JAMES, ELMORE - Sky Is Crying: The Ultimate Collection (Box Set) (Sealed) (3CD)

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. The musicians he inspired include The Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, and Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones are just a few. Of the many musicians that he influenced in the course of their careers. In 1980 he was elected into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, and in 1994 Elmore was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. Rollling Stone magazine has placed him in the list of top 30 guitarists of all time!