As frontman for the incendiary 13th Floor Elevators from 1965 to 1968, outsider singer-songwriter Roky Erickson helped fuse the raw excitement of garage rock with the spiritual seeking and sublime silliness of the farthest... more »-reaching psychedelic rock. Never Say Goodbye showcases Erickson's solo style--the songs are strong (if idiosyncratic), the lyrics delicately wrought and informed by a Christian sensibility. The fidelity approaches that of an Edison cylinder, but it somehow fits the material just fine--the tunes dig so nakedly and unpretentiously into the human heart, they sound like they come from Mars. Mostly recorded between 1971 (when he was still interned in Rusk State Hospital during a three-year stint for possession of marijuana) and 1974, Never Say Goodbye is wholly recommended despite its sound quality; there are no other known versions of these songs. On each tune, Erickson tosses off pure pop hooks ("I've Never Known This 'Til Now") with seemingly total ease and croons in that Buddy Holly-esque, high-pitched voice of his, which never falters. Most of all, his lyrics and spirit demonstrate true grace and love in the face of far worse. --Mike McGonigal« less
As frontman for the incendiary 13th Floor Elevators from 1965 to 1968, outsider singer-songwriter Roky Erickson helped fuse the raw excitement of garage rock with the spiritual seeking and sublime silliness of the farthest-reaching psychedelic rock. Never Say Goodbye showcases Erickson's solo style--the songs are strong (if idiosyncratic), the lyrics delicately wrought and informed by a Christian sensibility. The fidelity approaches that of an Edison cylinder, but it somehow fits the material just fine--the tunes dig so nakedly and unpretentiously into the human heart, they sound like they come from Mars. Mostly recorded between 1971 (when he was still interned in Rusk State Hospital during a three-year stint for possession of marijuana) and 1974, Never Say Goodbye is wholly recommended despite its sound quality; there are no other known versions of these songs. On each tune, Erickson tosses off pure pop hooks ("I've Never Known This 'Til Now") with seemingly total ease and croons in that Buddy Holly-esque, high-pitched voice of his, which never falters. Most of all, his lyrics and spirit demonstrate true grace and love in the face of far worse. --Mike McGonigal
CD Reviews
The record makes you question the rumor of brain damage
11/03/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I stumbled on this recording and whisked off home to play it. Behind the lo-fi quality and tag of "old" recordings this is yet another piece in the jigsaw that is Roky Erickson. For over two decades this singer songwriter has been tagged mad, brain damaged and all the other derogatory labels that are enough to put many people off a listen. Here we have coherence and melody, simple song structure yet engaging music. Timeless is a corny word to use but this would not be out of place coming from the 1940s, 30s, 20s,10s, 00s etc. Apart from one ridiculously titled You're An Unidentified Flying Object there are none of the usual brain crushing lyric contents. In fact any one who thinks Mr Erickson is mad is in fact off cue themselves. Remember what was said about so many of the genius of the past ? Surely before this man leaves the planet due to old age or God forbid anything else we must study this music. We must ! This man is painfully absent from the generally available books and compilations of music. Where there is mention be sure only to read about insanity, demons and horror. It is not Roky's fault he was administered Electro Shock Therapy. Amazingly this man managed to sing away beyond the horror of narrow-minded so called health help... You buy this album and be given the chance to record your own versions of these songs. How many so-called musicians give everybody their music in the way this man does ?"
Beauty from chaos
Jonathan Scott | Wheaton, IL United States | 07/24/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Roky Erickson truly can do it all! From the garage-psych of the 13th Floor Elevators to the Luciferian folk of songs like "I Have Always Been Here Before, from Buddy Holly inspired pop of songs like "Starry Eyes" and "Nothing In Return" to the CCR stomp of songs like "Two Headed Dog" and "Dont Shake Me Lucifer". He is truly one of the greatest songwriters around. This collection of songs are mostly recordings done when he was a patient at Rusk State Mental Hospital in California in the early 70's. This is my favorite album that Roky has ever made. The creepsville beauty of songs like "Never Say Goodbye" and "You Are An Unidentified Flying Object" rivals anything he's done. When I listen to this album it makes me feel a warmth and calm unlike anything in my collection. I cant recommend this beautiful album enough. The fact that he wrote and recorded these songs when he was locked up for being "unfit for society" only proves that what society deems "crazy" might not be all that mad."
Ever wonder how Buddy Holly would have sounded in 1974?
Will | Dallas, TX | 04/03/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
""What if..." Buddy Holly would have missed that flight, gone through the Summer of Love and the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, and ... Who knows what would have been the result. Here is one possibility:Roky Erickson, prophet with the 13th Floor Elevators and wild man with the Aliens... between those roles, he recorded these acoustic tunes. Low-fi (very), but from the heart, they are reminiscent of Lennon ("Unforced Peace"), Harrison ("Something Extra" with 12-string guitar jangling like a sitar), Dylan ("Be And Bring Me Home"), all in Roky's high Texas tenor. This is the other side of the Walked With A Zombie story. We will never KNOW Roky, but these songs give another glimpse."
The best Roky release since 13th Floor Elevators
Will | 03/03/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Half this album was recorded in Rusk State Hospital in Texas while Roky was spending his time for confessing to be an alien. It shows. This is what Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Palace Bros., etc. only wish they could be. Beautiful lyrics, amazing music! Thanks to Roky's mom we now have some of his best music ever."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1