Continued Story with Texas Instruments

Last updated
Continued Story
Continued Story-Daniel Johnston.JPG
Studio album by
Daniel Johnston
ReleasedDecember 1985
RecordedDecember 1985
StudioEuropa
Genre
Length37:17
Label
Producer
Daniel Johnston chronology
Respect
(1985)		Continued Story
(1985)		 Merry Christmas
(1988)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Spin Alternative Record Guide 6/10 [3]

Continued Story is the ninth self-released album by Daniel Johnston, released on cassette tape in 1985. [2] The album includes a cover of the Beatles song "I Saw Her Standing There". It was released on CD in 1991 by Homestead Records and re-released in 2003 on a dual-album CD, along with the 1983 album Hi, How Are You , by Johnston's own label, Eternal Yip Eye Music.

Contents

Background

In the eleven months between the recording of Retired Boxer and Continued Story, Daniel Johnston had been expanding his reach with local live performances in Austin, Texas. [4] appearing at the Woodshock 85 festival with The Texas Instruments [5] and on the MTV program The Cutting Edge . [6] These appearances featured Johnston performing newly written non-album material such as 'I Live My Broken Dreams' [7] and 'The Marching Guitars'. [8] About a month following his appearance on MTV in August, Johnston stopped playing live shows; [9] a decision referenced in the track 'Running Water Revisited.'

During this period, Johnston was still working at McDonald's. The managers there were aware of Johnston's popularity and were amused by it, so they expanded his weekly hours to 20 or 30. Additionally, Johnston didn't have a phone, and so the only way to contact him was through McDonald's, which eventually became an irritation for management. [4]

Recording

Thanks to the publicity he was getting, Johnston attracted the attention of producer Kim Fowley, who was interested to hear what he would sound like in a studio environment. Fowley had organized for The Texas Instruments to act as Johnston's backing band and paid for the sessions but was largely uninvolved, only entering the studio on one occasion. [10] [9] Joe Johnson produced ten of the album's tracks at Europa Studios, with four additional tracks recorded elsewhere by either Johnston himself or Pam Peltz. The album also features two other guest performers, Bill Anderson, who co-wrote two of its tracks, and Rick Morgan, who appears only on 'It's Over.' [11]

Johnston was pleased with the initial recordings but was shocked by the creative control Fowley had demanded afterward. According to Johnston, Fowley wanted more of Johnston's earlier material to be re-recorded, this time with additional saxophones. [9]

When Fowley heard the finished album, he was disappointed and said that the songs sounded 'unfinished.' He also wanted Johnston to sign a contract that would have given Fowley full ownership over the masters, songwriting credit, and 50% publishing rights. Johnston refused the deal, and Jeff Tartakov, his manager at the time, obtained ownership of the album on Johnston's behalf, leading to Johnston's self-released version. [10]

Sonically, the album showcases a more rock-oriented sound than that found in Johnston's earlier music, [12] and is particularly stylized in the indie rock or pop-rock styles. [1] Additionally, clear influences on the album include pop from the 1920s - 1930s, [1] as well as the music of Lennon/McCartney.

Also included on the album are re-recorded versions of two tracks featured on two of Johnston's self-produced 1983 tapes, 'Running Water' from 'Hi How Are You' and 'Casper' from 'Yip/Jump Music '; however, neither of the re-recordings took place at Europa Studios. [11]

Continued Story marks the end of an incredibly productive era for Johnston; between 1981 and 1985, Daniel had recorded nine albums but would not make his next until three years later.

Artwork

The album's artwork depicts a "Fly Eye",' a Johnston invention representing supernatural watchfulness. Johnston's other drawings of the Fly Eyes depict them as either comforting or sinister, watching over the world's every move, with Johnston referring to them as "Good/Evil". In the song "Fly Eye", Johnston attempts to calm one, in order to transform it into a less ominous constant companion. [13]

Legacy

A live recording of 'Funeral Home' would be included on Daniel Johnston's '1990' album. The '1990' version is triple the length of the studio take.

