R o k y  .  E r i c k s o n : with  The 13th Floor Elevators


The 13th Floor Elevators debut album "Psychedelic Sounds Of" : contains the classic You're Gonna Miss Me which would stay
with Roky through his entire career. Splash 1 is another great tune off this album, but overall it is not as powerful as the later
releases by the band. An underlying theme of LSD mysticism, something most people cannot buy into including a few elevator
members, makes a statement the album could probably do without.
The Elevators second release, "Easter Everywhere" is also the best. Slip Inside This House is an absolute epic of a song. She
Lives, Levitation, and an interesting cover of the Dylan classic Baby Blue all make this the ultimate Elevators album.
Never completed  - "Bull Of The Woods" was released compiled of leftovers from the first two albums. Roky's leadership in the
band had declined by this point, and does not sing on every track. This is not to say Bull is a bad album, as it not. Bull Of The
Woods exhibits some musical skill not apparent on the other two albums. Dr.Doom features amazing harmonies, and Scarlet
And Gold has a hauntingly beautiful gregorian style moan underlying the choruses.
One of the many live 13th Floor Elevator albums released, " Live" is without a doubt the best. The band is energetic and tight in
this performance(something that cannot be said for a few other live releases) and give an overall top notch performance.The
Elevators translation of Before You Accuse Me(Bo Diddley)takes the song to new heights, and is so much cooler than the one
Clapton released not too long ago.
Disk One Disk Two: Live At La Maison in Houston, Texas-1967 Disk Three This Three Disk set should be reserved for collectors. Disk one is alternate takes of Elevator tunes, featuring the unreleased
Fire In My Bones,an excellent Blues number. Disk two is a live set recorded in Houston, Texas, in 1967.(Disk two was released as a single disk under the name "Levitation") The live set is of good audio quality, but features sloppy muscianship from time to time. Finally, Disk 3 is a collection of Roky covering Bob Dylan and Donovan songs. The audio quality on this disk is horrendeous. 


Alternate versions of 13th Floor Elevators Songs and some interesting covers make this a good disk if you are a fan. Roll Over
Beethoven is the highpoint of the album, showcasing Roky's cutting voice and vocal style. This is also an example of a song
where incorporating the electric jug was very effective.The Word is also a great number, not available on other Elevator
releases.


I was very excited when the 13th Floor Elevators reunion concert, which took place in 1984 was released to CD. Unfortunatly,
the quality is horrible.So bad in fact,it is hard to hear the music over the fans talking.It is a shame, as this was probably an
amazing show. Don't let the "Experience every thrash, thump, and swell of the ultimate Thirteenth Floor Elevators Trip"
description on the back of the CD fool you. Return to the Roky Erickson Directory.