The Sky is Crying – A celebration of the blues with two legends. #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #ElmoreJames #StevieRayVaughan

Elmore James would have turned 100 years old today. If Elvis was the King of rock and roll then Elmore James was the king of the slide guitar. As far as blues players go he may have been the heir to the throne that was vacated when Robert Johnson died. He began making music on a one-string instrument called a ‘diddly bow’ (interesting idea for a name of a blues guitarist) and played dances at the age of 12. He served in the Navy in World War II and shortly after enlisting he discovered he had a heart condition. James didn’t let that get in the way of his love of music though. He became a sideman for the great Sonny Boy Williamson. By the late 50’s at the age of 41 he released a debut album that included a series of blues classics that by today’s standards would have had him revered as a musical messiah. Two such recordings were the frequently covered ‘Shake Your Moneymaker’ and the blues anthem; ‘The Sky is Crying’. Very few write songs like this any more. If you are into the blues, or if you are a fan of the roots of rock music, raise a glass to Elmore James. 

Unfortunately, Elmore James died of a heart attack in 1963, at the age of 45, just as he was about to embark on a European tour. Guitar greats from Eric Clapton to Jimi Hendrix and George Harrison to Duane Allman and Brian Jones to John Mayall pointed to Elmore James as a huge inspiration.  For today’s cover I have deliberately chosen a version of the song that shows how the blues legacy has been passed down through generations. Elmore James picked up from Robert Johnson. In this video you will see Albert King and B.B. King who worshipped Elmore James. Paul Butterfield was a blues harmonica player who adored Sonny Boy Williamson and then you get Stevie Ray Vaughan who picked up the guitar baton from guys like Albert and B.B. King. To see them all play this Elmore James classic is a real treat so I had to share it. Enjoy.