This is the tenth in a series of Rock & Roll features I'm writing for this site. I'm a rock and roller, so this column is a way for me to feature a different album that I like, from different genres every month.
When it comes to “super groups,” I've always been partial to the short-lived Traveling Wilburys. Originally coming together in the late '80s to record a b-side for one of George Harrison's singles, the band consisted of Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne as the Wilburys. The band only released one album with all five members called Vol. 1. Roy Orbison died of a heart attack shortly after its release, making these songs some of his last recordings. Although the remaining four members would go on to record another album, Vol. 3, I've always felt that their first is the better of the two and is also an amazing album overall.
Musically, the Traveling Wilburys contain elements that are reminiscent of each of the member's solo works (each is a rock and roll legend in his own right), but they fit together to create something new. It's fun, upbeat rock and roll with a very earthy feel.
I wouldn't really call it country as it's not really a country twang, but there are country elements. I also wouldn't really call it southern, Americana or folk, but there is a definite feel of all three throughout. The band has obvious songwriting talent, what with the credentials of each its members, but the songs are almost all deceptively straight forward pop/rock songs in a loose and fun style.
A deeper look though, reveals some great word play, lyrical lines and well-crafted musical arrangements. Plus, with their sing-along choruses and upbeat style, they're meant to be fun, even funny, at times... that was the idea from the start. It's almost as if they really are a group of brothers, last name Wilbury of course, and each with more than a little life experience, playing music in a local bar, with people dancing, partying and singing along... just having a good ole' time.
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