My Barbican Review

[Zampano]

I was at the Barbican last night for the Devil And Daniel Johnston event and haven't seen any reviews of it up yet, so I thought I would post mine. This was my first DJ show and I'm mostly familiar with him from Rejected Unknown, Fear Yourself and Discovered Covered, though I have heard some other stuff, so forgive me if I can't name all songs played.

The Barbican stage was set up with Daniel's pictures continuously projected across the backdrop.

The evening was (sadly) compered by Everett True, a music journalist who never let a good musician get in the way of a story about himself (just look at his liner notes on the Discovered Covered cd for a perfect example). Attempts by True throughout the evening to sing songs acapella while equipment was being set up led to slow handclaps and boos from some sections of the audience. In fact when at the climax of the evening True said he hoped we had enjoyed the evening, somone shouted 'EXCEPT YOU!', audible to the whole hall.

First up was James Yorkston who played three songs, climaxing with a downbeat version of 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Your Grieviance'. He sounded a little underrehearsed, and personally I thought he interpreted 'Don't Let...' in the wrong way (i feel it sounds better when sung joyously and affirmitively!), but his enthusiasm was evident and he looked happy to be there (he admitted he'd asked to play so he didn't have to buy a ticket).

The evening then really got going with Vic Chestnutt, with his beautiful and langorous version of 'Like A Monkey In A Zoo', soon joined by Howe Gelb on piano. Along with some help from members of a Scandinavian band (can't remember name - sorry) they played a couple of Giant Sand songs and then Gelb played 'Walking The Cow' solo on a chord organ like Daniel's. Great set.

The second half started very well with Teenage Fanclub playing three songs, including a fantastic version of 'Fish' which got one of the best reactions of the night. They looked thrilled to be there - Norman Blake finding it hard to contain his excitement!

Then, penultimately, it was Jason Pierce of 'Spiritualized' who played a set of perhaps six songs with a string quartet, an organist and three gospel singers, including a Spiritualized song ('Let It Come Down') and also 'Devil Town'. This set was staggering - fans of Spiritualized's album 'Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space' know how beautiful Pierce's music can be, and the songs were run continuously into one another. Truly spine tingling stuff - by the final song, 'Funeral Home', what had started as quite a ramshackle evening had turned into something transcendent. It was a joy to hear.

And finally, Daniel. He came racing on stage and played three songs on guitar with little or no pause between them. Guitar playing was very 'Daniel' (you could see and hear some shocked expressions!)- I just hadn't prepared myself for how strong his voice would be live - it was wonderful and the audience was genuinely rapt. I'm really sorry but I couldn't name the three songs he played on guitar, but he then moved to the piano and played a fantastic version of a song which I take to be called 'Without You', for that was the main refrain. This was the highlight of the night and an appropriate end to a unique concert. Daniel said 'Thank you - sorry! Goodnight' and was gone all too soon. I loved it.

[gina164]

WOW! Sounds like it was a great time!

...thank you for posting such a well-written review...I almost felt as if I'd been there. too!

I got another recap from someone on www.drownedinsound.com, and want to post it in your thread:

   

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Re: How was it? **New**
Hey, The concert was great, very beautiful versions of his songs by all who were there. Daniel seemed very nervous when on stage but got through four songs fine without any problems, and the crowd lovecd him. He left after that, saying 'sorry' to the crowd; it seemed like the organisers expected him to be on for longer as the lights didn't come up for ages, but for me it was kinda perfect and very moving and intense. I hope he knows that he was great and we all loved him. Hope that kinda answered your question... Sam

[moog]

Hello, this is my first post.

I was at the Barbican gig - well, most of it - I had was running late (literally, from Liverpool Street) and I missed James Yorkston and most of Vic Chestnutt.  It was my first DJ gig.

He did seem quite nervous but I think that added to the quality of the music; I don't think a completely relaxed Daniel Johnston would be quite right.

I did find Everett True a little trying.  The audience didn't seem quite sure how to react to the 'Except you!' jibe.  In the spirit of forgiveness, there were a few boos.

Jason Pierce was my favourite too.  My girlfriend was blown away, she was almost in tears.  He did the songs that Zampano mentioned, plus some Spiritualized/Spacemen 3 favourites like Walking With Jesus and Lord Let It Rain On Me.  Funeral Home was the best though, I thought.

I didn't recognise any of the songs DJ played, but the first one had a chorus about his tears.  His guitar was horrendously out of tune and his voice fragile as ever, so excellent overall.

There was quite a demand for an encore at the end but we weren't indulged, unfortunately.  Again, though, I think an encore would've been quite un-Johnstonesque.

[Paul Kingston]

My girlfriend and I were at the Barbican on Friday evening.

I have to disagree with all the comments about Everett True. He has been a Daniel Johnston fan for many years and he conveyed his enthusiasm throughout. He's the editor of the only magazine (in the UK anyway) to cover alternative music that isn't dictated by fashion. I enjoyed his songs - he could have a career as a folk singer. The idiot who shouted 'except you' should have been thrown out!

James Yorkston's interpretations of Daniel's songs worked well, particularly 'Grievences'. It was the perfect start to the evening. Vic Chesnut and Howe Gelb rambled a bit for me, but I enjoyed Howe Gelb's song about Daniel.

Jason Pierce was outstanding. He didn't really sing 'Funeral Home', just repeated the words Funeral Home many times, but it was particularly effecting. And he spoke, which was more than he did when I saw Spiritualized live.

I've never seen Daniel before and didn't know what to expect. The guitar was out of tune and he looked very uncomfortable, at one point trying to drag a microphone over to the piano. He finished with one song at the piano which I didn't recognise but I'm hoping somebody can enlighten me. I was a little disappointed when he left the stage and the lights came on. Still, it was a powerful 15-20 minutes that I won't forget. I then bought 'Lost & Found' so I can't have been too disappointed.

[haint]

My first crack at a setlist & Dan's lyrics:

James Yorkston, Emma Smith, Adrian Crowly:
My Yoke Is Heavy
Some Things Last A Long Time
Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Your Grievances

Everett True:
There's A Man Going Round Taking Names

Vic Chesnutt:
Like A Monkey In A Zoo
Joy Without Pleasure
Vibratile Nerves

Vic Chesnutt & Howe Gelb:
Tuna Ketchup

Howe Gelb, Vic Chesnutt, Henriette Senneveldt, Nils Grondahl:
Classico

Howe Gelb:
Walking The Cow 
POW
Daniel Johnston

Howe Gelb, Henriette Senneveldt, Nils Grondahl:
Man On A String

Teenage Fanclub:
Fate Will Get Done
Fish
Tell Me Now

Everett True:
Happy All Of The Time

Jason Pierce, Doggen, String Quartet & Choir:
Old Flame(?)/Devil Town/Lord Let It Rain On Me
True Love Will Find You In The End
Walking With Jesus
Coming Down(?)/Funeral Home

Daniel Johnston:
Tears That Hate Me
As The Story Goes
Lost My Head
Without You

TEARS THAT HATE ME

all the time was sad
all the lights were bright
you were not around
on my lonely life
and tears were dripping from my eye
and i was feeling like i could die
love was leaving
packed its bags to go
in a broken dream
it was such a drag
and i could cry like nothing was right
and i could die in the dead of night
and so i cry my tear
so unhappy you're not here
my deepest darkest fear
the love that never was
tears that hate me
tears that bait me
and i know i gotta go
tears that wake me
tears that had me
and i know you had to go
tears that ache me
tears that plague me
don't you know i love you so
tears that hate me
tears that bait me
don't you know i let you go
all the love we had
have we all gone mad
like a tv show
and we were all the cast
like i would never see you again
like the dream had just began
and our brains were flawed
to think that we would not
make it to the store
what a horrible thought
our hearts still beating at the door
and we were just a tired whore
and so i cry my tear
so unhappy you're not here
my deepest darkest fear
the love that never was
tears that hate me
tears that bait me
don't you know i had to go
tears that shake me
it's too late for me
don't you know i love you so
tears that wake me
tears that had me
it was written in the snow
tears that bait me
tears that hate me
don't you know i had to go away

AS THE STORY GOES

seems like our broken heart
the loving part was missing
as the drama unfolds
she's lost the art of loving
nowhere is where she goes
to find her piece of nothing
seems like she's had enough
but she's always up to something
and now as the story goes
another day is dying
she's already changed her clothes
and in disgrace she's laughing
it wasn't so long ago
she had me so temptated
and with no obligation
i was feeling so sedated
now i'm feeling pretty dumb
and every bit retarded
now the fires that burn
are more that what she started
and now as the story goes
another day is dying
she's already changed her clothes
and in disgrace she's laughing
it's just a show of toads
is that all she's thinking
and maybe i told her so
i'm thankful that i'm living
another day in the past
and every hour i'm haunting
everybody is wearing a mask
plain skip to believe my darling
and now as the story goes
another day is dying
she's already changed her clothes
and in disgrace she's laughing
no one knows
the sorrow of a broken heart that's bleeding
seems as though
she never cared for no one that's despairing
more or less love
and somehow she was lying
time after time
she gave it all away without trying
death can take you
for right like a perfect's folly
no one knows
the sorrow of a broken heart that's bleeding
seems as though
she never cared for no one that's despairing
life reigns
upon an open grave

LOST MY HEAD

i couldn't live without you
so in love and mad about you
love was the game
drove me insane
i was captivated
i nearly lost my head
it was just like a movie
everything was kind of groovy
but you had your fun
and i was the one
who lost his head somehow
love was all about you
it was infatuation
i had lost my head
something that i said
nothing was all i could do
seems like i was satisfied
my heart was broke in two
you couldn't even laugh or cry
what good would it do
i was such a desperate soul
i was so lonely too
you seemed to say
everything would be okay
but i was caught dead dreaming
and i lost my head
i met you at the old school
i saw you there so beautiful
i thought that you were cool
but i was just a fool
somehow obligated
i lost my head
no way can i escape
the horror of my sad fate
but everyone would agree
it's a joke to some degree
and i lost my head it's sad to say
seems like i was satisfied
my heart was broke in two
you couldn't even laugh or cry
what good would it do
now it's all really over
i was your poor leaf clover
but you had your way
it was the end of my days
and i lost my head over you

WITHOUT YOU

without you i'll be doing fine
without you i'll be doing time
without you i'll be doing alright
without you i'll be alright
without you i'll be free at last
without you life will be a gas
without you i'll be going fast
without you i'll be alright
seems like you'd whip everybody at your pity party
just to get your way at the stage you play
but i gotta get away
without you i'll be a magic spell
without you i'll escape hell
without you i'll be doing alright
without you i'll be alright
without you i will live again
without you i'll escape sin
without you the good times will return
without you i'll be alright
life was just a gag for you to make fun of my broken hearted jubilee
i guess you tried your best to make a fool out of me
but i have recovered from my ruined personality
and now i'm free at last just to see you die
without you i'll be doing fine
without you i'll be doing time
without you i'll be doing alright
without you i'll be alright
I'll be alright
I'll be alright
right

[gina164]

Thanks, Haint!

It was fun to know the exact set Dan played and who covered what. This with the pics and clips, posted on this site by Drew(?), and the above reviews has made me feel as if I got to peek in on the evening

[haint]

Review in the Independent:

http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/reviews/article358458.ece

[Zampano]

Hello again - was wondering if anyone could tell me which albums the songs that Daniel played were from. Cheers!

[Jocookie]

Thanks Haint, that's a great stab at the setlist. I couldn't remember nearly as much.
I thought the night was amazing with Vic Chesnutt and Jason Pierce coming across as so genuine in their passion and respect for the great man.
Howe Gelbs Classico was great and I love Giant Sand but why did he insist of saying Daniel Johnson, It kinda grated after a while- maybe it's me being cynical but he just didn't seem as passionate as the other performers.
It was great to see Daniel, his performance being both magical and emotional, and will stay with me forever.
So why did I go back to my hotel feeling slightly down? It wasn't because he only did four songs or that the show was disappointing in any way.
I've been thinking about it and I think I feel guilty, ('lonely song' was playing over in my head the next day) Daniel looked so nervous and I guess I had read a few posts on here about him not wanting to go to london and hating traveling. I know his performances are rushed and he suffers from nerves but he seemed much more together when I saw him in Newcastle last year.
Maybe I'm reading too much into things and I really hope so, I guess I don't know the man like some of you- so maybe someone can reassure me.
 Daniel Johnston can do little wrong in my eyes and I really appreciate that he came to London, but I just hope it wasn't detrimental to his health or recovery in any way. I would rather he was happy doing art and music in his own surroundings than possibly made to travel/ do shows for my/our benefit.
That said it was still an amazing evening, thanks to all involved, and all the happiness for the future to Daniel and his family.


 

[moog]

I'm not sure if a venue like the Barbican is helpful for people who get nervous when performing.  I was a sound engineer for a while and when standing on the stage in halls, you can see virtually everyone in the venue whereas in standing-only venues, it's just a mass of people...it seems far less intimidating.  Just a thought.

[gina164]

I've been thinking about it and I think I feel guilty, ('lonely song' was playing over in my head the next day) Daniel looked so nervous and I guess I had read a few posts on here about him not wanting to go to london and hating traveling. I know his performances are rushed and he suffers from nerves but he seemed much more together when I saw him in Newcastle last year.
Maybe I'm reading too much into things and I really hope so, I guess I don't know the man like some of you- so maybe someone can reassure me.

 

YOU are a lovely person!

Dan has some great fans!

I just spoke with Dan's dad - he said that Dan had a great time, once he got to London...he's now catching back up with central time...not getting up until later in the day, but it sounded as if Dan is fine.

Gina

[gina164]

I'm not sure if a venue like the Barbican is helpful for people who get nervous when performing.  I was a sound engineer for a while and when standing on the stage in halls, you can see virtually everyone in the venue whereas in standing-only venues, it's just a mass of people...it seems far less intimidating.  Just a thought.

Interesting thought...

[Paul Kingston]

I had my graduation ceremony in that very hall... It's a beautiful venue, but I can imagine it would feel intimidating, particularly as when you look up from the stage the seats keep going up and up.

[Jocookie]

Thanks Gina, its reassuring to know Dan had a good time in London and is now home safe and well. 

[haint]

Another review:

http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,,1755708,00.html#article_continue