Customer Reviews

Crying Time

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Crying Time, a 1966 album, contains a few hits, like Let's Go Get Stoned, Goin' Down Slow and the title track. The title guides a lot of the other selections, like No Use Crying. What makes the album especially rewarding is that it is a mix of country, blues, and rhythm and blues. There are tracks visiting many of Ray's varied styles, including a Nat Cole like ballad. The pleasant surprise is that there are some straight blues pieces here.

This is Ray in his mid-30s, already a veteran of more than 15 years in the business. He'd already fused gospel and r&b, and country and r&b. By this time, his voice was changing with more grit and a stronger lower register. Contrast Hit the Road, Jack with Let's Go Get Stoned, about 5 years difference, and you can hear the way his voice had changed.

Tears Have to Fall, a ballad with a lush (syrupy) string and vocal backing, nevertheless works because of the great vocal. He slips in on a light tenor line. He adds blues and bite, which sobers up the arrangement. And he drops in a definitively bluesy piano solo to make sure nobody misses the point. It holds together because Ray imposed his forceful personality on the music.

I don't think this has been transferred to digital, although a lot of the tracks can be found on anthologies. I'm happy to have the vinyl still because it makes a lovely collection, far better than having the tracks mixed into an anthology.