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Gift Guide: What to Buy a Traveling Wilburys Fan

Not every Wilburys fan wants the same thing, and getting this wrong is an easy way to hand someone a duplicate of a CD they've owned since 1989. Here's how to actually pick.

They've never heard of the band

Start them on the standalone Vol. 1 CD, the cheapest legitimate way in, and let "Handle With Care" do the rest of the work. Don't lead with Vol. 3 or the deep cuts; the debut is built to convert skeptics in three tracks.

They already own both albums on CD

Go collector-grade: the 3LP vinyl box set sounds meaningfully better than any CD pressing and includes a bonus 12-inch nothing else has. This is the upgrade gift for someone who already knows the songs by heart.

They're a completist who reads liner notes

The Genesis Publications book is the actual endgame gift here, hundreds of unseen photographs and handwritten lyric sheets, if you can still find a copy. Failing that, any of the member biographies covers ground even a serious fan probably hasn't read.

They're more of a "solo career" fan than a Wilburys completist

Work backward from whichever member they already love: Harrison, Dylan, Petty, Orbison, or Lynne. Each page has one or two records that connect directly back to the Wilburys sessions.

They just want something to watch

Related Viewing has the three films worth owning beyond the band's own documentary, pick based on which member the recipient actually cares most about.

Still not sure? Buy the Albums covers the safest, broadest option for almost anyone.