You know how they say absence makes the heart grow fonder?
When The Traveling Wilburys' debut album came around the first time in the eighties, I all but ignored it. Not that the idea of people like George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty getting together for an all-star dream jam wasn't one to salivate over, but for me, the spoiler factor (at least at the time) was the involvement of Jeff Lynne.
Now, of course, I realize that all great producers from Phil Spector to Rick Rubin tend to have a way of leaving their own unique mark on the artists they produce, but to me, the records that Lynne — who at that time, was in great demand as a producer — oversaw all sounded more like his own records than those of the actual artist.
Which again, is okay if you are Phil Spector producing the Ronettes or The Crystals.
But when Lynne produced Tom Petty's Full Moon Fever for example, what my ears heard was more Lynne than Petty. At the time, the post-ELO sound Lynne seemed to be going for sounded more to me like a kind of second rate Dave Edmunds circa the album Repeat When Necessary. Seriously, I know that album is hard to find now, but if you ever get the chance, listen to Edmunds' "Queen Of Hearts" from Repeat When Necessary, and Petty's "Running Down A Dream" from Full Moon Fever back to back, and you tell me that there are not some similarities there.
I'm surprised Lynne didn't just ask Dave Edmunds to become a Wilbury.
But anyway, like I said above — absence, or in this case the passage of time, does indeed make the heart grow fonder. Well, that and the fact that every time I've heard the song "Handle With Care" on the radio since, I've become more upset with myself for not getting the album way back then. I've also long since come around as far as Jeff Lynne goes, and that includes his work on Petty's Full Moon Fever.
Article comments
1 - JC Mosquito
My initial reaction to the Wibury's Vol 1 was the same as you, Glen. Unlike yourself, I haven't come around to the Jeff Lynne sound. But... what has he produced recently.. there was something I liked because it was produced by Jeff Lynne without sounding like all his other productions.... who was that now...? The new tm Petty perhaps.
In any case, I said it on last week's bc Wibury review (my apologies - can't remember who write it off the top of my head), and I'll say it again - simply a lightweight outing by some heavyweights here. I expected better.
2 - Tom Johnson
Well, I'll third that - I dismissed them way back when but I'll have to politely disagree with JC about them being "lightweight". That we're still talking about them, excitedly, in 2007, shows that they were considerably more serious than the term "lightweight" would indicate. Lightweight in subject matter, I'll give you, and lightweight in seriousness, sure, but in impact? No - this is music that has actually meant something to an awful lot of people, as indicated by the surprisingly high sales of this set (the deluxe edition is completely sold out pretty much everywhere - grab it if you see it!)
3 - Glen Boyd
Skeet,
Who wrote last week's Wilburys review? Take your pick, because there were several. Thats actually why I held this one off for a week.
Anyway, appreciate the comment as always.
-Glen
4 - Glen Boyd
Tom,
I think part of what Skeet is trying to say is that it just felt kind of lightweight at the time. Which in retrospect, has a lot to do with it's charm and it's endurance I think.
Songs like "Handle With Care" sound so effortless -- yet are such great pop tunes -- that these guys sound like they could do this in their sleep. It's so breezy sounding, it just kind of rolls right off of you, yet sticks to you like glue.
What is it that they say makes a great hook? How it plants itself into your brain and refuses to let itself go?
-Glen
5 - Tom Johnson
I can see that - lightweight at the time certainly makes sense. But now, definitely not. But yeah, this is some great, hooky stuff - I'm simply stunned at how good it is, actually. I thought I'd like it, but not this much.
6 - Eric Whelchel
Nice review. Personally I still can't get on board with how Dylan sounded during this time. Maybe it's time to give it another listen.
7 - JC Mosquito
Hmmm... let me try to clarify that. Remember Pete Townsend & Ronnie Lane's Rough Mix album? That was light hearted & lightly produced, but the songs were well written and played in such a way that the listener couldn't help but feel intimately connected with the songs and the players.
I never got that sense from the Wilburys. Really, I can't think of a single song that jumped out at me from that album - all I could hear was Jeff Lynne dialing knobs in the studio, if you take my meaning; I should've been hearing some great songs by some great songwriters.
8 - Glen Boyd
Skeet,
Gotta part ways with ya then this time my brutha.
I hear what are you saying about Lynne though. His production used to bug me for the longest time. But you mean to tell me there is nothing in the way of songs that jumps out for you? "Handle With Care" alone is as instantly catchy and memorable as anything on "Rough Mix." Moreso, in fact if you ask me. It sounds at once like a brilliantly constructed pop tune, and a very relaxed, organic sounding performance.
But thats just me I guess.
Anyway, each to his own -- and thanks for getting the conversation started here Skeeter.
-Glen
9 - JC Mosquito
Well, I'll have to pull out the vinyl sometime & give it another go round. It's funny how often I do that after a polite musical disagreement and find (to no one's surprise, I'm sure!) that time & memory changes one's perspective.
As always, your article is thought provoking, Glen.
Sk.
10 - Glen Boyd
My advice Skeet is give it another try. And try not to think about the Jeff Lynne thing, but just concentrate on the songs themselves. I don't think you'll be disapointed. I know I wasn't.
As always, thanks for the gracious words too. Yer just too kind, sir.
-Glen
11 - Larry L
Volume 3 was not as successful as Vol 1 because Vol 3 is heavier on the Dylan and lighter on the Lynne.
More Lynne and less Dylan makes a better album in my opinion.
12 - Jim
Don't forget that Harrison was co-producer with Lynne, and that all the guys approved the mixes. Trying to blame Lynne for the production really implicates the others too.
13 - JC Mosquito
Hmm... you're right, Jim - they collectively produced a weak album.
I'm sorry, team, I pulled out my vinyl of Vol 1 & spun it a couple of times these past couple of days, and I like it even less than I did when it first came out.
Maybe I'll get it when it's reissued yet again in the future. But as of today, these Wilburys just give me the Wilburillies.
14 - Glen Boyd
Well, each to his own Skeet. Music is of course nothing if not a subjective thing. If you're not hearing it, then you're not hearing it I guess.
So, on an unrelated note -- when you are you doing to get off your duff and write something again? I've missed reading you here -- other than in the comments box anyway. And that Beatles thing you wrote awhile back really generated the comments.
I'm actually doing some editing on the site now, so who knows? Maybe I'll even get a chance to edit a piece of yours.
Time to fire up that keyboard Skeeter!
-Glen
15 - alessandro nicolo
Interesting take on Lynne. I was what, 15 when it came out, and got into right away. I don't know why; I just did - and I still derive satisfaction from it. 'Handle with Care' is a superb song; even under rated.
'Full Moon Fever' as another album I bought around the same time that I thoroughly enjoyed. Among the best in the Petty catalogue?