Elmo James – The Sky Is Crying (Sphere Sound Records LP 7002): The Blues Masterpiece That Defined Electric Delta Blues
Sphere Sound Records 1965 – LP 7002
notes:
Few blues recordings have achieved the timeless status of
Elmo James' "The Sky Is Crying." Released as Sphere Sound Records
LP 7002, this iconic collection captures the raw emotion, soulful slide
guitar, and powerful vocal delivery that made Elmo James
one of the most influential figures in blues history.
Known as a pioneer of electric slide guitar, Elmo James helped shape
the sound of modern blues and inspired generations of musicians,
including Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and countless others.
The Story Behind The Album
"The Sky Is Crying" showcases Elmo James at the peak of his artistic powers.
The album features some of his most celebrated recordings, blending
traditional Delta blues roots with the emerging electric blues sound that
dominated the post-war era.
The title track, "The Sky Is Crying," remains one of the most recognizable
blues songs ever recorded. Its haunting lyrics and expressive slide guitar
perfectly capture the pain, longing, and resilience that define classic blues music.
This LP was the first U.S. album compilation to gather Elmore James' Bobby
Robinson-produced recordings made between 1959 and 1961 in Chicago and
New York. Seven tracks had originally appeared on Robinson's Fire label
singles before being collected on the Sphere Sound album.
Elmo James' "The Sky Is Crying." Released as Sphere Sound Records
LP 7002, this iconic collection captures the raw emotion, soulful slide
guitar, and powerful vocal delivery that made Elmo James
one of the most influential figures in blues history.
Known as a pioneer of electric slide guitar, Elmo James helped shape
the sound of modern blues and inspired generations of musicians,
including Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and countless others.
The Story Behind The Album
"The Sky Is Crying" showcases Elmo James at the peak of his artistic powers.
The album features some of his most celebrated recordings, blending
traditional Delta blues roots with the emerging electric blues sound that
dominated the post-war era.
The title track, "The Sky Is Crying," remains one of the most recognizable
blues songs ever recorded. Its haunting lyrics and expressive slide guitar
perfectly capture the pain, longing, and resilience that define classic blues music.
This LP was the first U.S. album compilation to gather Elmore James' Bobby
Robinson-produced recordings made between 1959 and 1961 in Chicago and
New York. Seven tracks had originally appeared on Robinson's Fire label
singles before being collected on the Sphere Sound album.
credits:
Musician Instrument
Elmore James vocals, slide guitar
Homesick James second guitar, bass guitar
Little Johnnie Jones piano
J. T. Brown tenor saxophone
Odie Payne Jr. drums
Wild Jimmy Spruill guitar on New York sessions
Boyd Atkins (possible) saxophone on some sessions
Sam Myers (occasionally cited) drums/harmonica on some recordings
The LP is not a single-session album. It compiles recordings made for producer Bobby Robinson:
Period Location Notes
Nov. 1959 Chicago Session that produced “The Sky Is Crying,”
“Bobby's Rock,” and other Fire recordings.
1960–1961 Chicago Additional Fire label recordings with the Broomdusters.
1960–1961 New York City Sessions supervised by Bobby Robinson using
New York session musicians, including Wild Jimmy Spruill.
Producer
Bobby Robinson — producer, Fire/Enjoy/Sphere Sound recordings.
Robinson also recalled helping develop the song idea for
“The Sky Is Crying” during a rainy day in Chicago.
tracklist:
A1 The Sky Is Crying
Written-By – Robinson*, James*
2:47
A2 Dust My Broom
Written-By – Elmo James*
2:54
A3 I Held My Baby
Written-By – Robinson*, James*
2:50
A4 Fine Little Mama
Written-By – Elmo James*
2:32
A5 Bobbie's Rock
Written-By – Robinson*, James*
2:09
A6 I Can't Stop Lovin' You
Written-By – Elmo James*
2:33
B1 I Done Somebody Wrong
Written-By – Robinson*, James*
2:20
B2 Rollin' And Tumblin'
Written-By – Robinson*, James*
2:30
B3 One Way Out
Written-By – James*, Sehorn*
2:25
B4 My Bleeding Heart
Written-By – James*, Sehorn*
3:05
B5 I'm Worried
Written-By – Robinson*, James*
2:44
B6 Standing At The Crossroads
Written-By – James*, Josea*
Elmore James vocals, slide guitar
Homesick James second guitar, bass guitar
Little Johnnie Jones piano
J. T. Brown tenor saxophone
Odie Payne Jr. drums
Wild Jimmy Spruill guitar on New York sessions
Boyd Atkins (possible) saxophone on some sessions
Sam Myers (occasionally cited) drums/harmonica on some recordings
The LP is not a single-session album. It compiles recordings made for producer Bobby Robinson:
Period Location Notes
Nov. 1959 Chicago Session that produced “The Sky Is Crying,”
“Bobby's Rock,” and other Fire recordings.
1960–1961 Chicago Additional Fire label recordings with the Broomdusters.
1960–1961 New York City Sessions supervised by Bobby Robinson using
New York session musicians, including Wild Jimmy Spruill.
Producer
Bobby Robinson — producer, Fire/Enjoy/Sphere Sound recordings.
Robinson also recalled helping develop the song idea for
“The Sky Is Crying” during a rainy day in Chicago.
tracklist:
A1 The Sky Is Crying
Written-By – Robinson*, James*
2:47
A2 Dust My Broom
Written-By – Elmo James*
2:54
A3 I Held My Baby
Written-By – Robinson*, James*
2:50
A4 Fine Little Mama
Written-By – Elmo James*
2:32
A5 Bobbie's Rock
Written-By – Robinson*, James*
2:09
A6 I Can't Stop Lovin' You
Written-By – Elmo James*
2:33
B1 I Done Somebody Wrong
Written-By – Robinson*, James*
2:20
B2 Rollin' And Tumblin'
Written-By – Robinson*, James*
2:30
B3 One Way Out
Written-By – James*, Sehorn*
2:25
B4 My Bleeding Heart
Written-By – James*, Sehorn*
3:05
B5 I'm Worried
Written-By – Robinson*, James*
2:44
B6 Standing At The Crossroads
Written-By – James*, Josea*
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