Legend has it that the songs on Cowboy Scat: Songs in the Key of Rick comprise the original score to a musical about our cousin Rick. Who can say? The songs on this album were originally broadcast on the This Is Big Green podcast. Cowboy Scat: Songs in the Key of Rick is Big Green's third (and silliest) album, preceded by International House (2008) and 2000 Years to Christmas (1999). Big Green is Matt Perry (voice, guitars, bass, washboard, kazoo), Joe Perry (voice, keyboards, guitars, banjo), and John White (drums, pedal steel). Review of 2000 Years To Christmas Ann Powers, eMusic Magazine (12/01/2004) [Jorma] Kaukonen’s approach [in Christmas] is distinctive but not wholly original; for that, and more than a little strangeness, turn to the mysterious Big Green. A self-described “discorporate pop group” (that means they don’t play live), this quirky combo is a family affair run by brothers Joe and Matt Perry (of upstate New York, not Aerosmith). 2000 Years to Christmas, Big Green’s first full-length release, features lyrics reminiscent of the morbid genius Edward Gorey (featuring pagan sacrifice, dancing skeletons, and wacky prophecies) and rococco rock arrangements Frank Zappa would have admired. Joe Perry sings as if he were a character from Dickens while demented choirs back him up. The whole affair is as frightening yet oddly attractive as mincemeat pie.