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Monday, November 15, 2004
Richman rewards fans, old and new
By AIMSEL PONTI
Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc
REVIEW
Jonathan Richman
Where: Space
When: Sat., Nov. 13
Delving into Jonathan Richman's past is like taking a class in the history of new wave and punk. This guy had his hands in both movements back in the 70s and at 54 he is still a viable act that left an impressive crowd at Space wanting more on Saturday night.
Richman, originally from Natick, Mass., formed a band called The Modern Lovers in the early 1970s. Also in the band were Jerry Harrison, who went on to join Talking Heads, and David Robinson who ended up with The Cars, two other huge notable new wave acts to have New England roots.
Richman flies under the radar of the mainstream but has a devout cult-following.
It wasn't so important to be well-versed in Richman history to enjoy his show; one just had to be open to the experience. Although it's tempting to find a more impressive vocabulary word, the best way to describe the show was downright delightful. The beauty in many of his songs are their simplicity; that's the genius.
Richman does not give his songs unnecessary window-dressing, but delivers honest, straight-from-the-heart songs about love, life and things that touch and inspire him.
With his acoustic guitar and the keen percussion from drummer Tommy Larkins, Richman touched on many points in his career as a solo artist and member of The Modern Lovers.
His voice is sweet and sometimes almost childish but that's just the thing that makes it work. A friend described Richman as David Byrne meets Lou Reed meets Adam Sandler. That made perfect sense, as it combines elements of musical talent, a timeless coolness and a quirky sweetness.
Performing about 25 songs over a 90-minute set, Richman gave us Modern Lovers classics like "Pablo Picasso," and "Springtime" interspersed with plenty from his latest record Not So Much To Be Loved As To Love. Songs like "Vincent Van Gogh," "My Baby Love Love Loves Me," and "Behold The Lilies Of The Field" were all well-received.
He also is somewhat of a multi-linguist, singing the new ones "Cosi Veloce," (Italian) and "Les Etoilles." One of the best songs of the night was from 1992's I Jonathan record, "I Was Dancing At The Lesbian Bar," both funny and danceable.
Two other gems were "The Night Is Still Young" and "Nineteen In Naples" from his 1998 I'm So Confused release.
Richman had such a comfortable stage presence, disarming with a sincere airiness to go with his expressive eyes.
His words tell it like it is: "He loved, he loved life so bad, he had twice the color other painters had," sang Richman. Throughout his show he encouraged the audience to keep the beat, which many people did. It was an unexpectedly absorbing evening of music. Make no mistake, though, Jonathan Richman's No. 1.
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With thanks to Adam.
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