Buddy Holly vs Linda Ronstadt | It’s So Easy | 1950s vs 1970s

[@MarkZabel]

*Live Stream will be back on May 3.* Lots of Classic Rock Lessons here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXbJkGegpqyoe7M

[@MyJc1967]

Buddy Holly was really amazing and a great song writer and he was ahead of time

[@MarkZabel]

You know it!

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

Buddy was great, but Tommy Allsup played that guitar solo!

[@brianlachapelle8757]

And Tommy whipped it out right there in the recording studio on the spur of the moment.

[@songstitute8292]

Thanks for the promotion! We love having you as a teacher!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!! Happy to do it.

[@philm.6113]

Songstitute Mark's site is the first one I ever subscribed to and the only one I have donated to. He is highly appreciated.

[@nildaferrer]

I am a huge Buddy Holly fan, and obviously I love his version but I for one love both songs. Thank you for this video. I enjoyed the explanation of how both versions of the song were played on guitar. I have always wanted to learn how to play guitar.

[@MarkZabel]

So glad you enjoyed the video.

[@davidhollen638]

can you do a detailed lesson on these two solos?

[@MarkZabel]

Hi Dave. The original for sure. The 1977 version doesn't have a solo to my knowledge - just a series of fills. It could make sense to do though, so I'll put them both on the list to consider. Thanks for the suggestions.

[@yiseng4602]

Buddy Holly's 1958 version of "It Is So Easy" is definitely better although Linda Ronstadt gave it a new breath of fresh air in her 1977 version.

[@MarkZabel]

I like Buddy's version better, but my guess is that we would get a lot of disagreement!

[@robhendrikx2198]

Linda did fine covers of Buddy songs (That'll be the day especially, brilliant twin guitar solo), Everly's, Roy Orbison. But nobody improves on a Buddy Holly song. Nobody!

[@MarkZabel]

LOL! Linda, JT, Carly ... they all did those covers in the 1970s. I liked Linda's sound the best with Lee and Waddy. Yeah, That'll Be the Day has some great guitar. I like the 1st solo on the Strat, but they're both good, and the ending is cool. I *LOVE* Buddy and the Crickets! Their sound and style and especially Buddy's writing was ahead of its time.

[@johnnyrocco]

Linda had better looking legs than Buddy's. On serious side, thanks for posting this. Your lessons are always a big help for my guitar playing.

[@MarkZabel]

LOL! You noticed that, eh Johnny?? Me too! Thanks for watching!!

[@1Keef]

Hey Mark. Thank you for that fascinating historical and cultural perspective on a great song. Would love to see a lesson integrating both songs. Cheers.

[@MarkZabel]

Great suggestion!

[@sorshiaemms5959]

LIKE BUDDYS version better played faster

[@LookinUp2001]

Great video. I did not know that was Waddy. Saw him with Danny Kortchmar on James Taylor Flag tour.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

watch every live Stevie Nicks solo video ever since Belladonna..are like BFFs she doesn't go nowhere without WW when concerts come. car shows great 70s Warren zevon albums had Waddy wachtel guitar all over too.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Jeff! Yep, it was Waddy!

[@colintapp4876]

I can play most of the Buddy version, I think it was Tommy Allsup playing on the record but I just cant seem to get all of the solo right.

[@MarkZabel]

Yes, Tommy Allsup. Great solo in that tune as well.

[@shoknifeman2mikado135]

Yes, the intro was by Tommy (Who died last year), it basically got him the job on Buddy's last tour, as Buddy couldn't play it!

[@budsodalsky]

I always wondered where "waddy" wachtel came from! Now I have some clues. I saw him once in 1983 (my first concert) playing for Stevie Nicks on her (second) Stand Back album tour. The rest of my years I wondered who that dude was.

[@MarkZabel]

Cool!

[@heylad]

Although I'm not a guitar player, I found this very interesting. Well done!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!!

[@joegagliardi9066]

Very Interesting. Any chance of a lesson (Linda's version)?

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! Sure, I'll put a lesson on this ... both Linda's and Buddy's versions (have you heard the solo in Buddy's? Awesome!) on my to-do list.

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

Tommy Allsup played the guitar solo in 1958!

[@OsitoTejano]

I love Buddy's version. One of his better, more energetic vocal performances, and the synchronicity with the drums is spot on. Pretty sure Tommy Allsup played the guitar solo in It's So Easy. Buddy on acoustic rhythm guitar.

[@MarkZabel]

Totally agree. And yes, it was Tommy Allsup. Great lead in the time also!!

