Doctor Mooney's 115th Dream: Torched Teardrops: Elmore James and His Broom Dusters, “The Sky is Crying”

Covered by the leading lights of the blues world, Freddie King, Sonny Boy Williamson, Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, “The Sky is Crying,” is a smoldering side. Originally cut by Elmore James—perhaps his top track— it was recorded in the Windy City and released in 1960 on Bobby Richards’ New York City-based Fire label, Fire 1016.

Written spur-of-the-moment, in a Chicago rainstorm and recorded that night, this hot-blooded track—credited to Elmo James—delivers on multiple fronts: rib-sticking wails, lacerating steel-string slide assaults and searing jolts of soul stirring backing.

Recorded: 1959, Chicago
Producer: Bobby Robinson
Elmore James: vocal/guitar; Odie Payne: drums; John A. Williamson (aka: Homesick James): bass; Johnny Jones: piano; J. T. Brown: saxophone
Released: 1960 "The Sky is Crying" b/w "Held My Baby Last Night" (Fire 1016)

“The Sky is Crying”
Written by: Elmore James

The sky is cryin, look at the tears roll down the street.
The sky is cryin, look at the tears roll down the street.
I'm wadin in tears lookin for my baby,
And I wonder, where can she be?

I saw my baby one mornin, and she was walkin on down the street.
I saw my baby one mornin, and she was walkin on down the street.
Made me feel so good,
Until my poor heart would skip a beat.

I got a bad feelin, my baby, my baby don't love me no more.
I got a bad feelin, my baby don't love me no more.
Now, the sky's been cryin,
The tears rollin down my nose.

Take Up Thy Rock 'N Roll Stethoscope and Walk,