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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.
Six and Six is the second studio album by American musician Jandek, and the first to be released under the Jandek name. It was released in 1981, by Corwood Industries (#0740). There have been two CD reissues so far, each adding more silence between the tracks.
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.
Graven Image is the 23rd album by Jandek, released in (1994) as Corwood Industries release #0761. It was the first Corwood CD, and was remastered and re-issued in 2004.
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.
New Town is the twenty-seventh studio album by the folk band Jandek. It was released in 1998 on Corwood Industries. The album consists of Jandek's vocals and mostly guitar instrumentation.
The Beginning is the twenty-eighth album by Jandek. It was released in 1999, and was given Corwood Industries release number 0766. It is considered the final album of Jandek's "second acoustic phase".
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.
Khartoum is the fourth and final album released in 2005 by Jandek. The album was released by Corwood Industries and his 43rd release overall. The album features the Corwood Representative on solo vocals and acoustic guitar.
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.
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.
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.
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.