“The “Chirping” Crickets” by The Crickets - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1957 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1950s ● 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die

Stellar debut from the Texan quartet led by Buddy Holly, issued in November 1957. At this stage The Crickets were lead guitarist and vocalist Buddy Holly, drummer Jerry Allison, bassist Joe Mauldin, and rhythm guitarist Niki Sullivan. Who can resist Niki Sullivan’s Rock n Roll onslaught on “Oh Boy” or Jerry Allison’s card-box percussion on “Not Fade Away” or Buddy Holly’s vocal acrobatics on “That’ll Be The Day”? 10 tracks were written in house whilst 2 were covers – “It’s Too Late” (Chuck Willis, 1956) and “Send Me Some Lovin’” (Little Richard and his band, 1957).

The Jukebox Rebel
01–Aug–2008

Tracklist

A1	[02:07] The Crickets - Oh, Boy! (Norman Petty, Bill Tilghman, Sonny West) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
A2	[02:21] The Crickets - Not Fade Away (Charles Hardin Holley, Norman Petty) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
A3	[02:05] The Crickets - You’ve Got Love (Roy Orbison, Johnny Wilson, Norman Petty) Pop
A4	[02:01] The Crickets - Maybe Baby (Charles Hardin Holley, Norman Petty) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
A5	[02:22] The Crickets - It’s Too Late (Chuck Willis) Rock n Roll Ballad
A6	[01:58] The Crickets - Tell Me How (Charles Hardin Holley, Norman Petty, Jerry Allison) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
B1	[02:14] The Crickets - That’ll Be The Day (Charles Hardin Holley, Norman Petty, Jerry Allison) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
B2	[01:56] The Crickets - I’m Looking For Someone To Love (Charles Hardin Holley, Norman Petty) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
B3	[02:11] The Crickets - An Empty Cup (And A Broken Date) (Norman Petty, Roy Orbison) Rock n Roll Ballad
B4	[02:33] The Crickets - Send Me Some Lovin’ (Lloyd Price, John Marascalco) Rock n Roll Ballad
B5	[01:53] The Crickets - Last Night (Joe B. Mauldin, Norman Petty) Rock n Roll Ballad
B6	[01:47] The Crickets - Rock Me My Baby (Susan Heather, Shorty Long) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly

ratings by TJR