Manchester Review

[Zampano]

Daniel played an absolutely amazing show in Manchester last night, at the Comedy Store. Supported by Former Bullies, Jeffrey Lewis and Adem (who backed him on some songs later), Daniel was in excellent voice and spirits, cracking jokes and talking to the audience. His set was an absolute laundry list of fan favourites and classics. Songs played (not necessarily in order he played them):
Love Enchanted (Solo Piano)
Wishing Well(?) (Solo Guitar)
My Life Is Starting Over Again (with J.Lewis on Piano)
Forever Your Love (with Former Bullies)
Fish (with Former Bullies)
Rock This Town (with Former Bullies)
Hey Joe (with Former Bullies)
Go (with Adem on guitar)
Mountain Top (with J. Lewis and Adem on bells!)
Walking The Cow (with J. Lewis on zither and Adem on guitar)
Bloody Rainbow (with J. Lewis on zither and Adem on guitar)
True Love Will Find You In The End (J. Lewis on guitar)
Devil Town (final song, Daniel acapella with all musicians and audience joining in)

I'm certain he played at least two more, possibly on his own at the start - any help would be appreciated! Just an amazing gig, and Daniel seems much better than he did when I saw him at the Barbican last year. Plus the venue was so tiny I could have basically shaken hands with him from my seat. Plus great unexpected sets from Jeff Lewis and Adem into the bargain. He joked about his 'movie' being shown on Hard Copy and told us about a dream he had where he was sentenced to death for trying to commit suicide. Later he said he'd run out of jokes, and one of them had been censored! Amazing gig, one of the best I've ever been to.

[Jocookie]

As above, it was a totally amzing gig. The first song Daniel did was Mean girls give pleasure. He also did an amazing 2nd song but I'm not sure of the name of it... although I think i've heard it before. The chorus goes 'Hold on Mama, crying to yourself' and then something about tomorrow?! I'm sure someone can help but i'll have a good time going through old records in the mean time  .

I just can't put into words how magical it all was for me. I also went to ATP where he was scheduled to do an half hour set on friday but also did two further half hour sets on Saturday and Sunday, as well as performing Speeding motorcycle with Yo La Tengo! PHEW what a weekend and I've still not had enough of him.
I also saw Daniel at the Barbican last year and at Newcastle the year before that but as Zampano says- last night was the best I've seen him perform. All in all I just can't stop smiling, i don't even know what I'm smiling at anymore-maybe I'm dazed!

[northernmonkey]

I recorded the first Manchester show. I'm happy to share it if the powers that be on here are okay with live recordings/links to live recordings being posted?
It was definitely the best DJ show I've ever seen. Oh wait, it was also the first one!
It's all about the gaps. I've been listening to Daniel since around 1990 but there are gaps in my knowledge of his output since then, and he never came really close to me so we met in the middle yesterday in Manchester. As well as the new songs, there were a couple of amazing songs that were totally new to me which I identified via the lyrics section of Rejected Unknown.
The setlist if I've worked it out correctly was as follows:

Daniel Johnston – Manchester Comedy Store (Monday 21.05.07)

1. solo/electric gtr
Mean Girls Give Pleasure
There Is A Sense Of Humour Way Beyond Friendship
Now

2. solo/organ
Love Enchanted
Forever Your Love

3. Band 1 (Jeff + Adem)
My Life Is Starting Over Again
Walking The Cow
Bloody Rainbow
Try To Love
Go
Mountain Top

4. Band 2 (Former Bullies on gtr/bass/drums)
Hey Joe
Fish
Rock This Town

5. Daniel w/Jeff on gtr + poss.1 other
True Love Will Find You In The End

6. Encore: (Daniel solo a capella)
Devil Town.

Thankyou Daniel (and full supporting cast) for a wonderful show.

[Sonny]

Hey,

I have to agree with all that's been said so far. It was the first time I have seen Daniel and I was amazed by the atmosphere he creates. Easily one of the best gigs i've been to (coupled with the amazing Jeff Lewis). I'm so glad I got to hear Daniel play Go and True Love...

What an amazing venue as well. Perfect views where ever you sat. I would love to hear the recording mentioned above.

[gummomarx]

Hello. I went to the second night. At the start after "Mean girls give pleasure" and "There is a sense of humour....," Danny played a new song which i hadn't heard before. did anyone tape the second night. Would love to hear it.

Great choice of songs, same as the first night i think, but with the unexpected treat of Without You during Danny's electric piano section of the set.

This was my third time seeing Danny and I can't think of a better night out.

Mr. Northernmonkey- I (and I'm sure all the good people here) would love to hear your recording-can you post on Dimeadozen or here maybe?

Anyway what a great time I had, Danny is the best. And Danny fans are the best too.

[Henry Long]

...I'm happy to share it if the powers that be on here are okay with live recordings/links to live recordings being posted?

northernmonkey- Link away!

[deadjoe]

i'm desperately ill at the moment, but between being sick i shall leav you with these:
http://www.tfrancis.co.uk/daniel_johnston/
pretty please don't spread them around the place cause i want to ok them with dick before they really see the light of day!

thanks
tyron

[whatofwhom]

Daniel was fantastic, absolutely agree with all that's been said above. I went the second night, had read the recent reviews and checked out the youtube footage but still wasn't sure what to expect. I'm a Jeffrey Lewis fan so he provided perfect support as did Adem. The new songs sounded great especially 'there is a sense of humour' plus third tune don't know the title. Walking the cow with Jeffrey on guitar was perfect, i really didn't expect Daniel's voice to be so strong, just a beautiful moment as was true love. Daniel seemed to be enjoying himself and even cracked a joke about Adem's bells on Mountain top ' they say you should perform with bells on'!. To cap it all i even got to shake Daniel's hand and say thanks for a pefect night at the aftershow party.

[OhJoy]

intimate and beautiful.
wOw photography!

Thank You Tyron Francis.
Excellent shots.

[northernmonkey]

...I'm happy to share it if the powers that be on here are okay with live recordings/links to live recordings being posted?

northernmonkey- Link away!

OK, I'm having to do this in my spare time at work (hence the lack of speed!), but will hopefully be able to get it uploaded by next week. + Meanwhile, here's a few photos..

[northernmonkey]

Hi, I have uploaded the first Manchester Comedy Store show (21.05.07) here as one complete mp3 file

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=C5Q421UA

Unfortunately due to firewalls etc at work I'm unable to upload via a ftp client, but if anyone wants to reupload it anywhere else, feel free.

[gummomarx]

Thanks Northernmonkey. Fantastic.

[deadjoe]

you can read about daniel backstage the first night on my blog: http://tfrancisphotographer.blogspot.com/

would be nice to have some comments posted on the blog if any of you have a minute to spare 

enjoy,
tyron

[deadjoe]

the recording is great, my life is starting over again is brilliant. i was so excited when he played it that i didn't notice how great it was at the time!