This import two-fer collects the Dot albums
Sugar Shack (1963) and
Buddy's Buddy (1965) on one CD.
Sugar Shack includes the title track, a giant hit for
Gilmer, and mostly covers of others' hits, rendered as slightly more rock-oriented teen idol pop.
Buddy Holly's "Lonesome Tears" was recorded for both albums, but the earlier version on
Sugar Shack is easily the better of the two. And speaking of
Buddy Holly,
Buddy's Buddy is
Gilmer's tribute to his departed Norman Petty Studio mate and features 12 songs written and/or recorded by
Holly.
Gilmer stays close to the pop side of
Holly, displaying none of the rockabilly fire that
Holly sometimes exhibited. Most listeners will be more adequately served by a best-of collection, but for those whose interest in
Gilmer (or
Holly) runs deeper, there is much here to like.