The Formative Years - Traveling Wilburys
When it comes to the output of what was commonly referred to under the moniker “super group” in the last millennium, there was hardly one of those mostly prefabricated outfits where the musical output matched the credit of the individual constituents. Au contraire, in most cases the total of the whole offered diminished returns and was much less than the sum of the individual contributions.
Then again there are instances where exceptions prove the rule, which is where the Traveling Wilburys reign supreme as what started as a coincidental and serendipitous project at the end of the 1980s with George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan, all of which operated under pseudonyms, was lightning caught in a bottle as far as condensing and simmering three decades of rock down to its concise essence.
Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1. Is comprised of ten near perfect tunes and rich lyrics. With alternating lead vocals, all protagonists effortlessly complement each other and the group makes a deliberate effort to be perceived as a collective.
After the untimely departure of Roy Orbison in December 1988 and the debut album having become an accolade decorated best seller, the surviving group members reconvened to record a follow-up, which proves to be an enjoyable listen yet does not come remotely near that magic that was created before.
Based on the wonderfully calibrated collaboration, the Traveling Wilburys’ debut remains an unrivalled classic in the pantheon of the rock olymp and is highly recommended not merely to aficionados of Orbison’s, Petty’s and Harrison’s respective oeuvres but especially those who tend to get annoyed with Dylan’s trademark whiny organ as with the Wilburys’, he showed a delightful side by channelling his inner Bruce Springsteen.
A true gem.
