Daniel Johnston
Live in New York
Shimmy disc
January 30, 2024
Web Exclusive
Daniel Johnston's live recordings never fail to evoke intimacy, the artist's trembling vocals are nothing short of honest and vulnerable. The difference with Live in New York is that he clearly appeared at a point in his life where Johnston exuded what could pass for confidence, contentment and pleasure before an expectant and excited audience.
Mortality, art, religion and – above all – love are explored in Johnston's inimitable way, accompanied simply by his acoustic guitar. It's as close to wide-eyed prodigy as you'll hear, yet this recording speaks not of naivety, but of a maturity less often associated with Daniel Johnston.
Unfortunately, it's impossible to distill the highlights from his multitude of self-recorded tapes and studio albums into a relatively short live performance, but – despite the notable omission of Johnston's most popular song, “True Love Will Find You in the End” , and the fact that many of the songs also appear on his 2000 live release Why me?—There is a lot of love at play in this scene. “Silly Love”, from 1994 Fun shines brightly. “Casper the Friendly Ghost” never fails to be a live hit. the mix of “Kool Aid” and “Funeral Home” is a welcome addition (although the latter's live recording in New Jersey 1990 is still untouched).
Beyond that, it's a snapshot of Johnston at perhaps his most dazzling, Live in New York it is also notable for having two unreleased songs performed: “Memory of Love” and “Super Love”. It's perhaps as close as the artist has ever come to writing songs with conventional alt-rock hooks, rhythm and genius chord progressions, and it's amazing. Pair these rarities with two distinct Beatles-related covers – Paul McCartney and Wings' “Live and Let Die,” followed by Aid! song “You've Got to Hide Your Love Away”—and you'd have an EP with some merit. (Johnston had been covering Beatles tracks as early as 1985, with “I Saw Her Standing There” appearing on Continuation of story.) However, put them alongside the performances of some of Johnston's excellent catalog on this disc and you have a historic document.
Two of the unexpected delights on this release are a moving, erudite street interview Johnston gave around the same time as the show, and an 18-minute collection of lo-fi recordings—some music, some spoken word—that Johnston made with intent to leave as voicemails to friends' voicemails. Before his 1990 album, this collection of funny recordings is a major rarity in itself.
That no one knows exactly where this recording was made (Shimmy Disc founder Kramer rediscovered his own original live mix DAT recording; all we know is that it was in April 2000, a month when he played many shows in the Big Apple) only deepens the mystery of this record. And the whole package only serves to enhance the legacy of one of the true underdog artists of our time. (www.hihowareyou.com; www.shimmy-disc.com)
Author Rating: 8.5/10
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