“The Sky Is Crying gathers ten previously unreleased tracks that Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble recorded between 1984’s Couldn’t Stand The Weather and 1989’s In Step, their final album before Vaughan died in a helicopter crash. Mobile Fidelity has released all five recordings, including the debut, Texas Flood, on outstanding SACDs (Analogue Productions has the vinyl covered).

Though each of these recordings displays Vaughan’s jaw- dropping talent, The Sky Is Crying most reveals the many styles he soaked up like a musical sponge. Check out Vaughan’s jazz chops on Kenny Burrell’s “Chitlins Con Carne,” and Hendrix’s “Little Wing,” arguably this collection’s most staggering achievement, alternately whisper-sweet and screamingly fierce.

Other tips of the hat are to Muddy Waters, Lonnie Mack (“Wham”), Elmore James, and Albert King (the title track), yet each song is pure, unleashed SRV. The sound is big, bold, up front, and clean as a whistle. Vaughan’s different tonal shadings—from warmly purring, to raggedly distorted, to wasp-tailed sting, plus a rare acoustic turn on the gorgeous closer, “Life By The Drop”—are all superbly captured, and the drums and bass have plenty of clarity and wallop. A brilliant musical document…if a sad reminder.”

With what would been Stevie’s birthday last week, I’m excited to feature for you this extraordinary collection of songs on Blues With A Feeling this week.

Plus new releases from Buddy Guy, Mike Henderson, Fiona Boyes & The Fortune Tellers feat Hubert Sumlin, Billy Branch & the Sons Of Blues, Monster Mike Welch, Kirk Fletcher, The Alexis P Suter Band, Jimmy Burns & Soul Message Band, Shirley Johnson, Chris Wilson, Tom Hambridge, Kent Burnside, Raphael Wressnig and Mud Morganfield.

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