The Traveling Wilburys - The Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of the historic, Grammy-winning 1988 debut album from the legendary super group of musical "brothers": George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and Bob Dylan. Features two bonus tracks: 'Maxine' and 'Like A Ship'. Rhino. 2008. Album Description

20 Years Later. The Wilburys Still Rock

It has been 20 years ago since The Traveling Wilburys had formed, and became one of the most surprising groups ever. For Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, the late George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Jeff Lynne of ELO, the opportunity of making great music couldn't be anything but sweet. Yet as time had passed, many record buyers had been looking back and forth seeking to find a copy of the first Traveling Wilburys album, which seemed to be more than met the eye. But that had changed last year when Rhino re-released the 2 Traveling Wilburys records into 1 unique Anthology. Now, for those who just wanted the simplicity of the first one finally have a second chance.

The Traveling Wilburys: Volume 1 has finally been re-released in record stores. This new 2008 re-release doesn't seperate itself to those who've bought last years' Traveling Wilburys Anthology, but as a stand alone album, it is worth the wait. All the classics have been remastered from the ground up, and bring back the soulful and classic and simple appeal the 80's group had to so many fans. The album includes the classics Handle With Care, End Of The Line, and Dirty World to just name a few. The album also adds on by bringing in the rare tracks Maxine and Like A Ship, which adds a lot of flavor into the original album. The feeling of the album sounds better than ever for a the 20th Anniversary of this classic.

All in all, The Traveling Wilburys: Volume 1 is a great addition to your MP3 Player or for your music library. If you've bought last years' Traveling Wilburys Anthlogy, than there is no need to purchase the 2008 re-release because all the tracks are there. However, if you are into Roy, Tom, and company and haven't yet bought the distinctive album, than it is time to hear this collection, which shows that the history of The Traveling Wilburys isn't over at the end of the line.

Album Cover: B+

Songs: B 1/2+

Price: B

Remastering: B+

Overall: B 1/2+ June 3, 2008

Ideal Transaction

Item shipped quickly. This is my first "used" CD purchase and I was a little nervous. The CD plays beautifully and the price was RIGHT! Excellent seller. April 19, 2008

"Who ever heard of a 'Wilbury'?"

[Note: I wish to let it be known that, at the time of this writing, I do not own individual copies of either of the two Traveling Wilburys albums; instead I am in posession of the recently released Traveling Wilburys boxedset, standard edition, featuring both albums, plus a DVD of interviews and music videos by the band members. It is based on this item that I made my conclusions regarding the Wilburys].
We may all argue the benefits and disadvantages of "supergroups", but few among us will deny that the Wilburys were among the very best of the supergroups. Formed by George Harrison, Jeff Lynne (of whom I shall be speaking more in a few moments), Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison, the group left only two albums as their collaborative legacy, but among these albums are some of the finest (and some of the most undeservedly obscure) songs in the tradition of good old rock 'n' roll. This review is for the first of their two albums, Vol. 1...
This a great debut album, and the only one to feature Orbison (who died in December of 1988, the same year the album was released). Track by track, I believe Vol. 3 to be even stronger, but I'll talk about that in my Vol. 3 review. We have love, joy, heartbreak, soulful music, and just plain rock 'n' roll fun through the duration of this fantastically great album. Track by track...
1. Handle with Care. This was a successful single for a reason. The vocals are pure gold, and the lyrics and melody, not to mention the performances (guitar and harmonica bliss) are brilliant, are wonderful, a really palpable call for love and care, and life away from the fame. 5/5
2. Dirty World. Pure genious; funny, and imaginative, and VERY satrical. 5/5
3. "Rattled". The essence of the Wilburys: good old fashioned rock 'n'roll fun. Kudos to Jeff Lynne. And yes, here's my two sents on his production and his presence here: genius producer and songwriter, ELO rocks, Jeff Lynne rocks. Jeff Lynne should be here; he has every right to perform with the likes of Petty, Dylan, Harrison, and Orbison. 5/5
4. "Last Night". Petty's rockin' voice gives this outstanding tune an extra kick (or two) for good measure. 4.5/5
5. "Not Alone Any More". Roy Orbison takes over! Gorgeous and well-produced. 5/5
6. "Congratulations". A real weakspot; in a perfect world, "Maxine", included as a bonus track on the reissue, and apparently recorded during these sessions, would have been here instead. Dylan's gritty, lovable low-notes stand out, but not much else does. And seriously, I think we're a bit past Mother Goose rhimes by now. 2.5/5
7. "Heading for the Light". Back on track with a spot of classic George. George is my favorite Wilbury (and Beatle) and this track is well-sung, well-played, well-produced, well-written, well, well everything! Easy 5/5.
8. "Margarita". The second weakest off the album. Attractively produced, but goes nowhere, wallowing in lyrical nothingness. This would have been better if they had left insturmental (other than the background chanting of "Margarita!!!") Still, sounds good, that's the genius of Jeff (with a little techno for good measure) for you. 3.5/5
9. "Tweeter and the Monkeyman". Wow, cool! Bob Dylan's finest Wilbury moment (Tom Petty helped too, and he really shines). Madcap, well-written, a crime drama epic with a touch of humor; well-done, chilling, unsettling. Grows on you big time. 5/5
10. "End of the Line". A great close, again with great vocals, and wonderful melody and lyric in the grand tradition. 5/5, again, easily.
All in all: The Wilburys are a GREAT group. This isn't their best album though (that's probably not the popular opinion, however).

The best was yet to come, despite the loss of Roy Orbison.
Let thy Wilbury be done! November 26, 2007

"Who ever heard of a 'Wilbury'?"

[Note: I wish to let it be known that, at the time of this writing, I do not own individual copies of either of the two Traveling Wilburys albums; instead I am in posession of the recently released Traveling Wilburys boxedset, standard edition, featuring both albums, plus a DVD of interviews and music videos by the band members. It is based on this item that I made my conclusions regarding the Wilburys].
We may all argue the benefits and disadvantages of "supergroups", but few among us will deny that the Wilburys were among the very best of the supergroups. Formed by George Harrison, Jeff Lynne (of whom I shall be speaking more in a few moments), Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison, the group left only two albums as their collaborative legacy, but among these albums are some of the finest (and some of the most undeservedly obscure) songs in the tradition of good old rock 'n' roll. This review is for the first of their two albums, Vol. 1...
This a great debut album, and the only one to feature Orbison (who died in December of 1988, the same year the album was released). Track by track, I believe Vol. 3 to be even stronger, but I'll talk about that in my Vol. 3 review. We have love, joy, heartbreak, soulful music, and just plain rock 'n' roll fun through the duration of this fantastically great album. Track by track...
1. Handle with Care. This was a successful single for a reason. The vocals are pure gold, and the lyrics and melody, not to mention the performances (guitar and harmonica bliss) are brilliant, are wonderful, a really palpable call for love and care, and life away from the fame. 5/5
2. Dirty World. Pure genious; funny, and imaginative, and VERY satrical. 5/5
3. "Rattled". The essence of the Wilburys: good old fashioned rock 'n'roll fun. Kudos to Jeff Lynne. And yes, here's my two sents on his production and his presence here: genius producer and songwriter, ELO rocks, Jeff Lynne rocks. Jeff Lynne should be here; he has every right to perform with the likes of Petty, Dylan, Harrison, and Orbison. 5/5
4. "Last Night". Petty's rockin' voice gives this outstanding tune an extra kick (or two) for good measure. 4.5/5
5. "Not Alone Any More". Roy Orbison takes over! Gorgeous and well-produced. 5/5
6. "Congratulations". A real weakspot; in a perfect world, "Maxine", included as a bonus track on the reissue, and apparently recorded during these sessions, would have been here instead. Dylan's gritty, lovable low-notes stand out, but not much else does. And seriously, I think we're a bit past Mother Goose rhimes by now. 2.5/5
7. "Heading for the Light". Back on track with a spot of classic George. George is my favorite Wilbury (and Beatle) and this track is well-sung, well-played, well-produced, well-written, well, well everything! Easy 5/5.
8. "Margarita". The second weakest off the album. Attractively produced, but goes nowhere, wallowing in lyrical nothingness. This would have been better if they had left insturmental (other than the background chanting of "Margarita!!!") Still, sounds good, that's the genius of Jeff (with a little techno for good measure) for you. 3.5/5
9. "Tweeter and the Monkeyman". Wow, cool! Bob Dylan's finest Wilbury moment (Tom Petty helped too, and he really shines). Madcap, well-written, a crime drama epic with a touch of humor; well-done, chilling, unsettling. Grows on you big time. 5/5
10. "End of the Line". A great close, again with great vocals, and wonderful melody and lyric in the grand tradition. 5/5, again, easily.
All in all: The Wilburys are a GREAT group. This isn't their best album though (that's probably not the popular opinion, however).

