The healing of Daniel Johnston

[Liefhebber]

Hello everybody,

(I am sorry if my english is a bit strange)
I am a graphic design student from The Netherlands at the Utrecht school of Arts. And I am working on a book about Daniel Johnstons songs. My idea is to make a book with memories from other people about his songs, to give him memories of his songs back (so that's the concept  ).  This beacause Daniel can't remember a lot of the (older?) lyrics of his own songs. I am thinking of calling it: "The healing of Daniel Johnston".

My idea is to gather 10 songs which have a special meaning to people. It doesn't matter who these people are, or what their story is. I am just looking for people with a nice strory about a song of DJ. Although an anecdote or memory about a concert or meeting with him is always nice. I just want to connect memories and people with songs and Daniel Johnston.

So I was wondering if you could help me? Do you have a nice personal story or memory or anecdote about a Daniel Johnston song?

(I have no intention to use these stories commercially or something (I will make this book by printing/silk screen/hand), it's just that I'm very interested. although I will try to send a copy of the book to Daniel).

[OhJoy]

It sounds like a fun project.

[Liefhebber]

thanks  , do you have any favourite songs? 

[Liefhebber]

[gina164]

Hi there,

This sounds like an interesting project...but if you are going to use his lyrics, do you not need his permission first?

Also...
I met Dan twice in person, and spent 3 days with him the second time, so I feel as if I know him pretty well. I don't want to share any more personal memories of our time together beyond what I shared on here in the past, but they are all good memories, to be sure.

I would, however, like to comment on your proposed title -

This is just coming from my vantage point, of course, but the title doesn't sound 'too great' to me -
because Dan doesn't need anyone to heal him... so, it just sounds weird, to me - I really do not think he would like that title, either -

Have you thought of any other potential titles?

About who to ask for old song-linked memories that Dan, and others,  may enjoy reading about -

Jeff Tartakov ("Stress Records" on here) and "notdaniel" come to mind...

[notdaniel]

This sounds like an interesting project...but if you are going to use his lyrics, do you not need his permission first?

The poster said that the book would not be sold commercially, so that's not an issue. Sounds more like an art project to me.

  - notdan

[Liefhebber]

Hello Gina 164, I think you're right about the title. I don't have any alternatives yet but I will certainly think about it.

About the lyrics... it's more an art project as notdaniel says. I am a student at the Utrecht school of the Arts, and there I am busy on this project.

And Gina or notdaniel... do you have any nice memories, they don't have to be long stories if that scares off .

[gina164]

Thanks, NotDan - good old ADHD at work there -
----------------------------------------------------------------
Liefhebber,
About nice stories -

You can put in your 'booklet' that "Gina from California" said that this is one of her fondest memories linked to a song:

 "It's Impossible" would be the song. When we first met, I was able to carry with me, sent by a close friend of his, a demo CD with that song on it-

Dan and I both listened to the CD together in my rental car as we drove to dinner at a Mexican food restaurant in Waller...he got to enjoy hearing the demo and I got to tell him that that was my all-time favorite song of his!  We both agreed that it sounded old fashioned. Anyway, THAT was truly a beautiful moment for me, and I know Dan really enjoyed getting to share the entire demo CD with a fan/friend, too.

Also - Glad to hear the title is not settling well with you, too  -
Gina

[billybob]

here is a story i have told here before.  it's about the recording of "etiquette," which appears on "continued story."

i visited daniel where he lived at the time (this was 1985), a tiny room in some sort of men's shelter on the UT campus, filled with comic books, records, art, and not a whole lot else.  i sat down and started playing some sort of old-timey progression on his nylon string acoustic guitar.  daniel turned on his boombox tape recorder and made me start over, then with ABSOLUTELY NO rehearsal or even discussion of what we were going to do, he started reading out of some '50s self-improvement book he'd found in a dumpster, fitting the words to what i was playing, and i kind of followed him.  when he finally bursts into singing, it's pretty amazing, and somehow we both instinctively ended it together, in what later seemed to be the perfect spot.  on the record you can hear me bust out laughing because of how well it came out.  i was really impressed at his spontaneity and quickness. 

[Henry Long]

Liefhebber- I love the Casper the Friendly Ghost image you have here. It so...seminal.

Why not consider it in some kind of context for your story collection? Since Daniel has utilized this Harvey Comics character as a sort of Holy Spirit or Innocent Eunuch, it may be just right to capture the Daniel Zeitgeist you are looking for.

Daniel and the Friendly Ghost?
The Friendly Ghost and Daniel Johnston?
Daniel the Friendly Ghost?
Casper and Daniel Johnston?

Or, taking a cue (and changing only 1 letter) from your original idea,
"The Hearing of Daniel Johnston."

Anyway, good luck on your exciting creative endeavor.

[Liefhebber]

Thank you very much for these reactions! I was looking for this kind of stories!

Gina 164: I think it's great to listen to his demo with him together, do you know what his own favourite song is. However thank you for sharing!

billybob: I don't know Daniel myself, but I imagined him having this kind of "creative eruptions", how great to be a part of it. I really hear the fun you're having on that song! And indeed the spontaniousity.

Henry Long, thank you, and that's a good one!

[billybob]

liefhebber--thanks for the reply.  good luck with your big-hearted project.

[Liefhebber]

I will post some results on this forum when I have some exposable. It's going the right way, but still al lot of work...

(and if there are some other memories... they're still welcome  )

Edit:

And smutfish (the band Daniel toured with in The Netherlands, Belgium and I thought a small bit of Germany) is helping too! 

[Liefhebber]

Here is a little update. The book is going well, I am just looking for something extra that makes it special. And in addition to the book I am thinking about making 9 short abstract movies about the 9 memories. This because of his interest in movies and a different way to show a moving/singing/multimedia man. I am still looking for 1 or 2 memories and waiting on some . But that's not going to be a problem.

Oh and if Rastaman is reading, I hope it's okay if I use your story from another topic. And maybe you can mail me your real name so I can put that under the story.

Book:


 
Bookcover?



Moviesposter for one of the the short movies:

[K1r0ft]

Right on man!