Inside No. 9, Episode #15: For the love of Jim O’Rourke [Is your smile so easily warn away]
I first got into Jim O’Rourke after picking up a Domino Records compilation back in the early 2000s. I soon realized I had heard his work/playing on many albums I had nabbed while I was studying. I picked up Eureka on CD and grabbed all his singer-songwriter records on wax since then. I found his music at a similar time to when I was really getting into avant-garde composition. Since then, I have also amassed many LPs of Jim’s solo and collaborative records, and I also always have an ear open for the Steamroom releases (which you will hear on the next show). He is a rare artist that connects Drag City with Editions Mego, two labels I go to repeatedly for new music – and have done so for many years. This month’s episode is in two parts. The first is a collection of Jim’s more classical singer-songwriter compositions, followed by his works in the avant-garde world. The first was seemingly the easiest as there are only six records to choose from (I decided to leave out Loose Fur, but if you haven’t heard those records, get involved as it’s Jim and Wilco at their best), but the avant-garde records list into the hundreds.
Eureka and Insignificance were my first loves. These two records, with their glorious artwork, are unparalleled. Amidst the release of these two LPs was my favorite of the bunch – the EP Halfway to a Threeway – one of my desert island discs. I then discovered ‘Bad Timing’ and was hooked. At this time, I was getting heavily into Wilco, The Sea and Cake, and Tortoise and loved the mix of lounge jazz and indie music. I then went on a journey to discover his more experimental work and ignored The Visitor and Simple Songs. I remember first hearing Simple Songs and being underwhelmed. But, as much of Jim’s music, on repeat listens, I fell in love and can’t stop playing it. It’s now one of my favorite records of all time. Seeing the movie ‘Love Liza’ also resonated with me a lot – and the use of Jim’s music was incredible (RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman). I could have easily selected every track from all these records, but I have picked nine that speak to me right now.
I have only ever had the pleasure of seeing Jim live with his collaborative efforts, including Sonic Youth and Keiji Haino. I would love to see him perform some of these songs live in the future – but I may need to move to Japan. I’m sure most of you are familiar with these works, but I hope you enjoy my selection and the opportunity to delve into these via my disjointed mind. These are life-affirming songs with an idiosyncratic approach to songwriting and performance. I wish more people were as joyous and as wonderful as Jim. Some of my favorite records are produced by Jim, including Red Apple Falls, Knock Knock, and A Ghost is Born. The man is and has always been on fire. Any artist that can seamlessly flick from sounding like Burt Bacharach to Harry Nilsson and then collaborate with Keiji Haino gets my vote. Plus, the guy plays on the Drive My Car soundtrack. Come on! I’d love to hear your favorites. Share them in the comments below with why they should be in this mix.
These tracks are recorded from vinyl, so forgive the crackle. Please support this music by grabbing what you can on either digital or physical.
Jim One
The Workplace
Halfway to a Threeway
1999
Jim Two
Memory Lame
Insignificance
2001
Jim Three
There’s Hell In Hello But More In Goodbye
Bad Timing
1997
Jim Four
That Weekend
Simple Songs
2015
Jim Five
Women of the World
Eureka
1999
Jim Six
The Visitor
Side A
2009
Jim Seven
Therefor, I Am
Insignificance
2001
Jim Five
Movie on the Way Down
Eureka
1999
Jim Nine
Halfway to a Threeway
Halfway to a Threeway
1999
Inside No. 9 is an attempt to share unique narratives through the mixing of 9 songs. Every episode will showcase a new theme, opening up new tributaries of discovery. Inside No. 9 is presented by Peter Taylor, a former features writer for Foxy Digitalis from back in the late 2000s. Peter is a visual artist and musician and has been creating music as MAbH since 2008.
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