[@robhendrikx2198]

Absolutely, brilliant solo by Tommy. Buddy admitted he couldn't play it like that.

[@royallins591]

Linda, divine pipes ... sigh. A songwriter's champion. She took a simple tune and made it soar.

[@MarkZabel]

Absolutely!

[@KCostelloe]

Great comparison on a fantastic song! Mr. Holly was truly a trendsetter for the day, and just for the record-there were some bent strings in the break of It’s So Easy, although hey we’re all on the B string. I don’t recall any bends on the G string. Probably because of the flat-wound G strings from those days.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! Yes, there are bends, but they're 40's/50's style bends of 1/2 step. Not the large swooping bends we're now familiar with. It's a great break actually. Very under-appreciated. Excellent playing! I have it on my up-coming video list of things to do.

[@toddnuckolls8921]

Now do Summertime Blues. Eddie Cochran and The Who. 🤔

[@MarkZabel]

Yeah, that's a good one.

[@Guitaroverkill]

What do I notice? The tinny twangy clean Strat sound. No wonder it didn’t chart. Then you break out the humbuckers on a LP. Of course it’s going to be a hit with the addition of superior vocals.

[@MarkZabel]

Thin and twangy, sure. But Strats were made specifically for that sort of tone tinny, twangy sound which was used in country and rockabilly of the day, so I'd posit it doesn't totally explain the non-charting for Buddy. But yeah, the 1977 version sounds modern and Linda sure could sing! One wonders what would've happened with Buddy Holly if that plane didn't go down.

[@pedaphelps]

my vote 's for the linda Ronstadt version. it rocked and so did Linda oh yeah

[@MarkZabel]

I like both, but LR's version is definitely more what we've come to hear as "modern". Plus ... yeah.

[@Dman85612]

The original Strats came with flat wound heavy strings that's why strings were rarely bent and Buddy Holly sounds stiff . The reasons his recordings sound so lively is. Not only was the amp miked but there was an ambient mic that captured the sound of the strings .

[@MarkZabel]

Yes, that's true about the strings, but it's the music itself too. Mid-60's with James Burton's banjo strings and the lighter gauges ... but the influence of BB and then Albert made a difference too. Music became "looser" rhythmically. But definitely the guitar strings played a part!

[@StephanRaubenheimer]

Compare Buddy Holly's valve amp to today's sound machines

[@MarkZabel]

@@StephanRaubenheimer Yes, or at least to those of the 1970s as I mentioned in the video.

[@stillaboveground2470]

Love both versions, but prefer Buddy Holly.

[@johnwillard6198]

Buddy wrote it so gets def. cred. However yes Waddy took it to a whole new and better level , oh yes and every song Linda Ronstadt touched became better .

[@MarkZabel]

I love the Ronstadt versions, but gotta admit I love the original too!

[@mattdelahunt301]

Hey came up with an idea, how about a guitar lesson how to take the guitar chords from Purple rain and come with some like you did with the Pat Benatar hit me with your best shot .

[@MarkZabel]

I'm not following you Matt. You mean take a set of chords and then change them into a different set of chords? I'm confused. Do you mean talk about what's different between one chord progression and another?

[@mattdelahunt301]

@@MarkZabel ok Mark i was talk about using hit me with best shot guitar chord Progression has a example . Using the Purple rain guitar chord progression, with a guitar lick that goes with the purple rain guitar chord progression. If you understand then this would be a cool future idea for a guitar lesson .

[@MarkZabel]

I think I got it ... Make a lick from Purple Rain.

[@mattdelahunt301]

@@MarkZabel yep you got it Mark and more lessons on this stuff it looks pretty cool.

[@hxhxbcch7350]

Deluxe? I had a 79, bought in Denmark St... Tin pan an ally,,, sold it😐

[@MarkZabel]

No, it's a Tribute Studio model from 2012. Great guitar though.

[@hxhxbcch7350]

Yeah was going to ask if original or not, reissue not bad cheaper option! Love the waddy guitar work there... Will learn that one....

[@jdj62464]

What about the 2010s Miley Cyrus version "I'm So Easy"?

[@MarkZabel]

LOL. I wonder how much of the act is true.

[@jdj62464]

@@MarkZabel Yea right. LOL

[@stevedouglas7375]

Very nice Mark! Thanks. Buddy Holly, wow. No doubt he would have been one the greatest songwriters of all time. From, "It's So Easy," to "True Love Ways." Incredible. Here's some cheese for you Mark. Why did Mozart kill his chickens? Because they always ran around going "Bach! Bach! Bach!."