The best was yet to come, despite the loss of Roy Orbison.
Let thy Wilbury be done! November 26, 2007

"Who ever heard of a 'Wilbury'?"

[Note: I wish to let it be known that, at the time of this writing, I do not own individual copies of either of the two Traveling Wilburys albums; instead I am in posession of the recently released Traveling Wilburys boxedset, standard edition, featuring both albums, plus a DVD of interviews and music videos by the band members. It is based on this item that I made my conclusions regarding the Wilburys].
We may all argue the benefits and disadvantages of "supergroups", but few among us will deny that the Wilburys were among the very best of the supergroups. Formed by George Harrison, Jeff Lynne (of whom I shall be speaking more in a few moments), Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison, the group left only two albums as their collaborative legacy, but among these albums are some of the finest (and some of the most undeservedly obscure) songs in the tradition of good old rock 'n' roll. This review is for the first of their two albums, Vol. 1...
This a great debut album, and the only one to feature Orbison (who died in December of 1988, the same year the album was released). Track by track, I believe Vol. 3 to be even stronger, but I'll talk about that in my Vol. 3 review. We have love, joy, heartbreak, soulful music, and just plain rock 'n' roll fun through the duration of this fantastically great album. Track by track...
1. Handle with Care. This was a successful single for a reason. The vocals are pure gold, and the lyrics and melody, not to mention the performances (guitar and harmonica bliss) are brilliant, are wonderful, a really palpable call for love and care, and life away from the fame. 5/5
2. Dirty World. Pure genious; funny, and imaginative, and VERY satrical. 5/5
3. "Rattled". The essence of the Wilburys: good old fashioned rock 'n'roll fun. Kudos to Jeff Lynne. And yes, here's my two sents on his production and his presence here: genius producer and songwriter, ELO rocks, Jeff Lynne rocks. Jeff Lynne should be here; he has every right to perform with the likes of Petty, Dylan, Harrison, and Orbison. 5/5
4. "Last Night". Petty's rockin' voice gives this outstanding tune an extra kick (or two) for good measure. 4.5/5
5. "Not Alone Any More". Roy Orbison takes over! Gorgeous and well-produced. 5/5
6. "Congratulations". A real weakspot; in a perfect world, "Maxine", included as a bonus track on the reissue, and apparently recorded during these sessions, would have been here instead. Dylan's gritty, lovable low-notes stand out, but not much else does. And seriously, I think we're a bit past Mother Goose rhimes by now. 2.5/5
7. "Heading for the Light". Back on track with a spot of classic George. George is my favorite Wilbury (and Beatle) and this track is well-sung, well-played, well-produced, well-written, well, well everything! Easy 5/5.
8. "Margarita". The second weakest off the album. Attractively produced, but goes nowhere, wallowing in lyrical nothingness. This would have been better if they had left insturmental (other than the background chanting of "Margarita!!!") Still, sounds good, that's the genius of Jeff (with a little techno for good measure) for you. 3.5/5
9. "Tweeter and the Monkeyman". Wow, cool! Bob Dylan's finest Wilbury moment (Tom Petty helped too, and he really shines). Madcap, well-written, a crime drama epic with a touch of humor; well-done, chilling, unsettling. Grows on you big time. 5/5
10. "End of the Line". A great close, again with great vocals, and wonderful melody and lyric in the grand tradition. 5/5, again, easily.
All in all: The Wilburys are a GREAT group. This isn't their best album though (that's probably not the popular opinion, however).

The best was yet to come, despite the loss of Roy Orbison.
Let thy Wilbury be done! November 26, 2007

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