In 1993, The Fellow Travellers recorded a cover of 'It's Over' for 'A Tribute To Daniel Johnston Vol. 2', [14] and the year afterwards, Kathy McCarty included the song as the final track on her 'Dead Dog's Eyeball' album; which is made up entirely of Daniel Johnston covers. [15] In 2004, John Wayne Shot Me recorded a cover of 'Funeral Home' for their EP 'Let Sleeping Monsters Sleep.' [16]

Singer-songwriter Beabadoobee revealed in a 2019 interview that she has a tattoo of the album's artwork, [17] and in 2021, the Johnston estate released an NFT based on Daniel's Hi How Are You artwork featuring an instrumental excerpt from the track 'Fly Eye'. [18]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Daniel Johnston except where noted

Side One
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."It's Over" (Ft. Rick Morgan) 3:15
2."Ain't No Woman Gonna Make a George Jones Outta Me" (Ft. Bill Anderson)Johnston, Bill Anderson2:43
3."Dead Dog Laughing in the Cloud" (Ft. Texas Instruments) 2:38
4."Funeral Home" (Ft. Texas Instruments) 0:52
5."Her Blues" (Ft. Texas Instruments) 1:30
6."Running Water Revisited" 2:09
7."I Saw Her Standing There" (The Beatles cover) Lennon-McCartney 2:54
8."Casper" (Ft. Bill Anderson) 2:18
Total length:18:19
Side Two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
9."Ghost of Our Love" (Ft. Texas Instruments) 1:51
10."Fly Eye" 1:59
11."Etiquette" (Ft. Bill Anderson)Johnston, Anderson2:57
12."A Walk in the Wind" 2:21
13."Dem Blues" 3:20
14."Girls" (Ft. Texas Instruments & Bill Anderson) 6:30
Total length:18:58

Credits

Adapted from CD liner notes [11]

Production

Release history

YearLabelFormatRegionNotes
1985Self ReleasedCassetteUSA
1987Stress Records
1991 Homestead Records LP / Cassette / CDCD includes 'Hi How Are You' as bonus tracks.
CDIncludes 'Hi How Are You' as bonus tracks.
2006Eternal Yip Eye Music / High Wire Music
2009Eternal Yip Eye Music
2012Cassette

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Johnston</span> American musician (1961–2019)

Daniel Dale Johnston was an American singer, musician and artist regarded as a significant figure in outsider, lo-fi, and alternative music scenes. Most of his work consisted of cassettes recorded alone in his home, and his music was frequently cited for its "pure" and "childlike" qualities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Johnston</span> American musician (born 1942)

Bruce Arthur Johnston is an American singer, musician, and songwriter who is a member of the Beach Boys. He also collaborated on many records with Terry Melcher and composed the 1975 Barry Manilow hit, "I Write the Songs".

<i>Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday at Newport</i> 1958 live album by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday

Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday at Newport is a 1958 live album by Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, recorded at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival.

<i>Songs of Pain</i> 1981 album by Daniel Johnston

Songs of Pain is the first album by folk singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston, recorded on a simple tape recorder and released on Compact Cassette. Johnston recorded these songs in the basement of his parents' house in West Virginia. Johnston recorded the tape between 1980 and 1981, and it was later mass produced on cassette by Stress Records in 1988, and on Compact Disc in 2003 by the label Dual Tone, together with More Songs of Pain as Early Recordings Volume 1.

<i>Dont Be Scared</i> 1982 studio album by Daniel Johnston

Don't Be Scared is singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston's second self-released album, released in 1982. It was re-released on cassette in 1989 by Stress Records, a label run by Johnston's friend and manager Jeff Tartakov, on mp3 by emusic.com in 2000, and on CDR by Eternal Yip Eye Music in 2004.

<i>The What of Whom</i> 1982 album by Daniel Johnston

The What of Whom is the third self-released music cassette album by singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston, recorded in 1982.

