JUST OUTSTANDING

This is a truly great album, with not a really bad track but numerous great ones. Songs that can bring you to tears. The hopelessly romantic loser.........

Roy Leaves Us On A High Note.

Mystery Girl had an immediate impact on me upon its release in 1989, and recently I dusted off my CD copy and gave it a spin for the first time in several years. With the immediacy of Roy's sudden tragic passing now long behind me I was able to listen to the album more objectively than in the past, yet it has not lost any of its power. At this stage of Roy's life his voice was surely better than ever. The lower registers were richer and more expressive, his control was finely honed and the high notes were still easily within reach. All this despite the fact he was apparently still a smoker (see http://www.vintagerock.com/roy.html for an interesting account that verifies this). Add to this remarkable and unique instrument a strong set of songs that are as close to perfection as any pop album I've ever heard. Thirdly, Jeff Lynne's production wisely eschews the then ubiquitous (and now horribly dated) keyboards-and-sequencing 80s sound in favour of tasteful and haunting arrangements, contributed to by a stellar supporting cast. Everything is in perfect harmony. The production never overwhelms Roy, and Roy never overwhelms the production. He knew precisely how to emote a song, his phenomenal vocal power reserved for just those moments when it was needed. Roy never oversang a song.



When asked to stand apart from the sadness of Roy's death, Mystery Girl endures as a timeless masterpiece of pop perfection. It is evident that a lot of love went into this record, both Roy's love of his craft, and the love that his collaborators had for him.



I remember an interview recorded very shortly before his death where Roy talked about Mystery Girl and mentioned something to the effect of "it's not like this is the only album I'll ever make." These words still haunt me as an Orbison fan, and one can only imagine how far this new path might have taken him had he stuck around.



A startling comeback, and a remarkable swansong.

Stunning, MUST haver album!

Orbison fans will be hooked instantly. Those who aren't familiar with him (from another planet maybe) will take about 30 seconds to be hooked. Of all Roy's music, this album touches me most. Every song rings with his magical way of expressing his music.



It makes you wonder what music could have been if he had lived longer!



This album is a must have. Treat yourself to the beautiful sounds and movements of this album. You will thank yourself.