Legendary Stardust Cowboy, the – “Tokyo ” – [Cracked Piston Recordings]

Textbook outsider music. Part science geek and part Gene Vincent, “The Ledge” combines his small-town Texas roots with his love of outer space to create a perfect world where Elvis is on the radio and lovers hold hands at the wrecking yard, gazing up at the evening stars. Who else could express the joys of hot-rodding in San Jose, and then give a rockabilly salute to slide rules? Or write a love song titled “Constructive Criticism” – The songs are mostly go-cat-go rockers, with the occasional heartfelt slow-dancer. Majestic, sweeping vocals a la Roy Orbison, but with only sporadic success in the melody/pitch department. The Altamont Boys (including Dead Kennedy Klaus Flouride on bass) supply reliable backing: everything from John Lee Hooker boogie to cha-cha to go-go beats. Cover of Bowie’s “Space Oddity” adds even more novelty flavor, but there are much stronger/stranger songs here. Grab any track and let ‘er fly. Yip yip! Yee haw! Yeah!