My strongest memory of Jack: he was playing midway on a bill of folk-pop bands at the Garage in London. Glenn Jones was on directly before him, and a lot of people in the audience had talked through the whole set; someone said to Glenn, "Why don't you tell them to shut up?" and he replied, "Oh, I can't do that." Then Jack came out, stood in the middle of the stage and shouted, "Shut the fuck up you fucking limeys!" at the top of his voice. He then proceeded to play the most intense set of solo, instrumental folk songs I've ever heard. After a couple of pieces he snapped a string and had to switch to his backup instrument, a huge 12-string guitar. It was hopelessly out of tune and he ended up playing a long atonal improvisation, which didn't go down too well.
By all accounts that incident was far from representative; I saw him play twice more, and he was extremely amiable and laidback on each occasion. But I still remember it with some fondness. RIP
― The Boxing Pretzel Wizard, Saturday, 12 December 2009 04:25 (fourteen years ago) link
Chris Scofield of Strange Attractors Audio House just sent around this description of the forthcoming DVD with Jack and Glenn Jones, and with his permission I'll post it here -- he apologizes for any grammatical errors, and says there will be more information forthcoming as the time draws nearer:
---
Yes, the completion of this DVD is just around the bend. This has been inthe works since the idea germinated last August, the sessions shot in Sept2008. A very experienced filmmaker named Jesse Sheppard approached Glennabout his wish to capture he and Jack on film. There are many folks who areperforming today as part of a "new guard" celebrating the solo acousticsteel string tradition by moving it forward - Steffen Basho-Junghans, JamesBlackshaw, Harris Newman, Sean Smith, Sir Richard Bishop, just to name a few- but Jack and Glenn are two of the most traditional leading the pack, andunique in the sense that they are friends and collaborators who representtwo generations of the idiom, share many similarities in their styles, butalso share just as many marked differences. Jack and Glenn both took to soloacoustic early in their lives, abandoned it for rock and experimentalhybrids, yet both came back and embraced it later on, which I findinteresting. The tandem is a well-rounded representation of solo guitar,past, present and future, and its two leading lights, and this is what thefilmmaker sought to achieve, which I believe he has done impeccably.
The filmmaker's core idea was to document them in performance but not infront of an audience, rather in an intimate setting, in which the musicianscan tell their story to the camera through their art. The sessions tookplace in a loft in Brooklyn - three cameras, and the musicians, creating astudio in someone's lovely home. Each one plays a set of music, each songmarking "takes" just as in the recording studio, the best performances beingused. The way it was shot aims to evoke the atmosphere of performance, asif you the viewer were watching the performer, live and alone, with someflourishes of what the eye may focus on (the playing, close ups of facialexpressions, in between takes a wandering eye to the surroundings, etc),using a blend of multiple angles. It was shot impeccably, on film, notvideo.
Jack nailed all eight songs in the first take, save for one which he got inthe second. Jack's playing, especially the 6-string stuff, is so monstrous,very big and ballsy, whereas Glenn's is especially cinematic and complex.There are two songs of Jack and Glenn performing together as well, which arejust awesome ("Linden Avenue Stomp" and "Miss May's Place"), eight from Jacksolo and six from Glenn solo (about 35 minutes each). The sonic and filmquality is INCREDIBLE.
Our own Byron Coley interviewed Jack and Glenn for a 36 minuteconversational. This is just brilliant in my opinion, because the interviewquickly becomes an informal talk amongst three people who are obviouslyfriends with one another, and so it comes across very comfortable andsincere. Three dudes shooting being asked questions and shooting the shit,telling stories, joking with one another, etc. I learned a lot from it,about the musicians themselves, inspirations, the solo acoustic tradition,and how each musician feels about each other's playing (especially revealingand endearing stuff here). Glenn is such a scholar of the idiom, and hispersonal stories about Fahey and Basho are wonderful, and Jack's personalityjust shines. My heartfelt thanks to Byron for doing this, it really isamazing stuff.
"Bonus" footage does capture Jack and Glenn playing live at a gig both werebilled on in Philadelphia, in March of this year. Three songs by each. Allin all, the DVD clocks in at nearly 2 1/2 hours.
