Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye: A Tribute to Roky Erickson
Encyclopedia
Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye: A Tribute to Roky Erickson is a 1990 tribute album
to singer-songwriter Roky Erickson
, founder of the 13th Floor Elevators
and solo artist, whose career has been subject to significant periods of challenge from schizophrenia
. The album was released by Sire Records
in the United States, and by WEA International in Europe. The album was produced by Bill Bentley
, who also produced a 1999 tribute album to Moby Grape
co-founder Skip Spence
, who, like Erickson, was subject to the challenges of schizophrenia.
The album was produced with the intention of raising money for Erickson and exposing his music to a wider audience. As noted by reviewer Mark Deming, "...there are a several moments of very real beauty and power here, especially from the artists who share Erickson's Texas heritage — Doug Sahm and ZZ Top rock out on their contributions, the Butthole Surfers' version of 'Earthquake' is one of their finest moments on wax, and T-Bone Burnett's take on 'Nothing in Return' is a heart-tugging gem."
The album's title is said to be Erickson's definition of psychedelic music
.
The cassette version of the album contains three extra tracks: We Sell Soul by Lyres
, White Faces by Angry Samoans
, and Splash #1 by The Mighty Lemon Drops
.
Tribute album
A tribute album is a recorded collection of cover versions of songs or instrumental compositions. Its concept may be either various artists making a tribute to a single artist, a single artist making a tribute to various artists, or a single artist making a tribute to another single artist.There...
to singer-songwriter Roky Erickson
Roky Erickson
Roky Erickson is an American singer, songwriter, harmonica player and guitarist from Texas. He was a founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre.-Biography:...
, founder of the 13th Floor Elevators
13th Floor Elevators
The 13th Floor Elevators were an American rock band from Austin, Texas formed by guitarist and vocalist Roky Erickson, electric jug player Tommy Hall, and guitarist Stacy Sutherland, which existed from 1965 to 1969...
and solo artist, whose career has been subject to significant periods of challenge from schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
. The album was released by Sire Records
Sire Records
Sire Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:The label was founded in 1966 as Sire Productions by Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer, each investing ten thousand dollars into the new company. Its early releases as a...
in the United States, and by WEA International in Europe. The album was produced by Bill Bentley
Bill Bentley (producer)
Bill Bentley is a music industry executive, particularly notable for having produced tribute albums of the music of significant cult artists Roky Erickson and Skip Spence , in addition to other projects, such as being the co-producer of a tribute album to noted Texas and international artist Doug...
, who also produced a 1999 tribute album to Moby Grape
Moby Grape
Moby Grape is an American rock group from the 1960s, known for having all five members contribute to singing and songwriting and that collectively merged elements of folk music, blues, country, and jazz together with rock and psychedelic music...
co-founder Skip Spence
Skip Spence
Alexander Lee "Skip" Spence was a Canadian-born musician and singer-songwriter. He was co-founder of Moby Grape, and played guitar with them until 1969. He released one solo album, 1969's Oar, and then largely withdrew from the music industry...
, who, like Erickson, was subject to the challenges of schizophrenia.
The album was produced with the intention of raising money for Erickson and exposing his music to a wider audience. As noted by reviewer Mark Deming, "...there are a several moments of very real beauty and power here, especially from the artists who share Erickson's Texas heritage — Doug Sahm and ZZ Top rock out on their contributions, the Butthole Surfers' version of 'Earthquake' is one of their finest moments on wax, and T-Bone Burnett's take on 'Nothing in Return' is a heart-tugging gem."
The album's title is said to be Erickson's definition of psychedelic music
Psychedelic music
Psychedelic music covers a range of popular music styles and genres, which are inspired by or influenced by psychedelic culture and which attempt to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues-rock bands in the...
.
Track Listing
- Reverberation (Doubt) - ZZ TopZZ TopZZ Top is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "That Little Ol' Band from Texas". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based boogie rock, has come to incorporate elements of arena, southern, and boogie rock. The band, from Houston Texas, formed in 1969...
- If You Have Ghosts - John Wesley HardingJohn Wesley Harding (singer)Wesley Stace is a folk/pop singer-songwriter and author who goes by the stage name John Wesley Harding. He has called his style of music folk noir and gangsta folk...
