Maps of Music

Cry Softly Lonely One (1967)

Where the lyrics of Cry Softly Lonely One take you, and where it was really made.

AllMusic's critic called this 1967 album an anachronism, a record that seemed out of step with the trends of its time.

Place unknown

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Orbison signed with MGM in 1965, reportedly thinking of a film acting career like Elvis Presley's
Both singles were minor hits in the United States early in 1967
"Communication Breakdown" did much better in Australia, reaching No. 9 in February
Diablo Records released the album on CD on 5 October 2004, paired with the 1966 album The Classic Roy Orbison
Included in the box set The MGM Years 1965-1973, released 4 December 2015, with 12 of Orbison's MGM studio albums and one compilation

Roy Kelton Orbison (born April 23, 1936, Vernon, Texas; died December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist.
He began singing in a country-and-western band as a teenager in Wink, Texas, formed the Wink Westerners in 1949 and later the Teen Kings.
He was signed to Sun Records by Sam Phillips in 1956.

Known for a distinctive, powerful voice, complex song structures and dark, emotional ballads.
Signed to Monument Records; from 1960 to 1966, 22 of his singles reached the Billboard top 40.
Wrote or co-wrote almost all of his own top-10 hits, including "Only the Lonely", "Running Scared", "Crying" and "Oh, Pretty Woman".
Suffered personal tragedies after the mid-1960s, including the deaths of his first wife Claudette and two sons, and his career faltered.
Revived in the late 1980s after cover versions of his songs; co-founded the Traveling Wilburys with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne in 1988.
Died of a heart attack in December 1988 at age 52.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987; received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

AllMusic critic William Ruhlmann wrote that the album was an anachronism, though most of its songs showcased Orbison's classic sound as it had evolved
Ruhlmann added that a release 18 months later might have ridden the roots rock wave that carried Elvis Presley's Memphis albums
Variety said Orbison's supple tenor gets an excellent workout in this set of new ballads
Record Mirror said his voice handles the mostly gentle songs well, but regretted several 'teen' songs that seemed to come from the chewing-gum era

The album was released on CD in 2004 by Diablo Records, paired on one disc with the 1966 album The Classic Roy Orbison.
Orbison's wife Claudette Frady died in 1966 after falling from the back seat of his motorcycle, a year before this album came out.
The album was included in the 2015 box set The MGM Years 1965-1973, which gathered 12 of his MGM studio albums and one compilation.
Orbison signed with MGM in 1965 and was reportedly interested in a film career like Elvis Presley's.