I think Jeff Lynne mentioned that out of all the records he produced, "Full Moon Fever" was his masterpiece and it certainly has withstood the test of time the best of the records from this period in my opinion. But "Mystery Girl" is a very solid album as well. I mean when you think about taking an artist who had been unjustly relegated to the archives and giving him a tremendous lift as this record was particularly the single, "You Got It", that is nothing short of an achievement. Granted Orbison completely dedicated himself to the project and was eminently helped by the success of The Traveling Wilburys success from a few months earlier in 1988 but still a tremendous effort. As an aside, there has been a lot put around about this period and the reason why artists like Harrison, Orbison, Raitt, Petty and Henley were having so much commercial success despite not necessarily being in the demographic for what was necessarily deemed trendy in pop culture at the time. I've always been split on this issue as to whether or not it was just due to how tremendous so much of this music was and/or backlash from baby-boomer consumers who probably had a gut-full of Madonna/Michael Jackson by that point.
He died so suddenly. It was shocking. Thanks for thinking to do this review. I think he had the most talent out of the Wilburys. It was his voice that the others could only augment.
WOW! I didn't know there was a remaster of this. Will be searching it out. I've always loved Roy's voice and was blown away when I first heard this one. The title track is nothing short of amazing. We lost Roy far too soon.
Definitely agree. A great album. What a voice. A nod of course to the producers. Another wonderful example of his emotive voice can be heard on a not too often heard version of Don Gibson's "Too soon to know" from 1967. Go for the studio version, the live one on UA-cam is good as well of course, but in this case I think the studio one is best.
I always loved this album. You have inspired me to relisten! That was really a golden age of music when the Wilburys were playing on each other`s albums... they all made the best albums of their solo careers!
Good review of a good album. Used to play this alot. Haven't played this album in awhile.Loved that Wilbur period. I would put armchair theater by Jeff Lynne right up there. My favorite is into the great wide open from that period. Throw in Ringo,s time takes time and Paul's flowers in the dirt albums, what a fun time to be buying New and really good music. Nice review as always Mr. Heaton.
There is also a "Deluxe" version of the CD, containing all 19 tracks that the vinyl contains plus a documentary!!! The CD version you were holding was "Mystery Girl Expanded". Regarding the 11th track you referred to, it was "You May Feel Me Crying" on the 2008 edition of the album on Legacy/Sony!!!! Great review...
I wholeheartedly agree with you John, that this is the best album of the Wilbury era - hands down, in my opinion...such a great loss at that time to lose Roy Orbison, being, as you said, at the height of his powers, vocally. I just couldn’t get enough of the “Mystery Girl” album when it was released - “Cloud Nine” was decent, and the Traveling Wilbury’s record was a fun diversion, but neither can match the power and beauty of this album. I’m glad that you reminded me of it.. Great review.
I do like the deluxe edition of mystery girl and it does come with a bonus DVD and so forth and after that album that came out in the beginning in 1989 and 1992 his final recording cd was “King of hearts”, I bought the 2007 edition of that CD in 2008 and that CD really blew me away when I heard heartbreak radio on there and I drove all night! I heard Cindy lauper’s Version of that track back in 1989 on her album “ A night to remember”! I really do think Roy Orbison‘s in 1989 classic album “ mystery girl”... is really good and it is a shocker that Roy Orbison passed away in December 1988 but at least they did found a live recording of him when he did his last performance before he passed away and it is available on CD! Bottom line... Roy’s two sons Will carry-on his father‘s legacy in the years to come! One of the lonely ones that particular CD is good too.
Not sure if this album is any better than 'Cloud Nine, Full Moon Fever, Armchair Theatre or the first Wilbury album, it's definitely on par with any of them that's certainly for sure... I like elements of Orbison's career and I wouldn't say that his catalogue is that strong but his finest work shines a lot brighter than most... This album I love...
Just listened to track 11 You May Feel Me Crying on Spotify, sounds really good on first listen. It certainly is a wonderful Album. I must say that Wilbury Twist is a great little fun track and better than some other Wilbury tracks.
How's this for timing. Yesterday I just bought the deluxe cd version of this from 2014 which also contains a dvd at a record fair for 4 Euro.. Well pleased..
Yeah bought it when it came out love California Blue !. Going out on a limb here but I don't particularly like Jeff Lynne's production full stop ! He tends to over do and lush everything up , works on ELO but not on other artists still even he couldn't ruin this little gem !!!!😼😸😹😻
Elvis [who you could easily envisage recording similar material in the 80's had he lived] referred to him as "the greatest singer in the world." 'Nuff said.
