Search - Buddy Knox, Jimmy Bowen :: Buddy Knox / Buddy Knox & Jimmy Bowen

Knox rocks! / Bowen doesn't!

John A. Alfano | Elon, NC United States | 08/08/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I was a big Buddy Knox fan as a teen in the late 50s. As far as Jimmy Bowen is concerned I had a copy of his "Warm Up To Me Baby" (which is not included on this CD) but didn't really recall any other of his recordings.



All the big Buddy Knox hits are included. One notable that is lacking is Buddy's "Whenever I'm Lonely" which is one of my favorites. For some reason Jimmy Bowen recorded a very mediocre version of the song which is on his section of the CD. I'm not sure there was any reason for Buddy to remake "Mary Lou" & "Maybelline" since they were far better done by the original artists, Ronnie Hawkins & Chuck Berry. But overall, considering all the Knox classics included, it's a nice collection.



Jimmy Bowen's offerings were in my opinion fair to poor. I really couldn't get into any of his songs. His hit recording of "By The Light Of the Silvery Moon" is nothing to write home about and his version of "Blue Moon" is just annoying. Why he decided to make his own version of Knox's "Whenever I'm Lonely" is a mystery. While I'm sure that Jimmy can pick a guitar with the best of them he just doesn't have the voice to carry any of these tunes. Fortunately he later found his nitch as a successful record producer."