John B

I appreciate the thought, but twenty copies of Worthless Recluse? That seems a bit excessive... Dave - a friend kindly helped me prepare for the challenge, so I have no doubt I'll be happy with my order. I've been listening to six or seven Jandek albums over the past few months and know what to expect. Corwood sent a very brief answer to the two questions I asked in my order letter. On the back of a current catalog the words "yes" "yes" are written in what looks like two different sets of handwriting. The questions being answered are "is the Glasgow 2004 DVD still going to be released?" and "will the two 2005 live performances be released?" So, good news on both of those.

as far as I can tell, my check has still not been cashed. However, when I got home from work today, I had a note from the post office that a package from Corwood arrived. Now that is service!

I will plan on posting answers by Tuesday, July 5th, at the latest. That will be just in time for JSngry's mailing for BFT 27, and will give the remaining 12 people who haven't chimed in so far a chance to post any thoughts they might have on this disc. Again, I would love to read people's guesses, thoughts or impressions, both positive and negative, on the tracks I chose. I've really enjoyed the discussion so far and am looking to reading some more great posts before this wraps up.

off current topic, but I heard Noah Howard's At Judson Hall (ESP) for the first time last night. I really enjoyed it. In my opinion it was more interesting than the disc on Ayler, although it does have something of the typical "late 1960's free jazz blow out" to it. Two tracks, each just over 18 minutes long. The sound quality was servicable, but I was listening to an emusic download, so I can't comment on the actual release itself.

please post your thoughts once you have a chance to listen to them. I'd like to read your impressions before deciding if I am going to order any more titles.

sometimes I feel like I don't even know you anymore.

The most shocking confession I have seen here in quite a while.

I'm going to pull out both Funny Rat and Daredevil tomorrow. I might as well join in the nostalgia!

Correct. The theme also determined track selection. In several cases I did not choose my favorite track from an album, hoping to make the test more varied and to make the theme more difficult to determine. Track 9 is a perfect example of this. I'm glad you found some tracks that worked for you!

Not every track features this vocalist. In my opinion, the entire album is very interesting and I would highly recommend you give it a listen.

I know the seller of that set. He is a really good guy. (if you read Signal to Noise, Dusted or One Final Note you have most likely read some of his reviews.)

I don't know about "most creative player on the scene," but Hamid rocks my world. I really enjoy just about every recording I have with him on it.

brownie - correct on track #10! #1 is the Italian Instabile Orchestra, so you weren't as ignorant as you may have thought. I'm really glad both you and MWTGA listened to the disc with open ears and found some tracks you enjoyed!

dave, how long did it take Corwood to cash your check and get your discs out to you?

Hopefully a session is recorded and released. How is the duo disc? I gave miselian and Points and Slashes first listens today. I enjoyed both, but need more time to listen to them while not at work before feeling comfortable commenting on either.

That would have been (could still be) a very interesting pairing. Do you think (hypothetically) that someone like Fennesz would work well with the Necks? I could see his more ambient laptop / guitar work fitting in nicely with their aesthetic, but I have no knowledge of the personalities involved, so I'm not sure it would be succesfull.

Certainly! I could send you a copy of the concert from London I have, if you have not already heard it.

I own this one, and it is good. I haven't listened to it in quite a while, so I'm not sure exactly how good I would say it is. I thought I bought a copy through Squidco, but they don't seem to have it now. It is also available directly from the band for AU$27.28 plus shipping.

I've never heard Silent Night or Hanging Gardens. I'll add them to "the list" and buy copies the next time I order new music.

I don't know that it matters, really. All of their albums operate in a fairly narrow range of expression. If you like one of their albums I suspect you'll like all of them. Sex is their oldest album, and, as I said earlier, retains a greater degree of a jazz piano trio sensibility (althought most posters here at Org. would dispute this) than their more recent work, which is more trancelike and minimalist. Their 4cd live set (Athenaeum, Homebush, Quay & Raab)is also an excellent place to start, if you can track down an inexpensive copy.

Don't know Australian Free Jazz at all . ← It's pretty impressive. It has never been released on CD, so it's rather obscure. I was lucky enough to find an original LP, it's one of my most cherished records. ← Sounds interesting. How would you describe them? Are there any more well known groups you would compare them to?

Yes, The Necks really are fantastic. I have to be in the right mood to listen to them but I really enjoy what they do. I've got most of their albums as well as a few live broadcasts and everything I have heard is well worth listening to. Are any of you familiar with the band Triosk? They are also Australian, and remind me of the Necks, but with electronics added to the mix. I have only heard one of their albums, but it was very good.

I just heard this one for the first time tonight and enjoyed it much more than you did. Nothing earth-shattering, but a really solid disc. Perhaps it was just what I was in the mood for to blow away the cobwebs of a long work day. I would recommend it to fans of Howards.

Go here and check out one of over 100 live shows. They allow taping, so these are all band approved.

Great article! Thanks for posting it! I've got to hear Buddy Systems, if only for the Oluyemi Thomas, John Butcher and Otomo Yoshihide tracks.