"Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3" (11 tracks, 36 min.) starts off with an outstanding "She's My Baby". Accoustic guitars are upfront throughout the album, not a surprise here. The songs move along at a crisp pace (all songs clock in between 3' and 3'30). Other highlights include "The Devil's Been Busy", "Poor House" and of course the silly but irresitable "Wilbury Twist".

Many feel that "Vol. 1" is a superior album because of Roy Orbinson's presence (he died shortly after "Vol. 1" was released). Nothing against Orbinson, but I feel differently. "Vol. 3" comes across as a much tighter album, with hardly a minute or a second wasted. Why both "Vol. 1" and "Vol. 3" remain out of print is a mystery to me. The Traveling Wilburys remain a treasure to be (re)discovered.


not a step down, just a different approach   December 11, 2002
 19 out of 21 found this review helpful

The first Wilbury album is definately something magical that will always seem fresh and fun. The second one (Volume 3) has just as much musical merit. The blend of these four guys were what made the core of the song writing and instumentation of the first. Roy Orbison's tenor, style, and attitude did bring raw fun and glory to SOME songs on the first one, but he was only on four or five songs (unfortunately). This CD is more of a blues/folkrock direction for the supergroup, and that's cool. It's very them. It suits their style. My favorite track (probably because it vocally mimics the first album the closest - but actually may be my favorite Wilbury cut between the two albums) is "Poor House." There is much more humor on this one, which makes it quite entertaining to introduce others to. Tom Petty's influence is more prevalent in this one; he shows some of his top-noch song writing tricks. Petty reveals his natural ability, and you can hear with what ease music comes to him. My only regret about this album is there aren't as many George songs........I'll deal. No one should go through life without hearing this album at least once. Like the first one - it's nearly impossible to hold a bad mood while hearing this stuff. (oh and try to act out all of the "Wilbury Twist" - I think I still have bruises)


Lacking something   June 21, 2002
 14 out of 19 found this review helpful

The infamous Wilburys are back again, but the second outing is lacking something that made the first one great, Roy Orbison. I think his absence hurt the Wilburys, in their writing, playing, and overall performing. While the album is great, and is definitely worth the buy, it just does not compare to the first one.


4.5 stars, but for the Wilburys I'll be generous   February 26, 2004
 14 out of 14 found this review helpful

I'll agree with the other reviewers here that Vol.3 is lacking something that made Vol.1 so awesome, but when you put Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne together, good things will happen, and this is still a darned good piece of rock'n'roll.

Dylan and Petty share the bulk of the vocal duties here, with Lynne providing his slick trademark production and George providing his fabulous instrumentation. Although to be honest, a few more tracks featuring George would have really hit the spot. Missed, of course, are the contributions of Roy Orbison, but his bandmates still seem to be having fun making music, and it definitely shows throughout the album.

The best songs, in no particular order, are "Inside Out", the opening song "She's My Baby", "If You Belonged To Me", "Poor House", and the softer "You Took My Breath Away". It's only 36 minutes of music (my biggest complaint about this particular album), but it's all solid material that grows on you a little bit more with every listen.

Vol.3 is another rare chance to hear four music legends playing together, and even if it's not Vol.1 all over again, it's still not to be missed. It's a shame the two Wilbury albums are out of print, but we can always live with the hope of a remastering and rerelease sometime in the future. In conclusion... if you can get it, do so, because it's worth the hassle of finding it.