Jandek is the musical project of Corwood Industries, a record label operating out of Houston, Texas, U.S.. Since 1978, Jandek/Corwood Industries has independently released over 150 albums/DVDs of unusual, often emotionally dissolute folk and blues songs without ever granting any interviews or providing any biographical information. The name "Jandek" is intended to refer specifically to the musical project and not an individual, although it is widely accepted that the project is centered on the musician whose real name is Sterling Richard Smith. Jandek often plays a highly idiosyncratic and frequently atonal form of folk and blues music, often using an open and unconventional chord structure. Jandek's music is unique, but the lyrics closely mirror the country blues and folk traditions of East Texas.
Ready for the House is the debut studio album by Jandek, and was released in 1978 by his own Corwood Industries label, with the catalog number #0739. The artist has said in letters that the number was meaningless. Corwood Industries reissued the album three times on CD, first in 1999, then sometime in the early 2000s, and again in 2005. Jackpot Records, with exclusive permission from Corwood, reissued the album on LP in 2008.
Glad to Get Away is the twenty-fourth album by Jandek, and was released (1994) as Corwood Industries #0762. It continues the acoustic sound of the prior two albums.
White Box Requiem is the twenty-fifth album by Jandek, and his only for 1996. Released as Corwood Industries #0763, it is essentially a "concept album" about a man who opens a "Pandora's box" of sorts. Over a year removed from the last album, this was the longest period between Jandek albums since the original three year stretch between the first two albums.
Glasgow Sunday is the second of four albums released in 2005 by musician Jandek on Corwood Industries, as (0779). His 41st overall, it was recorded live on October 17, 2004 at The Arches, Glasgow, as part of the Instal festival. This was the first known live appearance of Jandek, who played unannounced with backing from Richard Youngs on bass and Alex Neilson on drums.
Richard Youngs is an English musician with a prolific and diverse output, including many collaborations. Based in Glasgow since the early 1990s, his extensive back catalogue of solo and collaborative work formally begins with Advent, first issued in 1990. He plays many instruments, most commonly choosing the guitar, but he has been known to use a wide variety of other instruments including the shakuhachi, accordion, theremin, dulcimer, a home-made synthesizer and even a motorway bridge. He also released an album which was entirely a cappella.
Jandek on Corwood is a documentary about veteran reclusive folk/blues artist Jandek. Unlike most popular music documentaries, the subject himself is not seen in the film in any way; instead, various critics, disc jockeys and journalists, many of whom have had some contact with the notoriously reclusive artist, discuss Jandek, his equally mysterious independent record label Corwood Industries, and his music.
Alex Neilson is an English drummer, percussionist and singer who is based in Glasgow but grew up in Leeds. He is a founding member and main songwriter of folk-rock group Trembling Bells (2008-2018). He is also known for his continuing collaborations with Alasdair Roberts, Will Oldham and Richard Youngs, and for his work with elusive American singer/songwriter Jandek.
Khartoum Variations is the first of six releases in 2006 by singer/songwriter Jandek. Released by Corwood Industries, it is his 44th album overall. The recordings are alternate versions of seven of the eight songs from his previous album, Khartoum.
Newcastle Sunday is the 45th release by avant-folk/blues singer/songwriter Jandek, released by Corwood Industries. It is a recording of his second ever live performance, recorded at The Sage Gateshead, England.
What Else Does The Time Mean? is the 46th album from avant-folk/blues singer/songwriter Jandek. It was released by Corwood Industries (#0784). It is his third release in 2006, following January's' Khartoum Variations and February's live double-album Newcastle Sunday.
Glasgow Monday is the 47th release, third live album, and second-ever double album release, from avant-folk/blues singer/songwriter Jandek. It is his fifth release of the year and features "The Corwood Representative" on piano and vocals, along with the same rhythm section he performed with at the shows documented on Glasgow Sunday and Newcastle Sunday, bassist Richard Youngs and drummer/percussionist Alex Neilson who accents the music with chimes and echoing percussion.
When I Took That Train is the 40th release by avant-folk/blues singer/songwriter Jandek, and the first of four released in 2005 by his own Corwood Industries label, as #0778.
Down in a Mirror: A Second Tribute to Jandek is a tribute album compiled by Moscow, PA-based independent record label Summersteps Records, released as a follow-up to the label's first Jandek tribute, Naked in the Afternoon. As with Naked in the Afternoon, Down In A Mirror features cover versions of songs by the reclusive avant-folk/blues singer/songwriter Jandek. Some of the artists are members of the Summersteps roster or fans forming one-time combos to participate on the album, but the album also features contributions from Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Six Organs of Admittance, The Mountain Goats, Kawabata Makoto of Acid Mothers Temple, Lewis & Clarke and Okkervil River.
Austin Sunday is the 48th release overall and fourth live album by avant-folk/blues singer/songwriter Jandek. It is his sixth release of the year and documents Jandek's first ever American live performance, which took place in Austin, Texas on August 28, 2005. The lineup of musicians features "The Corwood Representative" on guitar and vocals, along with local musicians, electric bassist Juan Garcia and drummers Sarah Hennies and Chris Cogburn.
Glasgow Friday is a live album by Jandek released in 2008. It is Jandek's 53rd release. The album was recorded on 14 October 2005 at The Arches in Glasgow. Jandek was performing as part of the Instal festival, the same festival and venue at which he had made his unannounced live debut in 2004. As with his previous Glasgow performances, he was accompanied by Richard Youngs on bass guitar and Alex Neilson on drums.
London Tuesday is a live album by Jandek released in 2008. It is Jandek's 55th release. The album was recorded on 18 October 2005 at St Giles in the Fields, London, England. This performance was the first to feature Jandek playing solo acoustic guitar, and, in a similar manner to the presentation of Glasgow Monday, is an 8-part piece, entitled "No Mind Was A Good Mind". Like previous Jandek performances, the show was also filmed and released separately on DVD. The song "Part Three" is of particular interest, as it makes a number of direct references to the characters and themes of "Naked in the Afternoon", the first song on Jandek's 1978 debut album, Ready for the House.
Hasselt Saturday is a live album by Jandek released in 2009. It is Jandek's 57th release. The album was recorded on Saturday 12 November 2005 at Kunstencentrum Belgie in Hasselt, Belgium. During this performance, Jandek played solo piano and sang. Similar to Glasgow Monday and London Tuesday before it, this performance was presented as an 8-part piece, entitled "The Places You Left Me". Unlike previous live releases, no DVD of the Hasselt Saturday performance has been released by Corwood.
Helsinki Saturday is a live album by Jandek released in 2009. It is Jandek's 58th release. The album was recorded on Saturday 19 November 2005 at Kulttuuriareena Gloria in Helsinki, Finland. This performance featured Jandek on piano, accompanied by Iro Haarla on harp, and unlike previous performances and album releases is entirely instrumental. The album comprises one hour-long piece, entitled "Sleeping in the Dawn". An excerpt from the performance was released as the first track on the Avanto Festivaali 2005 CD-R. No DVD of the Helsinki Saturday performance has been released by Corwood.
Skirting the Edge is a studio album by Jandek. It is the 56th release attributed to Jandek and was released by Corwood Industries in 2008. The album features vocals and acoustic guitar, and explores a number of dark lyrical themes including ill-health, death and the casting-off of material possessions.
