In his short-lived but extraordinary life, Buddy Holly left behind a body of work so enthralling, his enduring influence is nearly impossible to overstate. The melodic joy and fierce independent streak at the core of his artistry is profoundly felt on Rave On Buddy Holly, a 19-song collection of indelible Holly covers by a rich assemblage of current musical visionaries and creative kindred spirits Rave On Buddy Holly steers clear of the reverent re-creations typically found on similar projects; the artists clearly felt free to explore radically new interpretations. Florence + The Machine bring an industrial New Orleans vibe to Not Fade Away (with help from Bayou icon Ivan Neville on keys). The Black Keys' elemental accompaniment touches the emotional core of Dearest while Modest Mouse takes That'll Be the Day into truly avant-garde territory. Cee Lo Green's exquisite vocals, for example, echo among handclaps and percussion on his epic reading of Baby, You're So Square. Paul McCartney's take on the originally lilting It's So Easy is a raw, propulsive excursion filled with boisterous spoken ad-libs. Lou Reed lays down a blazing Peggy Sue, replete with overdriven guitars and loopy keyboards. The romantic underpinnings of Holly's music are cleverly revealed in Rave On's multiple male-female pairings: Apple and Brion, Reed, Elson and (husband/producer) Jack White and She & Him. Known for his work with such directors as Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson and Todd Haynes, esteemed film-music supervisor Randall Poster was sought out to produce and oversee the project. As the tracks from various contributors were gathered for the album, explains Poster we seemed to be gathering pieces of a complex and original puzzle that traces back to the roots of rock and roll and shapes so much of the music that followed. Poster gives special recognition to producing partner Geyla Robb and her overall influence on Rave On's exceptional blend of tender toughness. Poster also credits the album's richness to the various track producers, such as Matt Sweeney, Joe Henry, Jack White and C.C. Adcock.