Sings Don Gibson

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1967 studio album by Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison Sings Don Gibson is a tribute album recorded by Roy Orbison for MGM Records. Released in January 1967, it is a collection of songs written by Country Music Hall of Fame singer/songwriter Don Gibson who, like Orbison, often wrote about the loneliness and sorrow that love can bring. Its one single, "Too Soon to Know", became a smash hit in the UK, reaching #3 there in September 1966, and also reached no. 4 in Ireland and no. 27 in Australia. In Canada, the song only reached no. 71.[1]

This album was entitled Sweet Dreams in Africa.

The album was released on compact disc for the first time by Edsel Records on September 27, 2004 as tracks 1 through 12 on a pairing of two albums on one CD with tracks 13 through 22 consisting of the other album being Orbison`s Other Album from October 1970, Hank Williams: The Roy Orbison Way.[2] The Roy`s Boys was included in a box set entitled The MGM Years 1965-1973 - Roy Orbison, which contains 12 of his MGM studio albums, 1 compilation, and was released on Deember 4, 2015.[3]

History

A few of the songs were recorded before his first wife Claudette`s death in a motor-bike accident in June 1966. The album was put on hold as Orbison was filming The Fastest Guitar Alive. "Too Soon To Know" was banned by the BBC as they felt it was too personal about Claudette`s death. The album also included a new, re-recorded version of "(I`d Be) A Legend in My Time", which previously appeared on his 1960 album Lonely and Blue.

Reception

William Ruhlmann of AllMusic said that the album showed "Orbison`s inspiration to go into the studio and record an entire LP of songs by Gibson, at the time a labelmate of his at MGM Records. It was a reasonable decision since, as with "Too Soon to Know," a widescreen romantic lament, Gibson`s writing style suited Orbison`s taste in heartbreak ballads".[6]

Billboard selected the album for a "Pop Special Merit" review, and stated that Orbison "Does much better when he sticks to fresh, good material, and give them a twist that puts a fresh glow to listening."[7]

Cashbox gave the album a positive review, saying that it "shows off his singing ability to good advantage."[8]

Track listing

All songs written by Don Gibson.

Arranged by Bill McElhiney