All-star tribute albums have been a popular medium in the world of popular music for many years. But the CD age brought with it a renewed interest in the form. As the \u201890s dawned, record stores seemed to be filled with tribute CDs honoring a wide range of artists. And the storage capabilities of the compact disc \u2013 initially 74 minutes, soon expanded to 80 \u2013 meant that there was plenty of room for more songs, more-more-more artists.<\/p>\n
One of the most celebrated among the 1990s crop of tribute collections was If I Were a Carpenter<\/em>, a compilation on A&M Records paying tribute to sister-and-brother pop act Karen and Richard Carpenter. On the 30th anniversary of that album\u2019s release, here\u2019s a look at five tribute compilations from that era.<\/p>\n \u201cIf You Have Ghosts\u201d by John Wesley Harding from Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye: A Tribute to Roky Erickson<\/em> (1990<\/strong>)
\nRoxy Erickson was the guitarist and front man for Texas\u2019 trailblazing psychedelic rock band the 13th Floor Elevators. Erickson\u2019s story is filled with injustice and tragedy. During one of his most troubled period \u2013 during which he was imprisoned for stealing mail \u2013 an all-star coterie of artists led by Erickson fan and friend (and music industry heavyweight) Bill Bentley put together this compilation to raise funds for Erickson. Artists as varied as ZZ Top, R.E.M., the Jesus and Mary Chain and Butthole Surfers lent their talents to the project. A highlight of the collection \u2013 which would be reissued on vinyl in 2017 for Record Store Day \u2013 is this track by modern-day troubadour John Wesley Harding, singing and playing a cover of a swinging, psychedelic track first heard on from Roky\u2019s classic 1981 LP The Evil One<\/em>.<\/p>\n