The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators
Encyclopedia
The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators is a 1966 album
by 13th Floor Elevators
. The album's sound, featuring elements of folk
, garage
, blues
and, of course, psychedelia
, is notable for its use of the electric jug
, as featured on the band's only hit, "You're Gonna Miss Me
", which reached #55 on the Billboard Charts with "Tried to Hide" as a B-side. Another single from the album, "Reverberation (Doubt)", reached #129 on the Billboard's Bubbling Under Chart.
The November 1966 album title is purported to be the first use of the word "psychedelic" in reference to the music within. However, this is in dispute as two other bands also used the word in titles of LPs released in November 1966: The Blues Magoos
' Psychedelic Lollipop
, and The Deep
's Psychedelic Moods.
In 2005, The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators was remastered and reissued in compact disc format by Charly Records
, a British record label specialised in reissued material. It included bonus tracks of the band's 1966 performance at the Avalon Ballroom
, a music venue in the Polk Gulch neighborhood of San Francisco, and both sides of a single, "We Sell Soul" and "You're Gonna Miss Me", from Roky Erikson's pre-13th Floor Elevators band, The Spades.
In 2009, the original mono version was released as part of the "Sign of the 3-Eyed Men" box set. The set also featured a new, alternate stereo version which retained the band's original intended track listing, as well as false starts on some of the tracks. (The International Artists
label had altered the track listing without the band's consent when the album was first released.) Both versions on the box set featured different bonus tracks, some that were previously unreleased.
*This track is preceded by the track "False start/Tried To Hide" on the stereo version of the "Sign of the 3-Eyed Men" box set.
2005 reissue bonus tracks
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by 13th Floor Elevators
13th Floor Elevators
The 13th Floor Elevators were an American rock band from Austin, Texas formed by guitarist and vocalist Roky Erickson, electric jug player Tommy Hall, and guitarist Stacy Sutherland, which existed from 1965 to 1969...
. The album's sound, featuring elements of folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, garage
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
, blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
and, of course, psychedelia
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
, is notable for its use of the electric jug
Jug (musical instrument)
The jug as a musical instrument reached its height of popularity in the 1920s, when jug bands, such as Cannon's Jug Stompers were popular. The jug is just that: an empty jug played with the mouth...
, as featured on the band's only hit, "You're Gonna Miss Me
You're Gonna Miss Me (song)
"You're Gonna Miss Me" is a 1966 single from the band 13th Floor Elevators from their album The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators. The song peaked at #55 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in 1966...
", which reached #55 on the Billboard Charts with "Tried to Hide" as a B-side. Another single from the album, "Reverberation (Doubt)", reached #129 on the Billboard's Bubbling Under Chart.
The November 1966 album title is purported to be the first use of the word "psychedelic" in reference to the music within. However, this is in dispute as two other bands also used the word in titles of LPs released in November 1966: The Blues Magoos
Blues Magoos
The Blues Magoos was a rock music group from the The Bronx, New York. They were at the forefront of the psychedelic music trend, beginning as early as 1966.-1964 - 1971:The band was formed in 1964 as "The Trenchcoats"...
' Psychedelic Lollipop
Psychedelic Lollipop
Psychedelic Lollipop is the debut album by the rock band Blues Magoos, one of the first to have the word “psychedelic” on the sleeve. Their single “ Nothin' Yet” was their most successful effort, rising into the Top 10 on many national charts. Guitarist “Peppy” Theilhelm was 16 years old at the...
, and The Deep
The Deep (band)
The Deep was a short-lived American rock and roll band formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the mid-1960s. Their style of rock and roll can be characterized as protopunk at times, while at others, their music delves into more psychedelic sounds...
's Psychedelic Moods.
In 2005, The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators was remastered and reissued in compact disc format by Charly Records
Charly Records
Charly Records is a British record label which specialises in reissued material.-History:Among the labels whose original releases are reissued by Charly are Vee-Jay, Sun, Immediate, BYG, Tomato, and Fania. Charly Records was founded in France in 1974 by Jean-Luc Young, who had been a promoter of...
, a British record label specialised in reissued material. It included bonus tracks of the band's 1966 performance at the Avalon Ballroom
The Avalon Ballroom
The Avalon Ballroom is a music venue, in the Polk Gulch neighborhood of San Francisco, California, at 1268 Sutter Street, on the north side, one building east of the corner of Van Ness Avenue. The space operated from 1966 to 1968 and reopened in 2003...