Graphic design is by Josh Pfeffer (who is responsible formany of the great designs on Strange Attractors BTW, including all of theGlenn Jones and all of the Cul de Sac releases except "ImmortalityLessons"). The cover is literally being finalized now, and it is lookingwonderful. DVD will be housed in a cardstock-style amaray.
Glenn endearingly entitled the DVD last week 'The Things That We Used toDo'. Heartwrenching.
This film has always intended to be a celebration of the work of two veryimportant artists and a particular musical style. The passing of Jack in noway alters this intent, if anything it reinforces the importance ofcelebrating his work. I feel very fortunate that his playing was capturedon film, if anything because as Glenn pointed out to me, footage of Fahey isrelatively sparse given his canon of work, and with Basho its basicallynon-existent. I am very humbled to help bring this project to fruition andto further spread the gospel of Jack and Glenn.
I tried to send a photo from the sessions to share with everyone on thelist, but I think the file was too big. Anyone with a Facebook account cancheck one out posted here:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Strange-Attractors-Audio-House/140771171629
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 17 December 2009 18:41 (fourteen years ago) link
Just posted my radio tribute to Jack over at the Holy Victrola weblog. Songs from Jack in all his ensembles and solo, plus other things that may or may not have been the kind of music he dug.I mean, I'd read his praise of the Pigpen led Dead burner "Easy Wind" before, and obviously Fahey was an influence, but I just kinda figured that maybe he was a Charalambides fan, and I just got to hear Market Square for the first time, so...anyway....One of his friends told me to play something from Link Wray's self-titled, so I've got faith in that, at least.
― Trip Maker, Saturday, 19 December 2009 16:17 (fourteen years ago) link
cool! looks like a great playlist. Not that it would fit in with what you played, but judging from some of his friends' remembrances, Jack was quite the Doors booster ...
― tylerw, Saturday, 19 December 2009 16:37 (fourteen years ago) link
Damn. Missed opportunity. We've got Strange Days at KOPN.
― Trip Maker, Saturday, 19 December 2009 16:38 (fourteen years ago) link
A Valentine for Jack Rose
http://issueprojectroom.org/2010/01/18/a-valentine-for-jack-rose/
Wow, Michael Chapman playing in Brooklyn. I wouldn't think that happens often.
― Thus Sang Freud, Friday, 22 January 2010 17:03 (fourteen years ago) link
He played in Harlam a few years ago!He might be playing at the store too, but it's unconfirmed as of yet...
― Joint Custody (ian), Friday, 22 January 2010 17:18 (fourteen years ago) link
lol harlam.
Yikes! Don't let me miss that one. The in-store, I mean.
― Thus Sang Freud, Friday, 22 January 2010 17:41 (fourteen years ago) link
i'll keep the internet posted.
― Joint Custody (ian), Friday, 22 January 2010 19:58 (fourteen years ago) link
Feb. 13, Philly: A Record Release Party and Memorial Concert for JACK ROSE
"Jack Rose passed away suddenly at home in Philadelphia on December 5, 2009. He was widely regarded as the most profound exponent of acoustic guitar playing of his generation. Jack grew to be loved and admired by a great many people through his live performances, electric personality, serious cooking skills and a general mastery in the art of friendship. This concert is a release party for his new album Luck In The Valley and an occasion to celebrate and remember the good Dr. Ragtime. The artists performing were all dear friends of Jack’s and admired by him musically."
Saturday, February 13, 2010 – 7:00 PMLatvian Society of Philadelphia – 531 N. 7th Street
Tickets: $18Available now: http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/4067
Performers:D. Charles Speer & The HelixThurston Moore | Paul Flaherty | Chris CorsanoMichael ChapmanPeltThe Black Twig PickersGlenn JonesByron ColeyMeg Baird | Chris ForsythMegajam Booze BandDJ Ian NagoskiVideo clips curated by Tara Young
More info: http://www.arthurmag.com/2010/01/19/memorial-concert-for-jack-rose/
― jaybabcock, Friday, 22 January 2010 23:06 (fourteen years ago) link
Meanwhile, Strange Attractors has put up the first teaser trailer from the forthcoming DVD. Looks like it should be a winner and a half:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0r3weDRgKE
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 23 January 2010 03:50 (fourteen years ago) link
whoa, that philly memorial show sounds great. i hope tickets are still available in two weeks, i don't think i can afford it now...
