I Have Always Been Here Before: The Roky Erickson Anthology (Digipak) (CD)

The solo, post-13th Floor Elevators Roky Erickson story begins with his release from the Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane in 1972, after which Erickson formed Bleib Alien (later simply Roky Erickson and the Aliens) and then Roky Erickson and the Explosives. Supported in his artistic vision by a community of younger fans-turned-musicians, Erickson has always had some indie label at his avail to release his music. His songs in this later period reflect the acidic effect of his shock therapy and Thorazine treatments while incarcerated--dark and heavy screeds about aliens and other invasive enemies, played and sung with creaky abandon, but not without artistry. Despite ongoing mental problems, Erickson has remained steadily productive, releasing over a dozen records between 1980 and the mid-00s.

• Category:  Music  »  Rock & Pop  »  Psychedelic
• Format: CD   Learn more about the CD format using Tower WIKI.
• Release Date: March 1, 2005
• Label: Shout! Factory
• UPC: 826663255621
• WAPI (Tower ID): 105906699
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• Tower.com Sales Rank: #46508 in Music (See Top 100 Music Bestsellers)
• #14928 in Rock & Pop (See Top 100 Rock & Pop Bestsellers)
• #173 in Psychedelic (See Top 100 Psychedelic Bestsellers)

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Rolling Stone (No. 967, p.86) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[A] spectacular two-CD survey of Erickson's third-eye visions..."
Uncut (p.120) - 5 stars out of 5 - "Bringing Erickson's work under one umbrella, this is a staggering testament to many things, not least the perseverance of the creative spirit."
Magnet (p.88) - "It includes wailing highlights from the first two Elevators Lps, which were cornerstones of '60s psychedelia."
Dirty Linen (p.48) - "[With] melodies that sound surf-drenched with fuzzy distortion and with lyrics that most likely will blow your mind into a thousand multi-colored pieces."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.114) - 4 stars out of 5 - "Comprehensive....It offers 11 13th Floor Elevators classics..."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.118) - 4 stars out of 5 - "As proved here, Rory's best, rawest solo recordings have been buried on obscure 45s all along..."

Roky Erickson: Tommy Hall, Clementine Hall (vocals); Stacy Sutherland (guitar); John Shropshire (bass guitar, background vocals); Bennie Thurman, Ronnie Leatherman (bass guitar); Danny Thomas, John Kearney (drums).

Personnel: Roky Erickson (vocals, guitar, harmonica, tambourine); Harry Hess (guitar, harmonica); Ernie Cull, Johnny Eli, Duane Aslaksen (guitar, background vocals); Doug Sahm, Jack Johnson, John X Reed, Mike Hinton (guitar); Charlie Sexton (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, dobro, organ); Speedy Sparks (acoustic guitar, bass guitar); Paul Leary (electric guitar, 12-string guitar); Billy Angel (autoharp); John Hogan (cello); Sumner Erickson (tuba); Hugh Patton (keyboards, synthesizer); Andre Lewis (synthesizer); Jack Casady, Stu Cook, Mike Ritchey, Bob Gorman, Steven Morgan Burgess (bass guitar); Scott Matthews, B.E. "Frosty" Smith, John Ike Walton, Jeff Sutton, Fuzzy John Oxendine, Ernie Durawa, Paul Zahl (drums); Brian Marnell (background vocals).

Recording information: Texas, USA (1965 - 1994).

Ensemble: 13th Floor Elevators.

Given the influence Roky Erickson has had throughout a career dating back to his work with the psychedelic garage rockers The 13th Floor Elevators, it is amazing that it took until 2005 for an anthology as comprehensive as I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE BEFORE to appear. Kicking off with "We Sell Soul," a 1965 lo-fi nugget Erickson cut with his pre-Elevators band The Spades, this wild ride spans over three decades. In addition to the seminal Elevators classic "You're Gonna Miss Me" (with its gravelly vocals and rubbery twang), there's his mid-'70s solo comeback featuring the Doug Sahm-produced, wah-wah-drenched dirge "Red Temple Prayer (Two Headed Dog)" and its hook-filled sibling "Starry Eyes." Marred by frequent bouts with mental illness throughout his career, it is frightening to hear the enormous talent that Erickson displayed during moments of clarity. His raw, mercurial skills shine throughout, whether on the late '70s sessions with the Aliens (including the faux skinny-tie twang of "I Think Up Demons" and "Don't Shake Me Lucifer") or the forlorn, autobiographical chamber pop of "Please Judge" from 1995's ALL THAT MAY DO MY RHYME.

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