Ziggy Stardust came out of Legendary Stardust Cowboy. David Bowie discovered him in America when he first came to the country as a Mercury recording artist. Going through the other artists on this label he found a 45 rpm single of "Paralyzed," probably one of the more unusual releases from a major U.S. label ever. Perhaps two or three minutes of noise, that one would gather had roots in rockabilly music. Bowie thought it was a work of genius, and clearly, he's a man who not only has taste but knows 'weird' like no other artist at that time.
There is a school of art called Brut, or better known in English as 'outside artists.' Legendary Stardust Cowboy, real name is Norman Carl Odam may be a cowboy from outer space. Which makes him very outside artist. There seem to be two interests in Odam's life - rockabilly music and space travel. It's not unusual for 1950s musicians to be obsessed with outer space life, but Legendary Stardust Cowboy brings it to another level. For instance, he's not really what we call a singer. Yet, there is something about his voice, especially with the addition of his songwriting. He's a great songwriter. You have to go through the most shocking sound of his records, and really (REALLY) listen to his music, but there is nothing more beautiful out there than his "I Took A Trip (On A Gemini Spaceship)." Probably the most romantic outer space song ever. Up their with Bowie's "Space Oddity," which by hook or crook, Odam did a cover of that song. Either as a tribute to Bowie's support or a genuine appreciation of Bowie's interest in outer space songs. Bowie eventually did a cover of "I Took A Trip" on "Heathen." If you hear the Bowie version and not look at the credits, you would think, "of course Bowie wrote this." Perhaps Bowie was influenced not only by Odam's song, but his lyrical writing as well. "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust" is a combination of Legendary Stardust Cowboy and Vince Taylor. Two outside and perhaps 'insane' artists who went too far off the map. Norman Carl Odam is still here with us, and his remarkable work is represented so well in this compilatiion "Launch Pad Favorites."
There is not a bad cut on this album. The other classic songs beside "I Took A Trip" is "Radar" and "Linda." Still, one can admire "I Hate CD's." There are a few compilations of Legendary Stardust Cowboy's work, but this collection put together by Spain's Munster Records is superb. Also nice packaging with a lyric sheet. As mentioned, Odam is a very good and talented lyricist.
