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.
Later On is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Jandek, and the second released by Corwood Industries (#0741) in 1981. It was reissued on CD in 2000.
Staring at the Cellophane is the sixth Jandek album, and his third of 1982. It was released as Corwood 0744. It was reissued on CD in 2001.
Your Turn to Fall is the seventh Jandek album, and was released as Corwood 0745. It was reissued on CD in 2001.
The Rocks Crumble is the eighth Jandek album, released as Corwood 0746. It is his third release of 1983, and is the first Jandek album to feature extensive use of drums and electric guitar. It was reissued on CD in 2001.
Blue Corpse is the fifteenth album by Jandek, and his second for 1987. Primarily an all acoustic album with an unknown accompanist, it is considered by many to be one of the more accessible and cohesive albums in Jandek's oeuvre.
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.
This Narrow Road is the thirtieth album by Jandek, and the first of two new discs released in 2001. It is also the second of three spoken word releases and is Corwood #0768.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My Oracle Lives Uptown is the tenth album by British electronic musician and record producer, William Orbit. It was released digitally on 4 May 2009 on Kobalt Digital, as a 12-track limited edition. It was released as a physical CD on 8 June 2009 with 16 tracks. The 16 track version was released as a Studio Master quality digital download and on deluxe Double 180g vinyl by Linn Records.
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.
