Jonathan Richman is appreciated
Posted by: Not For Me on 01 September 2004
From the early day on the Velvets inspired 'Modern Lovers', with inteligent, funny lyrics, right through to the latest 'not so much to be loved as to love', Jonathan has always made be smile and tap a toe.
Favourite has to be 'Rock and Roll with the Modern Lovers'.
He has done New wave. alt-country, melacolia, twee, troubadour soundtrack (Something about Mary) and many other styles, but always with the plaintive, yearning voice and great backing.
Now how many others are still producing worthwhile new stuff from the 1970's on? (Cliff Richard doesn't count)
DS
ITC - Anthony Rother - Simulationszeitalter
*** All the views expressed within this e-mail are the sole responsibility of DS, and as such are subject to change ***
Posted on: 01 September 2004 by kj burrell
Completely agree. My fave is "I,Jonathan" although the first Modern Lovers record runs it a close second.
Another nostalgic story... saw him in London in 78, the live Astral Plane on the b side of the New England single was recorded that night. He played a delicious but astonishingly quiet set. If anyone coughed you lost the sound and we got the 20 odd choruses of Ice Cream Man that he used to play. Just before he came on I went to the loo and had a pee standing next to Joe Strummer. Magic!
Kevin
Posted on: 01 September 2004 by sideshowbob
I love the original Beserkely recordings which formed the basis of the first album. The version of "Roadrunner" from that session completely rocks.
-- Ian
Posted on: 01 September 2004 by Pictish
"Jonathan Goes Country" is an absolute cracker. On first listen it sounds a bit corny but on subsequent plays you realise that every single track is worth listening to, great lyrics, great instrumentals (esp. the Dolly Parton cover). This album demands to be played every single time you come back from the pub plastered - its that good!
Mike
Posted on: 02 September 2004 by Mike Hughes
I cast my vote for "Jonathan Sings" which has the originals of many songs he keeps re-recording like "Give Paris One More Chance" and has probably the best post-original line-up. The album after it was weaker (in work, can't remmeber title, have it on vinyl, never found it on CD) but was notable for classics such as "Corner Store", which I seem to recall being described somewhere as a searing critique of Reaganomics!!! Didn't quite chime with what I was hearing but it was great anyway.
My favourite Jo Jo memory was seeing him as part of the trio with Andy Paley at Leeds Warehouse in the mid 80s. Speakers on milk crates, drums courtesy of stamped feet and a cracking interlude where he had to ask someone to turn the jukebox down (it really wasn't loud either!) because it was drowning them out. A unique talent who deserves far more than he has received.
Mike
Posted on: 07 September 2004 by Mike Hughes
Now I remember. It's called "It's Time For..."
Mike
