(The original pressing of this 2004 release went out of print and is currently commanding high-ish prices ~ here's a reissue at a reasonable price.)
Despite its title, this 2004 tribute/best-of collection finds singer/songwriter Daniel Johnston alive and relatively well. (Johnston has struggled with mental illness that sometimes leads to erratic behavior.) The first part of this two-disc set presents a remarkable array of admiring artists, including Tom Waits and Death Cab for Cutie, covering Johnston's songs. Some renditions--particularly Calvin Johnson's vocals-and-percussion-only "Sorry Entertainer," Beck's Dylan-esque acoustic "True Love Will Find You in the End," and M. Ward's gorgeous "Story of an Artist"--stick closer to Johnston's minimal arrangements. Other versions opt for a much fuller sound, particularly Mercury Rev's dreamy take on "Blue Clouds," and "Go," a wonderful Sparklehorse/Flaming Lips collaboration that highlights the notable similarities between respective frontmen Mark Linkous and Wayne Coyne. The second disc features Johnston's original recordings of every song on the first disc, along with a new tune, "Rock This Town." Although some may find Johnston's high-pitched yelp and rudimentary guitar and piano playing bewildering, his quirky, unaffected aesthetic is exactly what drew the aforementioned performers to contribute to this excellent compilation in the first place.
DISC 1: THE COVERS:
1. My Life Is Starting Over Again - (with Teenage Fanclub/Jad Fair)
2. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Your Grievience - (with Clem Snide)
3. Impossible Love - (with Gordon Gano)
4. Living Life - (with Eels)
5. Walking The Cow - (with TV On The Radio)
6. Good Morning You
7. Sorry Entertainer - (with Calvin Johnson)
8. Devil Town - (with Bright Eyes)
9. Dream Scream - (with Death Cab For Cutie)
10. True Love Will Find You In The End - (with Beck)
11. Go - (with Sparklehorse/The Flaming Lips)
12. Blue Clouds - (with Mercury Rev)
13. Love Not Dead - (with Thistle)
14. Like A Monkey In A Zoo - (with Vic Chesnutt)
15. Dead Lovers Twisted Heart - (with Starlight Mints)
16. Story Of An Artist - (with M. Ward)
17. Sun Shines Down On Me, The - (with Guster)
18. King Kong - (with Tom Waits)
DISC 2: THE ORIGINALS:
1. My Life Is Starting Over Again
2. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Your Grievience
3. Impossible Love
4. Living Life
5. Walking The Cow
6. Good Morning You
7. Sorry Entertainer
8. Devil Town
9. Dream Scream
10. True Love Will Find You In The End
11. Go
12. Blue Clouds
13. Love Not Dead
14. Like A Monkey In The Zoo
15. Dead Lovers Twisted Heart
16. Story Of An Artist
17. Sun Shines Down On Me, The
18. King Kong
19. Rock This Town
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000W1V8AI/?tag=imwan-20
