Artist: Jandek

[Dylan]

Yeah, there's definitely a logic there. I read an on-line article that was pretty in-depth: the writer even went so far as to scan the lyrics for this one woman's name and track her relationship with Jandek through his recorded output.

got a link?

Sorry, I meant to do that.

Tuck in

[Angus Jung]

I am really curious about why Jandek has decided, after all these years of never playing out (at least, nobody knew about it - it's entirely possible he played in a place where nobody had the slightest clue about who he was, like at an open mic or something) to play some gigs. Something must have happened in his life to convince him to "go public." Maybe his girlfriend convinced him. Maybe he quit his job. Maybe he's got some illness.

I think it was because somebody asked him.

[Jodi S.]

I discovered last night that if you do not have a Yoko Ono record handy, Jandek will also serve as an effective tool to get people to leave a room.

I wish we had a PA system at school, because this tactic would be very useful in chasing overzealous students out of the darkroom.

I can imagine it now: "It is now 8:55. White lights at 9:00. At 8:56 I put on The Humility Of Pain. You have been warned."

[Maurice]

Nice. I've found Keiji Haino's The Book of "Eternity Set Aflame" serves this purpose as well.

Oddly, my Open Mic Jandek Cover Night last year (Jandek Day, November 5) wasn't able to chase away a bunch of acoustic singer-songwriter types in the same space. I'm going to have to try harder this year.

[Jodi S.]

Nice. I've found Keiji Haino's The Book of "Eternity Set Aflame" serves this purpose as well.

Oddly, my Open Mic Jandek Cover Night last year (Jandek Day, November 5) wasn't able to chase away a bunch of acoustic singer-songwriter types in the same space. I'm going to have to try harder this year.

Oooh, good call on the Haino.

November, you say?

I think I am going to have to participate. If I start practicing now...

[Maurice]

November, you say?

I think I am going to have to participate. If I start practicing now...

Excellent! We'd be glad to have you! Yeah, November 5 every year. I don't have a venue lined up yet of course, but I'm contemplating a move from the traditional one since we were double-booked last year. Usually it's a coffee house gig, done for free, for an audience made up of the unsuspecting plus a few die-hards.

[dan around]

I had seven of the LPs when I did decide to buy all the CDs at once (36 at the time). I am still wallowing through them. I have picked up each new one as they came out directly from Corwood. He ships pretty quickly.

I think each record brings a lot into view but the whole body of work is simply terrifying. I am happy with my purchase.

Sorry if I've missed this elsewhere, but is their a website for Corwood? If not how do you go about contacting them? Google ain't givin' me shit.

[trilonaut]

i'm not familiar with jandek, i want to download some to get an impression -- where do i start?

[rashiedgarrison]

I had seven of the LPs when I did decide to buy all the CDs at once (36 at the time). I am still wallowing through them. I have picked up each new one as they came out directly from Corwood. He ships pretty quickly.

I think each record brings a lot into view but the whole body of work is simply terrifying. I am happy with my purchase.

Sorry if I've missed this elsewhere, but is their a website for Corwood? If not how do you go about contacting them? Google ain't givin' me shit.

http://tisue.net/jandek/

See the bit under ordering info

[Sebastian J.]

NOT CRAP!

[SecondEdition]

What are good places to start? The earlier stuff, the later stuff...is it all of a piece? I have some friends who are really into him.

I like the title Six and Six, so is that a good one to start with? Are there any records of his that are at least somewhat relatively accessible, or good for newcomers?

[LBx]

good places to start?

Blue Corpse

You Walk Alone

[Jodi S.]

Jandek's playing here (NYC) Saturday.

Very excited.

Good Jandek starting points:

The Living End (which was my intro to Jandek)
Blue Corpse (which is basically Jandek's breakup album)
You Walk Alone

However, even though it's musically very, very different from everything else, Glasgow Monday might be the very best starting point, even though it's relatively new. I think it serves as a nice window into what he's about, what his lyrics tend to be like, and his sense of storytelling.

He's at times a very difficult listen, but a rewarding one.

[Maurice]

What are good places to start? The earlier stuff, the later stuff...is it all of a piece? I have some friends who are really into him.

I like the title Six and Six, so is that a good one to start with? Are there any records of his that are at least somewhat relatively accessible, or good for newcomers?

The second quarter or so--around Blue Corpse and You Walk Alone--is maybe the most "accessible" period. I know picking those two up made me a fan.

[Maurice]

good places to start?

Blue Corpse

You Walk Alone

Good Jandek starting points:

The Living End (which was my intro to Jandek)
Blue Corpse (which is basically Jandek's breakup album)
You Walk Alone

Blue Corpse and You Walk Alone

So...there ya go.

[SecondEdition]

Wow, that is a unanimous response...Blue Corpse and You Walk Alone it is, then.

[LBx]

right now Nancy sounds Marty Balin

Jandek quite Thurston Moore-esque

i had a bottle of wine for dinner.

[etch]

I saw Jandek live a couple of months ago. The show was supposed to start at 8:00p sharp, it started around 8:40 and went on for well over two hours (I'm guessing).

I've been fascinated with Jandek for years now and first learned of him while in high school in Houston TX. I like a lot of his music, don't listen to it that often, but I like it (when in the mood) and find his mythology intriguing.

Jandek Show Spoiler - You've been warned!

After an introduction for Jandek there was awkward silence and the sound of heavy boots clumping around backstage. After awhile three band members emerged: a guy with a clarinet or similar reed instrument, a percussionist and a gal with a fiddle.

Jandek appeared shortly thereafter with a hat pulled down low and a black suit. He was carrying a suitcase which he promptly opened at the piano and set out sheet music or lyrics (probably not sheet music based on his piano playing) in front of him. He then proceeded to play along with the band on stage for a really long time before vocals started. I think he only plays the white keys...

For the first fifteen minutes or so I was entertained by the peculiar sight of the man called Jandek. This wore off and I began to survey the room, I actually counted everyone in attendance (around eighty people or so) at one point. I few times I would lock in on the songs and find moments to be compelling. That being said, I begin to shift my weight from ass cheek to ass cheek, checked my wife's watch at least a hundred times and did a lot of introspective day errr, mid-eveningdreaming. The piano continued to pound notches into my skull, Jandek's warbly off-key voice now seemed hypnotic, but not relaxing, man was I getting antsy! I got up at one point to use the restroom and get a breath of fresh air, something we had been warned not to do, but I just couldn't take it any longer.

About an hour and forty into the set, we finally gave up and left the show. I have a three kids that were being babysat by grandparents and we only had two hours to kill, so we split.

The night air never felt so good I tell ya, and the ride home was unusually pleasant; freedom's air was certainly sweet after a long night with a representative from Corwood.

[JC23by5]

If I were Jandek I wouldn't play any live shows. I'd just keep everyone guessing. I'd die a happy and amused old man. That is what I would do.

Wait a second...I think I have an idea......

[LBx]

looking forward to seeing him june.

the live discs have received good reviews from what i've read. but i have not heard any of them.

a guitar based set i what i am excited for. guess we'll see...