& The Good Liars - I Had to Tell You - Poi Dog PonderingPoi Dog PonderingPoi Dog Pondering is an American musical group, noted for its cross-pollination of diverse musical genres, including various forms of acoustic folk music, and electronic music. Founded in Hawaii in 1985, the band moved to Austin, Texas in 1987, where they recorded their first three albums...
- She Lives (In a Time of Her Own) - The Judybats
- Slip Inside This House - Primal ScreamPrimal ScreamPrimal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
- You Don't Love Me Yet - BongwaterBongwater (band)Bongwater was a psych rock band formed in 1985 and dissolved in 1992. The group was founded by Ann Magnuson and Mark Kramer , who had worked together previously in Pulsallama. The group also featured drummer Dave Licht and guitarists [Dave Rick] and later Randolph A. Hudson III...
- I Have Always Been Here Before - Julian CopeJulian CopeJulian Cope is a British rock musician, author, antiquary, musicologist, poet and cultural commentator...
- You're Gonna Miss Me - Doug SahmDoug SahmDouglas Wayne Sahm , was an American musician from Texas. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he was a child prodigy in country music, but became a significant figure in blues rock and other genres. Today Sahm is considered one of the most important figures in what is identified as Tejano music...
& Sons - It's a Cold Night For Alligators - Southern PacificSouthern Pacific (band)Southern Pacific was an American country rock band that ran from 1983 to 1991. They are best known for hits such as "Any Way the Wind Blows" , which was used in the soundtrack for the film Pink Cadillac starring Clint Eastwood and Bernadette Peters, and "New Shade of Blue"...
- Fire Engine - Richard LloydRichard LloydRichard Lloyd is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the rock band Television.- Early life :...
- Bermuda - Vibrating Egg
- I Walked With a Zombie - R.E.M.
- Earthquake - Butthole SurfersButthole SurfersButthole Surfers is an American alternative rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been consistent since 1983. Teresa Nervosa served as second...
- Don't Slander Me - Lou Ann BartonLou Ann BartonLou Ann Barton is an American blues singer based, out of Austin, Texas since the 1970s.-Biography:...
- Red Temple Prayer (Two Headed Dog) - Sister Double HappinessSister Double HappinessSister Double Happiness was an alternative blues-rock band that existed from 1986 until 1995, formed in San Francisco, CA, United States.-History:...
- Burn the Flames - Thin White RopeThin White RopeThin White Rope was an American rock band fronted by Guy Kyser and related to the desert rock and paisley underground sub-genres. It was formed in Davis, California in 1984, and released five albums to critical acclaim....
- Postures (Leave Your Body Behind) - Tabby ThomasTabby ThomasTabby Thomas also known as Rockin' Tabby Thomas is an American Chicago blues musician...
, Chris ThomasChris Thomas KingChris Thomas King is an American New Orleans, Louisiana-based blues musician and actor.-History:King was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. He is the son of blues musician Tabby Thomas. He has won awards including "Album of the Year" for both Grammy Award and Country Music Awards. King... - Nothing in Return - T-Bone BurnettT-Bone BurnettJoseph Henry Burnett , widely known as T-Bone Burnett, is an American musician, songwriter, and soundtrack and record producer.He was a guitarist in Bob Dylan's band on the Rolling Thunder Revue...
- Reverberation (Doubt) - The Jesus and Mary ChainThe Jesus and Mary ChainThe Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride, Glasgow in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid...
The cassette version of the album contains three extra tracks: We Sell Soul by Lyres
Lyres (band)
Lyres are a Boston-area garage rock band led by Jeff "Monoman" Conolly. Lyres were founded in 1979 following the breakup of DMZ. Their most popular songs included "Don't Give It Up Now," "What A Girl Can't Do" and "Help You Ann"...
, White Faces by Angry Samoans
Angry Samoans
The Angry Samoans are an American punk rock band in the first wave of American punk. Formed in August 1978 in Los Angeles, California by early 1970s rock writer "Metal" Mike Saunders and his sibling lead guitarist bonze blayk, along with co-conspirator Gregg Turner and original recruits bassist...
, and Splash #1 by The Mighty Lemon Drops
The Mighty Lemon Drops
The Mighty Lemon Drops were an English rock group active from 1985 to 1992.-Biography:Originally called the Sherbet Monsters, the quartet first formed in the spring of 1985 in Wolverhampton, in The Black Country...
.