Roky Erickson

Today you're escaping to 1976! 





One of my all time favorite writers and performers is Roky Erickson.  In fact, the only reason I didn't start my first post with a Roky album was because I want people to go and buy his albums.


However, the album I'm offering up today, Hide Behind The Sun, allows me to break from my rule of not posting albums readily available for sale. This is a bootleg and, quite frankly, its far from his best album. It's a lo-fi bootleg, (audience chatter included) and Roky simply doesn't sound his best on most of this material.


So why offer it? Because even a mediocre Roky album remains a good album.  Yet - I don't see why anyone other than a Roky fanatic would want to shell out cash for this.  There are literally 10 albums I'd advise an interested listener to purchase before buying this.  And someone who downloads this might be motivated to go out and buy the higher quality Roky and 13th Floor elevator material out there.

  

Now, for the album:

The recordings on this CD are culled from two sources, nine being recorded in Roky's living room in 1984 and the remainder at a coffee house in California in 1976.  

I have to admit that the song selection is decidedly un-Roky-like.  He covers Dylan and Donovan (!) songs. The only originals are at the end, and all but three (Splash 1, May the Circle Remain Unbroken, I Had to Tell You (mislabeled on the album, see below)) are from his solo career.

Song ratings are LOW due to the poor quality of the recordings as well as the informal nature of the singing and playing. The originals are all far superior and range in the 4 or even 5 star range.

Note: Track 13 is usually listed as "Right Track Now". This song is NOT on this album. The actual song here is "I Had To Tell You".   "I Had To Tell You" is a superior song anyway!

01 The lonesome death of Hattie Carroll - ***
02 When my ship comes in - ***
03 Colors - *** 

04 I'll sing for you - ***
05 Lay down your weary tune - **
06 The chimes of freedom -  ***
07 Baby let me follow you down - ***
08 Catch the wind - ***
09 Honey give me one more chance - ***
10 Hide behide the sun - ***
11 I'm gonna free her - ***
12 Bermuda - ***

13. Right Track Now (Actually "I Had To Tell You"- ****
14. Splash 1- ****
15. Will The Circle Remain Unbroken? - ***

Link: Hide Behind The Sun

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