Unexpected Flurry of Albums on Tap

Roy Orbison’s posthumous album and David Crosby’s first solo LP since his much-publicized battle against drugs highlight an unusually busy January release schedule.

Record companies and retailers normally are too busy recovering from the hectic holiday sales period to get very involved in launching new campaigns in the early weeks of the new year.

But this month’s lineup also includes new releases by such commercial or critically acclaimed figures as Bob Dylan, Debbie Gibson, Lou Reed, Emmylou Harris, the Replacements and Lyle Lovett.

Though Orbison was part of the recent Traveling Wilburys’ “superstar” album with Dylan, George Harrison and others, the upcoming album is the first studio collection of new material in a decade from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member who died of a heart attack Dec. 6 in Nashville.

Titled “Mystery Girl” and due in stores Jan. 31 from Virgin Records, the album will include several tracks in the ultra-dramatic style that was his ‘60s trademark--as well as some lighter, more upbeat efforts.

Orbison wrote or co-wrote most of the 10 tunes, but there are some outside contributions, including one song each from Bono Hewson and The Edge of U2 and Elvis Costello. The latter’s “The Comedians” was already previewed in the cable TV special that Orbison did with Bruce Springsteen, Costello and others last year at the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles.

It’s is a dark, anxious tale of romantic heartache, employing all sorts of fairgrounds imagery for contrast. While stuck in a ferris-wheel carriage high above the ground, the song’s narrator stares hopelessly below as his girlfriend walks away with another man.

Sample lyrics:

They say that you will always be the last to know

They say that all that glitter is not gold

It’s not just that you’re never coming back to me

It’s the bitter way that I was told.

On the album, Orbison is joined by an all-star cast that includes Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, George Harrison, T Bone Burnett, guitarist Steve Cropper and drummer Jim Keltner.

Like Orbison, Crosby, too, is already on the sales charts, thanks to “American Dream,” the album he recorded with Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young.

However, “Oh Yes I Can”--also due Jan. 31--is the first solo album from Crosby since his 1986 parole from a Texas prison, where he was serving a five-year sentence on drug and weapons charges.

Produced by Crosby, Craig Doerge and Stanley Johnston, the A&M; album contains 11 songs, all but two written or co-written by Crosby. One of the exceptions is a customized version of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” that infuses some of the contemporary spirit of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.”

At the Byrds’ mini-reunion Wednesday night at the Coach House, Crosby sang one of the album’s selections, a gently philosophical reflection on hopefulness and disillusionment. Sample lyric:

But I think we’re passing through here kind of fast

Did you think these tracks in the dust would last?

Other upcoming albums of special interest:

Lou Reed’s “New York”--In his first album for Sire, one of rock’s most gifted and provocative songwriters delivers a topical, socially conscious work that speaks with both compassion and rage about victims and villains in a country that Reed suggests has lost much of its spirit and values. The album, due in stores Tuesday, is reviewed at length in Sunday Calendar.

Debbie Gibson’s “Electric Youth”--Now that Tiffany has already released the follow-up to her enormously successful debut, pop’s other, more critically respected teen star is scheduled to release her second Atlantic album on Jan. 16.

Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead’s “Dylan and the Dead”--Due Jan. 31 from Columbia, this is a live album taken from the Dylan/Dead 1987 stadium tour. Selections include “Slow Train Coming,” “Queen Jane Approximately,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and “All Along the Watchtower.”

The Replacements’ “Don’t Tell a Soul”--The Minneapolis band--longtime darlings of critics and college/alternative radio--reach for a wider audience in their new Sire/Reprise album, which introduces new guitarist Slim Dunlap. Also due Jan. 31.

Lyle Lovett’s “Lyle Lovett and His Large Band”--In his third MCA/Curb album, Texas’ urbane cowboy segregates the two parts of the mix that have made critics dub him country’s answer to Randy Newman and Tom Waits. Side One is uptown, big band blues; Side Two is down-home, literate country-folk. Arrival date: Jan. 23.

Emmylou Harris’ “Bluebird”--The greatest female country singer ever also has great instincts for material. Besides writing two tunes herself, she reaches out this time to songs from the likes of Johnny Cash (“I Still Miss Someone”), Rodney Crowell (“You’ve Been on My Mind”) and John Hiatt (“Icy Blue Heart”) and Butch Hancock (“If You Were a Bluebird”). Release date: Tuesday.

Also due this month: “Charlie Sexton’s second album, Rick Astley’s “Hold Me in Your Arms,” the Violent Femmes’ “3,” the Throwing Muses’ “Hunkpapa,” and Rush’s live “A Show of Hands”--not to be confused with Show of Hands, the folk-minded L.A. band whose debut this month from I.R.S. Records was produced by David Kershenbaum, who also produced the Tracy Chapman debut LP.

Looking ahead to next month, the expected releases include albums by Madonna, Elvis Costello, Fine Young Cannibals, Boy George, Thelonious Monster, Rosanne Cash and Dion.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Asked three weeks before his death by Rolling Stone about his resurgence, Roy Orbison said, “Being someone who was there at the founding of rock ‘n’ roll, it’s good that at the age I am (52) I’m being accepted and recognized. We used to say, ‘I don’t want to be jumping around and going crazy when I’m 30,’ you know? Even Mick Jagger said, ‘Well, I can’t see myself at 40 jumping around.’ Well, here we are . . . .”

LIVE ACTION: The Grateful Dead’s Feb. 10-12 concerts at the Forum will feature an unusual twist: no chairs on the arena floor, thus allowing the free-form dancing long associated with Dead shows. Reserved seating also available. Tickets go on sale Sunday. . . . Also on sale Sunday: Duran Duran’s Feb. 2 and 3 shows with Stryper at the Universal Amphitheatre. . . . Jonathan Richman will be at the Roxy on Jan. 29.. . . Redd Kross’ Roxy appearance has been rescheduled for Feb. 6. Tickets purchased for the canceled Dec. 23 and 24 shows will be honored.