What was so remarkable about Vol. 1 is that it's a "supergroup" album almost entirely lacking in pretension – just simply gorgeous, honest soundcraft, polished to a fine shine by Jeff Lynne's typically slick production. Everyone takes turns on vocals and songwriting, and the result is that no one artist pulls rank on the others. The sonic touch was also present on the Lynne-engineered albums of the time, Harrison's Cloud Nine and Petty's Full Moon Fever In fact, both of those albums featured cameos by other Wilburys and are almost continuations of the Wilbury sound.
Sadly, Orbison died and the result was the Wilburys never quite measured up to an outstanding debut. The remaining four did regroup for 1990's follow-up. With more of that quirky Wilbury humor their second album was labeled Vol. 3, confusing fans forevermore. Vol. 3 unfortunately was more like what Vol. 1 could've been – solid, but somewhat unmemorable, a lark without heft. The operatic voice of Orbison was a key part of the first record's appeal, lending a lovelorn grandeur to many of the songs. He's sorely missed. Songs like "She's My Baby" or "Wilbury Twist" are good-time rock 'n' roll, but there's something missing. The relaxed spontaneity of the first album is a little more forced here, proving that maybe you can't always repeat a winner. Still, the Wilburys never embarrassed themselves.
The reissue includes four new tracks – the benefit for Romanian orphans "Nobody's Child," as well as Vol. 3 outtakes "Maxine" and "Like A Ship," and the UK-only B-side "Runaway."
The DVD features the original five charming music videos, along with a 24-minute documentary told in the group's own voices. There's a variety of editions for fans to choose from – the standard 2-CD and DVD set, a "special edition" boxed set that includes a 40-page book and more, and a vinyl set.
Even if you own one of the original rare CDs, you'll want to make the upgrade to this rewarding, long-awaited collection. There'll never be a Wilburys reunion now that George and Roy are both up at the juke box in the sky, but this is the next best thing.
Article comments
1 - Bill Sherman
Great to see this music once more available: Volume One is one of the few supergroup albums to actually live up to the promise of that much misused phrase . . .
2 - Marcelo Baeza Sequeira
humm, I really miss Roy's voice on Vol 3, but sometimes I enjoy more Vol 3 than Vol 1.
3 - Kevin Cramsey
Vol. III, quite frankly, is pretty bad. Harrison's contributions are minimal; Dylan is doing hackwork; Petty is OK, but he's still only Petty; and Jeff Lynne is, as usual, stuck in his same-sounding production mode. Man that guy is consistent to a fault.
4 - Webomatica
I really loved the first Wilbury album and it's great to see both on CD.