The Fastest Guitar Alive is a 1967 American musicalcomedyWestern film directed by Michael D. Moore and starring singer Roy Orbison in his only acting role. The film features Orbison performing seven original songs, which appeared on his 1967 MGM album of the same name. His song "There Won't Be Many Coming Home" is featured in the 2015 western film The Hateful Eight.
Plot
Near the end of the American Civil War, a Southern spy (Orbison) with a bullet-shooting guitar is given the task of robbing gold bullion from the United States Mint in San Francisco to help finance the ill-fated Confederacy's last-ditch war effort.
Filming began September 1966.[1] Although Orbison was pleased with the film, it proved to be a critical and box office flop. While MGM had included five films in his contract, no more were made.[2][3]
A soundtrack album for the film was released in June 1967 on MGM Records. It was the only album to consist entirely of Roy Orbison/Bill Dees originals. Its single "There Won't Be Many Coming Home" reached No. 18 in the UK and entered the Australian chart at its highest position of #32 before slipping down the chart.
The album was also included in the 2015 box set The MGM Years 1965–1973 – Roy Orbison.[7]
Reception
Richie Unterberger of AllMusic said the album "includes what may be his best obscure tune, the rarely anthologized "Whirlwind." With its galloping rhythm, emotive operatic vocals, swirling strings, and ghostly backing vocals, it recalls the best uptempo ballads that he recorded during his early-'60s heyday at the Monument label."[8]
Billboard described the album as "a pack powerful emotion."[9]
Cashbox gave the album a postive reviews, notes "These tunes, in addition to three other Orbison originals, are included"[10]
^Waston, Jimmy; Jopling, Norman (March 16, 1968). "new albums reviewed by Norman Jopling and Peter Jones: Potent Film L.P. from Orbison". Record Mirror. No. 366. p. 8.