― spastic heritage, Saturday, 23 January 2010 04:16 (fourteen years ago) link
The memories continue:
http://citypaper.net/articles/2010/02/11/blues-for-jack-rose
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 11 February 2010 19:29 (fourteen years ago) link
Miss this guy. Really looking forward to the posthumous album this year.
― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Thursday, 11 February 2010 19:33 (fourteen years ago) link
Long form trailer for the upcoming DVD now up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ5tSbLZdfM
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 15 February 2010 05:08 (fourteen years ago) link
I've been fortunate enough to receive an early review copy of the DVD with Glenn Jones. It's a treasure, and it's just nice to see Jack again, in some way.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 7 April 2010 03:48 (fourteen years ago) link
Meanwhile, here's the information again on the tribute collection, due for release in a couple of weeks online:
http://www.fina-music.com/catalog/index.html?id=104712
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 7 April 2010 03:52 (fourteen years ago) link
Good to see some more Jack stuff being released. I admittedly still need to pick up Luck in the Valley -- will do that this week.
― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Wednesday, 7 April 2010 13:04 (fourteen years ago) link
http://uabab.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/jack-rose-luck-in-the-valley.jpg
jesus christ
what a joyous, mystical, wonderful record
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Tuesday, 12 October 2010 19:26 (thirteen years ago) link
Agree -- it's fabulous.
― more than ever convinced ilxor is a sock (ilxor), Tuesday, 12 October 2010 20:07 (thirteen years ago) link
:(
― am0n, Tuesday, 12 October 2010 20:11 (thirteen years ago) link
i was just listening to opium musick this morning.
― not everything is a campfire (ian), Tuesday, 12 October 2010 22:16 (thirteen years ago) link
I played Raag Manifestos the other night. Really great album.
― more than ever convinced ilxor is a sock (ilxor), Tuesday, 12 October 2010 22:18 (thirteen years ago) link
http://delta-slider.blogspot.com/2010/03/jack-rose-brickbat-books-bootlegs.html
― tylerw, Tuesday, 12 October 2010 22:22 (thirteen years ago) link
A year ago today.
Rest well, sir. We all still miss ya.
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 5 December 2010 17:48 (thirteen years ago) link
^^^^^ this
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Sunday, 5 December 2010 18:16 (thirteen years ago) link
^^^^^^
― Stockhausen's Ekranoplan Quartet (Elvis Telecom), Sunday, 5 December 2010 20:56 (thirteen years ago) link
love this guy 4eva
― i genuinely thought when i first joined that he was the admin (ilxor), Monday, 6 December 2010 15:47 (thirteen years ago) link
Yo La Tengo dedicated a song to him at Maxwell's last night.
― Chonus, Monday, 6 December 2010 19:10 (thirteen years ago) link
can't believe it's a year already. listened to z.m. dagar playing raga yaman the other night and thought of him.
― ogmor, Monday, 6 December 2010 21:38 (thirteen years ago) link
dedication in the new Six Organs of Admittance record:
"Missing you, Dr. Ragtime. Now who will call bullshit on the bullshitters?"
― Damn this thread seems so....different without ilxor (ilxor), Saturday, 12 February 2011 01:35 (thirteen years ago) link
Coming this month:
Thurston Moore - VDSQ Solo Acoustic Volume Five12 String Meditations For Jack Rose
Solo, untreated, 12-string compositions in tribute to oneof the greats. An album of instrumentals in requiem.
Really miss Jack. The few times I had the privilege of seeing him live are forever burned in my memory. A truly savage loss.
― Badmotorfinger Debate Club (MFB), Saturday, 12 February 2011 07:59 (thirteen years ago) link
http://www.decal.org/file/2443
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 22 August 2012 04:24 (eleven years ago) link
Nice syllabus
― Trip Maker, Wednesday, 22 August 2012 13:45 (eleven years ago) link
would enroll
― tylerw, Wednesday, 22 August 2012 22:18 (eleven years ago) link
idk what he wld have made of this. i wonder if it means money for his estate.
