Jandek – London Residency

Just unwrapped this deceptively slim set last week, working through the stiff slip sleeve journey therein... certainly worth what I paid straight to Corwood - that's the way to do it, but you could maybe save money on here... physical presentation is basic as always, downside is that there are no songs printed on the paper, no info as usual. Titles are on the discs: When the disc is in the player, you don't have the set list.
The first night (disc 1&2) is more typical for Jandek's last couple of years (I gather) - him and Sheila rocking back and forth at each other. High energy and more humor than gloom, more repetition. Standout song (if I recall, since it was in the player) was I'm Ready, because--jaw drop--it is a new rendition of an old song! And beautiful at that. I wish in my 3 shows I'd heard an old ditty, but totally respected that he doesn't play old material. Yet here we are!
Second night (disc 3&4) is almost over and I like disc 3 much more... starts gloomy, soloistic, but with weird jazz piano keyboards and slinky bass keeping it mildly whimsical. Keeps picking up, becoming more like a Shreds video, except he's really making those noises. End of first disc has a beautiful drawn out melody, the kind of faux classical I like in later Jandek stuff. Kind of Morton Feldman meets Sonic Youth, minimalistic and wonky, edgy and somber. Disc 4 picks back up where night 1 left off, with Sheila belting out short phrases or telling angsty tales over frenetic jam funk. Less intimate to the soul, but does pick up the energy. "Vain Thug" reaches nearly Swans proportions of belly rage about people who step on flowers and do drugs.
Crowd noise is not too bad on these... that's polite England for ya!
Night 3, stay tuned...