Welcome to My World (CD - 2006)

Released around the same time in 2006 as the acclaimed documentary THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON, this 21-track compilation features many of the troubled singer/songwriter's finest compositions. A well-regarded outsider artist who has struggled with mental illness, Johnston is responsible for an impressive number of lo-fi classics that channel pop culture through his own quirky sensibility, many of which are presented here, including "Casper the Friendly Ghost," "Speeding Motorcycle," and "Sorry Entertainer." Although Johnston's high-pitched voice can occasionally be grating, his melodies and lyrics are remarkably lovely and affecting, making this a challenging, but ultimately rewarding, collection. (Note: Many of the songs featured on WELCOME TO MY WORLD are also available on the second disc of THE LATE GREAT DANIEL JOHNSTON: DISCOVERED COVERED, with the first disc consisting of renditions by high-profile alternative-rock acts such as the Flaming Lips, Tom Waits, and Beck.) minimize