, a music venue in the Polk Gulch neighborhood of San Francisco, and both sides of a single, "We Sell Soul" and "You're Gonna Miss Me", from Roky Erikson's pre-13th Floor Elevators band, The Spades.
In 2009, the original mono version was released as part of the "Sign of the 3-Eyed Men" box set. The set also featured a new, alternate stereo version which retained the band's original intended track listing, as well as false starts on some of the tracks. (The International Artists
International Artists
International Artists was an independent record label based in Houston, Texas that originally existed from 1965 to 1970.During its existence IA released 12 albums and 39 singles and was owned by a group of businessmen in Houston. Among its staff were producer Lelan Rogers, brother of country...
label had altered the track listing without the band's consent when the album was first released.) Both versions on the box set featured different bonus tracks, some that were previously unreleased.
Original Band Track listing
- "You Don't Know (How Young You Are)" (Powell St. JohnPowell St. JohnPowell St. John is an American singer and songwriter. He was a well-known figure on the mid-1960s Austin, Texas campus folk/bohemian music scene. He was an occasional member of various Austin rock groups, including The Conqueroo and he wrote songs for the 13th Floor Elevators.-Biography:Powell St...
) - "Through the Rhythm" (T. Hall, S. Sutherland)
- "Monkey Island" (Powell St. John)
- "Roller Coaster" (T. Hall, R. Erickson)
- "Fire Engine" (T. Hall, S. Sutherland, R. Erickson)
- "Reverberation" (T. Hall, S. Sutherland. R. Erickson)
- "Tried to Hide"* (T. Hall, S. Sutherland)
- "You're Gonna Miss MeYou're Gonna Miss Me (song)"You're Gonna Miss Me" is a 1966 single from the band 13th Floor Elevators from their album The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators. The song peaked at #55 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in 1966...
" (R. EricksonRoky EricksonRoky Erickson is an American singer, songwriter, harmonica player and guitarist from Texas. He was a founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre.-Biography:...
) - "I've Seen Your Face Before (Splash 1)" (C. Hall, R. Erickson)
- "Don't Fall Down" (T. Hall, R. Erickson)
- "The Kingdom Of Heaven (Is Within You)" (Powell St. John)
*This track is preceded by the track "False start/Tried To Hide" on the stereo version of the "Sign of the 3-Eyed Men" box set.
1966 Release Track listing
- All Songs CopyrightCopyrightCopyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
Tapier Music Corp.-BMIBroadcast Music IncorporatedBroadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
.
- "You're Gonna Miss MeYou're Gonna Miss Me (song)"You're Gonna Miss Me" is a 1966 single from the band 13th Floor Elevators from their album The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators. The song peaked at #55 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in 1966...
" (R. EricksonRoky EricksonRoky Erickson is an American singer, songwriter, harmonica player and guitarist from Texas. He was a founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre.-Biography:...
) – 2:31 - "Roller Coaster" (T. Hall, R. Erickson) – 5:07
- "Splash 1 (Now I'm Home)" (C. Hall, R. Erickson) – 3:57
- "Reverberation (Doubt)" (T. Hall, S. Sutherland. R. Erickson) – 2:51
- "Don't Fall Down" (T. Hall, R. Erickson) – 3:03
- "Fire Engine" (T. Hall, S. Sutherland, R. Erickson) – 3:23
- "Thru the Rhythm" (T. Hall, S. Sutherland) – 3:10
- "You Don't Know (How Young You Are)" (Powell St. JohnPowell St. JohnPowell St. John is an American singer and songwriter. He was a well-known figure on the mid-1960s Austin, Texas campus folk/bohemian music scene. He was an occasional member of various Austin rock groups, including The Conqueroo and he wrote songs for the 13th Floor Elevators.-Biography:Powell St...
) – 2:59 - "Kingdom Of Heaven" (Powell St. John, G. Campa) – 3:11
- "Monkey Island" (Powell St. John) – 2:40
- "Tried To Hide" (T. Hall, S. Sutherland) – 2:48
2005 reissue bonus tracks
- "Everybody Needs Somebody to LoveEverybody Needs Somebody to Love"Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" is a song written by Bert Berns, Solomon Burke and Jerry Wexler, and originally recorded by Solomon Burke under the production of Bert Berns at Atlantic Records in 1964...
