Story Of An Artist (boxed set)

[D. Sulpy]

Any early reviews (promo copies are obviously out there)?

I would have liked to have seen this mastered from the original tapes – I've heard some of them, and the difference in quality is remarkable. It would have been nice to have had the discs filled out with additional unreleased material from the same period. Sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case either.

But it is what it is.

Is anyone buying this? Where?

Amazon's listing seems completely screwed up. The set seems to have two listings – one for $109.99, and the other for $135.49. You'd think this would be for the CD and vinyl versions, but both listings say "Audio CD" and there's absolutely no details. Good job, fellas.

In any case, this seems expensive for a six disc set. Anyone finding it at a more reasonable price?

[Green Monkey]

What is it exactly?

[xbabytwinx]

This is the best thing in the world,woke up to a sunny day in Shropshire,parcel force van delivered the vinyl version of this box set to the door this morning. Amazing package down to the last detail. A release that genuinely conveys everything about Daniel and his amazing art and songs. A perfect edition to any Johnston enthusiasts collection,and the perfect starting point for any fledgling fans. Beautiful

[D. Sulpy]

Amazon.co.uk has the CD edition in stock (Amazon U.S. is out of stock) ... and for a very reasonable price (>$80 to the U.S., plus shipping). For those of you who have never ordered from Amazon U.K. before... it's easy! You simply use the same login etc. as you do for Amazon.com.

The box itself looks great, and since it's said to be a limited edition of 1000... jump on it! The CD edition comes in the same LP sized box as the vinyl, with a poster and very nice color book. The 6 CDs are in individual black and white sleeves reproducing the original cassette artwork on the front and new (to me, at any rate) artwork on the back. Even better, it sounds like no one has got it into their heads to destroy the sound of the original recordings by trying to "improve" them (that is... no noise reduction!). The sound on "Songs of Pain" and "More Songs Of Pain," for instance, is noticeably better than the double CD previously issued in America.

In short... if you consider yourself a Daniel Johnston fan, you owe it to yourself to own this product. Daniel's early work is far too important to simply be entrusted to cassettes and CD-Rs (which FAIL), and it's GREAT to see them mastered with care on silver-pressed CDs.

Now we need real CD editions of "Retired Boxer," "Respect" and "Merry Christmas"... Munster, are you listening? 

[Stress Records]

Amazon.co.uk has the CD edition in stock (Amazon U.S. is out of stock) ... and for a very reasonable price (>$80 to the U.S., plus shipping). For those of you who have never ordered from Amazon U.K. before... it's easy! You simply use the same login etc. as you do for Amazon.com.

The box itself looks great, and since it's said to be a limited edition of 1000... jump on it! The CD edition comes in the same LP sized box as the vinyl, with a poster and very nice color book. The 6 CDs are in individual black and white sleeves reproducing the original cassette artwork on the front and new (to me, at any rate) artwork on the back. Even better, it sounds like no one has got it into their heads to destroy the sound of the original recordings by trying to "improve" them (that is... no noise reduction!). The sound on "Songs of Pain" and "More Songs Of Pain," for instance, is noticeably better than the double CD previously issued in America.

In short... if you consider yourself a Daniel Johnston fan, you owe it to yourself to own this product. Daniel's early work is far too important to simply be entrusted to cassettes and CD-Rs (which FAIL), and it's GREAT to see them mastered with care on silver-pressed CDs.

Now we need real CD editions of "Retired Boxer," "Respect" and "Merry Christmas"... Munster, are you listening? 

Glad to hear it, Doug!  Anyone else have it yet?

[GregPolard]

If this would've just been announced before I ended up ordering all those early albums on CDR through the website!  Grrrr 

[Stress Records]

Sometimes I wonder what those who are so adamant about Daniel's lack of talent and ability would make of this box set.  Can anyone listen to it and really believe that he can't sing or play piano?  That we're only interested because of his illness?  I know I'm preaching to the choir here but these recordings still amaze me after all the thousands of times I've listened to them.

[kralenpregn]

Yea I wonder about that also. People! I don't know about 'em. I always hear about Daniel's mental condition and what-not, the only thing that comes to my mind when I actually entertain the thought of Daniel Johnston's mental condition, is, "Wow, what a ****ing genius!" ...... Sorry mom, I didn't mean to cuss.....
.....Well, I just got my box set! It came in a big box, PACKED in air balloons....... I am so glad that whoever packed this, did so in such a way. Because it was hard for me to let go of my hundred bucks that I saved.
I knew my vacation was coming up, but I ordered it and am proud of the fact that I did so.
It is the single-most GREATEST musical collection that I have ever purchased!!! I got it today, it's a Thursday, and also the first day of my vacation. What a treat!
If you haven't ordered this yet, you need to. You will be nothing less than pleased.

[ghostjr.]

I've often contemplated this...I personally have come to the conclusion that Dan's inherent genius (and the misunderstanding that comes with that alone), has created the monster part...not the other way around.

[kralenpregn]

That's nicely said.
You know, there's a lot of truth in that. There's got to be.

[Thibo]

I received The story of an artist today. Really beautiful object. And the sound is far better than on the Archives CDR. I wasn't sure to buy it, because I had already those recordings, but the comments on this forum decided me. Thanks !

[Bigmouth]

Hi everyone.
New member. I shot some footage when I recieved the box. Check it out. It's a really beautiful box.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZhCOCQ8Kko

(The music is from Beam me up! that I recieved the same day )

[Stress Records]

Sorry to interrupt the silence (this place is deader than a Gammon Records revival!) but here's a nice review of the box set:

http://austinist.com/2010/08/03/daniel_johnstons_early_recordings_g.php

[Stress Records]

http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/5878

[GregPolard]

What are the chances of this still being in print/being reissued around the holidays this year?