’ Crickets One of those albums where you feel you need to balance the historical importance with the actual music. The historical impact is of course massive, without Buddy Holly you could argue that the Beatles and Stones wouldn’t have been the bands we know, or the idea of the band as a self contained writing and performing entity might not have occurred until much later. Musically though this is good. Obviously it does sound very 50s, but there is a lot more to it than that, elements and ideas that feel pretty modern, and not just because you know they influenced the big 60s bands. Along with in the Wee Small Hours album this is probably the best pre-60s album we’ve had, and although it’s still not quite an album in the way we understand it, it feels like a coherent collection of songs in a way that many others don’t. Oh, Boy! and Not Fade Away are a great opening pair, and the quality remains through the rest of the first side, some great drumming on You’ve Got Love, excellent slapback echo on It’s Too Late and the guitar is great on Tell Me How. That’ll Be the Day is of course excellent, a great melody and the rhythm of the words in the chorus with the drums is excellent, and the slowed down drum punctuated ‘when you make me cry’ at the back end is superb. Again the quality remains to the end, An Empty Cup has a great melody, Last Night has an excellent vocal and Rock Me Baby has a great Ray Charles-esque groove and sounds like a lost 50s gem. So balancing the influence and the quality of the songs, I think it’s hard to not give this 5. It’s 28 minutes of, for the time, cutting edge, template setting rock n roll music, that’s still a great listen and with echoes you can hear through popular music history. 🏏🏏🏏🏏🏏 Playlist submission: That’ll Be the Day

My dad once told me Buddy was essential for my music education and since I first discovered him, I have never never looked back! A legend who was one of the first to write, produce, perform, and market himself in a band, be the nerdy contrast the more Hollywood Elvis. This albums has rock n roll in its first true form with 12 bar blues and 50s chord progressions, catchy choruses and singable melodies, with ranging rhythms for each song. To me, his works are one of the first true rock masterpieces.

Альбом своего времени. Но, чувствуется, что из тех, которые не только отражали своё время, но и формировали. Есть у этой музыки стиль, чарующая эстетика. Но всё же недостаточно мощная, чтобы конкурировать с более поздними работами. Быстро цепляет, быстро надоедает... забывается, вероятно, тоже быстро. Тем не менее, когда услышал Not Fade Away, то сразу почувствовал что где-то уже именно её слышал. И, да, это один из 2 треков, на которые есть статьи в ру-вики. К сожалению, список использования в медиа не обнаружил. Буду думать, что Mafia II. Каждый из треков альбома чем-то интересен, эксплуатации эстетики здесь всё же нет. Отличный альбом, чтобы погрузиться в эпоху 50-х. И, вероятно, неплохой альбом, чтобы осознать, что долго в ней пребывать довольно утомительно. 7/10

Ooo wee ooo i look like buddy holly

I often talk about the Beatles like they’re two different bands: the early stuff like “Hard Day’s Night” and “Help”, where they sing about love between two people; and the shift right around “Rubber Soul/Revolver” where they start singing about Love, between ALL people. And the early stuff is fine, but the later stuff is truly iconic and world changing. What I’m getting at here is, this album is Buddy Holly’s “early stuff”, where he’s singing about a boy and a girl, and what boys and girls do. And it’s great, it really is. In fact, it inspired the early Beatles IMMENSELY. But, man! If only Buddy Holly had lived long enough to get to his “world-changing” period… maybe there wouldn’t even BE a Beatles, at least, not like we think of them today. Buddy had a head start, after all. Tragic loss. Oh well, there’s some great fun songs on here. “Oh Boy” and “That’ll Be the Day”, in particular.

Didn't think I'd like it but then ended up enjoying it. Half Elvis, half roy or bison, which is to be expected I guess. The slow songs are a bit boring and every song has a very 50s, suburban, milk bar with my best girl and no colored people allowed vibe, but I like the rockabilly. Just wish Buddy would get a bit looser with that but I guess we had to wait for mick and John to do that for us.

ooh wee ooh

Having the buddy holly on here makes me miserable that weezer aren’t on here, and yeah buddy holly does look like a nerd so I guess he does look like the guy from weezer. Anyway the music, it’s solid but a bit boring compared to music after the 50’s but this is one of the best you’re gonna get from this time, that’ll be the day is the clear standout but some other tracks are solid. 3/5

I liked it, but I really can't see myself listening to it outside of this.

This is the first time I’ve ever actively listened to Buddy Holly so that’s cool. “Oh Boy” has a very catchy hook and is a fun listen, even though a lot of the instrumental production is a little quiet compared to the vocals and didn’t age super well. “Maybe Baby” is also a lot of fun, the crickets’ background vocals really make the song for me. A little too many lovesick songs in the middle. Like it’s cool for a record to have a theme, but these all have very similar moods and it feels like they’re just trying to cash in on a formula. “Just like this coke, my love is gone” is a funny lyric because haha cocaine, but it may be even funnier to picture buddy holly drinking soft drinks to cope with heartbreak. Glad the run time is nice and short because this one got old fast. Cover Art: 5/10 that is a picture of the band

Kinda knew what to expect here. Obviously extremely dated, but then again for 1957 some songs really don’t sound too bad. Honestly liked it more than i thought I would. It was only 25 minutes so that’s probably a big part of it, I’m sure I would get sick of it if it was much longer. Also did The Who just totally rip off “Not Fade Away” with “My Generation” or what? Best: Not fade away, that’ll be the day MMM: 🎶MAYBE BABY ILL HAVE YOU, MAYBE BABY YOULL BE TRUE🎶

Ooh wee ooh

An endearingly dorky amalgam of styles. Doo-wop, country honkin' vocals and that jangly Strat. More spacious and immediate than I'd remembered, I dig that cardboard box beat. Way better than Bill fuckin' Haley.

This was an alright listen. Quick and easy to digest, but nothing special for me.

Good stuff ! Easy to understand why Buddy Holly was so revered in his day …. Some truly classic tracks and a sound that affected an era …. Wonder where his music would’ve gone over the next couple decades ….

No. 64/1001 Oh Boy! 4/5 Not Fade Away 4/5 You've Got Love 3/5 Maybe Baby 4/5 It's Top Late 3/5 Tell Me Now 3/5 That'll Be The Day 4/5 I'm Looking For Someone To Love 3/5 An Empty Cup 3/5 Send Me Some Lovin' 3/5 Last Night 3/5 Rock Me My Baby 4/5 Average: 3,42 Pretty fun listen, but hasn't too much to offer.

Il s'agit probablement de l'album le plus ringard du générateur, emmené par un Martin Lamotte en dessous de tout qui a toutefois su rebondir ces dernières années avec la série Nos Chers Voisins.

While I appreciate the history and influence Buddy Holly had on the music scene and rock & roll, unfortunately this music just really isn't for me.

While I recognize, appreciate, and have immense gratitude for this dude's contribution to rock and roll, I find his songs hokey. His songs are the formula used by many who came after and even though he's the giant whose shoulders they stood upon, I'm not yearning for another re-listen anytime soon.

wee oo i look just like buddy holly

I understand the importance of the genre as a foundational step towards other genres of rock, but this is just terrible to listen to. It's all just very dated, and the production is flat with cliche and boring lyrics. It's nothing but a historical artifact.

Rock'n Roll!

It's Buddy Holly. Unbelievable what he did for music in such a short time on this planet.

Do I really like this as a 5 star album? I guess I do. Sure, it's dated, it's 65+ years old at this point. But without music like this, we wouldn't have any of the music that we get today, either. So it's pretty great.

I can't find a way to knock it. Groundbreaking stuff for the time.

Classic BH&C album - should be high in every best-of list so no surprise it is included here.

not a big fan of this genre but i had a lot of fun moments with it

The foundation for all of the great rock and roll that came afterwards. Buddy Holly and the boys knew how to make the kids dance and the parents rage.

baita fadinho, ano 57

Every one a winner. This music changed everything permanently and deserves 5 stars for that. It's dated now, but still hugely influential and important.

You can see how this is the root of much that came after it.

Really fun album. Better than expected. Classic for a reason.

Oldie and fun. Appreciate the throwback.

Cool

That Don McLean song makes all the more sense now...

This is a great album with so many hits.

the best tracks are written by Holly and the Roy Orbison songs. The songs written by others seem to be written in the style of the time. Holly's songs seem to be something new and would influence artists of the future. Call me crazy, but I can hear Holly's songs influencing Mike Ness and Social Distortion.

Still one of my favorite

Classic 50's Rock. Loved it!

p31. 1957. 5 stars Stripped down, primeval white rock'n'roll at its finest. Instantly recognisable sound, packed with genuine classics. It still sounds great today.

Can't help but judge the album cover here, haha. Whoever cut them out really gave disservice to their hair lol Never heard any of these to my knowledge and I'm surprised by how much I liked it. Having read up a bit on the history of the band and the influence they had on the music forward this definitely belongs on the list. Quite an easy, short listen, which I enjoyed. Saved songs: You've Got Love, That'll Be The Day, Oh Boy!

Boy, they sure crammed a lot of greatness into 27 minutes. This album is a blueprint for early rock and roll!

The birth of Rock N Roll!

Some quality early rockabilly. Will listen again.

Buddy Holly - Legendary sounding blues.

