Fans of The Traveling Wilbury’s say the band should have been “better” given the talented musicians in the band.
Bob Dylan, along with Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, George Harrison of The Beatles and Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra, released two albums under their Wilbury monikers. While the group went on to make two albums, some fans have suggested they should have managed to release more quality songs than they did, considering their individual talents. A post to r/BobDylan saw users suggest the band were well off the mark when it came to memorable songs. One user suggested: “I love every member of the Wilburys (Bob, George and Jeff most). But, is it a hot take to think we could have maybe gotten better music from them as a unit?
“I don’t know any of the history or backstory so I’m probably talking out of my ass just based on going through their songs. I obviously love End of the Line.” Fans did not disagree with the suggestions made by the original user, but did say the point of the Wilbury group was fun and humour, rather than a desire for perfection.
One fan wrote: “The Wilburys worked because all the material was delivered with a sense of humor. It’s best listened to with the same spirit. It was no one’s best work but with that level of talent and egos, they did something near impossible!”
Another added: “Very good point. It’s a bunch of legends willing to laugh at themselves.” A third wrote: “They also weren’t trying to make anything mind blowing. They just wanted to get together and put together a quick, solid, cool album while hanging out with each other. Mission accomplished.”
Some have suggested the laid back approach to making the album led to the relaxed studio feeling, and makes the hits all the better. One user suggested: “It’s been suggested the modest ambitions of the songwriting was a key part of the whole thing working, because it meant everyone was operating on the same level without competing or trying to outdo each other.
“Like, if Bob had been trying to show everyone up with his poetic genius the whole time it might’ve soured the mood a bit. So instead you get him making dumb car sex jokes with the boys.”
Another agreed, adding: “And on top of that, it was also Roy Orbison’s swan song (he passed away before they shot the music video for End of the Line). After a career that saw him overlooked and underappreciated for the better part of two decades, in addition to suffering numerous quite sad events in his personal life, the Wilburys stuff feels like one last, happy time for him that let him go out with a smile.”
A third praised the charm that comes from The Traveling Wilbury’s, adding: “People find it hard to not imagine some ideal best case scenario and project it on an artist and then succumb to disappointment instead of being grateful for the fact that they are able to pull off what they do. Wilbury’s have so much charm and good humor/vibes going on it’s incredible.”
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