Songs in the Key of Z (Paperback)

Irwin Chusid

ISBN 10: 1556523726 / ISBN 13: 9781556523724

Published by A Cappella Books, Los Angeles, CA, 2000

About this Item

Paperback. Outsider musicians can be the product of damaged DNA, alien abduction, drug fry, demonic possession, or simply sheer obliviousness. This book profiles dozens of outsider musicians, both prominent and obscure-figures such as The Shaggs, Syd Barrett, Tiny Tim, Jandek, Captain Beefheart, Daniel Johnston, Harry Partch, and The Legendary Stardust Cowboy-and presents their strange life stories along with photographs, interviews, cartoons, and discographies. About the only things these self-taught artists have in common are an utter lack of conventional tunefulness and an overabundance of earnestness and passion. But, believe it or not, they're worth listening to, often outmatching all contenders for inventiveness and originality.A CD featuring songs by artists profiled in the book is also available. Outsider musicians can be the product of damaged DNA, alien abduction, drug fry, demonic possession, or simply sheer obliviousness. This book profiles dozens of outsider musicians, both prominent and obscure—figures such as The Shaggs, Syd Barrett, Tiny Tim, Jandek, Captain Beefheart, Daniel Johnston, Harry Partch, and The Legendary Stardust Cowboy—and presents their strange life stories along with photographs, interviews, cartoons, and discographies. About the only things these self-taught artists have in common are an utter lack of conventional tunefulness and an overabundance of earnestness and passion. But, believe it or not, they're worth listening to, often outmatching all contenders for inventiveness and originality. A CD featuring songs by artists profiled in the book is also available. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781556523724

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Songs in the Key of Z (Paperback)
• Publisher: A Cappella Books, Los Angeles, CA
• Publication Date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1556523726
• ISBN 13: 9781556523724
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Outsider musicians can be the product of damaged DNA, alien abduction, drug fry, demonic possession, or simply sheer obliviousness. This book profiles dozens of outsider musicians, both prominent and obscure—figures such as The Shaggs, Syd Barrett, Tiny Tim, Jandek, Captain Beefheart, Daniel Johnston, Harry Partch, and The Legendary Stardust Cowboy—and presents their strange life stories along with photographs, interviews, cartoons, and discographies. About the only things these self-taught artists have in common are an utter lack of conventional tunefulness and an overabundance of earnestness and passion. But, believe it or not, they’re worth listening to, often outmatching all contenders for inventiveness and originality.

A <A HREF=“http://www.keyofz.com/keyofz/index.htm”>CD</A> featuring songs by artists profiled in the book is also available.

About the Author

Irwin Chusid is a record producer, WFMU radio personality, journalist, and music historian. He has produced landmark reissue albums of the music of Raymond Scott, Esquivel, The Shaggs, and the Langley Schools Music Project, among others. He is also the author of The Mischievous Art of Jim Flora. http://www.wfmu.org/irwin/