Yes, that last phase of his life seemed to be going into a musically different direction: strings and songs written by other writers (presumably chosen by his record company or producer). Very nice, mind you - such as "True Love Ways" and "Moon Dreams" - but a big shift from the r&B-rootsy rock and rockabilly. I think that his move to New York, and split with The Crickets, was to set himself up as a songwriter. The New York tapes were demos for others (The Everley Brothers later picked up at least one).

Anyone here ever get to see him?