Jandek

[dave9199]

Dave, I agree with your every word. (Well said / described, by the way.) I might just vary slightly on Mothers Day Card. A lyrical ode? Perhaps. To me, I'd guess that the lyric was lifted straight from a mother's day card and as it's sung in such a silly, loopy manner

I never thought of this, but this would make total sense. I would not be surprised if that's exactly what he did. Makes it more humorous. I'm not sure what your asking in reference to two different sounds on his guitar, though you're right about his singing/higher, talking/lower vocal style. On the next couple of albums there are some acoustic songs at the end & he uses his singing voice. I think if he's wound up with an electric guitar & friends, he just lets it all hangs out. By himself he's more introspective. As a musician, that's par for the course.

I thought your head would explode on Telegraph Melts & again you kept me guessing as to what your overall opinion will be. Keep it up!

BTW, No Break on Chair is sung by Nancy's sister Pat as mentioned in Smith's letter to Chusid.

Edited November 1, 2004 by dave9199

[John B]

out of curiosity, now that the two of you have made it through so many discs, and given them such a thorough listen, would you recommend going chronologically to someone who was going to start exploring Jandek? Or, given the chance to go back and do this all over again, would you pick and choose discs throughout the current 38?

[Guest Chaney]

I thought your head would explode on Telegraph Melts & again you kept me guessing as to what your overall opinion will be. Keep it up!

So did I! NOT an easy listen.

On the change in voice, it really shouldn't be such a surprise (to me) as it's the voice we hear on the recent -- and obviously only -- live material. This particular time period marks some sort of emergence or transition. That live voice really stunned me when I first heard it but it's comforting to hear its mid-'80s genesis.

[Guest Chaney]

out of curiosity, now that the two of you have made it through so many discs, and given them such a thorough listen, would you recommend going chronologically to someone who was going to start exploring Jandek?  Or, given the chance to go back and do this all over again, would you pick and choose discs throughout the current 38?

There's really little reason not to go the chronological route, buying in bulk at $4 each. If they were more expensive, picking and choosing would be the way to go. Missing one would give me the feeling of missing a page in a book. I have no regrets.

Know what I'd like to see? You and Jim Dye (and others?) getting the first 20 and then doing what Dave and I have.

Edited November 1, 2004 by Chaney

[jon abbey]

out of curiosity, now that the two of you have made it through so many discs, and given them such a thorough listen, would you recommend going chronologically to someone who was going to start exploring Jandek? Or, given the chance to go back and do this all over again, would you pick and choose discs throughout the current 38?

you didn't ask me, but I'd say pick and choose, there's too much great music out there to listen to. you don't really need 38 Jandek records, 10 or 15 would do just fine.

the ones to definitely avoid, though, are the acapella ones which these guys haven't gotten to yet, or at least you only "need" one of the three.

[Guest Chaney]

I guess it would depend on how thoroughly John would care to explore Jandek. As John owns the entire Erstwhile catalogue, I though he might prefer the complete package.

Certainly no one needs the entire catalogue. That being said, picking and choosing is probably the much more sane route to choose. Not as much fun but more sane. (I'm having a ball with the $80 I spent. That's why -- for me -- it's been a worthwhile investment.)

Edited November 1, 2004 by Chaney

[John B]

As John owns the entire Erstwhile catalogue, I though he might prefer the complete package. 

Not quite, but I probably will by the end of the year. (which would be less problematic if my wife had any tolerance for eai at all, but that's another story...)

I'm still leaning towards picking up a box of 20 discs from throughout his career. Based on your comments and Dave's I'll have a better idea which discs to avoid, at least for now. No reason I couldn't go back and pick up the rest at some later date if I chose.

I have to admit that, given all of the music I want to listen to, I really can't imagine I'd ever need to hear every Jandek album. Owning 20 might even be pushing it a bit, but I've already made my mind up to go ahead and place the order this month.

Edited November 1, 2004 by John B

[dave9199]

John B: Too bad Chaney & I weren't reveiwing the 2nd 20, that way you'd have a more informed choice for 20. I, like Chaney, wouldn't change my order. I'm loyal to bands & artists. I like to explore the whole history; good, bad or mediocre. I think most of the second 20 is mostly solo; acoustic & electric.

[Jim Dye]

Well, I arrived home tonight to a package from Corwood Industries! I split a box with someone on the mailing list and have 11 CD's to start my Jandek adventure. First up is Ready For The House, ripping to my hard drive as I write this.

I'll report my findings to the committee.

[Guest Chaney]

Welcome to the family, Jim!

[fent99]

Thanks to a board member (Cheers John) I got a couple of discs to listen to. Pretty heavy going I'd say but not without merit. Like a more depressing Will Oldham (and I speak as a huge fan of sad singer songwriters Eitzel/Kozelek etc). It'll take a while but I'll definitely spin this some more, but 20 discs of it would leave in poor shape...

Edited November 3, 2004 by fent99

[John B]

This sounds like a bad idea, but some of you might be interested in checking this out:

2 hours. 38 albums, up to 10 playback devices. How much Jandek can you plan in 120 minutes?

[Guest Chaney]

JOHN! STOP READING MY MIND! (I was just going to post that.)

As the show will be archived for one week, I'll probably give it a listen... or at least as much of it as I can stand. Goofy idea. I like the poster, though.

[Guest Chaney]

Thanks to a board member (Cheers John) I got a couple of discs to listen to. Pretty heavy going I'd say but not without merit. Like a more depressing Will Oldham (and I speak as a huge fan of sad singer songwriters Eitzel/Kozelek etc). It'll take a while but I'll definitely spin this some more, but 20 discs of it would leave in poor shape...

Be sure to post your thoughts.

[dave9199]

Album #16; You Walk Alone starts with a very melodic 2 chord instrumental on electric guitar (no acoustic on this one) called Lavender. Extremely enjoyable. With the usual reverb, it's got that mid-60's guitar sound which I always love. Jandek on drums and, I believe, Eddie on guitar. The album then steers to the actual blues with Time & Space. There's a guitarist playing a blues riff, another guitarist playing enhancments off the chords & Jandek singing & playing drums. He sounds like he's enjoying himself singing. It really does sound very Velvet Underground, especially with the lyrical content. As a VU fan, I really enjoy this song also. The Cat That Walked From Shelbyville is a quieter song that has a similar feel to VU's Here She Comes Now off of White Light/White Heat. The lyrics are actually a song done on Follow Your Footsteps (#13) called For Today. Next is another version of Quinn Boys from Blue Corpse originally, called Quinn Boys II. It's the same riff as the last song, but a bit faster with Jandek on drums, using only one drumstick, moving the song along. I like this version better than what sounded like a rough try out on the last album. The next song, The Way That You Act, has an interesting guitar bit that flips between major & minor which give an interesting color with the second guitar around it. Jandek gives some good inspired screams in this one. Not the creepy kind, but the into-it kind, very Iggy Pop circa The Stooges. I Know The Times is the weakest song on the album. It's a slow blues riff with Eddie on vocals. I think what makes it weaker is there's only one guitar on it so there's no intertwining guitars like on previous songs which really added to them. It's also the shortest song. The next song is called When The Telephone Melts and is the first downbeat (i.e. minor key) song on an almost entirely upbeat album. The lyrics & singing style would've fit onto Blue Corpse easily. For some reason it brings The Rolling Stones more bluesier & slower songs to mind, but I can't think of any song in particular. Maybe a faster Angie crossed with the vocal style of Monkey Man? I think Sister Morphine might be what I'm thinking of. Definitely good. War Dance, a minor key vamp, ends the album.

This is another great album. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to dip their toe in the water of Jandek. Very enjoyable, upbeat &, yes, melodic. Not crazy at all.

Edited November 7, 2004 by dave9199

[Guest Chaney]

Good stuff, Dave.

Would you say that Jandek is hitting his stride at this particular time of his career? Hazarding a guess, that is, as neither of us has any of the second (soon to be) 20.

I've been listening to Follow Your Footsteps and Modern Dance and I'll post on those two this weekend, if not sooner.

[dave9199]

The next album, #17, is called On The Way. The cover is another shot of his drum set, but looks like the flash didn't go off so it's almost all black except for some silhouette near a window. One comment from the Jandek site said it's the kind of picture you get your money back for at a one hour photo. The first 2 songs have sound balance that is very uneven; lead guitar & vocal way in front; guitar & drums way in back. I can't tell if it's Jandek playing everything though. Hard to get a good level for listening. Message To The Clerk makes a reappearance here in a blues with electric guitar, harmonica & Jandek on vocals & drums. I like the versions on The Rocks Crumble (#8) better. Give It The Name has some really good blues guitar & vocals from Jandek, but the guitar covers over everything. There's also bass on this song. Ambient Instrument is a minor key surfy instrumental. Good riff. Sadie uses another blues riff like Ray Charles's Hallejuiah (sp?) I Love Her So. The next song could've been the highlight of the album, but again, sound balance interferes. I Sit Alone & Think A Lot About You has Eddie on vocal & acoustic with Jandek quietly thumping the drums in the background. The level is too quiet though it is brought up throughout the song. It sounds like Eddie's not close enough to the mike & you end up missing the heartfelt lyrics & delivery. Very unfortunate. The guitar chords of I'm Ready remind me of Jethro Tull's song Look Into The Sun from Stand Up (not a huge Tull fan, but it's a great album). Eddie on acoustic & impassioned singing from Jandek, possibly my favorite from the album.

This album is not as inspired as You Walk Alone, not by a long shot. The sound balance problems only hinder that along with the songs not being as good either. Is it horrible? By no means, but it's the lackluster-album-coming-after-a-great-album syndrome (see Chair Beside A Window to Living In A Moon So Blue). This comes after 2 great albums. Only o.k. So far I think Eddie is Jandek's best musical partner. He adds melody & leaves room for anything Jandek cares to do. Whereas Jandek may sound like he's not listening to others, but when he plays drums, you can hear he does listen. He just listens differently.

[dave9199]

Would you say that Jandek is hitting his stride at this particular time of his career? Hazarding a guess, that is, as neither of us has any of the second (soon to be) 20.

It's definitely a high point. Though releasing (presumably) everything, you get a mix of lackluster mixed in with the best stuff. I get the feeling it may have been his high point, period, but I'll hold off on that until I hear everything.

[John B]

This is another great album. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to dip their toe in the water of Jandek. Very enjoyable, upbeat &, yes, melodic. Not crazy at all.

I agree with this assessment. I stll say that Blue Corpse is the most essential Jandek I have heard so far, but this disc is a lot of fun. One of my favorites, right up there with BC and the live tracks from last month.

The first track is very poppy, for lack of a better word. Almost a surf vibe to this one. The drumming is still incompetent and, to my ears, unnecessary, but this is a great disc. The skies are still cludy and gray, but some rays of sun are breaking through into Jandek's world here.

plus, the track "Time and Space" just flat out rocks.

Edited November 4, 2004 by John B

[Guest Chaney]

Follow Your Footsteps, album # 13, starts with a sounds-like-were-testing-the levels instrumental called Honey which kicks into a nice melody two-thirds of the way through when Jandek stops drumming. Definitely another guitar player on this one as it's regular chords being played. The female singer, which I'll call Nancy #2, makes a one line appearence on this album by saying the title of the second song: What Do You Want To Sing. I find that humorous as she isn't on the rest of the album. The next song, Jaws Of Murmur, is the same chords as the last song except it has lyrics sung by the guitarist which are not too audible unfortunately. The reverb of the drums covers over his singing. Jandek's drumming a constant tribal beat which suits the feel & the title of the song, I feel, ominous & acoustic. Preacher has a great quick sliding guitar riff on acoustic along with Jandek chiming in on electric and some great vocals. He sings an actual melody though it's stark, but it's there. Reverb-drenched vocals really suit the breathiness of his voice. The next song, Didn't Ask Why, is another great one. Again acoustic, but the lyrics seem personal & heartfelt.

Didn’t Ask Why

You didn’t ask me why

You just watched me cry

Well, you were so sad

Oh, then you were so bad

Now back on the street

My own two feet

But you didn’t ask me why

I Know You Well has a similar feel but is not a repeat of Didn't Ask Why. It's just as great.

I Know You Well

Can’t come around the way you do

Say that you’re somebody new

I knew you from before

That’s the way you are once more

Can’t come ’round here

Say you’re somebody new

’Cause I know you

I know you well

Well, well, well

I know you well

And it’s been tough

You’ve been around

I know you well

Time won’t tell

What you’ve been doing

Time won’t tell

I know you well

Well

I know you well

The album then loses it's way a bit for the next 3 songs. Dearly Need Some Words (the only lyric sung by the other guitarist) has acoustic & Jandek picking out notes on electric around it. Straight Thirty Seconds (which is 2:40 long) has Jandek on electric and the second guitarist on drums on this & Bring On Fatima. I'm certain it's not Jandek, as the drummer uses his hi-hat to keep time in one spot and...well, you can't mistake the guitar playing now, could you? These 3 songs being the weakest part of the album, yet they don't take that much away from it. The last 3 songs are acoustic Jandek. For Today has possibly been done before under another title, but I'm not totally sure. He has done that before (i.e. Spanish In Me/River To Madrid both on Foreign Keys). It's quite an outrageous chord that runs through the song Collection. The album ends with, so far, my favorite last minute fill-the-tape songs called We're All Through. A very rhythmic and simple rhyme with the title, almost like a kid's song by which I mean playful.

We’re All Through

All together now

One, two

All together now

One, two, we’re all through

I've mentioned almost every song from this album and when I do that, you know I think it's a great album. Again a mix of acoustic and electric with 2 (or more!) very touching songs and some instrumentals to add to the quirk factor. The lesser songs don't take away at all from the overall quality of this album. Great!

Follow Your Footsteps

I like this one but probably less so than you, Dave.

Nice playing by the guest guitarist but I have to wonder if that type of musicianship is best NOT found on a Jandek album, at least not at this point in Sterl’s career. (I’m thinking of the 2004 live set and just how good that trio worked together.) While our guest is clearly a more polished player than Jandek, he’s also much less interesting. A plus of his presence is that Jandek seems free to sing in a more deliberate manner, as he doesn’t have to grapple with his limitations as an instrumentalist. That being said, it’s somewhat interesting that, of the first eight tracks, Jandek sings on only three.

Also, the combination of Mr. Guitar on guitar and Jandek on drums reminds me of big brother laying down a track and mom forcing big brother to allow little brother -- the mentally retarded but exuberant Jandek -- to sit in. “But Maaaaaaa! He’s ruining my song! Stupid Jandek.” On certain tunes, I’d swear that Mr. Guitar laid down his part and Jandek then randomly pulled a drum track off the shelf and laid that over the top.

For me, where this one becomes a Jandek album is at Straight Thirty Seconds. I’d agree Dave that that’s not Jandek on drums but why do you believe it’s Mr. Guitar? Whoever it is, I wish s/he would sit in more often.

Looking at the lyric sheet, For Today also appears as The Cat That Walked From Shelbyville on You Walk Alone.

ON THE EDIT: I'm not at all certain that I was clear as to my opinion of the guest guitarist. I feel that the style in which this guest guitarist plays is out-of-place on this Jandek album, nice though it may be.

Crap! I don't like what I've written.

Edited November 6, 2004 by Chaney

[Guest Chaney]

Modern Dances is a crazy album like Telegraph Melts. #14 in the Corwood series starts with a second version of a song from Telegraph Melts called Painted My Teeth. So far, his wildest performance is this song in either version. Nancy#2 is in on this album and song. Jandek on guitar and a third person on drums. The title is pretty much the whole lyric delivered in a tone that makes you believe, he's serious about wanting to do said activity and all the more power to him. Another yelping song follows called Twelve Minutes Since February 32nd (not a typo!) which he states: everybody dies. The drummers name is possibly Tom because in Hand For Harry Idle, Nancy#2 sings to give a hand to Harry & Tom. Then she says, "Tom doesn't want a hand!". Number 512 seems to get to Nancy#2 as during the slow pace she tries to get the others to go faster with no result which annoys her more:

What we need very quickly is a change

A real change, okay?

And immediately we will change the pace

Because we’re tired of this one

Okay? Let us change the pace

Oh boy did you ride?

Don’t got a ride that night

All I heard about drummers must be true

To stand there lookin’ at you

Fast, somebody’s got to go fast with me

Because oh god, I get so bored

On Nothing Is Better Than God (not a song you'll find in any hymn book at any time) Jandek sings the word God for 14 seconds while a little later Nancy#2 holds it for 15 seconds while Jandek samples various notes with the same word all around Nancy#2's held note. All of this is in the foreground of the speakers. I would go to any church if they were doing this song just to see it done. Spanish In Me makes a reappearence titled Spanish In Me 003. I Want To Know Why is another back & forth between Jandek & Nancy#2 with the most humorous part being the following:

[woman] Why did I ever leave Ohio

[Jandek] I’ll tell you why

[woman] Why?

[Jandek] I’ll tell you why

[woman] Why?

[Jandek] Oh this is why, this is why

[woman] Why

[Jandek] You want to know why?

[woman] Yeah, I want to

[Jandek] You want to know why?

[woman] Yeah why?

[Jandek] The cows came home [2x]

The last 3 songs, again, are acoustic solo Jandek. They recall the pick-a-string-not-strum guitar playing of his earlier albums.

This is a good & definitley fun album. Not as varied as Telegraph Melts, but keep the aspirin nearby. The VU meters hardly come out of the red, even on the acoustic songs his vocals hit the right frequencies to keep the meters pinned. A good album to drive through the city with & blare out the hatchback to all unsuspecting listeners.

Modern Dances

Well said Dave. I agree with your assessment -- especially as to Modern Dances being fun. That being said, I don't think I'd recommend this one to those new to Jandek; lots of improvising, and these folks really aren't pros when it comes to improv. Sounds like Jandek and friends got together for some fun, the tape was rolling and the resultant musical hijinks were released to us hapless listeners.

If I'm not mistaken, there's another male voice at certain points. Sounds a bit effeminate? Persnickity?

Anyway, on to Blue Corpse.

[dave9199]

Wow, that's your shortest review yet Chaney. Not much caught your ear? (Or maybe too much?) Looking forward to your next review!

[Guest Chaney]

Wow, that's your shortest review yet Chaney. Not much caught your ear? (Or maybe too much?) Looking forward to your next review!

First impression of Blue Corpse: devastating.

After the Fun With Sterling and Nancy #2 of Modern Dances, if Blue Corpse is about their breakup, cripes... hard not to feel it.

Is it possible that Sterling never intended to release the Nancy #2 tracks of Modern Dances? Maybe that album was compiled after the breakup with the last three tracks existing as his first recorded reflections on the ending and early aftermath of their relationship.

Dave and I were asked earlier if we thought it desirable or necessary to purchase all of Jandek's albums and listen to each in chronological order. My answer remains YES and a good example of the impact of listening in that manner is right here. Dave and I have gotten to know this man, we've imagined (?) his relationships and now, as best as we can guess, his relationship with the wonderful Nancy #2 is over. I don't think it's possible for the listener to feel it in quite the same way without first hearing and digesting each of the preceeding albums. As I said before: it's like missing pages in a book.

You've probably already seen this on the Jandek List, Dave, but for others...

I was curious about the backward vocals that can be heard leaking through on the cd version of Blue Corpse, so I recorded a few parts of the album onto my 4-track and played them backwards. I didn't discover evidence of any lost tracks... the only bit I could make out was from Harmonica - at one point you can hear the lines "I laugh to myself / It's all on the shelf" from The Way That You Act (from You Walk Alone). This seems to indicate that Blue Corpse and You Walk Alone were recorded on the same reel of tape, which shows thriftiness if nothing else...

Or it could have been intentional; we've heard Jandek do this in the past. Who knows?

Edited November 7, 2004 by Chaney

[dave9199]

