Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye: A Tribute to Roky Erickson

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's title is said to be Erickson's definition of psychedelic music.

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."

In 2017, 2000 copies of a two-LP edition of the album were released exclusively for Record Store Day 2017, which marked its first appearance on vinyl.

Track Listing

Reverberation (Doubt) - ZZ Top 
If You Have Ghosts - John Wesley Harding & The Good Liars
I Had to Tell You - Poi Dog Pondering 
She Lives (In a Time of Her Own) - Judybats 
Slip Inside This House - Primal Scream 
You Don't Love Me Yet - Bongwater 
I Have Always Been Here Before - Julian Cope 
You're Gonna Miss Me - Doug Sahm & Sons 
It's a Cold Night For Alligators - Southern Pacific 
Fire Engine - Richard Lloyd 
Bermuda - Vibrating Egg 
I Walked With a Zombie - R.E.M. 
Earthquake - Butthole Surfers 
Don't Slander Me - Lou Ann Barton 
Red Temple Prayer (Two Headed Dog) - Sister Double Happiness 
Burn the Flames - Thin White Rope 
Postures (Leave Your Body Behind) - Chris Thomas featuring Tabby Thomas
Nothing in Return - T-Bone Burnett
Splash #1 - The Mighty Lemon Drops
We Sell Soul - Lyres
White Faces - Angry Samoans
Reverberation (Doubt) - The Jesus and Mary Chain

Tracks 19-21 appear only on the original cassette release and the 2017 double LP reissue.

References

Category:Tribute albums
Category:1990 compilation albums
Category:Rock compilation albums
Category:Sire Records compilation albums