The Roky Erickson anthology - "I Have always been here Before"

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My question is, since i don't have any 13th floor elevators yet (aside for some mp3's) Is this a good overview of the Elevators music and his solo work? or am i better off getting the 1st two Elevators albums??

― meister, Thursday, 21 April 2005 10:38 (twenty years ago)

didn't buy it as i have lots of roky already, but i'd def recommend this anthology. tracklisting looks pretty ace. i'm probably the only one who prefers the solo stuff.

― nathalie doing a soft foot shuffle (stevie nixed), Thursday, 21 April 2005 11:05 (twenty years ago)

I actually just listened to Don't Slander Me/"Bermuda" this week, first time in a while, it sounded OK but not as *elevated* as the 60s stuff. The Evil One is by far his best solo album IMHO.

― m coleman (lovebug starski), Thursday, 21 April 2005 11:09 (twenty years ago)

great stuff, with some incredible photos. wish somebody would put out the single version of 'Levitation,' though

― lildaveygeffen, Thursday, 21 April 2005 11:10 (twenty years ago)

Buy this anthology and Roky gets paid, which is more than you can say for most releases with his name on them.

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Thursday, 21 April 2005 11:19 (twenty years ago)

wow, psychedelic coincidence, man. I'm listening to it right now. It's a very good overview.

― pauls00, Thursday, 21 April 2005 13:07 (twenty years ago)

It's a nice package, and I'm glad Roky is getting, I hope, some dough. I find his solo stuff underwhelming, for the most part--I like a few things like "Don't Slander Me." I don't care for the '70s playing/production on his '80s stuff. I love the Elevators. It seems like too much Roky, to me, and somewhat samey. I probably need to give the later stuff another chance.

― edd s hurt (ddduncan), Thursday, 21 April 2005 16:29 (twenty years ago)

I really enjoy the anthology, as I only had the 13th Floor Elevators stuff from Nuggets and a few solo mp3s. I'd agree, though, that most of my favorite stuff on these discs is from the 13th Floor Elevators and The Evil One, so if you already have that stuff, you are not getting a ton of awesome new material with this set. I listen to it a ton, though, and the packaging is nice (though I confess I ain't read the liner notes yet).

"Cold Night For Alligators" is actually the song I have listened to the most (by any artist) in the last couple of months. Great stuff.

― Scott CE (Scott CE), Thursday, 21 April 2005 16:48 (twenty years ago)

prolly gonna buy this today.

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 21 April 2005 16:56 (twenty years ago)

I've got an autographed copy!
Lots of solo stuff that isn't on the Evil One is good:
Bermuda, The Interpreter, Starry Eyes, Song for Abraham Lincoln...

― Trip Maker (Sean Witzman), Thursday, 21 April 2005 17:03 (twenty years ago)

Song for Abe Lincoln is great, definitely. I wasn't trying to say that Evil One was the only good solo stuff. It's just that most of my favorite solo stuff on this anthology is from the Evil One.

― Scott CE (Scott CE), Thursday, 21 April 2005 17:10 (twenty years ago)

And when you're done buying Roky/Elevators, get the tribute album Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye.

― nickn (nickn), Thursday, 21 April 2005 18:37 (twenty years ago)

"All That My Do My Rhyme" which came out on Trance Syndicate in the mid-90s is a really good listen. I don't know how much of this one ended up on the compilation, but it is worth checking out if you like Roky Erickson.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Thursday, 21 April 2005 18:47 (twenty years ago)

Amen to the purchase of "WHere the Pyramid Meets the Eye". Anyone know if it's still in print? (I have mine, just curious is all...)

― John Justen (johnjusten), Friday, 22 April 2005 03:02 (twenty years ago)

okay i put it off until next paycheck.

― hstencil (hstencil), Friday, 22 April 2005 03:37 (twenty years ago)

i think they were playing it in other music tonight. he does a cover of "Heroin," right? it's cool. i ended up browsing for a long time just listening to it.

― poortheatre (poortheatre), Friday, 22 April 2005 04:42 (twenty years ago)

Having only heard the 13th Floor Elevators before I was surprised (read: "diappointed") at how.... normal all the rst of it seemed to be by comparison.

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Friday, 22 April 2005 11:06 (twenty years ago)

Normal? Is "Two-Headed Dog" on there?

― Ken L (Ken L), Friday, 22 April 2005 12:26 (twenty years ago)

Yes it is, and it's an absolutely ferocious single version of it.
I don't understand how anyone can call a song like "Bloody Hammer" normal.

― Trip Maker (Sean Witzman), Friday, 22 April 2005 12:42 (twenty years ago)

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