Roy Orbison: King of Hearts

This odds 'n' ends package was put together from some of Roy Orbison's last vocal tracks, non-LP singles and working demos. Taken from the last few years of his life, the 10 tracks range from the Jeff Lynne-produced "Heartbreak Radio" to the original demo for "Careless Heart." It's an effortless piece, one that's a fitting tribute as much as it is a final record for Orbison. Many of the songs were assembled using only Orbison's voice, layering the arrangements and musicians in the studio to create the songs (one presumes) that Orbison wanted. The seams don't show a bit, and on several cuts it's hard to hear any editing at all. It's not as shameless as it sounds because you truly want to believe that this is how Orbison wanted the songs to sound. And some of them - "After the Love is Gone," "Love in Time," "Wild Hearts Run Out of Time," and "Crying" (with k.d. lang) - rank with the best of Orbison's last work.
-- Michael Gallucci, Goldmine Magazine

Robbie Robertson co-produced and played guitar on one track on King of Hearts.

Tracks

1. You're the One
2. Heartbreak Radio
3. We'll Take the Night
4. Crying
5. After the Love Has Gone
6. Love in Time
7. I Drove All Night
8. Wild Hearts Run Out of Time
9. Coming Home
10. Careless Heart

Sidemen

• Robbie Robertson, guitar/producer

Roy Orbison: King of Hearts - 41:21 - 1992 - Virgin America 86520

AMG Rating: 7 (out of 9)