KYA 21 Golden Gate Greats LP Record Ritchie Valens/Count Five/McCoys/Dixie Cups

Wounded Bird Records ( August 15, 2006 ), Genre: Oldies

Rhino Records (USA)

Release Date: October 31, 2000

Wounded Bird Records

Personnel: Ritchie Valens (vocals).Ritchie Valens was only 17 when he died in 1959 in the same plane crash that claimed the lives of Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper, and he had only been working in a recording studio for about seven months when the tragedy occurred; thus, his musical legacy rests on about an album and a half of completed studio material, a poorly recorded high-school concert, and a handful of demos and rehearsal tapes. This set is a straight reissue of Valens' first album for Bob Keane's Del-Fi label, and it presents essentially the only truly finished work Valens recorded. It includes Valens' big hit, "La Bamba"; its flip side, "Donna" (which was actually the A-side, but "La Bamba" has emerged over time as Valens' signature tune); a halting, beautiful version of "Bluebirds Over the Mountain"; and the oddly haunting "In a Turkish Town." Valens' output is so sparse that it is probably best to pick up something like Rhino's Best of Ritchie Valens, which has all the key tracks from this first alb

bio of the "La Bamba" singer-songwriter

Recording information: 1958-1960.This 36-track collection features a quality sampling of Ritchie Valens most sought-after tracks from the late '50s. Highlights include the original Del-Fi versions of "Come On, Let's Go, " "Donna, " and "La Bamba, " along with the complete In Concert at Pacoima Jr. High album. Recommended to listeners who want more than just the hits. ~ Al Campbell

Rhino Records (USA) ( September 14, 2004 ), Genre: Oldies

For the first time on a single CD are the important recordings of this legendary Latino rocker and follows the 50th anniversary of the plane crash that killed Valens alongside, Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper in 1959. Includes the hits, 'Donna', 'Ooh My Head' and the unforgettable, 'La Bamba'. Features all of the recordings made during his brief career along with fully detailed liner notes charting his all to brief rise to fame. This is a must for fans of the early Rock & Roll explosion.

Adapter: Ritchie Valens.Audio Remasterer: Bob Fisher .Ritchie Valens was only 17 when he died in 1959. His musical legacy rests on about an album and a half of completed studio material, a poorly recorded high-school concert, and a handful of demos and rehearsal tapes, all of which actually makes this extremely brief ten-song set a decent purchase, since the longer compilations are forced to include a lot of filler. In the case of Valens, who had no real time to refine or develop his obvious talents, less is quite likely best. Valens' big hit, "La Bamba, " is here, along with its flip side, "Donna" (which was actually the A-side, but "La Bamba" has emerged over time as Valens' signature tune), and they are probably the two tracks most casual listeners will want. Collectors and serious fans should definitely pick up one of the longer anthologies, since the demos and unfinished tracks most of them feature are certainly interesting, if hardly essential. ~ Steve Leggett