Jandek

A collection of films from an eclectic array of contributors commissioned to raise funds for the Bristol independent cinema The Cube.

Concert video by Jandek

“The longest-running, weirdest, loneliest enigma in popular music is a guy from Texas who calls himself Jandek." So begins a 1997 Boston Phoenix article by Douglas Wolk. From the bluesy, atonal music and haunting lyrics, to the artist’s steadfast seclusion and sheer longevity, everything about this man intrigues. Twenty-five years, 34 albums, and not a single live show or public appearance. Even the simple detail of the man's real name is a mystery. Jandek on Corwood is the 89-minute documentary that explores this man, his world and his music.

Jandek performs the piece "Outcast of Civilization" for two hours.

From an episode of Hardly Sound, this is a documentary focuses on enigmatic underground Texas musician, Jandek as he weaves through a one-act play called "Kooken".

Concert video by Jandek

Concert video by Jandek

Concert video by Jandek

Concert video by Jandek

Concert video by Jandek

Just after 4 p.m., the rail-thin Jandek - clad in all black from his Panama hat to his dress shoes - bassist Keith Vivens and drummer Tyson Sheth nonchalantly walked onstage. "Yall in for a wild time tonight," Vivens said, and he was right. Instantaneously, the trio launched into a prodigious jam like George Clinton and Parlaiment-Funkadelic might have in 1975. Vivens' gelatinous five-note bass figure took care of the melody, Jandek's astringent blues guitar filled in the accents and Sheth's cucumber-cool drumming kept things moving forward. It was off the cuff and in the pocket, and just kept going... and going... and going...

Concert video by Jandek

Concert video by Jandek

Concert video by Jandek

Concert video by Jandek

Concert video by Jandek

Concert video by Jandek

Concert video by Jandek

The audience had not made a single sound during this whole approach. Then the two-hour set began. First an instrument started a pattern, then others joined, and finally Jandek—nearing and withdrawing from the microphone until the timing struck him—began. "I took a train," he moaned, "to Colorado...

Concert video by Jandek