Daniel Johnston is one of those characters in music that most of us have heard about, but fewer have actually stopped to listen to. Until about a week ago, when a good friend gave me the heads-up on this gig and its unique nature, I was one of the former.
Subject, most notriously, of a not wholly successful (according to him), but very popular biopic a few years ago - The Devil And Daniel Johnston - Johnston has suffered from bipolar/Aspergers type symptoms for most of his artistic life - exacerbated by drug use in his youth.Â
The music he's most famous for is a kind of naiive and brutally honest semi-autobiographical lo-fi pop, in a groove not dissimilar to that in which Brian Wilson found himself post-BBs.
The gig itself kicked off with a more-than-passable opening effort from a band whose name I didn't even catch, but since they were playing-out as we arrived it's no biggie. The venue was a new one to me - the Troxy started life as a cinema in the 30s, on the Commercial Road/A13, Limehouse, East London - just over the river from where I used to live some years back. It went through various incarnations as theatre, opera rehearsal space and bingo hall, before being sympathetically revamped to make the most of its extensive Art Deco styling about 3 years ago, and re-opening as a multifunction venue for anything from banqueting to boxing - the latter very much in-evidence in promo posters outside the venue.
Next on after the openers was Jeffrey Lewis - the chief support act, and another name I knew, but whose music I did not. Turns out he's one of the funniest and cleverest singer-songwriters ever to be lumped under the "folk rock" umbrella - the latter on account of the fact he plays chiefly acoustic material. His sharp, mordant wit, self-deprecating style and tight musicianship made for a thoroughly entertaining set, by the end of which I felt I'd already had my money's worth! Another name added to the already ridiculously long "Wants" list!
And so to the headliner, Mr. Johnston himself. He kicked off with a series of semi-acoustic solo pieces, playing a curious short-necked guitar. It was clear from the start that here was a man working very hard indeed to keep things together. Even if the songs of unrequited love, confusion, misunderstanding and loss had not been so direct and touching, you'd need a heart of stone not to be moved by the sheer effort being made to entertain the very appreciative crowd.
After a selection of these songs a break was taken, and the various seats and instruments on stage occupied by the BEAM orchestra currently touring with Johnston. Johnston then returned for the second half of his set, this time supported by the orchestra, and in many ways "supported" is exactly the right word, because they seemed to boost his confidence as well as providing a very fullsome, sympathetic and engaging musical backdrop for some of his more ambitious songs.
All told this was more than just a musically enjoyable gig, but an interesting experience as well. Johnston is a clever, funny, honest and in some ways inspiring songwriter and performing artist. Thankfully the whole experience stayed the right side of the freakshow it could all too easily be in less sympathetic managerial hands, and my respect goes out to a man who climbs a mountain pretty much every time he get out of bed - nevermind when he steps onto a spotlit stage in front of hundreds of strangers.
Any downsides? It was clear the Troxy's security were used to dealing with boxing crowds, and they were a tad overvgilant and high profile for such a laid-back and well-behaved crowd. Only one bar was open and that was selling pish in bottles at a £iver a go - and was down to a very very limited range of choices even though it was Friday night FFS! Acoustics are not the best, and neither was the PA - though it coped fine with the main acoustic sets. But I can't fault the actual performances, and so I'm very well pleased to have been there.
Written by: see forum
(all photos nicked from various sources, and none from the day)
