Customer Reviews

Black & White Night

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When Elvis Presley stated that Roy Orbison is "The world's greatest singer", he wasn't kidding. This CD is a testament to that. I have heard this performance countless times, and I just cannot hear it enough. On "A Black And White Night", Roy Orbison is in top form, backed by an all-star group of musicians, including members of Elvis' back-up group, and also the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Marshall Crenshaw, T-Bone Burnett, Bonnie Raitt, and countless others. My favorite tracks here are "The Comedians", "Ooby Dooby", "Down The Line", "Uptown", "It's Over", and "All I Can Do Is Dream You". Anyone who loves the music of Roy Orbison should not be without this CD. Also worth getting is the video of this concert. You will not be disappointed. In fact, one listen and you will want to hear more and more.

This remarkable recording from September 1987, the only commercially released live album of Roy Orbison's career, is a source of great joy as well as comfort to this Roy Orbison fan. None of us knew that this recording which ushered in the second coming of rock music's most remarkable voice would soon also stand as a powerful tribute to a man who was to be taken from us far too soon. With the success of this remarkable live album and the posthumously released Mystery Girl, Roy Orbison went out on top, restored to the level of popularity and immense musical respect he deserved but had not enjoyed during the preceding couple of decades. Looking back on it now, the last sixteen months of Roy's life could hardly have been scripted any more fittingly.

Roy was not alone on the stage for these incredible Coconut Grove sessions. Around him were a number of superstars in their own right, each of them more than happy to play even a small part in what truly is a great tribute to one of music's undeniable legends. These included Bruce Springsteen (who once said he wished he could write like Bob Dylan and sing like Roy Orbison), T Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, K.D. Lang, and Bonnie Raitt. As for Roy, he was in stellar form. His voice may not have reflected the power of its youth, but every word from his throat came out mellifluously, and he proved he could still nail the high notes in songs such as Crying and Running Scared. His voice, to my ears, was incredible and simply ageless; he had not sounded so good in many, many years. As for the songs, they run the entire gamut of his career, from Move On Down the Line, the first song he ever wrote, to The Comedians and (All I Can Do Is) Dream You, two incredible tracks from the studio album that would turn out to be his last, Mystery Girl. Many of his classics are here. No one touched the human heart the way Roy did with classic ballads such as Only the Lonely, In Dreams, Leah, Crying, and Running Scared. Of course, one can also never forget such rocking classics as Dream Baby, Ooby Dooby, Mean Woman Blues, and Oh Pretty Woman. Then there is It's Over, perhaps the most moving song of Roy's career and easily my favorite.

A Black and White Night Live is the ultimate tribute album to a legendary performer, and the fact that this is the only legitimate live recording of Orbison's career makes this album special beyond words. I still can't listen to this album without thinking about Roy's passing, but I am comforted at the same time with the knowledge that A Black and White Night Live is really and truly a glorious celebration of this legendary singer's life and career.

What a voice-strong and gutty. This is a classic and all the more important since his "friends" were there and working with him. I just can't get over the Dream You and all the other standards. The video is well done, but this cd is solid from top to bottom. Great instrumental work and the "extended" section of Pretty Woman was worth the price by itself. There isn't a single second that you are not a part of the action. You know, most of his songs are short. However, the intensity is spine tingling and full of fun. I can (and do) play it over and over and over and...

I don't agree with anybody saying that Roy's voice wasn't as good in 1987 as it had been in the 1960's era. I've listened to some tracks from 'a black and white night live' and compared them to studio originals from the 60's.

I do have to admit that Orbison is indeed sounding somehow more vulnerable in 1987, but the control he has over his voice has probably grown throughout the years. He's still able to reach the highest notes on songs like It's Over, In Dreams and Running Scared.

In fact, my opinion is that Roy sings even better at this live performance than in the studio's in the 1960's: although it is a live performance, he's still able to reach the high notes pretty easily, while some of his 60's recordings contain parts where he's singing a litte flat on some demanding parts.

The appearance of guest stars only adds to the fun. Also the backing band, which Elvis Presley had been touring with in the 70's, is very much able to set the mood for Roy's songs. I even daresay that this particular backing group sounds even better than the one(s) on Roy's records from the 60's.

I would really want to recommend this live album to any Roy Orbison and/or classic rock 'n roll fan. It's a great effort and performance from a man who was taken away from us too soon. I really miss him.

Elvis said that Roy Orbison was the world's greatest singer.Listening to 'Black and White Night'I know what he meant. Orbison is surrounded by some of the great names of popular music-Springsteen,Costello,Rait and more-but he is never dwarfed by them.His is the voice that soars abovc the showbiz glitter as he gives the performance of his life.He takes Elvis Costello's 'The Comedians'and makes it an Orbison classic on a par with 'Running Scared'.He matches Springsteen note for note,twang for twang on 'Oh.Pretty Woman'and there is no doubt who is the 'boss'here.His voice is never less than perfect,every well known hit song transformed by the magic of this performance.The addition of the previously unreleased 'Claudette'serves to enhance this set-but how do you improve upon genius?Roy Orbison said 'I just want to be remembered'.Listen to this and you will.

I cannot think of an album which makes me wish more fervently that I was present at the concert where these tracks were recorded than this one. In the audience on a "Black & White Night" was surely the place to be.

The excitement generated by this old legend and perhaps a few younger legends-to-be was palpable. Roy sounded as good on most of these songs as he did recording them originally some thirty years ago. "Running Scared", "Only the Lonely", "Crying", "Its Over" and the rest are classics in anyone's book.

When they all get together to close the show with "Pretty Woman", it is a great moment. Worth every penny, whether you have the originals or not..

I'm not an Orbison "Fan", though I've always loved "Oh pretty woman" and somehow liked "Crying" after discovering it last year; I never thought much of his voice on my "best of" compilation, nor, generally, am I into his kind of music. But when surfing the cable a few weeks into the millenium, I stopped in on the latter half of a Roy Orbison concert: D--n, he sounded good...no, g-r-e-a-t! Pipes like Jackie Wilson's best ballads ...again, I'm not a "Fan" of Wilson, but he had an exceptional voice. Today I had a chance to sit down undisturbed and see the whole video. It was worth the time; it's live, the musicians and singers' faces say they're having a great time, Roy is singing great, the 5 guitar pickers have a great time jamming on several tunes; one can believe that this might be a "happening", but professional restraint keeps things from going too far, and Orbison always remains the focus. In fact, quite unexpectedly, throughout everything is pretty tasty. I'm an older musician (mainly Swing and dixieland, little bit of classic 50s rock'n'roll) and lead two old music bands, so I really appreciate all these professional and aesthetic aspects. I don't care about the recycling issue--though unless music is recycled, how will the younger generations be able to hear and buy it? I accidently came upon the video: it had so much that wowed me on second viewing that I simply had to look for the CD; I'm grateful it was recycled...

Bought this since I thought is was from a concert I saw on PBS. I really like the CD but am disappointed that the version of Crying isn't the duet with k.d. lang that I saw. Their two great voices produced a version that was really great.

This is a fantastic concert by an artist that will never be replaced for matchless beauty of voice. Every song is a symphony when sung by Mr. Orbison. Backed by the all-star cast makes it even more priceless!

This is a superb album. The kind that you want to keep listening to, and it stays fresh. I saw the visual production first on PBS. Roy has a unique voice, and there are lots of musicians adding their talent as well. Do get this DVD.