Album #18 is called The Living End. It starts with Niagra Blues which is a minor key blues shuffle. Again the instrumentation is two electric guitars & Jandek on drums & vocals. It's good, although it felt like it could've been more intense, but never takes off. Janitor's Dead is the same song & tempo with Jandek warmed up lyrically. Another title track song with The Living End being another standard blues riff & Jandek with some loose vocals. Good performance from him. Talk That Talk gets interesting with a waka-waka riff two-thirds of the way through, then everyone plays different things at the end. The biggest surprise here is the appearence of Nancy#3, or possibily a reappearence of Nancy#1 on Embrace The World Outside. She's hard to hear as her singing is either way off mike, or she's nervous. Nowhere near as gregarious as Nancy#2. All of these women seem to have a similar folky feel in their voices. I think Sterling meets them in coffee houses. She sings on the rest of the album: In A Hush (which best describes her singing); Take Me Away With You on which she can be hear a lot better, but she's still very tentative or meek; and Crazy which ends the album. And where's Jandek during all of this? He's actually still on drums but he's laying back a lot while the same bluesy guitar interplay is going on except on Crazy where he's an active participant on drums which makes this Nancy#3's most lively song and as a consequence, she gets drowned by the lead guitar. There's is some background vocals happening towards the end, but I can't tell who's singing along with her.

So what we have here is a bluesy album that never feels like it takes off at any point. That also best sums up Nancy#3's singing style. The songs themselves are not great, but there's nothing awful on here either. No particular songs grabbed my ear as everyone sounds very uninspired or not even all that into it. It's an o.k. album.

[dave9199]

Next up is #19: Somebody In The Snow. This cover is talked about as his Gap fashion model cover. Tall & thin with blond hair (his normal color is red) in a slicked back rockabilly style and dark clothes. There was also a rumor, back in the day, that his 19th album would be his last. I have no idea when or why that rumor started. Even on the Jandek board, I don't remember reading any reasons for this.

The album picks up where The Living End, uh...ended. The first song, Tell Me Who You Are, has Nancy#3 singing in the background, Jandek on vocals only, and the two electric guitarists. I like the chord progression and Jandeks singing is low key. Had the lead guitarist not played on this, I think it would've helped the song a bit. A good start. Come Through With A Smile has Nancy#3 singing lead with her nervous held notes. I have to say, no matter what kind of element Jandek puts in, it eventually finds a place that fits. Maybe not all the time, but a style of song eventually pops out that works. Nancy#3's not a great singer, but her nervous quality finds a home in this song. The last minute-and-a-half starts to build up tensionwise which helps the song. Too bad they didn't pound away on it for a bit longer. The same thing happens in the next song; I May Not Be Around. Pastimes is the same music as I Sit Alone...from On The Way (#17). No vocals this time. It sounds like their between songs and randomly playing until a riff is agreed upon. The rhythm guitarist seems to have a hard time playing the chords right while the lead guitarist just plays over him & steers the song away from that into a blues which Jandek plays along with on drums. (I can't tell which guitarist is Eddie, if he's there at all). Next is, by far, one of the most interesting songs Jandek has done (at least on the first 20). This one is up there with Governor Rhodes on Telegraph Melts (#12). It's called Om & is just everyone chanting the word Om in long tones over each other. It's good, but can also sound really fucking creepy. Voices coming in then dropping down. Nancy#3's voice is a great touch to this one. It reminds me of music from Jesus Christ Superstar when Jesus was getting crucified (called The Crucifixtion). While I haven't heard that in a while (there are some GREAT songs on that album, believe it or not), the feel of Om reminds me of how freaked out the crucifixtion scene made me feel. I think I saw it when I was 10 or so. This topic segues nicely to the next song: Bring It In A Manger. Just Jandek & a harmonica on this one though he mentions about putting his genitals in a paper cup! That's what he would've brought to the baby Jesus, but was told maybe he should just sign the card & get some sleep instead. Walking Around goes back to the blues-Nancy#3-Jandek on drums set up, but that's the last we hear of her. The album then goes to Jandek on acoustic & drums also. With standard Jandek tuning , he sounds lyrically inspired on the next 3 songs: Sense Of Reason, Remind You & Corner Of The Street. He switches to electric for Stick With Me which, while not lyrically inspired, sounds like he's using brushes on the drums instead of sticks. What You Give Me is a sparser, durgy song that revisits the single string picking of earlier days, but with more notes involved. You Sing A Song is a fast paced fun song on harmonica & drums hammering out a beat (sic!). Walking Home closes the album with electric guitar & drums. Main lyric is: "Sit back, it's easy." Another end of tape filler and yet again, I like it. Evidently You Sing A Song wasn't long enough.

This album is much better than the previous two and more varied also. Hardly any basic blues this time and the solo Jandek songs are quite diverse too. A much more inspired album.