Customer Reviews

Songs in the Key of Z: The Curious Universe of Outsider Music

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Irwin Chusid's first book is an extremely entertaining, inspiring, and well-deserved tribute to an assorted cast of musical curiosities. More than just weird songsmiths, and certainly way beyond alternative music, these artists defy description. Under the umbrella of 'outsider music' (coined by the author as the musical equivalent of outsider folk art), he offers up twenty intriguing examples for your consideration. Some of these individuals have already achieved a certain degree of fame (Capt. Beefheart, Syd Barrett, Tiny Tim), and some have gained notoriety through the underground community (Wesley Willis, Daniel Johnston, B.J. Snowden, Wild Man Fischer). Some may have been unlucky geniuses (Harry Partch, Robert Graettinger, Joe Meek), and some have stories that remain unresolved, with only the recordings left to speak for themselves (Jandek, Shooby Taylor, Jack Mudurian). All of them, however, share unquestionable sincerity and originality when it comes to their skewed takes on popular music forms. What separates them from other pop oddities like Frank Zappa, the Residents, or Barnes & Barnes is a lack of self-awareness in their work. They don't aim to be weird, but the end result inevitably gets received that way. Although he writes with a healthy dose of humor, he also displays a large amount of respect for them. Fans of way-out sounds may recognize Chusid's name. He's been shining spotlights on fringe music for years, penning liner notes and producing compilations for both Esquivel and Raymond Scott (he's also the director of the Raymond Scott Archives), as well as co-hosting the "Incorrect Music Hour" on the legendary free-form radio station WFMU in New Jersey. This wonderful book is by no means a comprehensive look at any of these names, but merely a well-written sampler that will hopefully inspire you to find out more. Closing out the book, there's a section of artists' discographies to provide an idea of what's out there (and you can marvel at the vast self-released output of Jandek, Johnston, and Willis), and a bibliography featuring plenty of sources for the intrigued reader to do further research (both in print and on the Internet). A fantastic companion CD is also available, featuring tracks by many of this book's subjects (which is highly recommended, in order to fully appreciate what they do).

This book is truly a rarity. Chusid vividly tells the tales of the most incompetant, inept musicians in history with a genuine love and affection that makes this book a true joy to read. It may be my very favorite book of all time.

The concept of "outsider music" is one that I have embraced for years. While I don't deny liking some classical music and traditional album rock (Dire Straits, Lynyrd Skynyrd, etc.), I have always had a place in my heart for the struggling artists that just don't seem to (and never will) get it (like The Shaggs), others that DO get it, they just mock the norm (Brave Combo, PDQ Bach, etc.) and that peculiar group that are seemingly from Mars (Jandek, The Legendary Stardust Cowboy), that possibly get it, but are a so far beyond the norm that nobody pays attention to them.

This book is an unabashed celebration of ineptitude and (seeming) insanity. It is not to be missed, but when purchasing please make sure to buy the CD as well so you can grasp what he is talking about. Of particular note is the section on the famous MSR Song-Poems (where you send them $100 and your lyrics and they record your song) which, to me is the ultimate in outsider music.

I couldn't put it down. I can't recommend it strongly enough. Buy this book. Do it now!

This is a nifty volume, not really definitive on any of its subjects, but a great introduction to some over-looked (and some would say over-rated) musicians. Whether or not you like Jandek, Daniel Johnston, etc., you'll find plenty to be captivated in their stories, which are laid out here eloquently and with a nice dash of humor. Great job, and a great read!

"- As regards the Outsider, the question -- never asked directly, but always to a third party -- is: "What were they.thinking?" - Irwin Chusid

Well, in the case of Harry Partch, perhaps we can know by wading through his massive tome on micro-tunings. But even that book is kind of weird.

So what makes The Shaggs, Joe Meek & the lovely Lucia Pamela so dear to our hearts? What compels us to stare at Jandek's fuzzy black & white album covers? What the heck is a "Neon Meate Dream Of A Octafish?"

Irwin has genuine affection for outsider music & art. He practically defined the genre on his WFMU radio programs. It's a massive subject, sure to be turned into coded babble as the academics get hold of it. But Irwin is not only an expert; he's a fan, too. His pleasure here isn't to be complete & definitive, but to throw open the door to this beautiful, intriguing & awful stuff & give you what you need to wander around outside on your own.

Clearly written (Irwin's a fine writer), loaded with cool pix, entertaining, amusing, even a little unnerving: You & I share the world with these oddballs; perhaps they .. is us! I wonder if that's Irwin's subtext?

Irwin has also compiled a CD soundtrack for "Songs in the Key of Z." Get that, too, so you can scat along with Shooby Taylor, the Human Horn.

Bob Rixon

If you want to read about Aerosmith, you pick up a copy of Billboard. Johnny Cash? Try any issue of Rolling Stone. Or if it's Justin Timberlake you're looking for, there's a plethora of materials on any Bargain Basement book table.

But what if you're in search of information on someone like, say, Wesley Willis (the rotund, schizophrenic lyricist behind such melodies as "I Kicked The Mighty Thor's Ass" and "Rock 'N' Roll McDonald's")? Or his low-key counterpart, Daniel Johnston (of "Walking the Cow" fame)? How about the songstress behind "In Canada," B.J. Snowden?

In that case, have you even heard of any of these artists? Irwin Chusid, the author of Songs in the Key of Z, thinks that you should.

Each of the artists profiled in this unique book qualifies as an "Outsider Musician" in the sense that they never fit into the genre of Popular Music - and in all likelihood, never will. Each artist, inspired by "damaged DNA, alien abduction, drug fry, demonic possession, or simply sheer obliviousness," is sincere in his or her own version of sonic expression. And to be sure, they each have back histories far more intriguing than anyone in the common musical market.

Chusid hasn't compiled a catch-all discography of virtual unknowns with this book. The very definition of "outsider musician" prevents one from knowing all of the musical miscreants out there. And yet, by his diverse selection, the reader feels a certain intimate involvement with the subjects detailed within. From the unknown recluse Jandek to the decline of Tiny Tim and Syd Barrett, Key of Z never fails to provide.

The book's single downfalling is the somewhat dated nature of the material contained therein. Yet, Chusid has provided a Website which provides follow-up information (especially touching are the journal entries on the rediscovery of William "Shooby" Taylor, the "Scat man," by Chusid in 2002).

With two companion CDs (to be had independently of the book), Songs in the Key of Z provides a personal, often intense, look into the lives of people whom otherwise you'd likely never hear of. This book is brimming with humanity and raw talent, unfettered by formal training of any kind.

Songs in the Key of Z: The Curious Universe of Outsider Music is such a great idea it's a shame it's not a better book. That's not to say that those interested in learning more about outsider musicians such as Harry Partch, Florence Foster Jenkins, The Legendary Stardust Cowboy and others won't be interested in this sometimes fun and often chatty read. The book is decently researched and does a good job of surveying the landscape of oddball musicians and the chapter on Robert Graettinger is particularly well done. However, author Irwin Chusid shows a heavy hand when it comes to writing about mental illness, something many of these artists have in common. Among many sour notes he hits here, he calls the certifiably nuts Wild Man Fischer a "lithium fugitive" and a winner of the "Triple Crown" of mental illnesses -- manic depressive, paranoid and schizophrenic. You don't have to be a mental health advocate to find Chusid's har-har-haring at the expense of someone a day or two away from eating out of a garbage can to be pretty offensive and just plain moronic, kind of like a nerdy record store bully. Yes, Chusid is trying to be funny, but he's no Vice writer, so more often than not his humor just comes off as simply retrograde and unthoughtful. For those interested in seeing how powerful and moving the life stories of outsider and mentally-ill musicians can be, seek out the excellent Roky Erickson documentary "You're Gonna Miss Me" as well as the doc on Daniel Johnston. Both have a sense of humor about mental illness, but they also show the suffering behind it as well. The whole picture is more interesting than what Chusid is able to conjure up here.

I have been familiar with Irwin Chusid since I was listening to his "Attrocious Music Show" on New Jersey's WFMU - a pioneering independent free-form radio station. Listening to his show opened my ears and my mind to an alternative universe of "outsider music", which is the subject of this book, and its companion CD's.

Chusid is a good story teller with a great sense of humor. The book is a very funny read. Unlike some other compilations or books on the subject matter, however, Chusid does not sneer with a superior attitude, but rather he has a sincere admiration for these individualists, who in countless different ways pursued their unique muses. This book is a celebration of their curious achievements. A couple of these are fairly well known (Tiny Tim, Daniel Johnston), whereas others are totally obscure, and in one case no recordings have ever surfaced. More than a few of these artists have been challenged with mental health problems to various degrees. Almost all have been thoroughly rejected and ignored by the music industry, but they all persevered and followed their own muses. Chusid clearly has done a lot of work to research this obscure subject matter.

Despite this commonality, the music and the biographies span an incredible diversity. This is one of the main appealing aspects of outsider art; that the scope is so much broader than the average consumer of commercial media will experience.

Long-time admirers of outsider art, such as myself, will very much enjoy this book and CD's. Newcomers to the subject will find it a very useful guide for an introduction. Even people with only a passing interest will find this an amusing read.

There is an accompanying 2 volume CD featuring many of the artists discussed in the book, and it is a crucial complement. Songs in the Key of Z, Vol. 1-2. Please see my review of the CD - http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews?ie=UTF8&action=preview .

Both the book and CD are very highly recommended.

A must read, particularly if you are a musician. It's best with the CD of the same name, but even better to get the full albums of the artists inside.

This is the place to find Jandek and the Shaggs in print. Ultimately the book seems either too skimpy on each section, do we really understand these folks from the book, or else not long enough, is this an encyclopedia of outsider musical acts? So, think of it as an introduction to outsider music with the suggestion that you go and find more yourself, and we won't be disappointed.

Great book. Any book that talks about Syd Barrett, Wild man fischer and Constance Mollusk (who?) can't be all bad

A very entertaining book. The accompanying cd is like listening to an old show on WFMU like Incorrect Music. Curiously, Michelle Lemay seems to have been left off..

Now if only Shatner would record another album! In the meantime, put on your favorite Jandek album and read along! (Irwin's section on Jandek is a hoot, especially cos hes somewhat afraid of this guy who keeps sending him records!)