Album Essentials: Traveling Wilburys - "Vol. 1"
By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
The term 'super group' probably traces back to Cream, the power trio comprised of bassist Jack Bruce, guitarist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker. As they made their entrance onto the music scene of 1966, all heads and ears turned their way, at first, simply because their reputations preceded them. Clapton had been a shining star in the Yardbirds, and then John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, while both Bruce and Baker had established themselves as powerhouse players while in the Graham Bond Organization, one of the more respected blues groups on the UK scene at the time. Once Cream established themselves apart from their pedigree, they had become one of the biggest and most respected bands in the world. They lasted slightly over two years before imploding, but would set a standard for any amalgamation of top shelf players who thought it a good plan to band together.
There were others along the way, from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, to Blind Faith and Emerson, Lake and Palmer, up through Asia and Damn Yankees. The word ‘super’ being somewhat flexible in many cases, but the concept remained to have an all-star team of sorts. Many were hugely successful, others more of a curiosity. The formation of the Traveling Wilburys, in 1988, moved the goal post to higher ground, as any band that could withhold a Beatle, an early rock and roll pioneer, two superstars of the 1970s, and one Bob Dylan, had a lot to answer for.
Once their debut album, 'Vol. 1' was released in October of 1988, there was zero doubt that they would live up to the challenge and then some. The album catches all these key figures in rock and roll having fun, making a record with friends, and nary an ego in sight. George Harrison had been working his comeback album, 'Cloud 9,' in 1987, with ELO's Jeff Lynne acting as producer, and it was during those sessions that the idea for the Wilburys was born. As the concept grew it basically became a case of "well let me ask Bob" and "I bet Tom would be up for this" and so on. Much chatter at the time was about how Harrison, Petty, Lynne and Dylan were thrilled to be playing with Roy Orbison, while at the same time, Orbison was thrilled to be a part of this as well. All cards on the table and all egos checked at the door ended up making for a true classic that so easily could have failed.
Aside from their attitudes being a saving grace, how about the songs?! All involved brought songs into the band. "It was a lot of fun writing the songs cause you didn't always know who was going to sing it," said Petty in a 1988 interview. "We're all fans of each other,' added Orbison. 'Handle With Care,' the album's first single, pretty much tells the tale musically, all stars align and shine bright as each voice is heard in this ultra-catchy pop song. It ended up being a hit. 'End Of The Line,' and 'Tweeter and The Monkey Man' proved FM radio staples as well.
The album became a surprise hit, hitting number three in the Billboard charts and selling over two million copies in the first six months. Eventually, their debut would go on to be certified triple platinum. Not bad for a loose concept based on a passing idea. Each member took on a new persona based around the Wilbury legend: Petty became Charlie T. Wilbury, Lynne was Otis, Harrison was Nelson, Dylan became Lucky, and Orbison was Lefty. This all played into the spirit intended by these Rock and Roll Hall of famers. Produced by Otis and Nelson, aka Lynne and Harrison, the recordings have that classic to some, annoying to others, sound that Lynne so often angled in at. It suits the material and fans and radio loved it.
Sadly, the band was short on time as Roy Orbison passed away in December of '88. A second album, cheekily titled 'Vol. 3,' was recorded in the summer of 1990 as a four piece, and released that fall. There had been talk of inviting Del Shannon in to replace Roy, but it never came to be. It's sad to note that there are only two Wilburys left alive, as time has marked the passing of Harrison and Petty along with Orbison. That first album, in particular, had something very special about it. Something that you really can’t define as it all came about in such an organic way. The spirit lives, as do the songs, which is why we have cast it here as one of the Essentials.