A Love So Beautiful
Roy Orbison · 2017
54 min · 17 tracks · country music
A sweeping collection of Orbison's timeless ballads, blending melancholic melodies with lush orchestration.
Top tracks — play these first
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In Dreams Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Crying — This track exemplifies Orbison's signature emotional depth, showcasing his powerful vocal delivery and the haunting orchestration that enhances the song's themes of heartbreak.
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Oh, Pretty Woman — As one of Orbison's most recognizable hits, this rendition captures the charm and catchy melody of the original while benefiting from lush new arrangements that revive its energy.
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Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel) — The orchestral treatment of this classic emphasizes its poignant lyrics and melancholy mood, demonstrating Orbison's ability to convey deep emotion through music.
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You Got It — 'You Got It' stands out for its driving rhythm and confident vocal performance, showcasing Orbison's timeless appeal and ability to connect with listeners across generations.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The orchestral reinterpretations provide a fresh take on classic melodies but may not fully resonate with all listeners.
What we noticed
- The album features orchestral arrangements that enhance the original melodies, adding layers of strings and horns to each track.
- Several tracks are re-recorded versions of Orbison's classics, maintaining their core structure while introducing new instrumentation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady emotional crescendos throughout
- haunting melodies for introspection
- timeless ballads for nostalgic moments
- soothing sounds for evening relaxation
- orchestral arrangements enhance mood
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of upbeat tempos
- prefer fast-paced listening
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Posthumous release showcasing classic hits with new orchestral arrangements.
- Themes
- orchestral heartbreak· nostalgic balladry
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2017, 'A Love So Beautiful' is a posthumous collection that showcases Roy Orbison's classic hits reimagined with orchestral arrangements. This album arrived nearly 30 years after his last studio album before his passing in 1988, marking a resurgence of interest in his legacy during the 21st century.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chris Isaak· Gene Pitney· The Righteous Brothers
Tracklist
- 1 In Dreams Start here 3:47
- 2 Crying 3:00
- 3 I'm Hurtin' 2:47
- 4 Oh, Pretty Woman 3:08
- 5 It's Over 3:19
- 6 Dream Baby 2:54
- 7 Blue Angel 2:58
- 8 Love Hurts 2:40
- 9 Uptown 2:17
- 10 Mean Woman Blues 2:26
- 11 Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel) 2:32
- 12 Running Scared 2:48
- 13 I Drove All Night 4:15
- 14 You Got It 3:36
- 15 A Love So Beautiful 4:12
- 16 Pretty Paper 3:23
- 17 I Drove All Night 4:03
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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