Of course I couldn't resist squeezing deal old Jandek into Covers Month. Posting his perhaps best song and Ivory Elephant's cover of it, also gives me a reason to talk about his show at Rudyard's in his home town of Houston exactly one week ago.
There were many extraordinary things about this gig, his first in Houston. But it all boils down to five essentials points (get ready because this is shocking stuff):
1. Jandek sat at the bar when the doors opened and greeted and talked to everyone who entered. He didn't hide backstage as usual, he actually socialised! And seemed happy about it!
2. The show consisted of an 80 minute funk jam. Yes, a funk jam.
3. The audienced DANCED! The music was so groovy and hot an actual party atmosphere spread in the room and people couldn't help but jump up and down, grind their crotched against one another and shake their booties.
4. Jandek danced! And smiled! He appeared to genuinely have a good time and would often engage in call & response antics from the stage. Remember, this is the man who barely acknowledges his audience during concerts.
5. Jandek played an encore! Indeed, he and his fellow musicians (bassist Keith Vivens and drummer Tyson Sheth) were called back and played another 15 minutes!
This has to be one of those milestones in Jandek's career. You could say that Nancy Sings was the first milestone, as it was the first time he had collaborators. The three a capella records would be another milestone, as would his decision to finally play live.
Amidst the unbridle funkamania, Jandek would recite his lyrics like a demented David Byrne or maul his guitar in Sonic Youth-like distorted infernos. So supremely fucked up and so completely unexpected. Watch the video below if you don't believe me, this was the last thing Jandek fans were expecting.
So cool, absolutely unbelievable. Can't wait to hear what the next album will sound like!
(mp3) Jandek - Nancy sings (1982)Jandek gettin' his groove on in Houston April 5th 2009:
(mp3) Ivory Elephant - Nancy sings (2000)
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