Friday, May 04, 2012

The Big O

What a treat last night happening upon A Black and White Night on BBC4. This was a gig Roy Orbison did about a year before he died. It featured the man himself in great voice plus an all-star band that included a youthful Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, and the peerless James Burton on lead guitar. Backing vocals were supplied by such luminaries as K.D. Lang and Bonnie Raitt. They all seemed to be having great fun - especially Springsteen and a puckish Elvis Costello. Waits seemed redundant but added quirky colour. A lot of Orbison's songs are plangent and love lorn which probably explains why I loved them so much as a teenager. And still do.The following link gives a flavour of the fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJjEjMBZESQ