Lonely and Blue?
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Best Loved Standards
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http://royorbison.musiccitynetworks.com/Check out the Roy Orbison website above, and then read the Daily OM Music Review below. Good stuff!March 27, 2007Lonely and BlueRoy Orbison 1960At a time when other young singers would record follow-up albums to their hit singles by simply adding the hits to a collection of new recordings by the singer from the label's library, Roy Orbison was heading in different directions. Instead, he used the new technology-two-track stereophonic sound-to embellish his already sweeping, near operatic songs. He also used other songwriters' material that matched his style, in addition to his self-penned songs. His slowed-down version of the Everly Brothers otherwise rambunctious "Bye Bye Love" is a great example. This song receives the Orbison treatment: infused with emotions of loss and longing; a rueful, bittersweet feeling that no one did better than Orbison. In fact, Sings Lonely and Blue, Orbison's debut album release, could almost be considered an early concept album, starting with the cover, which pictures Orbison alone at what would normally be considered a Friday night date spot: a drive-in hamburger joint.The album begins with Orbison's huge hit single "Only the Lonely," which sets the tone and theme of what's to come. Using his unique multioctave voice, quivering delivery, mournful tone, and the underlying dignity of the words in a simple and direct fashion, no one does "left alone" like Orbison. His approach is unique, and the structure of the song, seeming deceptively simple at first, grows with every verse: the perfectly placed piano, the sudden sweep of the strings, the rolling tumbleweed feel of vast space and aloneness. Orbison stands bravely by himself.Orbison does equally well with other writers, particularly on Don Gibson's "I Can't Stop Loving You," a lyric sentiment that fits perfectly into the Orbison canon. But it's Orbison's own songs that stand most apart. "Come Back To Me (My Love)" is one of Lonely and Blue's true standouts. Again, star-sweeping strings, the glue of the piano, a Boots Randolph-like sax that seems to be yakety whispering in Orbison's ear, and a storyline that trails Orbison's ex during her entire 16 tender years are perfect Orbison. The song works seamlessly, such is his gift. Orbison infused his songs with so much feeling and lit the long, lonely road for the thousands that would follow, few of whom would ever do it better.
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