Just bought a couple of tribute albums, on the cheap from amazon.
Sail Away: The Songs of Randy Newman, 2006, and
Not Fade Away: Remembering Buddy Holly, 1996. Tribute albums are always spotty affairs, and these two are no exception. But each has a few standout tracks worth the (rather low, in my case) price of admission.
On the Newman tribute, The Duhks do a simply amazing
Political Science, as relevant or more so today than when Randy wrote it. The Duhks are a Canadian band, from Winnipeg, and are everything a folk band should be. Saw 'em last year & they played this, it's why i sought out the disc. The Del McCoury Band & Sam Bush also have amazing tracks, Steve Earle is on here, Joe Ely... check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/Sail-Away-Songs-R ... 461&sr=8-1
As for Buddy Holly, the Hollies commit a terrible sin trying to re-record over an old vocal, Hank Jr. Style. But the Los Lobos take on
Midnight Shift is too good for words. The Band & the surviving Crickets team up for a take on
Not Fade Away that doesn't mess much with the original, but with 3 sets of drums, two basses, and Levon Helm singing... well, it's given a new kick, to put it lightly. Waylon Jennings (once Buddy's bass player) turns in a fine, haunting
Learning the Game. Joe Ely is here, too, as are The Mavericks, The Tractors, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band...
http://www.amazon.com/Fade-Away-Remembe ... 613&sr=1-1
