 In 1959 , producer Bobby Robinson signed James to his Fury / Fire / Enjoy group of labels . In addition to new material , Robinson had James revisit several of his older songs , including " Standing at the Crossroads " . James re @-@ recorded it at Beltone Studios in New York City in late 1960 or early 1961 during one of his last sessions . Studio musicians again provided the backup and the horn section included baritone saxophone by Paul Williams . Bell Records ' subsidiary labels released the song after James ' death in 1965 – Flashback Records released a single with a reissue of " The Sky Is Crying " and Sphere Sound Records included it on a James compilation album also titled The Sky Is Crying . Both the 1954 and 1960 – 1961 versions appear on numerous later James compilations . 
