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1967 studio album by Roy Orbison

Cry Softly Lonely One is the twelfth music album recorded by Roy Orbison, and his sixth for MGM Records. The album was released in October 1967 and included two singles: "Communication Breakdown" and the title tune, both of which were minor hits in the States early that year. "Communication Breakdown" did much better in Australia, where it reached #9 in February. According to the official Roy Orbison biography,[4] the London Records release (non U.S.) of this album featured the extra track "Just One Time".

The album was released on compact disc for the first time by Diablo Records on October 5 2004 as tracks 12 through 24 on a pairing of two albums on one CD with tracks 1 through 12 consisting of the other album being Orbison`s Other Album from July 1966, The Classic Roy Orbison.[5] The Roy`s Boys was included in a box set entitled The MGM Years 1965-1973 - Roy Orbison, which contains 12 of his MGM studio albums, 1 compilation, and was released on Deember 4, 2015.[6]

Reception

William Ruhlmann of AllMusic wrote that this album "was an anachronism (the other irony is that, had it come out 18 months later, it might have ridden the same roots rock wave as Elvis Presley`s Memphis albums, or Joe South, to success). Some of it, such as "That`s a No No," was a true throwback to an earlier pop/rock era, but most of what was here was a great showcase for Orbison`s classic sound as it had evolved, oblivious to the musical trends around him"[1]

Record Mirror felt that "His voice tackles this collection of mostly gentle songs well, but it is a pity that several "teen" songs are included, seemingly from the chewing -gum blue, jeans era."[2]

Track listing

Personnel

• Tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10 Arranged by Jim Hall
• Tracks 6, 11, 12 Arranged by Bill McElhiney
• Jack Anesh - cover design
• Murray Laden - cover photography