Live Review from Foxy Digitalis
May 21st, 2008
Click HERE to go Foxy Digitalis’ review.
Ranked 9 out of 10
Jason Dove and Magic Whip with Daniel Johnston “Live May 13th, 2007″
A short DVD set of five live songs by the immortal Daniel Johnston, here backed by Jason Dove and the Magic Whip. As you might expect, the songs are playful, poignant, and oddly powerful. The power is increased a hundred times over by actually being able to see Johnston deliver them, his shaky hand holding the lyric sheet, his looks into the crowd to see if anyone is paying attention. Oh they are.
Dove and band keep a gentle rocking pop beat, never undermining nor overwhelming the real meat of the performance, which are Johnston’s words. The childlike grace and odd wisdom of “Speeding Motorcycle” and “Worried Shoes” are given almost profound readings; Johnston’s gentle delivery seems almost fatherly towards his audience, which eats it up with respect and support. Dove, who has been known to spin a childlike ditty or two himself, provides subtle backing, with well-timed up-tempo shifts to help the tunes soar.
This four song DVD seems twice as long as it is, mostly because of the way Johnston and company help you fall deep inside each song. You fall willingly. 9/10 — Mike Wood (8 April, 2008)
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