Sings Lonely and Blue

iTunes Review

Roy Orbison wrote profoundly human songs and sang them with the voice of a suffering angel. In his finest work, he seemed to embody heartache itself; Sings Lonely And Blue (1961) signaled his emergence as rock’s most accomplished balladeer and still has the power to induce shivers. The operatic reach of his vocals — tremulous, yet strong as steel — turn confessions of weakness into declarations of power. His great theme as a songwriter was thwarted desire, expressed here in the immortal pop aria “Only The Lonely” as well as lesser-known tracks like “I’m Hurtin.” Orbison could offer tenderness as well as seek it, as shown in the heart-melting “Blue Angel,” and his versions of “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and “Bye-Bye Love” draw out a personal resonance from even familiar cover tunes. Stylish accompaniment by the likes of pianist Floyd Cramer and saxophonist Boots Randolph blend with elegant strings to enhance these tracks, but the spotlight never leaves Orbison for an instant. Nearly 50 years on, Sings Lonely And Blue’s sublime moments of yearning remain thrilling to hear.