Since causing uproar on US TV in 1968, Norman Carl Odam, aka The Legendary Stardust Cowboy, has usually been noted for inspiring David Bowie into pinching his name for Ziggy, and making Kenny Everett’s World’s Worst Records chart with Paralysed, which sounds like a demented hillbilly falling down stairs in a drum kit. It’s easy to dismiss The Ledge as a Wild Man Fischer-type outsider novelty, but the ADHD-propelled spaced cowboy from Lubbock, Texas – who also counted Raquel Welch and The Cramps as fans – has continued to gig and record since his first sessions at T-Bone Burnett’s Fort Worth studio saw him ejaculate 54 songs in one day.
The Ledge’s Mercury singles caught label-mate Bowie’s ear around 1969, his ongoing enthusiasm leading to covering the marvellous I Took A Trip (In A Gemini Spaceship) on 2002’s Heathen. The Cowboy’s answer cover of Space Oddity is sadly absent here (though his Riders On The Storm will have Doors fans reaching for a shotgun).
The 42 tracks barely contained by these two CDs (coming with hugely-entertaining booklet) are drawn from his albums, including Rock-It To Stardom and Retro Rocket Back To Earth. Crazed, hilarious, innocent, unmistakable – even touching; everyone should experience My Underwear Froze To The Washing Line at least once in their lives.
