Born Petrified

An obscure "outsider musician" from Texas rediscovered by the revered Norton Records label, Jack Starr came of age in the late '50s and early '60s. He played a demented form of rockabilly and early rock 'n' roll with a manic intensity and off-the-wall sense of humor that's earned these tracks a rabid cult following. The recordings are taken from scratchy acetates and lo-fi home tapes that capture Starr's spontaneous vibe. "Crazy Rock (Bald Headed Woman & a Long Haired Man)" blasts out of the speakers and completes its mission in less than a minute and a half. Many of the tunes are quick blasts of singular artistry. "My Love for You Is Petrified" is an acoustic rocker. "Come On" adds maniacal background vocals. "Done Away with the Mean Old Blues" is so beautifully muddy that it's difficult to make sense of the recording; Starr's leg-slapping is the clearest instrument in the mix. "Constellation of a Fool" features inspired guitar work, as does "Beat Doll." Starr has returned to the spotlight somewhat, thanks to Jack White covering his songs and revisiting (but never fully emulating) Starr's wild style.