Roy Orbison: Live at Austin City Limits

He may not have been blessed with the photogenic looks and obvious charisma of your typical rock star, but Roy Orbison had at least two of the things that make a great artist: timeless songs, and a voice to sing ‘em with. That's all on display in this hour-long, 1982 performance from television's Austin City Limits series. It's not Orbison's finest moment, perhaps; his band is competent but uninspired, and neither the sound (even with the Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2.0 options) nor the video qualities are topnotch. But all is forgiven when he matches that soaring, almost operatic tenor to dramatic, heart-wrenching classics such as “Only the Lonely,” “Crying,” “Leah,” “Running Scared,” and the rocker that may be Orbison's best known hit, “Pretty Woman.” DVD extras include photos and the featurette "Roy Orbison: The Wink Years," about the band Orbison formed while attending high school in that desolate Texas burg. Recommended, overall. Aud: P. (S. Graham)