In the ’50s, few were better than Buddy Holly at delivering light yet heart-heavy music with the kind of virginal authenticity that’d be considered audacious today. This compilation of covers largely captures that, with the best coming from stripped-down spaces (The Black Keys, My Morning Jacket), funky headcases (Cee-Lo Green) and surprising places (Kid Rock). But the real surprise is hearing who fails: the twee She & Him should have nailed the cutesy “Oh Boy!” but instead try nothing new, and Paul McCartney’s take on “It’s So Easy” is barely listenable. It’s proof that as far as covers go, reverence for the artist isn’t enough; a nod to the music’s spirit is also mandatory.
This article appears in Jan 12-18, 2012.