" (WexlerJerry WexlerGerald "Jerry" Wexler was a music journalist turned music producer, and was regarded as one of the major record industry players behind music from the 1950s through the 1980s...
, BernsBert BernsBertrand Russell Berns , most commonly known as Bert Berns as well as Bert Russell and Russell Byrd, was an American songwriter and record producer of the 1960s...
, BurkeSolomon BurkeSolomon Burke was an American singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, mortician, and an archbishop of the United House of Prayer For All People. Burke was known as "King Solomon", the "King of Rock 'n' Soul", and as the "Bishop of Soul", and described as "the Muhammad Ali of soul", and as "the most...
) - 5:15 - "Before You Accuse MeBefore You Accuse Me"Before You Accuse Me" is a blues song written and recorded by rock and roll icon Bo Diddley in 1957. It was released as the B-side to Diddley's "Say Bossman" and was included on his self-titled debut album in 1958...
" (E. McDanielBo DiddleyEllas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
) - 2:35 - "I'm Gonna Love You TooI'm Gonna Love You Too"I'm Gonna Love You Too" is a song written by Joe B. Mauldin, Niki Sullivan and Norman Petty, originally recorded by Buddy Holly in 1957. It was recorded 20 years later by American New Wave band Blondie and released as the first single from their multi-platinum 1978 album Parallel Lines.-Song...
" (MauldinJoe B. MauldinJoe Benson Mauldin, Jr. is ranked among the top rock bassists and became a recording engineer at Gold Star Studios, the Los Angeles studio that became the hit factory for Phil Spector, Brian Wilson and other major 1960s rock performers...
, SullivanNiki SullivanNiki M. Sullivan was an American rock and roll guitar player, born in South Gate, California. He was one of the three original members of Buddy Holly's backing group, The Crickets. Though he lost interest within a year or two of his involvement, his guitar playing was an integral part of Holly's...
, PettyNorman PettyNorman Petty was an American musician, songwriter, and pioneer record producer who helped shape modern popular music, including pop and rock....
) - 1:53 - "You Really Got MeYou Really Got Me"You Really Got Me" is a rock song written by Ray Davies and performed by his band, The Kinks. It was released on 4th August 1964 as the group's third single, and reached Number 1 on the UK singles chart the next month, remaining for two weeks...
" (Ray DaviesRay DaviesRay Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
) - 6:18 - "Roll Over BeethovenRoll Over Beethoven"Roll Over Beethoven" is a 1956 hit single by Chuck Berry originally released on Chess Records, with "Drifting Heart" as the B-side. The lyrics of the song mention rock and roll and the desire for rhythm and blues to replace classical music...
" (Chuck BerryChuck BerryCharles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
) - 2:47 - "The WordThe Word (song)"The Word" is a song by The Beatles first released on their 1965 album Rubber Soul. It has been cited as the first instance in which The Beatles began writing about love in more abstract terms, versus concrete girl/boy terms, a la "She Loves You", with preaching lyrics such as "The word is love"...
" (Lennon/McCartneyLennon/McCartneyThe Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership is one of the best-known and most successful musical collaborations in history...
) - 2:45 - "Gloria" (Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
) - 3:56 - "She Lives (In A Time Of Her Own)" (T. Hall, R. Erickson) - 3:01
- Tracks 12 to 19 recorded live at the Avalon BallroomThe Avalon BallroomThe Avalon Ballroom is a music venue, in the Polk Gulch neighborhood of San Francisco, California, at 1268 Sutter Street, on the north side, one building east of the corner of Van Ness Avenue. The space operated from 1966 to 1968 and reopened in 2003...
, 1966.
- Tracks 12 to 19 recorded live at the Avalon Ballroom
- "We Sell Soul" (R. Erickson) - 3:19 [The Spades]
- "You're Gonna Miss Me" (R. Erickson) - 3:24 [Live; The Spades]
Personnel
- Roky Erikson: Vocals, Rhythm GuitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
- Stacy Sutherland: Lead GuitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
- Tommy Hall: Amplified Jug
- Benny Thurman: BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, ViolinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello.... - John Ike Walton: DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, PercussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
Production
- Produced By Lelan Rogers, except track 1 (produced by Gordon Bynum)
- Recorded, Engineered & Mixed By Bob Sullivan