<i>More Songs of Pain</i> 1983 album by Daniel Johnston

More Songs of Pain is the fourth self-released music cassette album by singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston, recorded late 1982 and early 1983. The album was re-released on cassette in 1988 by Stress records, made available in downloadable mp3 format by Emusic in 2000, and in 2003 released on CD by Dual Tone, as the second half of the compilation Early Recordings Volume 1.

<i>Yip/Jump Music</i> 1983 album by Daniel Johnston

Yip/Jump Music is the fifth self-released music cassette album by singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston, recorded over the summer 1983. The album was re-released on cassette in 1986 by Stress records, and in 1988 released on CD and double LP by Homestead Records. The album has been re-released twice by Eternal Yip Eye Music: once in 2003 on CD and CD-R, and once in 2007 as a double vinyl LP.

<i>Hi, How Are You</i> 1983 album by Daniel Johnston

Hi, How Are You: The Unfinished Album is the sixth self-released music cassette album by singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston, recorded in September 1983. The subtitle refers to the length of the album; Johnston had intended for it to be an hour-long release, as a majority of his earlier releases were.

<i>Rejected Unknown</i> 2001 studio album by Daniel Johnston

Rejected Unknown is a 2001 album by acclaimed outsider musician Daniel Johnston. The title references the decision by Atlantic Records to drop him from the label after the commercial failure of his only major-label album, 1994's Fun. Rejected Unknown was produced by Austin producer and former Glass Eye member Brian Beattie. A 7-inch limited edition EP called Dream Scream, featuring that song and "Funeral Girl", was released in 1998 on Pickled Egg Records.

<i>Its Spooky</i> 1989 studio album by Daniel Johnston and Jad Fair

It's Spooky is a collaborative album by musicians Jad Fair and Daniel Johnston. It was first released in 1989 on 50 Skidillion Watts Records, under the title Jad Fair and Daniel Johnston. Although receiving praise from critics and fans alike, the record was commercially overlooked. Both Johnston and Fair play the majority of instruments, including vocals, guitars, piano, keyboards and drums.

"Walking the Cow" is a song written and recorded by singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston from his 1983 album Hi, How Are You. The title was inspired by an illustration on a wrapper for Blue Bell ice cream depicting a young girl attempting to lead a reluctant cow by its reins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harvey Mason Jr.</span> American producer and songwriter

Harvey Jay Mason Jr. is an American record producer, songwriter and film producer who has served as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Recording Academy since 2021. From both his solo work and as part of the production duo the Underdogs, he has been credited on releases for artists including Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and Stevie Wonder, among others.

<i>Artistic Vice</i> 1991 studio album by Daniel Johnston

Artistic Vice is the first studio album by singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston, and his twelfth overall, counting his nine widely distributed demo tapes, two earlier aborted attempts at studio albums,, and collaboration with Jad Fair, It's Spooky. It was his first full-length album recorded after a three-year hiatus. The album is considered more light-hearted than its predecessor, 1990.

<i>1990</i> (Daniel Johnston album) 1990 album by Daniel Johnston

1990 is the eleventh album by American singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston. It was released in January 1990, through record label Shimmy Disc. Like Continued Story before it, 1990 was intended to be Johnston's first studio album, but had to be completed using live recordings and home demos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Johnston discography</span>

This is a list of the discography of Daniel Johnston, who lived in Austin, Texas.

<i>Retired Boxer</i> 1984 album by Daniel Johnston

Retired Boxer is the seventh self-released music cassette album by singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston, recorded in 1984. The album's nine songs are performed in Johnston's usual confessional piano ballad style. This album, like those before it, was recorded with a consumer grade tape player. Evidence of this is found in the warbling tape hiss and distortion.

