Down the Line (1999)

About this title: Anyone who thinks that Bobby Vee's credentials as a rock & roller were a little shaky back when ought to check out this 1999-vintage album, a latter-day tribute to Buddy Holly that's about the best this reviewer has ever heard. Vee's career started in Holly's shadow, of course, so it's no surprise that he did this album, but that he does it this well 40 years on is astonishing. He not only sings the stuff with a power and sensitivity that he couldn't have achieved back in 1959/1960 (plays guitar as well), but has assembled a trio that isn't bad when it comes to emulating and modernizing ... read more

Tracks:

1. Down the Line [Holly/Montgomery]
2. Rock Me My Baby [Long/Heather]
3. Rave On [West/Tilghman/Petty]
4. Midnight Shift [Lee/Airsworth]
5. Tell Me How [Hardin/Allison/Pett]
6. Love's Made a Fool of You [Holly/Montgomery]
7. It Doesn't Matter Anymore [Anka]
8. I'm Gonna Love You Too [Mauldin/Petty/Sulli]
9. Blue Days, Black Nights [Hall]
10. Love Is Strange [Smith/Baker]
11. (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care [Leiber/Stoller]
12. Fool's Paradise [LeGlaire/Linsley/Pe]
13. Maybe Baby [Holly/Petty]
14. Holly Hop [Holley]
15. Words of Love/Listen to Me [Holly/Hardin/Petty]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.