This past weekend was reclusive Texan musician weekend here in New York City. On Friday and Sunday there were Roky Erickson shows and sandwiched in between was Jandek. Wikipedia has the following to say about Jandek:
“Jandek is the assumed name of an outsider musician who operates in or around Houston, Texas. Since 1978, Jandek has self-released 49 albums of unusual, often emotionally dissolute folk and blues songs without ever granting more than the occasional interview or providing any biographical information. 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 his lyrics closely mirror the country blues and folk traditions of Eastern Texas.”
I personally had never heard of Jandek before a year of so ago when he made his first New York appereance. Since then I have pick up a few of his recordings and struggled with most them. But being a music fan I wasn’t going to miss a possible once in a life time chance to see him perform. The show on Saturday was scheduled to be at Tonic but was moved at the last moment to the beautiful Abrons Arts Center. Jandek performed at a 3 piece band and it was unlike any of the recording I had heard. The music was a mix between rock and free form noise. Most of the songs lasted for close to 15 minutes and moved between multiple arrangemnets and structures. I was really captivated by parts but just flat out borded by others. Here is short video I shot of his performance
