The Sky Is Crying

"The Sky Is Crying" is a blues standard written and initially recorded by Elmore James in 1959. Called "one of his most durable compositions", "The Sky Is Crying" became a R&B record chart hit and has been interpreted and recorded by numerous artists.

"The Sky Is Crying" is a blues standard written and initially recorded by Elmore James in 1959. Called "one of his most durable compositions", "The Sky Is Crying" became a R&B record chart hit and has been interpreted and recorded by numerous artists.

"The Sky Is Crying" is a blues standard written and initially recorded by Elmore James in 1959. Called "one of his most durable compositions", "The Sky Is Crying" became a R&B record chart hit and has been interpreted and recorded by numerous artists.

Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller) is acknowledged as one of the most charismatic and influential blues musicians, with considerable prowess on the harmonica and highly creative song writing skills. One listen to Sonny Boy and you’ll know no one else was quite the same.

Elmore's last great recordings occurred in the 1960s when he was signed by New York producer/label-owner Bobby Robinson (Fire, Fury & Enjoy Records). Unlike many of his contemporaries, James seemingly got better as the years progressed. These recordings have surfaced on so many different compilations - all with varying levels of sound quality. Fortunately, to make things easier we have this three-disc 58-song box set rounding up at least one extant take of everything Elmore recorded with Robinson at the helm. Along with standards, "Dust My Broom," "The Sky Is Crying" the classic "One Way Out," the majority of this box set breaks new ground and stands as some of Elmore's most emotion-laden work. Included our Elmore's last sessions before his death and several tracks he cut as a session guitarist for Bobby Robinson. On May 24, 1963, James suffered a heart attack, which took his life at the age of 45.

When ‘Willie’ Rice Miller, aka Sonny Boy Williamson, made these intimate, casual recordings in 1963, he was already (probably) 66 years old. Most of his long career was over; only two years later he would die in his little apartment in Helena, Arkansas. He was recognized as a giant throughout the blues world as a harmonica player, vocalist, songwriter, prolific recording artist, live performer and wildly colorful personality. Starting in 1951 and continuing into the ‘60s, Sonny Boy made some of the most influential blues records of all time.

When ‘Willie’ Rice Miller, aka Sonny Boy Williamson, made these intimate, casual recordings in 1963, he was already (probably) 66 years old. Most of his long career was over; only two years later he would die in his little apartment in Helena, Arkansas. He was recognized as a giant throughout the blues world as a harmonica player, vocalist, songwriter, prolific recording artist, live performer and wildly colorful personality. Starting in 1951 and continuing into the ‘60s, Sonny Boy made some of the most influential blues records of all time.

On Tuesday, October 28, 2014, after 45 years of performing the greatest live music in rock history, the Allman Brothers Band had arrived at its final concert. The dream created by Duane Allman in 1969 had come to fruition, gone through triumph and tragedy, joy and sorrow, flourished and faltered, and ultimately persevered to reach the pinnacle of the blues/rock genre. The road had seemingly gone on forever, but, in 2014, the group decided that forever would come to an end at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. On Friday, October 25, in recognition of the 10th anniversary, fans can own a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history when Final Concert 10-28-14 is officially released via Peach Records. “Having joined the Allman Brothers Band in 1991, I had no idea what I was getting myself into as a percussionist joining two drummers on stage,” percussionist Marc Quinones notes looking back. “Fast forward 23 years to the last show we played as the Allman Brothers Band. I feel honored to have been part of such a historical musical force that was and is the ABB. Love live the ABB!”