Every Day Is a Holly Day features 17 tracks compiled by French record executive Patrick Mathé to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the passing of
Buddy Holly. It is a tremendous success with just about every act delivering the goods.
Red River's "Rave On" moves like a sensitive
Ramones -- if there ever was such a thing -- following "Words of Love" from
Shoes, a cascading
Flamin' Groovies-ish '60s pop offering.
Elliott Murphy with
Modern Lover Ernie Brooks does a nice "Everyday" while
Willie "Loco" Alexander wonderfully distorts "Baby Won't You Come Out Tonight." A six-page photo booklet featuring the credits accompanies the CD with heartfelt liner notes from producer Mathé. It's great to hear Frank Rowe and the Classic Ruins give a
Bobby Fuller Four rendition of "Love's Made a Fool of You" to the world along with
Box Top Alex Chilton producing Lolitas' "Not Fade Away." Tav Falco's Panther Burns,
Chris Bailey from
the Saints, session guitarist extraordinaire
Chris Spedding on a great "It's So Easy,"
the Slickee Boys, and others may be reverent in their approach, but they also inject a lot of fun into the tribute. So many flavors in this mix add a new dimension to
Holly's music, making the sounds easily accessible for those who have had little or no exposure to
Buddy's genius. Effective and very worthwhile. ~ Joe Viglione