December 4, 1988. The last time Roy Orbison ever sang in public. He would die two days later. No stranger to hardship, the singer was on a major comeback at the time. He was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and recognized with tribute concerts. Songs of his were being used in films (who could forget “In Dreams” in Blue Velvet). Orbison’s star rose even higher when he was asked to join George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne in the Traveling Wilburys. Lynne would later produce the singer’s final studio album, Mystery Girl, which he was in the process of completing mere weeks before his untimely death. At the same time, Orbison was capitalizing on his refound popularity with constant touring. As a keepsake, The Last Concert CD documents the final round from one of rock and roll’s true founding fathers.
On first spin, you might be thrown off by the extended, Vegas-style introduction and thin sound. But as soon as Orbison’s pipes come in, there’s no mistake about it. “Only The Lonely,” the first of the 14 tracks, finds its own place on the vine. “Leah” and “Dream Baby” reaffirm the master’s gift for adding a melodramatic flair to the edges. “In Dreams,” then and forever associated with Dennis Hopper and Blue Velvet, dances with a lighter and warmer touch to polite reception. The uncredited band rocks out a little more on “Mean Woman Blues,” which find Orbison giving the King a run for his money. “Blue Bayou” is a drift is shifting harmonies, but it can’t compare to the heart-stopper of the evening, “Crying.” The operatic passion and melancholic shutter instilled in the song’s climatic end is proof positive that Orbison had it until the very end.
Taking cues from Creedence, the rock and roll gets funkier on “Ooby Dooby,” which Orbison says is the first song he ever recorded. He follows that up with, “And this is the first one I ever wrote,” and falls into a cookin’ trip through “Go, Go, Go (Down The Line).” Next to “Crying,” “It’s Over” packs the most emotional punch. As the final track, “Oh Pretty Woman” reminds us not only of Orbison’s powerful, epic-filled voice, but also his confidence and ability to maximize a good riff. At the concert’s conclusion, Orbison thanks his band by first name, then thanks the audience. No grand exits or multiple encores. The Last Concert ends on a solemn note, but there’s no forgetting the voice, the shades, the gentle nature and inviting presence of Roy Orbison.
~ Shawn Perry