[@MarkZabel]

LOL! Never heard that one! Yeah, Buddy Holly really was changing music when that plane went down. He was pretty great. That riff is awesome too!

[@stevedouglas7375]

@@MarkZabel Thanks Mark. Yes, I'm sure all that "Baching" pissed Mo off like a fletcher. The late, great Buddy Holly. Wow and yes that riff is one for the ages.

[@matteobarbera9250]

Up the thumbs

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@Joshkie2]

58?

[@MarkZabel]

Yep. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_So_Easy!_(The_Crickets_song)

[@curtismichael4703]

Linda’s but many prop’s to Buddy Holly + Crickets.

[@fightfan6852]

Cool vid Mark thx both versions are awesome both genius. You know Linda ronstadt sure had some great guitar players, love artist that let the guitarist burn a bit. Peace bro great channel

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!!

[@iannicholls7476]

Thanks. I really enjoyed this insight into sound and style. I also learned something else- for years I’ve been calling him Waddy “Watch-ell” now I know his real name is Waddy “Wak-tell”!

[@MarkZabel]

Sure thing! It was fun to put together. Thanks for checking it out!

[@TheElrondo]

Due his name is German none of the pronunciations is correct. 😁 English ppl would probably pronounce the 'ch' correct because it's pronounced like in Loch Ness. So for Americans the k for the ch is the way they go for. Btw. Wachtel means Quail in German

[@roberthadam548]

Both styles are great Mark. I do prefer the more modern 70s version . You should try to speed it up add a lot more distortion and make a Punk rock version of it !!!😎🤟😷🎸

[@MarkZabel]

LOL! Noted!

[@2011littlejohn1]

The strat sound you had was too bassy I think.

[@Edward-MTBKR]

Linda made a career of recycling old music, and that's OK because a whole new generation got to hear it. In Buddy's day the guitar was not front and center, in the 70's part of Linda's success was the great guitar work, ex: "Your'e No Good".

[@MarkZabel]

Yes she did! JT did it quite a lot too and did some great versions as well! Waddy was one of the best of the era. Very tasteful play.

[@juana1483]

You're no good= my ex's theme song. Uggghh

[@jimfbailey]

Too much distortion. It takes a better guitar player to play the clean version that Buddy wrote.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks for your input. I understand what you're saying, though I guess I disagree a bit. I don't think it's that cut and dried.

[@jimfbailey]

@@MarkZabel Mark, I'm not saying one player or the other is better in this case. In fact Buddy may have still been a teenager when this was recorded. But as an intermediate at best guitar player I hear my mistakes much more clearly in a song with clean tones and no distortion easier than I would hear my own mistakes in a distorted song.

[@MarkZabel]

@@jimfbailey Hey Jim. Yes, I understood what you were saying or at least what you weren't saying about the players themselves. I was disagreeing that it's as simple as "distortion or not". Definitely playing clean makes something more difficult. But so does playing in syncopated fashion, adding vibrato, sliding and bending, and playing more loosely. All those elements are much more prevalent in the later version. That's what I meant by it not being so cut and dried. All things equal, it's generally more difficult to play a clean solo. All things are not equal here.

[@shoknifeman2mikado135]

Buddy's version was BETTER, period!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks for your opinion.

[@hxhxbcch7350]

This cat knows his sh+#

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@rockymountainmusic9520]

To be honest. Linda made the worst version of this song I've ever heard. It sounds like a new rock and roll song. Buddy did a much better version. She didn't sing to good either in my opinion

[@MarkZabel]

Sounds like an opinion. I'm fairly sure it was supposed to sound different than the original and updated for the times (1977). I'll bet you haven't heard many versions of the song. Alvin and the Chipmunks did it, for example. My guess is that's a bit worse than Linda's Billboard Top 5 version with Waddy on guitar.

[@foggymountainmusic3468]

Being a buddy holly fan and relative I believe buddy’s version is better too. I agree Tristan.

[@rockymountainmusic9520]

@@foggymountainmusic3468 yeah

[@mehmetnaciakkk3983]

Buddy better. Less technique for the sake of technique, more melody.

[@covidisaconfirmedscam1325]

Ronstadt's version was just lazily done,...........it will never shine like the Tommy Alsup guitar solo on the Holly version.

[@MarkZabel]

Disagree. Really like Tommy's playing. Really like Waddy's playing. Different eras.