From humble beginnings, where he used to peddle his hand made, home-recorded cassettes on the streets of Austin, despite a brief dalliance with MTV in the silly season on the post-Nirvana period, Daniel Johnston has remained a relatively undiscovered treasure. Cited by many musicians as a guiding influence, commercial success has eluded him to this date. The cult artist has spent a large portion of his life inside mental health facilities, but his belief in love as the greatest force of all has led him to continue to make music and to stay on the periphery of the music industry over three decades.

As a celebration of this great performers career to date, some of the most respected independent artists of recent times have contributed to the two-disc collection - The Late Great Daniel Johnston Discovered Covered. Long time champion of Johnston - Jad Fair joins forces with Teenage Fanclub to pay homage with a delightfully authentic rendition of the bard's seminal tune My Life Is Starting Over Again. Similarly, Eef Barzelay's delicate timbre ensures that Clem Snide attempt at Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Your Grievience retains the charm and innocence of the original. Pushing the boat out a little are TV On The Radio as they put a new spin on Walking The Cow, as do Death Cab For Cutie with their rambling take on the bleak Dream Scream. The highlight of the disc comes in the form of the collaboration between Sparklehorse and The Flaming Lips for the delightful Go, who capture Johnston's heart and naivety with aplomb. Special mention also going to the chameleon Beck for his sparse take on True Love Will Find You In The End and Mercury Rev who don't put a foot wrong in taking on a sprawling Blue Clouds. Two of Johnston's biggest supporters The Pastels and Yo La Tengo are both conspicuous by their absence but regardless the 18 artists on this collection can not be faulted.

The second disc contains the original Johnston renditions of the tunes featured on disc one, and it is here that the man's talent is underlined. The godfather of lo-fi with his flawed voice and rudimentary playing has an almost unrivaled sense of melody, and command of a lyric. The Late Great Daniel Johnston Discovered Covered is a perfect addition no matter how extensive your collection of Daniel Johnston releases. A greatest hits collection and a fitting tribute album rolled into one. Splendid.

_CHRIS HAVERCROFT