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Roy Orbison

Sings Lonely And Blue

Dec 1960

One of the first stereo rock ’n’ roll albums released

Sixties Pop and Harmony Vocals

A collector’s legend, a sound breakthrough and an audiophile classic, Sings Lonely And Blue is the real deal.

Originally released in both mono and stereo – we’re going to concentrate on Monument’s Golden Stereo version of Roy Orbison’s finest work. Sings Lonely And Blue is the kind of sonic experience that virtually put the Hi in high fidelity.

Produced by Fred Foster at RCA’s Studios in Nashville, engineer Bill Porter used the very best equipment (Telefunken and Altec Microphones, Ampex stereo tape machines) to create an LP that is the stuff of legend.

Marry that technical excellence with the Big O’s silken voice and iconic songs like Only The Lonely (Know The Way I Feel), Cry, Blue Angel and I’m Hurtin’ come out of the system with real energy. The voice and instruments feel like they are in your room and the slick production only adds to their charms.

The fidelity on songs like his cover of Don Gibson’s I Can’t Stop Loving You, Joe Melson’s Raindrops and Gene Pitney’s Twenty Two Days is shocking even today. And when he’s teeny-bopping The Everly Brothers on Bye Bye Love – the separation and reproduction is a wonder in this early but graceful stereo. And check out that sly saxophone solo that sneaks in during the final ballad I’ll Say It’s My Fault – an Orbison original co-written by Fred Foster.

Unassuming – classy – still magical – Roy Orbison’s debut for Monument Records is a thing of recorded beauty. I urge you to seek out its forgotten sounds on your format of choice.