The first major release of
Ritchie Valens demos reveals his creative process in fragmentary form, with multiple outtakes of songs like "La Bamba" and "Cry Cry Cry," among others. The sound is somewhat shaky at times (none of this material was intended to be heard in public) but the variations on familiar songs show
Valens' evolution as a musician and composer, as well as the contribution of session players and arrangers like
Rene Hall (who also played on
Sam Cooke's "You Send Me") and
Carol Kaye.
–
Bruce Eder, Rovi