a r t i s t : Jandek
t i t l e : Glasgow Sunday 2005
d a t e : 2008
l a b e l : Corwood (CORWOOD 0792)
g e n r e : Avantgarde
r l s. d a t e : Oct/2008
t r a c k s : 02
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 67,5 MB
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Long-awaited official release of this mind-blowing Jandek
concert, easily the most powerful and emotionally high-wire
live show I have ever experienced in the flesh. This was the
second of two concerts that Jandek presented as part of Instal
2005 in Glasgow, the first being a trio guitar/bass/drums
performance.
This set was divided into two thematically linked movements,
here dubbed The Grassy Knoll and Tribal Ether. The first is a
heart-rending duo performance featuring Sterling on vocals and
harmonica and Loren Mazzacane Connors on electric guitar. It
starts off with a weird spoken word section that conflates the
environs of the Kennedy assassination with a dystopian sci-fi
scenario and a statement of intellectual and moral
individuality. Then it makes a sudden, gut-wrenching turn
where Sterling breaks into song, with the most forlorn vocal
melody you could possibly imagine, and moves into a section
that seems to be based around the heart-attack and
hospitalisation of a parent or family member. The
unaccompanied vocal sections are almost unbearably poignant
and the combination of Connors' spectral blues and Sterling's
Dylan-esque harp ups the emotional ante to the kinda level
that almost makes it hard to listen to. It's not something you
are gonna be able to just stick on in the background; there's
a weight to this recording that means you really have to be
ready for it. I was reduced to tears when I saw this live.
The second section comes off like a defiant/hysterical coda to
the first, featuring Sterling on drums (!), Alan Licht on
electric guitar and Heather Leigh Murray (Scorces et al) on
pedal steel guitar (not lap steel!) and vocals: Licht plays
rhythm, Murray plays lead, just in case you can't figure it
out for yourself or you think that only guys can rip like
that. Sterling's drums put the tribal in the title while Licht
and Murray collide with each other in an overdriven No Wave
style that is pure thunder and lightning. It's one of the
wildest performances on any Jandek recording.
I'm so tired at this point of reading about Jandek's art in
terms of dysfunction - hearing how these two pieces work
together is testament to his deliberate vision, his talents as
a performer and his incredible artistry. You won't hear a more
profoundly affecting record this year - or any. Jandek is one
of the greatest artists of the modern era and I would rate
this record as one of his greatest achievements, up there
alongside all-time Top 10 albums like Fushitsusha's Double
Live, Albert Ayler's 66 recordings, Dylan's Blood On The
Tracks/John Wesley Harding/Basement Tapes, Skip Spence's Oar,
13th Floor Elevators Easter Everywhere, Fraction's Moonblood,
Dead C Trapdoor Fucking Exit, Richard Youngs' Summer
Wanderer... you name it. It's that good. So, if you buy one
record this year... Highest possible recommendation.
David Keenan, Volcanic Tongue.
http://www.volcanictongue.com/?p=299
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01-The Grassy Knoll [25:32]
02-Tribal Ether [24:47]
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50:19 min