Heading for the Light

Something inspiring from The Traveling Wilburys. They always had a very optimistic vibe about them, almost surprisingly so, coming from a batch of middle-aged men, who except for Tom Petty, might have had reason to feel that their better days were behind them. At that time, Petty was the biggest star among them, at least in terms of being on the charts and relevant. Jeff Lynne had done his best known work in the seventies, Dylan and Harrison in the sixties, Roy Orbison even before. They could’ve felt a like a bunch of has-beens trotting down memory lane. But they were so cheery and buoyant, so obviously having a blast that it was a huge breath of fresh air. Some of their stuff has taken on a certain poignancy, given that Orbison passed away not long after, and the Wilburys would become his legacy for a generation too young to remember the Pretty Woman days. He certainly didn’t sound like a man fixin’ to die, and no one sounded like they were looking backwards or feeling anything but jolly. Traveling Wilburys Volume I remains a sure picker-upper. Listening to it feels like being invited to the guys’ barbecue party for music and beers.

Congratulations

The Traveling Wilburys were the band that revived Bob Dylan’s muse, topped George Harrison’s career off with a high note, introduced Roy Orbison to a new generation, gave Jeff Lynne credibility and made Tom Petty palatable. They only cut two albums, the second of which is not as good as the first. But that first one – what a classic! This is what being a ‘supergroup’ is all about. Five buddies (some of whom also happen to be geniuses in the first degree) having a great time and bringing out the best in each other.