Go Ahead! You Already Know the Words!

There are few surprises here: This 20 track, 2 volume in one CD is a first rate compilation of Roy's golden years with Monument records in the early to mid 1960s. Naming favorite tracks is highly subjective, for each of us has our pet choices. Roy had so many hits and most were done his unique triple octave voice that led up to climactic fadeouts or endings. (This reviewer does not actually know what a "triple octave" voice is but I have heard it used often in referring to Roy). The best goldies from this viewpoint are "It's Over" and the ultimate climax song "In Dreams". Who else could hit that high note? Who else would dare attempt it? This reviewer also liked "Blue Bayou" and "I'm Hurtin". And yes, "Pretty Woman" is here too. Some amazon friends have complained that none of Roy's selections from his later years are included but those are beyond the scope of this CD. It is vital to note that amazon has an extensive (!) selection of Roy CDs. I don't know of any that match the value of this particular one. Why keep scrolling down? Why wait? Hit the "add to shopping cart" button. It's difficult to end a positive review on a negative note but the skimpy and thinly written informational jacket insert is truly pathetic! Surely Roy derves more respect!

Incomparable

Roy Orbison defies easy categorization. One can say Yes and No to him being Country, Pop, or Rock and Roll. He is, simply and undeniably, Roy Orbison. Few singers could put the power and the passion he did into his music. Tom Jones did, with "Delilah" and, possibly, Andy Williams with "Moon River," the theme from "Romeo and Juliet," and the love theme from "The Godfather." The Moody Blues hit that chord with "Survival," "Nights in White Satin," and "Tuesday Afternoon." These "stand-out" songs, where the singer or the group puts all he/she/they has/have into the performance, gives the listener a rare treat, a glimpse of perfection. Roy Orbison did this fairly often. In this particular collection, you see it in "Only the Lonely," "Pretty Woman," "Blue Bayou," and in his incredible rendition of "Crying." Other reviewers have noted the absence, from this collection, of "You've Got It," and I heartily agree; it was another stand-out, signature song for Orbison, and certainly belongs in any Greatest Hits collection for him. But, then, few things in life are perfect. Orbison touched perfection in "Crying," and that one song makes this collection worth the price of admission.

The Very Best From A Distinguished Career

If you do want the very best and only the very best, it's all right here and most of the songs sung so outstandingly were written by Roy himself either in partnership with Joe Melson or Bill Dees. The touching Christmas tune, "Pretty Paper" was written by Willie Nelson and "Dream Baby" and "Shahdaroba" by Cindy Walker who wrote many-a country tune including Jim Reeves' "Distant Drums" (which Roy covered). These songs as done by Roy Orbison touch the emotions in a way that only a relative few can. These are priceless. Also Roy took Elvis Presley's rousing 1957 hit, "Mean Woman Blues", and made it his own in 1963. After some years off the charts as a solo artist, Roy was on his way to making a new round of hits with his magnificent voice when he died in December 1988. The songs in this package are from his best years on the charts.