Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 is the Traveling Wilburys’ second album. It is so titled because George Harrison wanted to “confuse the buggers”. And in my opinion that reflects what the Traveling Wilburys was always about: messing about.
Roy Orbison, one of the original Wilburys, died just two months after their first album was released. After time spent on their own individual careers, the remaining four reunited in 1990 to record a second album.
Vol. 3 follows on broadly from Vol. 1. Lead vocals are more consistently held by Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, which I have to confess I don’t love. I’m not a huge fan of either’s voices, and the think the album kinda misses out on some of the magic that came from passing vocals around.
I do like a number of the songs, the album’s closer Wilbury Twist is great fun, and I also like Where Were You Last Night? but the album just feels a bit plainer than its predecessor.
Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 is still a wonderful thing, but I like it much less than Vol. 1. I think if you were a fan of 50s rock n’ roll (which I’m afraid, I’m not), it would be brilliant, but I’m not so captivated by reliving someone else’s past glories. 3 stars.