THE TRAVELING WILBURYS COLLECTION : During the late 80's, after giving us the superb
"Cloud 9." and spurred on by it's success, George went on a creative roll. This album was born out of the need for a song to fill the
B side of a single
'This Is Love' which was culled from
"Cloud 9." George came out with
'Handle With Care' which his record executive felt was just too good throw away on a
B side. So he had a talk with George and he in turn got all his friends together and came up with this gem of an album. George's friends
Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and
Jeff Lynn hardly need any introduction. Superstar band, as a rule don't last very long because the ego involved were too big but this group were different. They were already well known and they have nothing to prove. These was just a gathering of good friends having some fun and it shows in the music that flowed. Selling millions and being named the album of the year was indeed more coincidental than intentional. The first album was titled
Volume 1 while the second were titled
Volume 3. There never was a
Volume 2. That was George's idea of a sense of humour that send his fans on a wild goose chase looking for an album that didn't exist.This collection filled the gap by having a
Volume 2 of
DVD of the band promotional videos which was the icing on an already mouth watering cake.. I didn't get this album when it first came out and for once I am glad.
DISC 1 :
Handle With Care : The single that gave birth to this great album. Although not a great way to start the album, this
George Harrison's vocal was nevertheless a great track. The executive was spot on when he said that this was too good to throw away on a
B side. The part where
Roy Orbison comes in still gives me the chill.
Dirty World : A fine track by any standard. I especially love the way the others sang back at the lead singer whom I presumed to be
Bob Dylan. Nearing the end, I was pleasantly reminded of the oldie '
Buttons And Bows' by an extra lyric.
Rattled : A straight forward rock 'n' roll number, this one rocks like most of the tracks here.
Last Night : Another winning track. This track have a sense of urgency to it.
Not Alone Any More : This one should be the next single. Some part of it reminds me of unsurprisingly
Roy Orbison's own
'You Got It.' Every time I played this Cd, I just have to hear this one again.
Congratulations : After 5 winning tracks in a row, this one understandably lower the bar slightly. Only slightly for I still listen through this track nevertheless.
Heading For The Light : This is slightly better and the bridges gave it the extra push needed to an otherwise average song. George here I believed and it wouldn't sound out of place in his
"Cloud 9" album.
Margarita : A find intro and fine backing but never quite live up to it's initial promise. A pity for this have the making of a classic. In the end what could have been a classic became just an average song.
Tweeter And The Monkey Man : This one I like. The nursery rhymes lyric added fun to this playful tune. The replying vocal from the rest of the guys is so cute that you just got to check your pulse if it doesn't put a smile on your face.
End Of The Line : Very appropriate that George opens and closed this album with this fine uptempo track. Clearly George was on a roll.
BONUS TRACKS :
Maxine : Another
George Harrison's vocal which means he probably wrote this. Not a bad song too. Don't know why it was not included on the original album.
Like A Ship : This one is the weaker of the two bonus tracks here but still listenable.
DVD DISC 2 :
The True History Of The Traveling Wilburys : The story of how
The Traveling Wilburys came to be, as told by
George Harrison who is the man responsible for the band is a compelling story indeed. The sight of these five superstar friends are indeed an awesome sight to behold. Watching the video really was a revelation to me. This was a more group efforts than I initially thought it was. Usually the one who sings the song is the one who wrote it. Here, the groups contributed in all the lyrics and each other tried at the song to see which voice fits the song best.
Handle With Care : Nice song couple with a nice video and one that shows George really enjoying himself with his famous friends.
End Of The Line : This fine number was given a poignant feel with an empty rocking chair in place of the recently departed
Roy Orbison. All shared vocal duties.
She's My Baby : The Wilburys rocking like in the
50's. Rock 'n' roll truly never sounded so good.
Inside Out : It sure warm the heart seeing these good friends singing their hearts out and having a good time in the process.In almost the same setting as
'She's My Baby,' this was another fun filled video. As was with the rest, a truly collective effort as each and every one have a turn at the vocal.
Wilbury Twist : The most fun video to watch. This one started with some actors acting the lyrics and then the band took over. Is it me or do I heart strains of
'Hope Of Deliverance' from
Paul McCartney's 1993 album
"Off The Ground." Since this was recorded in
1990, three years earlier, could Paul have unconsciously....ah well.....
Disc 3 :
She's My Baby : This was a better starter to this album than on the first volume. A rousing track that ripped right to your soul. Incidentally,
Paul McCartney have a song with the same title on his
"Wings At The Speed Of Sound" album for those interested in this kind of thing.
Inside Out : A fine track this. It have the re
Tom Petty. George was heard on part of the lyric too.
plying vocal that I so liked from the first album. I believe the vocal here belongs to
If You Belonged To Me : A slightly uptempo track with a fine vocal by
Bob Dylan. Another great track.
The Devil's Been Busy : Seems like George been busying with the Devil nowadays. He have quite a few song with the devil as the subject.
'Devil's Radio' on
"Cloud 9." Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea" on his posthumous album
"Brainwashed" and now this.
7 Deadly Sins : I like this. If I didn't know better, I could have sworn that this was
'Blue Moon' in another guise.
Poor House : A nice song with a killer lead guitar hook that get itself hooked onto your brain. This track have a somewhat country feel to it.
Where Were You Last Night : The 7th track here and still not a damper in sight.
Cool Dry Place : Honestly, I am running things to write about this Cd 'cos all the tracks are great and I don't want to sound biased.
New Blue Moon : This one started like
'Margarita' on "
Volume 1" but thankfully it ended up much better. Could even have you swaying your hips. Ironically that there was a song resembling
'Blue Moon' here and now we have a
'New Blue Moon."
You Took My Breath Away : This ones a ballad and no less better than the rest of the tracks here. A nice change of pace after having my breath taking away by all the fine songs here.
Wilbury Twist : Who would have thought that these four guys who are well over their half century mark or close to could come up with an infectious tune like this. If recorded in the 50's 60's it could have started a dance craze. This could have make a better starter than a closer of this album. Takes you right back to the 50's.
BONUS TRACKS :
Nobody's Child ( Coben / Foree ) : I absolutely loved this song as sung by
Karen Young but this version was not bad at all. The Male's version of a sad song.
Runaway ( Shannon / D. Crook ) : Another old favourite from the past, no one could possibly go wrong with this awesome song and they didn't.
DOP : 1st April 2008.
