Is Crying Time a good place to start with Ray Charles?

Yes, Crying Time is recommended as a starting point for new Ray Charles listeners. A soulful blend of blues and rhythm with heartfelt lyrics that echo the pain of lost love and heartache. Released in 1966, Crying Time was Ray Charles' follow-up to his critically acclaimed album, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. At this point in his career, Charles was already a household name, having solidified his influence on the soul and R&B genres. This album continued to showcase his ability to blend different musical styles while further establishing his legacy as a pioneer of soul music.

Who is Crying Time for?

Crying Time works well if you're into wave-like emotional dynamics, bittersweet heartache reflections and soulful moments of resilience.

How many songs are on Crying Time?

Crying Time has 12 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Released 60 years ago

Crying Time

Ray Charles · 1966

40 min · 12 tracks · blues

A soulful blend of blues and rhythm with heartfelt lyrics that echo the pain of lost love and heartache.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Crying Time Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's emotional core, featuring Charles' signature vocal delivery that conveys deep sorrow and longing. Its catchy melody combined with poignant lyrics exemplifies Ray's mastery of fusing personal narrative with universal themes.
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Let’s Go Get Stoned — This track stands out for its playful yet somber take on escapism through substance use, showcasing a lighter side of Charles’ lyrical exploration while maintaining an underlying seriousness about life's struggles.
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Going Down Slow — This rendition highlights Charles’ ability to convey melancholy with raw emotion, transforming a traditional blues song into a deeply personal reflection on aging and regret, resonating with listeners across generations.
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Tears — The slow tempo and lush arrangement allow Charles’ voice to shine as he navigates the complexities of heartbreak, making it a standout moment on the album that showcases his vocal prowess.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Crying Time showcases Ray Charles' strong songwriting and emotional delivery within a cohesive blues framework.

What we noticed

The first track features a slow, soulful piano introduction that sets a reflective mood, followed by Charles' emotive vocal delivery.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response elements between the lead vocals and background singers, enhancing the bluesy feel.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

wave-like emotional dynamics
bittersweet heartache reflections
soulful moments of resilience
intimate late-night listening
melancholic yet uplifting vibes

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
avoid slow-paced emotional depth

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Crying Time contributed to Ray Charles' recognition and further established his reputation.
Themes: heartbreak resilience· gospel-infused sorrow
Career context: Released in 1966, Crying Time was Ray Charles' follow-up to his critically acclaimed album, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. At this point in his career, Charles was already a household name, having solidified his influence on the soul and R&B genres. This album continued to showcase his ability to blend different musical styles while further establishing his legacy as a pioneer of soul music.
Stylistic neighbors: Sam Cooke· Otis Redding· Aretha Franklin