The Sky Is Crying

The Zoo Crew is spinning "The Sky Is Crying" by Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, a soulful blues track that’s got the Zoo Freaks feeling the grit and passion. This song, featured on the 1991 posthumous album The Sky Is Crying, was originally written by Elmore James in 1959, but Vaughan’s version, recorded in 1985 at The Dallas Sound Lab, Texas, is a standout. According to liner notes from the album, compiled by Stevie’s brother Jimmie Vaughan, this track captures Stevie’s deep connection to Chicago blues, with his guitar wailing like a storm. One piece of trivia comes from a 2015 post on Society of Rock, which notes the song was inspired by a Chicago downpour during a 1959 recording session, and Vaughan’s take channels that raw, rainy energy. Fans on Amazon reviews often mention how Stevie’s soulful vocals and searing guitar make this version a tearjerker, with one user, Charlotte W., saying, “His voice is so deep and soulful… I still cry every time I listen.”

Another tidbit about "The Sky Is Crying" comes from its reception. The track became an R&B chart hit, as noted on CultureSonar, and has been covered by artists like Matt Murphy and Eric Clapton with the Yardbirds, but Vaughan’s rendition is often cited as the definitive one. A 2021 review on AlbumReview.net describes how Stevie’s unaccompanied vocals kick off the song, pulling listeners into a groove that feels like “a car staying on the road during a parade,” while his guitar goes wild, like an “eccentric kid” causing havoc. Posts on X from 2021 by @bluezharp highlight its significance, sharing a rare home video of a young Stevie playing blues in the 1970s, showing how this song was a culmination of his lifelong love for the genre. The album itself, a collection of unreleased tracks, was praised for its coherence despite being compiled after Stevie’s tragic death, with AllMusic calling it one of Vaughan’s most consistent works.

Stevie Ray Vaughan was born on October 3, 1954, in Dallas, Texas, and his journey into music started early, shaped by his older brother, Jimmie. According to his bio on AllMusic, Stevie tried drums and saxophone before picking up the guitar before age ten, learning songs by ear in the footsteps of Jimmie, who later became a blues legend himself. Stevie’s raw talent grew as he played in local Dallas bands, but his big move came in 1972 when he dropped out of high school and relocated to Austin, Texas, a hub for live music. As noted on CultureSonar, his love for blues drove him to gig relentlessly at Austin clubs, building a reputation. By 1978, he formed Double Trouble with bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton, and their electrifying performances at blues and jazz festivals caught attention. Their 1983 debut album, Texas Flood, sold half a million copies, cementing Stevie as a blues-rock powerhouse, as a 2018 X post by @BoredWeb3 recalls.

Stevie’s career was marked by his ability to blend influences from blues giants like Albert King and Jimi Hendrix with his own fiery style, as highlighted on Vinyl Me, Please. Despite struggles with substance abuse, he cleaned up by the time he recorded his final studio album, In Step, in 1989, which won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Tragically, Stevie died in a helicopter crash on August 27, 1990, at age 35, as mourned in a 2020 X post by @RockHistoryPics, which called him one of the greatest guitarists ever. His legacy lives on through his music and fans worldwide.

You can explore more about Stevie Ray Vaughan on his official website. Connect with fans on social media via his official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, which share updates, tributes, and rare photos. Fan communities thrive online, including the Stevie Ray Vaughan Fans Facebook group, where enthusiasts discuss his music and share memories, and SRV Fan Club, a dedicated site with news, forums, and exclusive content for devotees. The Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble Fan Club on Facebook is another vibrant spot for Zoo Freaks to join the conversation and celebrate Stevie’s enduring blues legacy.