Khartoum Variations

Infobox Album |
Name = Khartoum Variations
Type = Album
Artist = Jandek


Released = January 2006
Recorded = 2005
Length = 49:48
Label = Corwood Industries
Producer = Jandek
Reviews =

Last album = "Khartoum"
(2005)
This album = "Khartoum Variations"
(2006)
Next album = "Newcastle Sunday"
(2006)

"Khartoum Variations" is the first release of six releases in 2006 by singer/songwriter Jandek. Released by Corwood Industries as (#0782), it is his 44th album overall. The recordings are alternate versions of seven of the eight songs from his previous album, "Khartoum".

Some fans have speculated on the [http://mylist.net/archives/jandek/ Jandek/Corwood discussion group] that "Khartoum Variations" may actually be an earlier, previously unreleased attempt at recording the same songs. Since Jandek/Corwood releases are notorious for their lack of information other than album/song titles and Corwood's copyright date and mailing address, and Corwood themselves do not reveal much information even when asked, this could not be confirmed.

Overview

Released early in 2006 - and a mere week before the concert album, "Newcastle Sunday", "Khartoum Variations" turns out to be exactly what its title implies: variations on the songs of the album "Khartoum", almost to the word (there are no new lines nor anything other than a few syllables out of place from the original album). This time he's playing the songs on an electric guitar instead of acoustic, and he stretches them out a bit. All but one song (the title track) are longer - some by a few minutes - from the original tracks, though again this has nothing to do with changed lyrics and everything to do with the slowed tempo.

As nothing new is to be gleaned from the lyrics, perhaps the most fascinating aspect to the release is what's not here: "Fork in the Road," the final track of the original "Khartoum". This is what led many to speculate that these could be earlier recordings, though there is also the possibility that he found the other song unnecessary.

Track listing

#You Wanted To Leave – 9:15
#Fragmentation – 6:16
#I Shot Myself – 6:42
#New Dimension – 5:10
#Khartoum – 8:14
#In A Chair I Stare – 5:27
#Move From The Mountain – 8:13

Album Cover Description

The artist stands in front of Dublin Castle, in a photo that has been greatly altered, removing part of the building from the picture.