As I was listening to all these we very familiar songs, that are as firmly embedded in my cultural zeitgeist as the Star Spangled Banner, I pondered whether it was all really up to the hype. Some of the recordings are fairly muddy; Holly’s voice, though he had no trouble carrying every tune and played to his strengths, was not something spectacular. Would it really still carry the same cultural weight without the tragic end looming over it? Ultimately (though his tale can’t of course be unwound from his untimely death) I do think it holds up: early rock/rockabilly classic, and a damned shame we lost everything he might have followed with.

So incredible. So sad. Several bangers in here.

Loved it.

How many Name and The Nouns rock and roll bands can you identify just from the guitar tone or a split second of the vo-hocals of any track? I'd guess one. This one. That clean slightly muted jangle and Buddy Holly's polite delivery make them possibly the first band you could be obsessed with. The album has the approach that I tend to credit good punk albums with. 12 songs. 26 minutes. No time to get bored of what's on offer - in fact, with a few tracks, I'd have let them have an extra verse and chorus they're that good!

What an efficient 26 minutes. The entire blueprint for 60s rock and roll is here in one great collection. Buddy Holly was not the first rock and roller but he was one of the best (actually writing many of his own songs) and it’s tragic that we will never how how he would have grown as an artist over the course of his life. I do however find it astounding that Not Fade Away was track 2 instead of the final song here. What a missed opportunity.

I've seen other bands release their "Greatest Hits" that didn't have the number of hits that this album, which isn't a "Greatest Hits", has.

One of my favorites!

Great early rock & roll. Probably a 4.5/5. Favorite song: Oh Boy!

Added to "Old songs to listen to on US road trips to give you an American vibe" playlist

Life is kickin - my generational soundtrack of excellence

Rock cincuentero. No digo más.

Buddy Holly was a rock and roll icon in the 50's! Another life gone too soon! I can imagine how scandalous his music must have been in that time period. Looking back at it now, it is more of a pop vibe, but back then, those Strat's would have been making rebellious music that parents of the day hated. Buddy blended his country roots with rockabilly, and pop, and came up with this good ol rock and roll, in line with what Roy Orbison or Elvis Presley were doing. Imagine what Buddy could have done if he had lived longer! Overall, a great album today! Very influential, and trend setting! Will definately listen again to this classic artist and album! Favourite songs: That'll Be the Day, I'm Lookin' For Someone to Love, Not Fade Away, Maybe Baby, Oh Boy!, Last Night, Rock Me My Baby Least favourite songs: If forced to pick, It's Too Late 5/5

Yes, yes, yes! So many great singers and bands cite Holly as an inspiration. This is the album that proves them all right. If Rave On was on here, it would be 6 stars.

ITS GOOD LOL

Buddy Holly is a legend at this point, but he can be found in his music which features great guitar playing, great songwriting, and a distinctive and oft impersonated vocal style. He could sing slow songs or add a bit of grit to sing songs like 'That'll be the Day.' He was an unconventional rock star; we was clean cut and wore glasses. However, he standardized rock's two guitar, bass and drums lineup and wrote some of rock's most enduring standards.

Whats not to love bout Buddy

Damn. Did not expect this to be this good.

A bonafide masterpiece full of the peppy rock n' roll staples that set the foundation for everything else to come. It is an absolute pleasure the whole way through, great album from long ago.

A flawless album. I often wonder about how his career would have gone had he not got on that plane.

Great album!

Amazing debut. Wish we got more from him.

By far my favorite early rock and Roll artist. The first singer/songwriter and a huge influence on the British invasion bands and beyond. Buddy Holly was the most forward thinking and innovative of all his contemporaries. 5 huge 🌟

Joyful classic that makes you go up on your feet and give yourself to the rock'n'roll.

A true genius, unconventional and fresh, even 60 years later!

Maybe a boomer take, but I really love a simple album like this. All songs are straightforward, short, and catchy. Just don’t make them like this anymore I feel.

So cheerful so good. Five stars.

What can I say? A third of this album I grew up hearing and have no question as to their greatness. The other two-thirds were great as well. This is a timeless classic that I should have listened to long ago.

Fun and catchy, absolutely classic.

I loved this album. You can really hear the impact it would have on subsequent acts. Terrific music.

Fun listen. Light and easy, but with a great beat.

I loved this! It is nostalgic for a time I wasn’t even alive, but have visited by watching films like Stand by Me!

Rock cincuentero. No digo más. Vinilo.

Brilliant and important, must have been startling at the time. Probably the shortest album on this list - 25 minutes! I loved it.

As far as classic rock 'n' roll goes, it doesn't get too much better than Buddy Holly

I unironically love Buddy Holly.

Classic rocking out

An amazing voice and amazing guitar tone. Not sure why anyone ever wrote another love song, because Buddy Holly covered all the bases on this album. A truly great record.

So many hits.

One of the Ur-texts for R & R.