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 No. 9 in February. According to the official Roy Orbison biography, the London Records release (non U.S.) of this album featured the extra track "Just One Time".[1]
The album was released on compact disc 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 Orbison's 1966 album, The Classic Roy Orbison.[2]Cry Softly Lonely One 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 December 4, 2015.[3]
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"[4]
Variety mentions "Orbison's gets an excellent workout in this set of new ballads".[7]
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."[5]
^Orbison, Roy Jr. (2017). The authorized Roy Orbison. Orbison, Wesley,, Orbison, Alex,, Slate, Jeff (Second ed.). New York: Center Street. p. 251. ISBN9781478976547. OCLC1017566749.
Chart peaks between 1970 and 19 June 1988, including Kent Music Report peaks from 1974: Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 224. ISBN0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between 1983 and 19 June 1988.
Top 100 (ARIA Chart) peaks between January 1990 and December 2010 and "You Got It" certification: Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 209.
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