<i>Respect</i> (Daniel Johnston album) 1985 album by Daniel Johnston

Respect is the 8th self-released music cassette album by singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston, released in 1985. It features covers of the Elvis Presley song "Heartbreak Hotel" and the Bert Berns song "A Little Bit of Soap", made popular by The Jarmels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beabadoobee</span> British singer-songwriter (born 2000)

Beatrice Kristi Ilejay Laus, known professionally as Beabadoobee, is a Filipino-British singer and songwriter. From 2018 to 2021, she released five extended plays (EPs) under the independent label Dirty Hit: Lice (2018), Patched Up (2018), Loveworm (2019), Space Cadet (2019) and Our Extended Play (2021). Her debut studio album Fake It Flowers was released in October 2020, and received critical acclaim. Her second studio album, Beatopia, was released on 15 July 2022, which spawned the hit "The Perfect Pair." Her third studio album, This Is How Tomorrow Moves, was released on 9 August 2024; it became her first album to peak atop the UK Albums Chart.

<i>Loveworm</i> 2019 EP by Beabadoobee

Loveworm is the third extended play by Filipino-English singer-songwriter Beabadoobee. The EP, recorded and produced by Pete Robertson and Joseph Rodgers, was released on 26 April 2019 through independent record label Dirty Hit. It marks a departure from the folk-influenced, lo-fi sound of her previous two EPs, Lice (2018) and Patched Up (2018), incorporating a wider variety of instrumentation and exploring a range of genres. The EP was not preceded by any singles, but was released alongside a one night headliner at Oslo in East London.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Continued Story/Hi How Are You - Daniel Johnston | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic , retrieved 2021-10-09
  2. 1 2 Pattison, Louis (31 August 2009). "CD Review | Daniel Johnston:'Yip/Jump Music', 'Continued Story/Hi, How Are You', 'Welcome To My World'". NME . IPC MEDIA. Retrieved 2009-12-18.
  3. ↑ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 200–201.
  4. 1 2 The Devil and Daniel Johnston, Dr. Jeff Feuerzeig, 2005
  5. ↑ "Woodshock 1985". Issuu. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  6. ↑ "Tour History". rejectedunknown.com. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  7. ↑ Daniel Johnston - I Live My Broken Dreams (FULL VERSION), archived from the original on 2021-12-20, retrieved 2021-10-09
  8. ↑ Woodshock 85 (El Jefe Records, EL-D-21201, 1986)
  9. 1 2 3 Lieck, Ken. "Genius of Love". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  10. 1 2 Appelstein, Mike. "The Time Kim Fowley Financed a Daniel Johnston Cassette". Riverfront Times. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  11. 1 2 3 Daniel Johnston - 'Continued Story / Hi How Are You' Notes (Eternal Yip Eye Music/High Wire Music, EYE-002, 2006)
  12. ↑ "Daniel Johnston - 'Yip/Jump Music', 'Continued Story/Hi, How Are You', 'Welcome To My World'". NME. 2009-08-31. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  13. ↑ Yazdani, Tarssa; Goede, Don (2006). Hi, how are You?: The Life, Art & Music of Daniel Johnston. Last Gasp. p. 43. ISBN   978-0-86719-667-2.
  14. ↑ A Tribute To Daniel Johnston Vol. 2 (Little Teddy Recordings, LiTe714, 1993, Germany)
  15. ↑ K. McCarty - Dead Dog's Eyeball: Songs Of Daniel Johnston (1994, Justine, JUSCD002)
  16. ↑ John Wayne Shot Me - Let Sleeping Monsters Sleep E.P. (62 TV Records, 62TV 31182, 2004, Belgium)
  17. ↑ ""He was an outsider and I related to that": Beabadoobee on how cult hero Daniel Johnston inspired a new generation of songwriters". NME. 2019-09-12. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  18. ↑ Blackstock, Peter. "Friendly frogs, meet non-fungible tokens: Daniel Johnston art enters a new era". austin360. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  19. 1 2 3 Welcome To My World: The Music Of Daniel Johnston - Eternal Yip Eye Music - EYE328CE - 2022
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.