The Orbison Way

The Orbison Way is the eighth album recorded by Roy Orbison, and his second for MGM Records, released in January 1966, and was available both in stereo and mono. Two singles were taken from the album — "Crawling Back" and "Breakin' Up Is Breakin' My Heart" — both of which were chart hits in England, the US and Australia.

Cash Box described "Crawling Back" as a "tender, slow-moving, laconic ode about a love-sick fella who'll go to any lengths to get his ex-gal back again." Cash Box described "Breakin' Up Is Breakin' My Heart" as a "medium-paced, full orked and chorus backed soulful tearjerker about a lonely guy who's been singing the blues since his gal jilted him."

The album debuted on the Billboard Top LPs chart in the issue dated March 5, 1966, and remained on the chart for three weeks, peaking at number 128. it debuted on the Cashbox looking ahead albums chart in the issue dated February 12, 1966, and remained on the chart for seven weeks, peaking at number 107.[citation needed] In the UK, it spent ten weeks on the albums chart, peaking at number 11.

The album was released on compact disc by Diablo Records on October 5, 2004, as tracks 12 through 24 on a pairing of two albums on one CD with tracks 1 through 12 consisting of Orbison's debut MGM album, There Is Only One Roy Orbison. The Orbison Way 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 December 4, 2015.

Reception

Bruce Eder of AllMusic said that the album "allow Orbison to open up vocally as never before, casting him in an almost operatic setting, in terms of emotional pitch, though the material itself is pure pop/rock with some elements of country-pop. "The Loner" (co-authored by Adkins), "Maybe," "Breakin' Up Is Breakin' My Heart," "Time Changes Everything" and much of the rest here could have passed muster on any of Orbison's Monument albums, though some of the other songwriting and some of the stylistic choices are debatable."

Billboard magazine noted that the dramatic "Time Changed Everything" is exceptional while the rhythm groove "It Wasn't Very Long Ago" is a standout".

Cashbox gave the album a positive review, saying that Orbison "sings the songs in a casual and relaxed manner"

Variety mentions "Many of theses tunes have melodic scope of the big pop ballads"

Record Mirror gave the album a positive review, saying that "This is My Land" is great, "A New Star" is gently swinging, & "Why Hurt The One" is near vocal perfection".

Track listing

All tracks composed by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees, except where indicated. Five of the songs feature his band, The Candy Men.

Charts

Album

Singles

Production

• Produced by Wesley Rose and Jim Vienneau
• Arranged by Bill McElhiney
• Bill Malloy – engineer
• Val Valentin – director of engineering
• Ace Lehman – cover design