(Rhino/Warner Music)

Has there ever been another band that did less with more or, conversely, was so much better than it had any right to be? This sounds paradoxical, and it is. But the Traveling Wilburys who convened with the modest goal of writing a B-side for a George Harrison single, then went on to pen two CDs together–made paradox their purpose.

Superstars in pseudonymous disguise, the Wilburys Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne were wholeheartedly devoted to undercutting their own legendary status. Beatles references, for instance, abound in their songs, but always in an irreverent or even slightly sarcastic fashion. With one of the world's great lyricists onboard, they specialized in witty but lightweight wordplay. And despite the thousands of hours of big-ticket studio time each Wilbury had individually amassed, they did their best work clustered around a single microphone in pal Dave Stewart's kitchen.

Sure, the Wilburys had ambition, but their intent wasn't to be the best at anything or to win global domination of the airwaves. Instead, their goal was to reconnect with the elemental pleasure of strumming a guitar and singing with friends, and this they did on two low-key releases, both captured here, along with a smattering of bonus tracks and a DVD containing five music videos and an hourlong documentary. With the exception of the undeniably infectious "Handle With Care", none of the material is essential, but the warmth that emanates from this package is still cheering.