Buying advice: double-CD/tribute - "The Late Great Daniel Johnston"

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(nb: Daniel Johnston isn't dead, but the album's called that, Van Zandt style.)

I've read articles about Mr Johnston, and I've always loved his track on the Okkervil River record, but what really moved me was when I heard "Story of an Artist" this week. I think I really ought to get something of his. I don't like the jokey side of things, but I like the cracked, bittersweet.

Looking around, I found out about this recent double-CD, The Late Great Daniel Johnston - one disc of D.J. songs, and then another with covers by some acts I like a lot - Beck, Tom Waits, the Starlight Mints, etc. (All cover albums should come with a disc of the originals.)

The question is: is it worth buying? Has anyone heard it?

― Sean M (Sean M), Thursday, 26 May 2005 09:00 (twenty-one years ago)

If you're not familiar with his work on the whole, I can't think of a worse place to start.

Buy Songs of pain, recently reissued on CD. That's the real deal. Then proceed from there. Good luck.

― Roger Fidelity (Roger Fidelity), Thursday, 26 May 2005 09:07 (twenty-one years ago)

i think this double disc is a really good start, actually. listening to the covers AND THEN hearing his originals of those songs is really insightful. he's a quirky and bold songwriter and i think its mostly stuff that's better sung by others. there's no wonder why so many artists look up to him. i highly recommend this thing.

― katie, a princess (katie, a princess), Thursday, 26 May 2005 19:36 (twenty-one years ago)

three months pass...

If you don't care about buying his works that matter, go for it. The Originals disc is mind-blowing. Screw the covers.

― arlee, Wednesday, 31 August 2005 01:14 (twenty years ago)

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