God, if I had 10% of that darling man's intoxicating charisma, I would be a very comfortable, well-known, and respected songwriter. I don't need any more talent than I already have -- I don't want to ask for too much -- but God, make me one-tenth as *instantly loveable* as Jonathan Richman! I saw him do a solo performance when he was much older than this. He is still unafraid to stop playing his guitar in mid-song and dance, and he still talks to the audience with that combination of brave honesty and a joke hidden in every story. It's fascinating to hear Richman's singing evolve, from the insincere snotty nasal baritone of _The Modern Lovers_ to the more melodic, but very shaky _Back in Your Life_ ... I don't know all his albums or whatever order they come in ... but there's _I, Jonathan_ and _Havin' a Party With_, and definitely by _I'm So Confused_, if not sooner, Jonathan is in complete control of his voice and his melodies. "Love Like I Love" strikes me as a re-write of "A Higher Power", not as good, but with stronger vocals. I was kinda disappointed with _Confused_ -- Ric Ocasek as producer was not the obvious miracle we expected it to be. It's just Jonathan with more synth.
+Ben Culture I'm straight, but I love JR. I've seen him live a few times in the past few years, and he is wonderful. I still remember well the first time I heard Roadrunner on the radio in 1977 - I instantly loved it.
My very fav of all his songs.
God, if I had 10% of that darling man's intoxicating charisma, I would be a very comfortable, well-known, and respected songwriter. I don't need any more talent than I already have -- I don't want to ask for too much -- but God, make me one-tenth as *instantly loveable* as Jonathan Richman!
I saw him do a solo performance when he was much older than this. He is still unafraid to stop playing his guitar in mid-song and dance, and he still talks to the audience with that combination of brave honesty and a joke hidden in every story.
It's fascinating to hear Richman's singing evolve, from the insincere snotty nasal baritone of _The Modern Lovers_ to the more melodic, but very shaky _Back in Your Life_ ... I don't know all his albums or whatever order they come in ... but there's _I, Jonathan_ and _Havin' a Party With_, and definitely by _I'm So Confused_, if not sooner, Jonathan is in complete control of his voice and his melodies. "Love Like I Love" strikes me as a re-write of "A Higher Power", not as good, but with stronger vocals. I was kinda disappointed with _Confused_ -- Ric Ocasek as producer was not the obvious miracle we expected it to be. It's just Jonathan with more synth.
+Ben Culture I'm straight, but I love JR. I've seen him live a few times in the past few years, and he is wonderful. I still remember well the first time I heard Roadrunner on the radio in 1977 - I instantly loved it.
Try seeing him when he's in a bad mood lol.
Brownshoeblues I first saw him play a club in Melbourne when smoking was still legal in venues. He didn’t like the smokers...
Lol I'm so glad this exists, def top 5 fav of all time.
Je l'ai en cassette video mais plus de magnétoscope vhs^^ merci !!!!!!!!! enorme !!
Props Jo for the below the bridge and above the nut notes in the solo! :)
Enorme !!!! Merci pour la video.
mac demarco talks like this guy, kind of acts the same. weeeird
indeed, he's a big influence, but instead of music he was inspired differently I guess
Dale Singer he writes nice tunes though
Mac?
He suits turquoise.
Who is that woman with the perfectly beautiful voice?