Often compared to an opera singer, Roy Orbison is universally acknowledged as the ultimate vocalist. His ability to hit a multiple four-octave range and keep perfect pitch, tone and expression is unparalleled. Orbison's career began at Sun Records in the late-50s when he sang country and western but his ballad style evolved once he switched to Monument and had 22 songs chart in the Top 40. Roy's album sales were huge and for a period in the '60s he single-handedly bridged the divide between rock and roll and chart pop music. His Monument debut Roy Orbison Sings Lonely And Blue (1961) marked The Big O's first taste of superstardom. In 1960 alone, Orbison had two Top 10 hits with "Only The Lonely" and "Blue Angel" (both found on this LP), followed by six more over the next four years and culminating in 1964 when his "Oh, Pretty Woman" made him a living legend!

TRACKLISTING

SIDE A

SIDE B

1. Blue Angel
2. Raindrops
3. (I'd Be) A Legend In My Time
4. I'm Hurtin'
5. 22 Days
6. I'll Say It's My Fault

Often compared to an opera singer, Roy Orbison is universally acknowledged as the ultimate vocalist. His ability to hit a multiple four-octave range and keep perfect pitch, tone and expression is unparalleled. Orbison's career began at Sun Records in the late 1950s when he sang country and western but his ballad style evolved once he switched to Monument and had 22 songs chart in the Top 40. Roy's album sales were huge and for a period in the '60s he single-handedly bridged the divide between rock and roll and chart pop music. 1963's In Dreams is the third classic studio album Roy cut for Fred Foster's Monument label following 1961's Lonely and Blue and 1962's Crying, an excellent 12-song set named after the iconic hit single and also featuring the Big O's "Blue Bayou" and his heightened takes on Johnny Mercer's "Dream," Cindy Walker's "Shahdroba" and Stephen Foster's "Beautiful Dreamer."

TRACKLISTING

SIDE A

1.     In Dreams
2.     Lonely Wine
3.     Shahdaroba
4.     No One Will Ever Know
5.     Sunset
6.     House Without Windows

SIDE B

1.     Dream
2.     Blue Bayou
3.     (They Call You) Gigolette
4.     All I Have To Do Is Dream
5.     Beautiful Dreamer
6.     My Prayer

Often compared to an opera singer, Roy Orbison is universally acknowledged as the ultimate vocalist. His ability to hit a multiple four-octave range and keep perfect pitch, tone and expression is unparalleled. Orbison's career began at Sun Records in the late 1950s when he sang country and western but his ballad style evolved once he switched to Monument and had 22 songs chart in the Top 40. Roy's album sales were huge and for a period in the '60s he single-handedly bridged the divide between rock and roll and chart pop music. 1962's Crying, which takes its name from the epic title cut, was Orbison's second album for Monument and chart breakthrough, reaching No. 21 on the Billboard chart and No. 17 in the U.K. Additional highlights come in the form of further classics like "Love Hurts" and "Running Scared." .

TRACKLISTING

SIDE A

SIDE B

Like the two Elvis collections that came before it, 'A Love So Beautiful' is produced by Don Reedman and Nick Patrick. The album combines the elegant and spirited arrangements of Roy's best original vocal performances with the emotion and world-class musicianship of London's most beloved orchestra. 'A Love So Beautiful' features the timeless Roy tracks "Oh, Pretty Woman", "You Got It", "Crying" and more while breathing new life into fan favorites such as "Drove All Night" and the title track "A Love So Beautiful" making for a beautiful exploration into the mastery of Roy's vocals. Additionally, the album will feature instrumental backing from "Roy's boys": his three sons Wesley, Roy Jr. and Alex; plus Roy's grandson Roy Orbison III. The spiritual collaboration between three generations of Orbisons makes A Love So Beautiful a truly special experience, not just for fans, but for Roy's sons as well. Having never had the opportunity to record with their father in his lifetime, this collaboration makes for an emotional homecoming for Wesley, Roy Jr., Alex and Roy III. The material covered on A Love So Beautiful is vast, ranging from the Sun Records era of Roy's career as a rockabilly musician in the 1950s ("Ooby Dooby"), through his early-mid 60s material on the Monument label where he hit his first commercial peak ("In Dreams," "Blue Angel," "Crying," "Dream Baby," "I'm Hurtin'," "It's Over," "Mean Woman Blues," "Only the Lonely," "Oh, Pretty Woman," "Love Hurts," "Uptown") up to his comeback in the late 80s before his untimely passing ("You Got It," "I Drove All Night," "A Love So Beautiful").

 

TRACKLISTING

In Dreams Crying I'm Hurtin' Oh, Pretty Woman (featuring Alex Orbison - drums; Wesley & Roy Jr. - guitars; Roy III - guitar, tambourine) It's Over Dream Baby(featuring Alex Orbison - drums; Roy Orbison Jr. guitar) Blue Angel Love Hurts Uptown (featuring Alex Orbison - drums) Mean Woman Blues (featuring Alex Orbison - drums; Roy Orbison Jr. guitar) Only the Lonely Running Scared I Drove All Night (featuring Alex Orbison - drums) You Got It A Love So Beautiful (featuring Alex Orbison - drums)

Crying is the second album released by Roy Orbison in 1962. It was also his second album on the Monument record label. The album name comes from the 1961 hit song of the same name that in 2002 was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2004, the song ranked #69 on Rolling Stone Magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". This release features remastered audio and 180 gram audiophile vinyl.

Now, for the first time since its appearance in the Monument Vinyl Box, this is what would have been Roy's fourth Monument album: Oh! Pretty Woman, the missing Monument masterpiece. Made up of songs recorded late in his Monument career and carefully selected by Roy's boys - his sons Wesley, Roy Kelton, and Alex Orbison - this album features specially created artwork so that it looks just as it would have in 1964, had Roy not left Monument. The lost album from 1964 is now available with remastered audio on 180 gram audiophile vinyl.

In Dreams is the third record from Roy Orbison on Monument Records, recorded at its studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee and released in 1963. The album is named for the hit 45rpm single. In 2004 Rolling Stone named the song "In Dreams" one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. This release features remastered audio and 180 gram audiophile vinyl.

Lonely And Blue is Roy Orbison's first album, released in 1961. The album was not only a breakthrough for Orbison as his debut LP, but also for Rock & Roll. Up to that point, apart from Elvis Presley - who was in a class by himself - few white rock & rollers had even tried to make as bold a use of the LP as what we hear on this record. This release features remastered audio and 180 gram audiophile vinyl.