The only compilation among a gazillion to span Orbison's Sun, Monument, MGM, and Virgin successes is a welcome add to the Essential series that now, post-merger, features RCA & Arista artists as well as Sony's. Roy Orbison is one of my absolute favorites. He simply may be the best rock 'n' roll singer ever.

Amazon really should update the track listing to reflect the few re-recorded versions. While the originals should be here, the remakes are a legitimate part of Mr. Orbison's career. Roy's popularity was at a deeply undeserved lull circa 1987, when David Lynch used some Roy songs in his classic/eerie film "Blue Velvet." In the wake of renewed public interest*, Roy released an LP of remakes called "In Dreams" (Virgin, 1987). It was very well done, an exception proving the rule that rerecordings are rubbish. The Wilburys, the live "Black and White Night," and "Mystery Girl" followed and the pop world was much better off for it. Then, tragically, Roy died in December 1988, rendering perhaps Rock History's best comeback bittersweet. "You Got It"'s ensuing Top Ten ranking in early 1989 is one of my all-time favorite chart events.

If I could, I'd dock this a half a star for not including the original of the #1 single "Running Scared." (Note definition of "essential.") It's just over two minutes long. Somehow they could have made room. But since it's Roy Orbison, I rounded back up to five rather than four.

*It seems Bobby Vinton did not enjoy the same resurgence. The reader may draw his/her own conclusions as to why.

By spanning Orbison's recordings for Sun, Monument, MGM, Virgin and some odds and ends from soundtracks and Oribson's own label, this 2-CD collection a broad look yet at his entire thirty-six year career. But even with this wealth of material, there are some Orbison essentials that are unaccounted for.

The choice to stick with solo-titled works leaves out Orbison's pre-Sun recordings with The Teen Kings (including the original Je-Wel version of "Ooby Dooby" - the remake for Sun is represented here) and later success with The Traveling Wilburys. More striking is the choice to include late-80s comeback remakes of "Running Scared" and "In Dreams" in lieu of the early-60s Monument originals. While there's academic interest in hearing Orbison recreate his early classics, it's no substitute for hearing the actual early classics. Also MIA are any tracks from Orbison's meager post-Sun output for MCA.

That said, the sides that are included here are generally terrific. Disc 1 focuses on Orbison's first rush of fame, from his somewhat uncomfortable sides for Sun, though his incredible run on Monument into the mid-60s. The Monument sides are breathtaking, with co-writer Joe Melson and producer Fred Foster helping to create the pop-operatic style that would propel Orbison up the charts. Disc 2 includes a few of Orbison's mid-to-late '60s singles for MGM, but focuses more deeply on his late '80s comeback on Virgin. The balance actually works, as Orbison's Monument albums were often stacked with hits and lesser material; providing a deeper look at his comeback drives home just how strongly he held up as an artist.

Were it not for the glaring omissions of "Running Scared" and "In Dreams" in their original format, this would be five stars. Their replacement with comeback covers was a mistake, and leaves this collection without all of the essentials. Fans of Oribson's Monument catalog should look up the reissues of his three original Monument albums, each remastered in superb stereo and augmented with bonus tracks. Those wanting to cherry-pick the hits will enjoy this set, but may feel short-changed by the pair of remakes. [©2006 hyperbolium dot com]

As a new fan, I was looking for the best place to start my Roy Orbison collection and a remastered compilation set like this is a no brainer. The U.S. version of "Essential Roy Orbison" has an adequate track list that gives a broad retrospective look on Roy's illustrious career. Many reviewers complained that the inclusion of the "In Dreams" and "Running Scared" 1987 remakes instead of the original Monument Records versions is a sin. It does puzzle me that the record company would not include the original versions along with the remakes since there is plenty of space on disc 1. As a personal preference, I enjoy the remakes just as much as the originals but for a compilation entitled "Essential", it is a glaring omission. Still, the set makes up for these two flaws by providing hard to find tracks in remastered versions. The biggest rare inclusion for me is "Life Fades Away" from the "Less Than Zero" soundtrack. Co written by Glenn Danzig (one of the reasons why I started listening to Roy), "Life Fades Away" is a haunting and beautiful song. The fact that this lesser known track was included heightens all the positives this set has. This is an exceptional set to buy if you're a curious person or a huge fan of Roy Orbison.

Then why the 4 star rating? The U.K. version of this set has a slightly different track list that is better and overall more exhaustive.

The U.K. Set includes these exclusives;

Disc 1: Running Scared (Monument Records),

Disc 2: (From Roy's MCA Catalogue)"Too Soon To Know", "Unchained Melody", "Breaking Up Is Breaking up My Heart", & "Heartache". Plus, this set also includes Roy's duet with K.D. Lang for their cover of Roy's "Crying".

But the U.K. version omits songs from the U.S. version;

Disc 1: "I'm Hurtin'"(Monument Records),

Disc 2: "Communication Breakdown","Running Scared" (1987 version), and "Coming Home" ("King of Hearts" album).

Again, it puzzles me why all of these exclusives could not have been included on one exhaustive set since there is disc space for all of them. But, if I had to choose one version over the other, the U.K. version is the better of the two. Personally, I wish "Coming Home" was on the U.K. version too because it is essential.

As far as product packaging goes this deserves 5 stars for the remastered sound. 4 stars for the U.S. track list of this set and 4.5 for the U.K. version. 5 stars over all because this is Roy Orbison we are talking about here!

If you do not mind spending the extra cash to import, the U.K. version is the way to go and can be found on Amazon's U.K. site. Here's the link;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-Roy-Orbison/dp/tracks/B000F2BXNG/ref=dp_tracks_all_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1200519383&sr=8-3#disc_1

If not, the U.S. version will suffice and opens up a new world for the avid music fan. You will never hear another angelic voice like the one Roy Orbison had ever again. Do not hesitate, buy today!

I grew up hearing his voice on the radio and realized just how much I missed it when I heard the old songs again. I wish there was someone today with such a memorable voice.

There are several complilation CDs of Roy Orbison

this is the latest one 2 CDS has classic

Sun Monument MGM + latter day nudges

Previous complilations concentrated on Sun and Monument hits. This is the first one that has Roy's 50's 60's 70's 80's ache/grin/sunglasses on.

This double so-called "Essential" misses some early hits found on LPs and 45s and beloved by his fans. It has rare beginings like "Ooby Dooby" and the edge of Rockabilly. Most fans have all that. It misses favorites like "In Dreams" and others that fans would shout "Essential!"

But..it also has each 60's hit and the reason that Bob Dylan/BruceSpringteen/GreenDay/Bono/U2/ all agree that Roy had that Operatic voice that could suffer/soothe and excite

No heart was ever broken so perfectly so aching so wanting to hear it again over and over

Roy had no top 40 hits after signing with MGM in 1966. He waited it out and ..

finally..

All realized the depth and breath of his vocal and passion

Then a concert where Roy was told just how much he was beloved. It is still being shown on PBS stations as a way to get folks to join up!

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a fine tribute

but those of us who love

know deeper

in dreams

This 2 CD has an included booklet that has hardly any history, few comments , no incisiveness.

and anyone who wants to know more should study.

The sound is as good as it it gets. Nicely done!