Jandek

[Guest Chaney]

Gads, if you're going to do that, choose Dave's words. I know I would.

[dave9199]

Hey Chaney, you said you pretty much agreed with my rankings of the first 5, but I looked back & you gave Later On a . Is that still the case. Man at this rate we'll never get off the first 6 albums.

[Guest Chaney]

We bein' methodical.

Anway, this'll give John a chance to contribute.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm hoping to take the day off tomorrow and rElAx. If that happens, I'll listen to the ones we've discussed (but NOT Moon) and form my own ranking. (I gave Later On the ? Didn't even remember that.)

[John B]

We bein' methodical.

Anway, this'll give John a chance to contribute.

Otherwise there is no way I will be able to keep up with the pace the two of you have been setting. At most I'll be listening to one disc per day.

[dave9199]

All I've got to say is Chaney, get to Your Turn To Fall, because the one after that, The Rocks Crumble, shifts to electric guitar.

JohnB, what albums are you borrowing?

Edited September 30, 2004 by dave9199

[John B]

All I've got to say is Chaney, get to Your Turn To Fall, because the one after that, The Rocks Crumble, shifts to electric guitar.

JohnB, what albums are you borrowing?

Ready for the House, Six and Six, Blue Corpse, Telegraph Melts, LaterOn, Chair Beside a Window, The Rocks Crumble, Interstellar Discussion, and You Walk Alone.

I just came inside from cutting down some brush, doing some painting and mowing the lawn. It is cold, dark and wet outside...not a nice evening. I think I'm going to grab a book and listen to Blue Corpse and Chair Beside a window tonight. Maybe Ready for the House again, too.

The one thing that struck me earlier this week, as I listened to Ready for the 2nd time, is that I have no idea if Jandek is /was / or ever will be "technically proficient," and I really don't think it matters. When I listen to Ready, as "off" as his playing and singing are and as same as every track is, I hear purpose and intent. He knows what he wants to have come across and the resulting sounds, as tuneless as they may be to some, are his art. It will take me some time to be able to speak intelligently about these albums but I have no doubt that this is art.

Edited October 3, 2004 by John B

[John B]

you are both in for a treat when you get to Blue Corpse. As soon as the first song started, I was captivated. His voice is quite different from 1978. I hear Charlie Patton, Ian Curtis, a hint of Jim Morrison all mixed in there. He has definitely progressed quite a bit (both vocally and on guitar) since the first album.

The 5 and a half minute harmonica solo is a trip, too. I really enjoyed it.

Edited October 3, 2004 by John B

[dave9199]

There's been some talk about whether it's Jandek singing or another person who plays guitar with him on some albums. Blue Corpse is next for me & I've heard it's great. I've held off from reviewing so John B can contribute. His electric stuff is even more untamed than the acoustic.

[Guest Chaney]

Hi guys!

I was going to place the titles I had already listened to in some sort of rated order but decided not to. (I listened to House again last night and found my mind wandering. I think it's best that I not dwell for too long on each title but to move forward. Plenty of time to revisit the early gems.)

Next one up for me is Your Turn To Fall.

Wow Dave! You're really steaming ahead!

[dave9199]

And to continue that trend, here's The Rocks Crumble. #8 starts with a couple of acoustic songs; one of which is called Birthday, and it's the same lyrics (with current tuning) as Nancy Sings & John Plays Drums, which I almost missed that detail. Then it's electric guitar with 3 versions of European Jewel, of which there have already been 2. First is just guitar, second & third are with drums with the second being more tighter with beat in reference to the drums. Next is 2 versions of a great songs; Message To The Clerk. He works the lyrical sylibals (sp?) well with the drums. It actually sounds like he's LISTENING TO WHAT GOING ON AROUND HIM!!!! I think this is one of those albums where it's Jandek playing drums & guitar as mentioned in a letter that Chaney had posted earlier. A really good album, but I had a hard time wanting to post about it. I think once you add usual rock instruments, no matter how it's played, it takes away from what Jandek started as, which is more intimate (though repititious). I've been waiting to hear this electric stuff & yet wasn't as excited as I thought I would be initially. That will change once the ebb & flow of 20 albums falls together in my own mind. It's interesting that as I go along, not only do the albums change, but my perception changes with every shift on instrumentation. And when I've adjusted, he's switches again. That is a great musician/songwriter/artist/what-have-you.

Two words you won't find on any Jandek album: Bonus Tracks.

Edited October 3, 2004 by dave9199

[John B]

I relistened to Chair Beside a Window today. This is a really solid album. Not quite up to the level of Blue Corpse, imo, but very very nice. It is quite odd to hear Jandek with drums, female vocals and guitar "freakouts" for the first time. I really like the range of sounds, textures and moods on this one. The drummer, while technically incompetent, adds a nice touch to the proceedings. Perhaps due to its eclecticism, this one will take some more time for me to get my head around it compared to one of the solo discs.

[John B]

I just finished listening to You Walk Alone, which follows Blue Corpse in the Jandek discography, for the first time. While not quite as strong as BC, it is still a solid album. I could do without the drums, but they are a minor annoyance.

[Jim Dye]

I have really been enjoying this thread. You've piqued my interest. I found an MP3 version of 'The End Of It All' and I must hear more.

I just emailed a guy on the Jandek list who wanted to split a box of 20. After reading some suggestions here, and reading Seth Tisue's site, I've decided on the following 11 titles to start.

# 0739: Ready for the House (1978)

# 0740: Six and Six (1981)

# 0742: Chair Beside a Window (1982)

# 0743: Living in a Moon So Blue (1982)

# 0747: Interstellar Discussion (1984)

# 0753: Blue Corpse (1987)

# 0759: Lost Cause (1992)

# 0760: Twelfth Apostle (1993)

# 0761: Graven Image (1994)

# 0762: Glad to Get Away (1994)

# 0770: I Threw You Away (2002)

What do you think? Can't wait to join in the discussion!

[John B]

I just emailed a guy on the Jandek list who wanted to split a box of 20. After reading some suggestions here, and reading Seth Tisue's site, I've decided on the following 11 titles to start.

# 0739: Ready for the House (1978)

# 0740: Six and Six (1981)

# 0742: Chair Beside a Window (1982)

# 0743: Living in a Moon So Blue (1982)

# 0747: Interstellar Discussion (1984)

# 0753: Blue Corpse (1987)

What do you think? Can't wait to join in the discussion!

Based on what I have heard and read these all seem like solid choices. I don't really know enough so far to comment intelligently, unfortunately. Chaney and dave would be better equipped to speak to the first few albums.

I'm looking forward to reading your comments!

[dave9199]

Living In A Moon So Blue...that's Chaney FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!

If you don't believe me, go back a few pages.

I've got to relisten to my next review-Interstellar Discussion. I've only got 1 and a half more to listen to out of my 20. How 'bout you Chanski?

[Guest Chaney]

Can't say that I'd recommend Living In A Moon So Blue. Frankly, in my most humble opinion: it's crap. (Or maybe I mean vomit. B-) )

Jim Dye's been reading this thread? I though we were all alone! ALWAYS nice to have good company.

Jim: Dave's way ahead of me so I can't comment on most of the titles you've chosen. Of those I've heard and liked, you seem to have those down for order. Good man.

I've heard the first six and will soon post my ramblings on Your Turn To Fall and The Rocks Crumble. (I suspect that I like these two but as I've only heard them in my office, I can't say. I'll have to put them under the microscope of my home system.)

Edited October 7, 2004 by Chaney

[dave9199]

All right Chaney, 2 reviews coming up, it's about time!

John B, my opinion in short of Blue Corpse, I wasn't as impressed by it as I was with the next one; You Walk Alone, at least by the first 5 songs.

Anywho, #9, Interstellar Discussion. Nothing really jumps out at me on this one. 6 songs electric, 9 acoustic. Electric mostly instrumental, though I liked I Ain't Got None, noisy, jammy, wailing type o' thing. I think he recorded the whole album himself even despite the fact that on 2 songs you hear 2 voices at the same time, but they're both that yoweling Jandekian voice. I haven't heard anyone else he's recorded with have a voice anywhere near his. I do have to say, I like when he uses the words ha ha, as in the song Ha Ha from this album, as a rhythm which he also used on Moon on a song called Comedy. Nothing special, but it's ON BEAT! The Spirit has a nice feel and I think almost a whole minor chord being played throughout. I think that's just the tuning though. There's a song called May 7th, 9:15 A.M. which is nothing special, just the title reminded me of a Minutemen song called May 2nd, 9:30 A.M. The only one that really stuck out to me was the last, Kick. It's mostly one note, and a fretted note at that. His voice fits better with quiet, hushed songs rather than loud, yoweling (& that's the perfect word for it) songs. Middle of the road, not bad, but not great.

Somewhere on the Tisue site, someone wrote in a review about his songs being quiet or loud, yet he doesn't mine the grey area in between. That's the one thing I agree with in terms of a critical assessment of his music. Whispery or full on, no in between. Again a challenge as you never know when one is coming on, though he obviously does his songs in sessions and breaks them up according to the 40 minute mark of an album (at least when he had vinyl, with cds, that's streched to longer amounts of time. His songs are now sometimes 30 minutes!).

Edited October 7, 2004 by dave9199

[Guest Chaney]

Dave: Is it my imagination or does Jandek become a better singer starting at The Rocks Crumble?

I don't know what he gets up to in later albums but could it be that his tortured vocalizing of the early disks is a fraud? (That's assuming that you also hear a difference and I'm not bonkers.) He sounds positively Beatles-esque on one tune and Mick Jaggerish on another. (Can't remember the name of the tunes and they may be on Your Turn To Fall.)

[dave9199]

Again Chaney, you mention something that I heard, but completely forgot, yes, I agree about the Mick Jagger thing, but I couldn't tell you which album or song. Speaking of Mick Jagger, see my next review...

...and no way can anyone fake that kind of vocalizing...for 37 records & counting.

Edited October 7, 2004 by dave9199

[dave9199]

Wrong Time

It’s not the right time

Something’s wrong, but I’m gonna do it anyway

You can put your bloody mind in a paper bag and eat it for lunch

What is God?

What are you doing here? Or there?

I am a fool

Forgive me

If a door is open

I should be back soon

There's the lyrics to my favorite song off of album #10: Nine-Thirty. It's all acoustic and he sounds very inspired in his lyrics & his playing, which is very energetic. I find myself, no matter how repetative, leaning towards his acoustic albums which have a more intimate, emotional pull. One song called Faye, is practically a lyrical lift (for the first 2 verses) of Jimmy Reed's Honest I Do, which I know through The Rolling Stones version on their first album, which also has an out of tune guitar all the way through. Hmmm... This Is A Death Dream is good for his spoken words. Even the one instrumental, Tumblings, is energetic, though not much in terms of "song", but if I expected that, I wouldn't be listening to Jandek anyway, right? This is his idea of SONGS! That's why it's interesting. He re-does Oh Jenny which I believe was from Later On originally. I'd have to listen to the first version again, but I don't hear an immediate difference. So, on the whole, I like this album quite a bit even though I wouldn't say there are any great songs on it. Think of it as an entire piece; a progression from the pieces called Ready For The House and Six & Six.

