Love Is Strange/ You're The One

This is a beautiful copy of a single released in 1969 to commemorate Buddy Holly's untimely 1959 death, along with its striking picture sleeve. The audio is pristine Mint. I had first heard this lovely version many years ago on a U.K.-released double album set Buddy Holly: Legend. The liner notes to that album describe the track as follows:\r\n

"Love Is Strange" was one of Buddy's favorite songs. The version he recorded was around a minute long and the track included here has been "stretched" by splicing and re-recording the original tape. Norman Petty's later treatment of the recording, adding organ sounds to create the impression of strings, probably comes fairly close to Buddy's own ideas for the song.

\r\n

As for the B side, this rarity was cowritten with Waylon Jennings and not released until well after Holly's death. Among other places, it appeared on the B side of U.K. single in 1964. Upon hearing it, I knew I'd heard it before and after wracking my brain for awhile, I remembered that it was a version by the neo-Rockabilly singer/songwriter Billy Swan released in 1976 that was in my head. Other than that, I haven't heard any other versions, though it's indubitably hit material!

\r\n

Note: The 45 itself has labels that would grade Mint but for sticker with initials on it on the A side. The vinyl looks untouched, and the audio, as noted, sounds pristine. The great picture sleeve is nearly flawless!