Jandek – “Indianapolis Saturday” – [Corwood Industries]

abacus   4/4/2012   A Library, CD

More timeless free improv wanderings from prolific loner, Jandek; over 130 mins for your listening torture! Actually, it seems at first that years of above surface exposure have relegated him to more musical leanings, until the baffling, delirious lyricism of his distinctly oblique brand of country blues emerges to remind us that he’s still Jandek. He’s joined here by a small ensemble that offer a very dynamic atmosphere with some groovy jazz infections complements of a smooth bassist and spot-on drummer (who also drifts into jandekian drawls when needed) and skittish embellishments to Jandek’s jagged harmonies from a viola who peers cautiously from the din. There is a flute/xylophone player that seems to set himself apart from the rest of the group, jamming over and off of them, sometimes awkwardly (especially when quoting Christmas and jazz tunes in track 1). The female vocalist here offers an interesting juxtaposition sometimes mirroring Jandek’s styles, other times belting out a folksy, Americana bounce or bursting into slam poetry beats. Overall offers a new angle on Jandek’s signature staggering schizophrenic hazy noir daydream.