Volume 3 (1990 album)

Two years must have seemed like forever. Original member Roy Orbinson died shortly after their first album's release and it probably seemed a little awkward making this album, but that's the only thing holding this album back. Nothing positive I say is to put Roy's contributions down as a musical icon as he made some great work on the first album and as an early rock star pioneering blue eyed soul "Lonely The Lonely" "Pretty Woman" etc. But George And Bob were great friends. Tom Petty was Bob Dylan's disciple and Jeff Lynne was George Harrsion's disciple and it makes me wonder if they included Eric Clapton and Neil Young together to amp the Harrison and Dylan factors. The result, as is, however is a country rock jam session type album that kicks off with a fierce start "She's My Baby" followed by "Inside Out." These first two songs sound equal parts Tom, Jeff, George and Bob making a group effort sound but as the album goes on you hear individual input more distinctly like George's "Devil's Been Busy" sounding like an updated, more detailed metaphor retreading of his 1987's "Devil's Radio." Tom also gives a fun rollicking tune "Cool Dry Place" about preserving our delicate treasures sort a literal "Handle With Care" tune. Bob's "If You Belonged To Me" is a typical loving unhedonistic if not though still possessive tone of a classic love song. The weak spot here is "7 Deadly Sins" which has a barber shop quartet feel which Bob does not belong in which weakens the album leaving one missing Roy but it is in the middle of the album and it picks back up to a closer "The Wilbury Twist" another great group rocker which leaves the listener in an up mood which for four fun musicians often taken so seriously is a must for any fan.