I think Jeff Lynne mentioned that out of all the records he produced, "Full Moon Fever" was his masterpiece and it certainly has withstood the test of time the best of the records from this period in my opinion. But "Mystery Girl" is a very solid album as well. I mean when you think about taking an artist who had been unjustly relegated to the archives and giving him a tremendous lift as this record was particularly the single, "You Got It", that is nothing short of an achievement. Granted Orbison completely dedicated himself to the project and was eminently helped by the success of The Traveling Wilburys success from a few months earlier in 1988 but still a tremendous effort. As an aside, there has been a lot put around about this period and the reason why artists like Harrison, Orbison, Raitt, Petty and Henley were having so much commercial success despite not necessarily being in the demographic for what was necessarily deemed trendy in pop culture at the time. I've always been split on this issue as to whether or not it was just due to how tremendous so much of this music was and/or backlash from baby-boomer consumers who probably had a gut-full of Madonna/Michael Jackson by that point.
He died so suddenly. It was shocking. Thanks for thinking to do this review. I think he had the most talent out of the Wilburys. It was his voice that the others could only augment.
WOW! I didn't know there was a remaster of this. Will be searching it out. I've always loved Roy's voice and was blown away when I first heard this one. The title track is nothing short of amazing. We lost Roy far too soon.
Definitely agree. A great album. What a voice. A nod of course to the producers. Another wonderful example of his emotive voice can be heard on a not too often heard version of Don Gibson's "Too soon to know" from 1967. Go for the studio version, the live one on UA-cam is good as well of course, but in this case I think the studio one is best.
I always loved this album. You have inspired me to relisten! That was really a golden age of music when the Wilburys were playing on each other`s albums... they all made the best albums of their solo careers!
Great review John, I always look forward to your reviews keep them coming 👍
Enjoyed this video John
Im a fan of Roy
And i think Mystery Girl is a great album
Good review of a good album. Used to play this alot. Haven't played this album in awhile.Loved that Wilbur period. I would put armchair theater by Jeff Lynne right up there. My favorite is into the great wide open from that period. Throw in Ringo,s time takes time and Paul's flowers in the dirt albums, what a fun time to be buying New and really good music. Nice review as always Mr. Heaton.
Quite a very enjoyable album.
What a voice. The man sang with so less effort and yet all that great voice.
Nice review John I’ve probably not heard it for 30 years so must revisit
Good to see and hear someone else praise this album. One of my all time top favorites. Very underrated. (I love "Windsurfer", btw. Ha)
There is also a "Deluxe" version of the CD, containing all 19 tracks that the vinyl contains plus a documentary!!! The CD version you were holding was "Mystery Girl Expanded". Regarding the 11th track you referred to, it was "You May Feel Me Crying" on the 2008 edition of the album on Legacy/Sony!!!! Great review...
I wholeheartedly agree with you John, that this is the best album of the Wilbury era - hands down, in my opinion...such a great loss at that time to lose Roy Orbison, being, as you said, at the height of his powers, vocally. I just couldn’t get enough of the “Mystery Girl” album when it was released - “Cloud Nine” was decent, and the Traveling Wilbury’s record was a fun diversion, but neither can match the power and beauty of this album. I’m glad that you reminded me of it.. Great review.
Thomas Calden thanks Thomas great to heat from you
Came out during a particularly difficult relationship between me and a lovely woman. But that's well behind now. Wonderful album and a fine review.
Mike Campbell is now a member of Fleetwood Mac as well.
I do like the deluxe edition of mystery girl and it does come with a bonus DVD and so forth and after that album that came out in the beginning in 1989 and 1992 his final recording cd was “King of hearts”, I bought the 2007 edition of that CD in 2008 and that CD really blew me away when I heard heartbreak radio on there and I drove all night! I heard Cindy lauper’s Version of that track back in 1989 on her album “ A night to remember”! I really do think Roy Orbison‘s in 1989 classic album “ mystery girl”... is really good and it is a shocker that Roy Orbison passed away in December 1988 but at least they did found a live recording of him when he did his last performance before he passed away and it is available on CD! Bottom line... Roy’s two sons Will carry-on his father‘s legacy in the years to come! One of the lonely ones that particular CD is good too.
"The Comedians" was on Elvis Costello's Goodbye Cruel World album, and I always thought it sounded like a Roy Orbison song even when Elvis did it.
Not sure if this album is any better than 'Cloud Nine, Full Moon Fever, Armchair Theatre or the first Wilbury album, it's definitely on par with any of them that's certainly for sure... I like elements of Orbison's career and I wouldn't say that his catalogue is that strong but his finest work shines a lot brighter than most... This album I love...
Just listened to track 11 You May Feel Me Crying on Spotify, sounds really good on first listen.
It certainly is a wonderful Album. I must say that Wilbury Twist is a great little fun track and better than some other Wilbury tracks.
How's this for timing. Yesterday I just bought the deluxe cd version of this from 2014 which also contains a dvd at a record fair for 4 Euro.. Well pleased..
I think I’ll get my album out and give it a listen.
Yeah bought it when it came out love California Blue !. Going out on a limb here but I don't particularly like Jeff Lynne's production full stop ! He tends to over do and lush everything up , works on ELO but not on other artists still even he couldn't ruin this little gem !!!!😼😸😹😻
Elvis [who you could easily envisage recording similar material in the 80's had he lived] referred to him as "the greatest singer in the world." 'Nuff said.
You're Baby's In Black in that Jumper 😆