30 June 2004
Daniel Johnston Tribute Album
Gammon Records announced today that it will release "The Late, Great Daniel Johnston : Discovered Covered," a benefit album for the legendary outsider songwriter, Daniel Johnston, on September 21. The album will feature exclusive tracks from high profile artists such as Beck, Tom Waits, Bright Eyes, Sparklehorse w/ The Flaming Lips, Death Cab for Cutie, Eels, TV on the Radio, Guster and other artists covering Johnston's songs. A second disc will be included with the original versions of all the songs, culled from Johnston's vast catalogue (several tracks previously only available on cassette).
Daniel Johnston found a new level of fame in the early 1990s thanks to Kurt Cobain, who championed him in interviews as his all-time favorite songwriter and was often photographed wearing the famous Daniel Johnston "Hi, How are You?" frog logo shirt.
Proceeds from the album, produced by Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous and Jordan Trachtenberg, will aid Johnston's attempts to purchase his own home adjacent to his parents' house, where he has lived all his life. It is hoped that Johnston, who is 42 and suffers from bi-polar disorder, will be able to live independently with the help of caretakers. (Link via Rejected Unknown)
Here is the track list for "The Late, Great Daniel Johnston":
"My Life Is Starting Over Again," Teenage Fanclub with Jad Fair
"Grievance," Clem Snide
"Impossible Love," Gordon Gano
"Living Life," Eels
"Walking the Cow," TV On The Radio
"Good Morning You," the Rabbit
"Sorry Entertainer," Calvin Johnson
"Devil Town," Bright Eyes
"Death Scream," Death Cab For Cutie
"Things Last a Long Time," Beck
"Go," Sparklehorse with Flaming Lips
"Blue Cloud," Mercury Rev
"Love Not Dead," Thistle
"Like a Monkey in the Zoo," Vic Chesnutt
"Dead Lovers Twisted Heart," Starlight Mints
"Story of an Artist," M. Ward
"The Sun Shines Down on Me," Guster
"King Kong," Tom Waits
Listen to a few MP3's of Johnston's work:
Syrup of Tears.mp3
Funeral Girl.mp3