Customer Reviews

Songs in the Key of Z, Vol. 2: The Curious Universe of Outsider Music

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This CD is a real prize. I loved the first Key of Z CD (and book) and, if anything, this one is even stranger. I hope that there will be several more volumes in the Key of Z to come. The music on this CD is absolutely mesmerizing. There are a few standouts in my mind on the CD. I don't really even know where to start, but I will mention a few outstanding songs. The darker and longer "Cousin Mosquito #2" is very interesting, yet doesn't quite come up to the version on Volume one. My favorites are, in no particular order: "The Birthmark Story" by Buddy Max, which tells the story of a man trying to talk an Army doctor into cutting off a birthmark in Korea. The material is questionable at best. It must be heard to be believed. Mark Kennis "sings" a song called "Heart of the Heartland." It is an a cappella song about growing up in Iowa. A person named "Wayne" sings a song called "Deep Bosom Woman" which I will not try to describe, other than to say, that Wayne, whoever he is, may be the least competent singer and composer that I have ever heard (yes, I include 'The Shaggs' here). I am also very fond of "You're Driving Me Mad" and "High Speed" (done by one man band Bob Vido). You may want to have something strong to drink before you try "Jet Lady," which I find very difficult to deal with. Also, please insert earplugs before attempting the nearly unlistenable "Curly Toes," which I is a half spoken 'song' about, you guessed it, curly toes. At least it is honest about itself. You will also learn how tall Dick Kent is by the end of the experience. I won't spoil the surprise, but the song in which the secret is revealed is a work of musical genius.

I save for last my personal pick for Best of the Best. Who else could it be but Shooby Taylor? This half scat-half carnival music insanity is one of the most lyrically beautiful songs ever recorded in the Key of Z and justifies the price of the CD by itself. You owe it to yourself to hear the great Shooby sing this all time classic. Do yourself a huge favor and get this today.

I notice that people who are buying Irwin Chusid's "Songs In the Key of Z" are also purchasing the The Annoying Music Show CDs. Which could be to miss the difference. Tammy Faye, Heino, United States Navy Steel Drum Band, Chute Middle-School Orchestra, Ken Nordine & Mitch Miller are NOT outsider music. With the exception of the latter, they aren't even especially annoying except, perhaps, to regular listeners of PBS. Definitely not the incomparable Nordine. I know what those performers were thinking, whereas true Outsider art is a funhouse mirror that makes me wonder: "Could that really be me?"

Indeed, Outsider Music may be tremendously annoying, perversely so. But it may also be quixotically beautiful. We may not be able to discern what the artists are thinking, but we can understand - more or less - what they are trying to do. No one would accuse Mitch Miller of being an idealist - he was in fact a cynical oboe player who hardly understood beauty at all. But Shooby & Bingo & the most of the other performers on this CD - so different in temperament - share an idealism embodied in their committments to deeply personal visions. Whether the music delights or infuriates or both is almost beside the point.

If you're looking for silly slapstick songs that are intentionally written to be funny...this is not for you. This is peoples' art, from their soul and expelled for all to enjoy. The humor lies in the fact that the artists are unaware that their music FAR exceeds the boundries of conventional song writing. It is far more entertaining from a psychological standpoint than a musical one.

"Outsider Music" describes a class of musicians who will surprise and delight with their wayward approach to music. They are like outsider artists in other fields -- they may seem damaged, or clueless, or just plain BAD. But they are sincere, and this is the best they can do. Which is often BETTER than mainstream musicians who develop their craft in conventional ways. This music may seem ridiculous, but it was not made to be funny. Outsider art is made by people who have a compulsion to create but who lack self-awareness that they are making "art." If you like the paintings and artwork of Henry Darger, Sister Gertrude, Rizzoli, Wolfli, Bill Traylor and other self-taught and intuitive visionaries, these are their musical counterparts. Some are sweet and gentle (like the Space Lady and Wayne), others are savage and shocking (Shooby Taylor, Bob Vido). There is great beauty in these tracks, but not everyone will hear it. Outsiders make music from the heart, and their efforts are a blessed alternative to corporate music-by-committee.

The other two reveiwers miss the whole point of this cd. They seem to think it's supposed to be one of those "Annoying Music Show" or even a Dr Demento style cd full of funny or so-bad-they're-funny songs. That's not what this cd is about folks. It's about people who don't follow the usual idea about what makes music good. People who are doing something they personally feel is good, even if the average record buyer might not agree. Two of the songs pointed out as the worst are my favorites! Long live Shooby Taylor and Buddy Max.

This is one outstanding album. Curly Toes, by anonymous, is the best one. Definitely recommended. I'd give it a 10, but that wasn't an option. Also, if you like this try The Annoying Music CD.

This second volume of "outsider music" is, if anything, even stranger than the first volume. The performers are more obscure than the ones on the first CD. Very few of them had big write-ups in the Songs in the Key of Z book. If you don't know what "outsider music" is, I recommend getting the book. Anyway, these performers are definitely outsiders. They all have their own unique styles. All of the songs here are interesting (some more so than others). If you are interested in music that is "out there", you should check out this CD.

I bought this album after hearing one song by Luie Luie called "Touch of Light". It is fantastic, and any alternative music lover should hear this song. However, the rest of the album is absolutely terrible. It's aweful. Truely, it's some of the worst music I have ever heard. Seriously, it's just a terrible album. Do not buy it. But listen to Touch of Light. It's great.

If you're open minded & want some real alternative music (I don't mean 'alternative' in the Nirvana sense of the word. That's mainstream now) buy this compilation. If you can't appreciate Shooby Taylor, Buddy Max & Dick Kent I truly pity you.

...like, it's a for real quantum pocket. But if you don't find yourself liking at least the Bingo Gazingo cut and the scatterific "Lift E'vry Voice" by Shooby? Scooby?, then you may be a humourless crustacean. Have fun and enjoy.