― ogmor, Friday, 24 August 2012 11:47 (eleven years ago) link
Four years.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 5 December 2012 20:58 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah, still sad. I am now older than he was when he passed.
New Pelt album has some heavy Jack-inspired moments on it related to their shared history, as well as a song called "Of Jack's Darbari" (the album is also called "Effigy", though I don't think it is solely because of Jack being gone). It is a great record and a very fitting way to pay tribute in some ways, barring just playing a ton of Rose's albums and the Pelt records he is actually on.
― grandavis, Thursday, 6 December 2012 16:47 (eleven years ago) link
three years, but yeah, still a bummer. listened to luck in the valley last week and it really seemed like he was just getting started. haven't heard the new pelt yet, but will seek it out!
― tylerw, Thursday, 6 December 2012 17:05 (eleven years ago) link
It's really good Tyler, and pretty unique to my ears. Still doing the all acoustic drone thing from the last 2 records or so, but even more of a strange mix of instruments/strategies.
― grandavis, Thursday, 6 December 2012 17:36 (eleven years ago) link
agreed that the new Pelt is great. soundscape with the jaw harp blows me away.
it's LP/Digital only...the record is nice. sounds great, too. out here: http://mie.limitedrun.com/products/504355-pelt-effigy
also can't believe it's been 4 yrs...saw him play just a month before he passed, and was lucky enough to see him & pelt at the last Terrastock. great shows.
― dronestreet, Thursday, 6 December 2012 20:16 (eleven years ago) link
Forever missed:
http://soundamerican.org/jack-rose-is-real
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 22 May 2013 17:19 (ten years ago) link
Man, reminiscences of Jack are just so interesting, cause everyone feels compelled to lay a heavy story or two on you, which speaks volumes about the path this guy cut through music/life. Hope there are a bunch of unreleased beauts out there awaiting release, just cause it would be nice, but still sad there won't be new tunes.
― grandavis, Wednesday, 22 May 2013 18:30 (ten years ago) link
nice article... yeah, there should be some sort of big jack rose box set w/ unreleased stuff. by the way, anyone have this? http://oh-be-joyful.blogspot.com/2010/11/nice-and-nasty-selections-from-dr.html [link is dead there...]
― tylerw, Wednesday, 22 May 2013 22:12 (ten years ago) link
listened to "two originals of..." last night -- man, "red horse" has to be up there with the all time great Takoma epics. the whole thing is stunning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP0LnKJSU1o
― tylerw, Thursday, 23 May 2013 17:47 (ten years ago) link
Yeah man, that is killer. I need to own more Jack Rose records.
― grandavis, Thursday, 23 May 2013 18:05 (ten years ago) link
I suppose red horse was the first solo piece he released? arrives perfectly-formed. that bit ~1.20-1.50, gaaaah. mb the only thing that withstands comparison to the great san bernardino birthday party. it was always a beautiful, melancholy piece but it feels so sad now.
― ogmor, Thursday, 23 May 2013 18:21 (ten years ago) link
think i posted this over on the other thread, but if you missed it - http://doomandgloomfromthetomb.tumblr.com/post/49362884245/jack-rose-peel-sessions-two-very-much-missed
― tylerw, Thursday, 23 May 2013 18:28 (ten years ago) link
Whoa, thanks Tyler. If you posted it already I missed it.
I wonder how much of this (Red Horse)was improvised? Some of it is so damn good it is hard to imagine it being so, but it seems a lot of times pieces this long are "loosely structured" so say the least. I gotta say, that interview in Arthur was really enlightening, just full of cool details. Like I said, I gotta get more Jack Rose records.
Sad doesn't even begin to describe the feeling. The way he pushed himself, and the run he was on, made it pretty evident that he had some tremendous things ahead of him. Just a shame, but at least he got a pretty decent amount out whilst charging ahead.
― grandavis, Thursday, 23 May 2013 18:34 (ten years ago) link