VARIOUS ARTISTS - May The Circle Remain Unbroken: A Tribute To Roky Erickson - Rsd 2021

* Pressed on special RSD color wax
* Includes bonus limited edition flexi of an ultra rare recording performed by Roky Erickson
* Pressed at RTI

Texan Roky Erickson was one of the true mind-blowing pioneers of psychedelic music. The original leader of the Austin-based 13th Floor Elevators formed in 1965, Erickson and band invented a brand new style or rock & roll, one that was slightly unhinged while it explored the consciousness-expanding influence of LSD on music. After three years, the group imploded with mental issues and legal challenges, ending with Erickson being incarcerated for several years in the Hospital for the Criminally Insane in Rusk, Texas. When he was released in the early '70s the musician continued on his own trail, recording songs that had come to him in his far-flung cerebral wanderings. Erickson, who passed away May 31, 2019, is now celebrated on this 12-track tribute to one of the most original rockers ever.

The participants range the whole world of modern music, and each chose one of Erickson's originals to stamp their own imprint on. They include Billy F Gibbons, Lucinda Williams, Mosshart Sexton (a/k/a Alison Mosshart & Charlie Sexton), Neko Case, Mark Lanegan & Lynn Castle, Jeff Tweedy, Margo Price, Gary Clark Jr & Eve Monsees, Ty Segal, Chelsea Wolfe, The Black Angels and Brogan Bentley. The album is co-produced for release by Bill Bentley, executive producer of the 1990 Roky Erickson tribute album Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye on Sire Records, and Matt Sullivan, co-founder/owner of Light in the Attic Records.

The songs range from Erickson's debut iconic original, "You're Gonna Miss Me," recorded when he was a member first in The Spades and then the 13th Floor Elevators during the early '60s in Austin, to some of Erickson's later songs, like "If You Have Ghosts," which heard him exploring some of the outer limits of the human psyche. Each new recording is a stunning modern take on the sound that Roky Erickson gave the world over a half-century of writing, recording and touring. No one has ever equaled those explorations.

This truly is the music of the spheres, as Erickson once sang about his sound, as seen through the eyes and ears of those who are united in their love and respect for a person who dedicated his life to rock & roll. Roky Erickson, through the trials and tribulations of a man both imbued with greatness and haunted by darkness, never quit in his quest to share with others what he heard and saw. As he sang on the 13th Floor Elevators last recording, "May the circle remain unbroken."

Side One
Billy F Gibbons -- (I've Got) Levitation
Mosshart Sexton -- Starry Eyes
Jeff Tweedy -- For You (I'd Do Anything)
Lynn Castle & Mark Lanegan -- Clear Night For Love
The Black Angels -- Don't Fall Down
Neko Case -- Be And Bring Me Home

Side Two
Margo Price -- Red Temple Prayer (Two-Headed Dog)
Gary Clark, Jr. & Eve Monsees -- Roller Coaster
Ty Segall -- Night Of The Vampire
Lucinda Williams -- You're Gonna Miss Me
Chelsea Wolfe -- If You Have Ghosts
Brogan Bentley -- May The Circle Remain Unbroken

Bonus RSD Flexi:
A surprise archival rarity performed by Roky Erickson

Vinyl release of Various Artists - May The Circle Remain Unbroken: A Tribute To Roky Erickson - Rsd 2021. Released through LIGHT IN THE ATTIC and available on LP.