Waitin' for the Sun to Shine
Ricky Skaggs · 1981
30 min · 10 tracks · country music
A vibrant blend of traditional bluegrass and country infused with heartfelt storytelling and rich instrumental arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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If That's the Way You Feel Start here — Opening the album with an upbeat tempo, this track showcases Skaggs' virtuoso mandolin playing and sets the tone for the rest of the record.
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Don't Get Above Your Raising — This song resonates with themes of humility and authenticity, reflecting Skaggs’ connection to his roots while incorporating traditional country sound.
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Crying My Heart Out Over You — A poignant ballad that highlights Skaggs' emotional vocal delivery, this track captures the essence of heartache within a bluegrass context.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and craftsmanship but lacks a strong cohesive narrative throughout its runtime.
What we noticed
- Several tracks employ a call-and-response vocal style, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the communal feel typical of bluegrass.
- The tempo varies significantly across the ten tracks, with three songs featuring slower ballad-like arrangements that contrast with the more upbeat numbers.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- heartfelt storytelling through melodies
- warmth for cozy gatherings
- nostalgic vibes of simpler times
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefering experimental soundscapes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked Skaggs' rise as a leading figure in country and bluegrass.
- Themes
- Kentucky roots· humble authenticity· heartbreak ballads
- Moods
- Chill· Melancholy
- Career context
- Released in May 1981, 'Waitin' for the Sun to Shine' marked Ricky Skaggs' transition from a promising musician to a leading figure in the country and bluegrass genres. This album followed his breakout success with 'Highway 40 Blues,' further solidifying his influence in the genre during a period of artistic expansion and innovation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bill Monroe· Alison Krauss· Doc Watson
Tracklist
- 1 If That's the Way You Feel Start here 3:08
- 2 Don't Get Above Your Raising 3:12
- 3 Your Old Love Letters 3:38
- 4 Low and Lonely 2:57
- 5 Waitin' for the Sun to Shine 3:51
- 6 You May See Me Walkin' 2:29
- 7 Crying My Heart Out Over You 3:01
- 8 Lost to a Stranger 2:55
- 9 I Don't Care 2:19
- 10 So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed 2:52
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Now That I've Found You: A Collection
Alison Krauss
Shares heartfelt storytelling and rich bluegrass instrumentation from a contemporary perspective.
Luxury Liner
Emmylou Harris
Combines traditional country sounds with emotional depth, reflecting similar roots and authenticity.
Live at The Cellar Door
The Seldom Scene
Captures vibrant bluegrass harmonies and themes of life and heartache in an engaging live setting.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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