Sky Is Crying: The History of Elmore James

Read About This Recording

Best remembered for his 1951 version of Robert Johnson's Dust My Broom, Elmore James was one of the top slide guitarists and blues singers of the 1950s. His career and life were relatively brief due to heart failure, but James made an impact that is still felt today.

Born in Canton, Mississippi in 1918, Elmore James grew up in poverty. He put together a homemade guitar made out of a broom handle and a lard can before getting a guitar of his own. At 14 he was playing blues regularly on weekends and he had opportunities to interact with Robert Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson and Howlin' Wolf. After a period leading his own band in the South, he was drafted during World War II, spending three years in the Navy. After his discharge he continued working in the South and in Memphis, often appearing on the radio. In 1951 with the recording of Dust My Broom, James immediately became a big name. He recorded for a variety of labels during the next decade, relocated to Chicago and performed with his group, called the Broomdusters. Unfortunately his heart gave out in 1963 and he died at the age of 45.

The Sky Is Crying has 21 selections from 1951-61, the highpoints of Elmore James' career, with the most memorable selections including his first version of Dust My Broom, T.V. Mama (with Big Joe Turner), The Sky Is Crying, Shake Your Moneymaker and Standing At The Crossroads. James' raw guitar sound and passionate vocals are heard throughout at their prime. This is the perfect set for listeners to get introduced to the powerful music of Elmore James.

-Scott Yanow

Contents

Dust My Broom; The Sun is Shining; Hawaiian Boogie; Sho' Nuff I Do; Please Find My Baby; T.V. Mama; My Best Friend; Madison Blues; Cry for Me Baby; The Sky is Crying; Sunny Land; I Can't Hold Out; Look on Yonder Wall; I Need You; Done Somebody Wrong; Shake Your Money Maker; The 12 Year Old Boy; It Hurts Me Too; Rollin and Tumblin; Something Inside Me; Standing at the Crossroads.

Elmore James, Big Joe Turner, Vocals; Homesick James, Ike Turner, Willie Johnson, Jimmy Spruill, Wayne Bennett, Riff Ruffin, Guitars; Leonard Ware, Ransom Knowling, Jimmy Richardson, Eddie Taylor, Willie Dixon, Chuck Hamilton, Sammy Lee Bully, Basses; Frock Odell, Henry Sneaky Joe Harris, Odie Payne, Red Saunders, Fred Below, King Mose, Belton Evans, Johnny Williams, Jesse Sailes, Drums; Sonny Boy Williamson, Sam Myers, Harmonicas; Johnny Jones, Johnny Big Moose Walker, Johnny Acey, Willard McDaniel, Pianos; J.T. Brown, Grady Jackson, Tenor Saxes; Mack Easton, Paul Williams, Baritone Saxes; Sonny Cohn, Danny Moore, Trumpets; Ike Turner's Kings Of Rhythm; Joe Turner & His Blues Kings.