421 - Buddy Holly & the Crickets - The Chirping Crickets

With a mix of doo-wop and rockabilly, this album speeds by thanks to songs that last about 2 minutes each. Not to doubt the worth of this album, but when I found myself listening to a song that wasn't one of the well-known songs, I thought the songs were just okay. I understand that folks have greatest hits albums on the Rolling Stone list because some artists had great songs, but lackluster albums. I think this is the case with Buddy Holly and I may have enjoyed a collection better than this debut.

Songs I knew I liked: "Oh Boy," "Maybe Baby," and "That'll Be the Day"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "I'm Looking for Somebody to Love" and "Rock Me My Baby"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: "An Empty Cup"

420 - The Beatles - With the Beatles

This is the second Beatles album released in the U.K. The songs from this album were split between Meet the Beatles! and The Beatles' Second Album in the U.S. Half of the tracks are originals and the others are covers.

One thing that struck me when I listened to this album today is that I have obviously been affected by the band that did the soundtrack for Backbeat and current rock bands that have covered the early Beatles. The version of "Roll Over Beethoven" has energy everywhere but the vocals. The guys sound like they are being kept from breaking loose and rocking the joint. They sound more comfortable on "Money (That's What I Want)," but I kept wanting the tempo to pick up a bit.

I've never been a big fan of early Beatles because I always found the abundance of ballads a bit boring. My listening to the album today didn't change my opinion.

Songs I knew I liked: "All My Loving," "Please Mister Postman," "Roll Over Beethoven," "You Really Got a Hold of Me," "I Wanna Be Your Man," and "Money (That's What I Want)"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "It Won't Be Long"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: "Till There Was You" certainly isn't bad, just not a song I care to listen to.