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Jandek is the musical project of Corwood Industries, a record label operating out of Houston, Texas. Since 1978, Jandek/Corwood Industries has independently released over 100 albums/DVDs of unusual, often emotionally dissolute folk and blues songs without ever granting more than the occasional interview or providing any biographical information. Jandek recordings have varied widely in style but are most commonly associated with 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. The name "Jandek" is intended to refer specifically to the musical project and not an individual, though Jandek is widely believed to be the brainchild of the enigmatic Sterling Smith who closely guards his privacy.
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.
One Foot in the North is the twentieth album by Jandek, and the only to be released in 1991. It is Corwood Industries release #0758, and featured voice and electric guitar for about half the album before drums and a second, more "polished" lead guitar joined along.
Twelfth Apostle is the 22nd album by Jandek. After the crazed purging of "The Electric End," the sidelong piece that ended Lost Cause, many thought Jandek was finished. But the Twelfth Apostle appeared in 1993, marking a return to straight acoustic and vocals. It was released as Corwood #0760.
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.
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.
The Gone Wait is the 35th album by Jandek, and the first of two released in 2003 It is Corwood Industries release #0773, and is the first release to feature the artist accompanying himself on fretless electric bass, rather than on his usual acoustic or electric guitar. The album's title was also the name of a song on Jandek's 1993 release Twelfth Apostle
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.
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. It was recorded live at the Center for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow, Scotland on May 23, 2005 and features a prelude and nine parts to a single song, "The Cell".
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.
Naked in the Afternoon: A Tribute to Jandek is a tribute album compiled by Moscow, PA-based independent record label Summersteps Records. The album features cover versions of songs by the reclusive avant-folk/blues singer/songwriter Jandek. Many 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 Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, Low, and Bright Eyes.
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 Nick Hennies and Chris Cogburn.
Glasgow Sunday 2005 is a live album by Jandek recorded at The Arches in Glasgow, Scotland on October 16, 2005. The performance was part of the Instal 05 festival, and was Jandek's second performance during this festival. The first, which took place two nights previous to this recording, is documented on Glasgow Friday. This show took place almost exactly a year after Jandek's first public performance at the same festival, documented on the CD and DVD release Glasgow Sunday.
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.
Not Hunting for Meaning is a studio album by Jandek. It is the 59th release attributed to Jandek and was released by Corwood Industries in 2009. Like the previous two studio albums The Myth of Blue Icicles and Skirting the Edge, the album features vocals and acoustic guitar.
References
- ↑ Jandek Mailing List Discussion Thread Archived 28 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine