The Monument Singles Collection

I really hate to dock Roy a star, after all, he isn't the one who made the silly editing and omission decisions, but this set is a perfect example of the usual corporate chicanery trying to offer something as new that has been available before. The music, remastering, packaging and especially the booklet are first rate, although I miss the plastic slipcase that protected past Legacy Editions. The demise of these slipcases, also now a past memory on the newer Universal Deluxe Editions, is a shame. I felt they added to the packaging, especially their protective aspect, but the music industry are hiding behind the recent rally of "being green" to put a few pennies more in their pockets at the usual expense to the consumer. But I digress, my problem with this Roy Orbison set is with the DVD, now entitled "The Monument Concert" when in fact, it was previously available on VHS and CD as "(The) Combo Concert". The concert itself is great, and although the video quality looks ancient, it doesn't take away the genius and vitality of Roy and his backing group The Candymen one wit. What is bizarre, and I have to admit I've never seen the VHS, is that each song is proceeded by a modern "title card" with the name of the song to be presented, followed immediately by the performance. At the end of each performance the video goes immediately into the next title card. There is no announcer, very little stage banter, and no title or end credits for the show itself which was called "Combo" and was supposedly very popular in Holland at that time. Even if the program was in the Dutch language, it would have been a much more organic experience than turning every song into a proto-music video. A perfect example is the DVD of Ray Charles' 60's performance on Brazilian TV, Brazilian commercials and all (!) available on the DVD  Ray Charles - O Genio - Live in Brazil 1963 . Also, the title "The Monument Concert" lends thought that maybe other Monument recording artists were on the bill as well. Although this set is a must for any Roy Orbison fan, with a little more thought, care and honesty it would be worthy of a 5 star rating......

then this package might be a little frustrating. Not only do you have A-sides on one disc and B-sides on another, but there's no uniform order within the discs. So thank heaven for the ability to create playlists in iTunes and elsewhere. If you'd like to listen to the tracks in A/B-to-A/B order, here's a guide:Paper Boy b/w With The Bug (July 1959, Monument 45-409)Uptown b/w Pretty One (November 1959, Monument 45-412)Only The Lonely (Know How I Feel) b/w Here Comes That Song Again (June 1960, Monument 45-421)Blue Angel b/w Today's Teardrops (October 1960, Monument 45-425)I'm Hurtin' b/w I Can't Stop Loving You (December 1960, Monument 45-433)Running Scared b/w Love Hurts (April 1961, Monument 45-438)Crying b/w Candy Man (August 1961, Monument 45-447)Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) b/w The Actress (February 1962, Monument 45-456)The Crowd b/w Mama (June 1962, Monument 45-461)Workin' For The Man b/w Leah (October 1962, Monument 45-467)In Dreams b/w Shahdaroba (February 1963, Monument 45-806)Falling b/w Distant Drums (June 1963, Monument 45-815) ("Distant Drums" was also used as a B-side for "Let The Good Times Roll," below; hence only 19 tracks on Disc 2.)Blue Bayou b/w Mean Woman Blues (September 1963, Monument 45-824)Pretty Paper b/w Beautiful Dreamer (December 1963, Monument 45-830)It's Over b/w Indian Wedding (April 1964, Monument 45-837)Oh Pretty Woman b/w Ye Te Amo Maria (August 1964, Monument 45-851)Goodnight b/w Only With You (February 1965, Monument 45-873)(Say) You're My Girl b/w Sleepy Hollow (August 1965, Monument 45-891)Let The Good Times Roll b/w Distant Drums (1966, Monument 45-906)Lana b/w Summer Song (1966, Monument 45-939)NOTE that this is not the order in which songs were recorded. For that, consult the recording dates in the booklet -- which, like the rest of the package, is simply excellent.

I have been a massive fan of 'The Big O' the late great Roy Orbison since a child, my parents played that white greatest hits album every week and I was spellbound by his power his passion and his stage image. So when I saw they had this deluxe collection out I had to order it and it is 100% worth it for the DVD alone. Comparing today how we react in a live concert to back then is so interesting and how Roy stood there, hardly opening his mouth yet pure power, energy and emotion came out at such strength. so being a 2 CD + DVD collection should mention the CDs, now CD1 is the 'A' sides and some are obviously not as well known classics but a real great collection together CD2 is the 'B' sides and I was shocked to see some classics that should of been an 'A' hit. Since I brought this friends and family who have seen it have also gone and brought their own copy and it is just a MUST for all fans of Roy Orbison

I enjoyed hearing this collection of Roy Orbison's songs from 1959 to 1965. They are presented in chronological order by recording date, but some are treated as bonus tracks although they would have fitted into the sequence. I was a bit puzzled that there are 20 'A' sides to 19 'B' sides, but discovered from the booklet that 'Distant drums' served as the 'B' side to 'Falling' and to 'Let the good times roll'. The mono recording sounds very good and is probably sharper and clearer than when the records were first released. The DVD is of good quality despite being derived from a TV broadcast of 1965. Roy Orbison stands remarkably still and composed before his small band. His voice is exposed due to the lack of strings but comes across movingly in 'Running scared' and other songs. The package includes good photographs and memorabilia. I think that it is a fine tribute to a great singer.

Even though the recordings are from the 60s Roys voice is unique. This is a great collection and whilst some of the 2nd discs tracks are not so well known - it is nonetheless a really good buy. The DVD, whilst short, is a good B&W visual record of Roy at his best.

Pleased with my purchase

You must buy this album if you are a Roy Orbison fan, my husband had loads of the original ones but lost them all so really loves this album