Songs in the Key of Z


Songs in the Key of Z is a book and two compilation albums written and compiled by Irwin Chusid. The book and albums explore the field of what Chusid coined as "outsider music". Chusid defines outsider music as; "crackpot and visionary music, where all trails lead essentially one place: over the edge." Chusid's work has brought the music of several leading performers in the outsider genre to wider attention. These include Daniel Johnston, Joe Meek, Jandek and Wesley Willis. In addition, his CDs feature some recordings by artists who produced very little work but placed their recordings firmly in the outsider area. Notable amongst these are nursing home resident Jack Mudurian who sings snatches of several dozen songs in a garbled collection known as Downloading the Repertoire and the obscure and extreme scat singer Shooby Taylor AKA 'The Human Horn.'

The compilation albums

Songs in the Key of Z – the Curious Universe of Outsider Music, the companion compilation albums to Chusid's book were released on Which? Records, the first volume originally in 2000, with the two volumes later combined together and released by Cherry Red. The collections, compiled by Irwin Chusid, include performances by gay country singer Peter Grudzien, music schoolteacher B. J. Snowden, and Swedish Elvis-impersonator Eilert Pilarm, along with better-known artists such as Daniel Johnston, The Shaggs, Wesley Willis, Joe Meek, and Captain Beefheart. The collections have drawn criticism from some quarters, with Alvin Dahn's wife unhappy with his inclusion in an 'outsider music' compilation, and B. J. Snowden also unhappy with the categorization.

Track listing

Vol. 1

1. "Philosophy of the World" – The Shaggs

2. "Walking the Cow" – Daniel Johnston

3. "Walking On The Moon" – Lucia Pamela

4. "Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere" – Peter Grudzien

5. "Downloading the Repertoire" – Jack Mudurian

6. "Stout-Hearted Men" – Shooby Taylor, The Human Horn

7. "In Canada" – B.J. Snowden

8. "Jailhouse Rock" – Eilert Pilarm

9. "Virgin Child of the Universe" – Song poem

10. "Rock N' Roll McDonald's" – Wesley Willis

11. "Telstar" – Joe Meek

12. "At the Grass Roots" – Sri Darwin Gross

13. "Cousin Mosquito #1" – Congress-Woman Malinda Jackson Parker

14. "El Touchy" – Luie Luie

15. "Standing in a Trash Can " – Legendary Stardust Cowboy

16. "Vampire Suite" – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

17. "Butterfly Mind" – Arcesia

18. "They Told Me I Was a Fool" – Jandek

19. "Baby, Your Love's in Town" – "Dusty Roads" Rowe

20. "True Love" – Tiny Tim With Miss Sue

Vol. 2

1. "Lift Every Voice & Sing" – Shooby Taylor

2. "You're Out of the Computer" – Bingo Gazingo & My Robot Friend

3. "Mr. Snuggles" - Dr. Love

4. "America" – B.J. Snowden

5. "You're Driving Me Mad" – Alvin Dahn

6. "Cousin Mosquito # 2" – Congress-Woman Malinda Jackson Parker

7. "I Had Too Much to Dream " – The Space Lady

8. "Touch of Light" – Luie Luie

9. "Curly Toes" – Unknown

10. "Stepping High Dance" – Eddie Murray

11. "5 Ft. 9 1/12 Inches Tall" – Dick Kent

12. "Recitation About Roy Acuff" – Gary Mullis

13. "Deep Bosom Woman" – Wayne

14. "High Speed" – Bob Vido

15. "Herma, Scene 5; Recitation/An" – Thoth

16. "Jet Lady" – Tangela Tricoli

17. "Birthmark Story" – Buddy Max

18. "Heart of the Heartland" – Mark Kennis