La Bamba and Other Hits

by Ritchie Valens

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	04/06/2004
Label:	Flashback Records / Rhino Flashback
UPC:	0081227817220
Rank:	7207

Tracks

1. La Bamba
2. That's My Little Suzie
3. Little Girl
4. Rockin' All Night
5. Stay Beside Me
6. Blues Slow
7. Hurry Up
8. Now You're Gone
9. Come on, Let's Go
10. Donna

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ritchie Valens   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Kuhn   Composer
Craig DeGraff   Compilation Producer
Ritchie Valens   Composer,Adaptation
Robert Kuhn   Composer
John Austin   Project Assistant
Mark Pinkus   Project Assistant
William Olofson   Composer
Sheely   Composer
Maurice Ellenhorn   Composer
Shari K. Sheely   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Bob Fisher   Remastering