Edited October 7, 2004 by dave9199

[dave9199]

Here's my ranking for the second 5:

KEEPERS

1. The Rocks Crumble

PERSONAL OPINION

2. Nine-Thirty

3. Your Turn To Fall

FOR COMPLETISTS ONLY

4. Interstellar Discussion

5. Staring At The Cellophane

This set was a bit tougher to rank since the initial Jandek experience went to the first 5. I'm also trying to keep in mind what albums I would tell someone not to bother with until later (completists only). I'm also thinking about people who are reading this thread & want to buy an album or 20 while combining that with my opinion of each album. This is actually my favorite part of it all. I would definately like to hear from anyone who took my advice on this.

To me, very few songs grabbed my attention and the last 3 albums I had to relisten to more than once as they didn't make a great impression on me initially. Your Turn To Fall's second half saved it from being a completists only for me. As I've said before, I enjoy all of these albums, I don't dislike any of them, but some are better than others. It's ironic also in my last review stating that I lean toward his acoustic albums & the keeper of the bunch is almost all electric. I will say this: If you want the best album out of the first 10, get Chair Beside A Window.

Edited October 7, 2004 by dave9199

[dave9199]

So I've listened again to the next four and realized my opinion about leaning towards the acoustic stuff is partially false. What happening is a back & forth of inital opinion. While reviewing acoustic albums, but listening to electric albums; the two didn't sit comfortably together, at first. According to my keepers list, both albums have acoustic (good songs, not just improv starts & stops) & electric (also actual songs & some improv messy jamming). I've re-thought it & feel (at least right now anyway), that this type of album is my favorite type of Jandek album; both worlds sitting together with no (or hardly any) just o.k. songs. Both worlds compliment each other and it helps the album as a whole. There really is a lot of variety in there if you get more than a few albums.

Chaney: what the hell is your Funny Rat thread about & why is it so popular?

Edited October 9, 2004 by dave9199

[Guest Chaney]

Hey Dave!

Just passing by... trying to work out some computer problems. Would MUCH rather be listening to Jandek and posting my thoughts. (I have been following your posts. While I'm not as far along, I believe you and I'll agree as to the complimentary mix of the acoustic and electric.)

Re Funny Rat, here's a post of mine explaining its origin:

Ever not check out a thread cuz it's too big???

The Rat began on November 7, 2003, with my letting folks know of the release of a rare Brotzmann side.  Read the first page (the first page! read the first two posts!) and note how little attention my thread received.  (Bless you Hans!)

Three weeks passed before the thread was resurrected by then new member David (Д.Д. - an M.V.P. from that other board) and his bringing to this board a little e-mail group made up of a few Big 'O' members and some new friends.  (David's e-mail box was getting FAT so we needed new digs!)  Picking right up where we left off, the Rat became our new home and the banter continued.  (Read page one and you'll see the greetings.)  For the most part, the most active posters within that thread are the members of the e-mail group.  The mission ( ) of the group was to simply make recommendations of recordings of non-traditional forms of jazz and especially to discover heretofor unknown (and usually tiny) labels.

I too have worried that the Funny Rat may have become a ghetto for that other jazz but I then remind myself of the fate of threads dedicated to jazz which may not swing in the traditional manner:  they tend to sink like stones. 

Worth visiting? Hard for me to comment as I'm rather partial toward the contributors to that thread. (This thread's John B is a regular and highly valued poster to the Funny Rat.)

By the way, I really don't consider it to be my thread; it just happens to be a place somewhat randomly chosen in which to deposit our thoughts as to our shared enthusiam(s).

Stop by and say 'Hello'. (Door's not locked. If king ubu can get in, anyone can. B-) )

[jon abbey]

wow, all this comparative ranking of Jandek records. I just buy them all and enjoy them (or not, occasionally). they're all just part of Jandek to me, I never really considered this kind of analysis. interesting, though, I'm going to go back and read this thread from the start...

[jon abbey]

The I Hate Music site tends to draw the stereotypical 'tragically hip' younger crowd -- where capitalizing words is frowned upon --  so I'm only an infrequent visitor. ]

your loss, the most interesting and informative online music forum I've ever seen or been a part of.