The Very Best Of Bobby Vee [CD]

Please note that there are at least two compilations with the same title (Very best of Bobby Vee). One of them has 20 tracks while another has 27 tracks. As Amazon post the same reviews on all of them, I've tried to adapt my review to reflect that.

Bobby Vee's first big break when his group (the Shadows - no connection with the similarly named British instrumental group) that had to deputize for Buddy Holly at a gig in Iowa soon after that singer was killed in a plane crash. As a result of that performance, Bobby was offered a recording contract. He failed to make an impact with his first three singles (Suzie baby, a cover of What do you want (Adam Faith) and One last kiss) but made the American charts with a cover of Devil or angel (Clovers). Bobby then had an international hit with Rubber ball. Bobby's version of Rubber ball had to compete in the UK charts with a cover by Britain's Marty Wilde, but both versions made the UK top ten.

Following the success of Rubber ball, Bobby was a regular on the charts for the next two and a half years but faded quickly as Beatle mania took over. In that period, Bobby had major international hits with Take good care of my baby (a number one American hit), The night has a thousand eyes (arguably the most popular of his songs now), Run to him, Sharing you, How many tears and More than I can say, all of which made the UK top ten. More than I can say became a UK hit again in the seventies when Leo Sayer covered it. Bobby's other hits include Devil or angel, Forever kind of love, Bobby tomorrow and Please don't ask about Barbara. All these hits and others can be found here.

After the hits dried up, Bobby paid tribute to Buddy Holly by recording several of Buddy's songs, some of which can be found here. Exactly which tracks you get will depend on which compilation you buy. You may also get covers of some other famous sixties songs.

Bobby made one more return to the charts in 1967 with Come back when you grow up, an American top ten hit that sold a million. It failed to chart in Britain but you'll find it on the 27-track compilation.

This compilation contains all the essential tracks from Bobby's early years. It omits some or all (deprending on which complation you buy) of those early failed singles and some American hits that didn't chart in Britain, but the cover versions are likely to appeal more to British buyers.

As a sample of Bobby's music this is ideal, at least from a British perspective, although you might consider buying the budget-priced triple CD, Singles collection, instead.

Bought this for my daughter who is a Bobby Vee fan.She was really pleased because it has loads of his hits on that are her favourites and probably those of many others too. Arrived in great time for her birthday so very pleased.

My first steady girlfriend was a BIG fan of Bobby Vee and she used to wind me up something wicked over her "crush" on him. Yes, I admit it, I was jealous of the fact that she lavished so much of her attention on HIM, rather than me. Secretly, though, I appreciated just how good his hit recordings were. Now, some fifty years on, I can revisit ALL those memories with a smile on my face, thanks to this excellent CD. I wonder whatever happenened to her....? DAVID LOWE (Producer~Presenter BBC Radio Devon)