Here's the advert for Brest / Britany show. I've also seen shows in Lille and Strasbourg in the following days. Other countries ? (nothing in England for now)
I don't know about anyone else, but my finals for college are next week, and I'm swamped with work. So for all of you who feel my pain, for whatever reason, I bring you treats.
Jim Harrington of The Concert Blog went to see Jonathan on December 7th, and wrote a tiny review, also asking if anyone out there could explain why they loved Jonathan so.
I just got home from seeing Jonathan Richman at the Great American Music Hall on Sunday night (Dec. 7). It was my second time seeing the singer-songwriter-guitarist (and his ever-present buddy-sidekick-drummer Tommy Larkins) in 2008. That’s not unusual (at least not for me).
I see Jonathan and Tommy at least once a year, usually more. I think my record is catching them a half-dozen times in a single year. And I would have seen them more that year, if I’d had the chance.
Another reviewlet of the 5th concert over at Boomvang:
Mitch and I got to go see Jonathan Richman on Friday night thanks to the babysitting prowess of our friend's Seth and Elise. It was a great concert. I felt like the universe gave me a small gift when Jonathan opened with some song about suffering that I had never heard before that had a chorus about how you can't avoid suffering and you can't refuse defeat because then Prozac wins and you become a really annoying falsely happy person. It was a message that found fertile ground in my current mood so I was happy to have the universe (through Jonathan) affirm that it is o.k. to be bummed out sometimes and that you should embrace your sadness sometimes.
Lastly, I bring an interview! This is from the live concert DVD "Take Me To The Plaza", which I recommend oh-so-highly. There are 2 parts, and I hope you enjoy my tiny gifts to you, and have a splendid week. Monday, I should return with a review of the Friday concert in Olympia.
I found the best little reviewlet on Concert Haikus (which, incidentally, I think is the coolest idea for a blog ever) from the El Rey show:
There are few people In this world that I love half As much as this man
And, submitted for your approval. The time: February 1984. The place: Matter magazine. Jonathan Richman interviewed in a small rock and roll magazine, lovingly brought to us by Swan Fungus.
While Richman, with seven LPs under his belt, has managed to build up a fiercely loyal core of fans in the past eight years or so, the larger public has remained ignorant of his uncompromising, highly idiosyncratic work. For many first-time listeners, Richman's unusual vocal style is an obstacle. Some might go so far as to say that the guy can't sing.
"That would make me feel sad inside, " says Richman. "I don't see myself as a talker: I see myself as a singer. A singer sings melodies. A song is something that's gotta be sung. So, I just sing 'em and write 'em."
Read the rest here. (It's a picture scan of the magazine. The rest of the issue is at the earlier link)
The December tour began last night, and I hope those of you who are able are getting out there! I, personally, am dragging 3 of my long-suffering friends 10 hours over snow drifts and mountains to go see him in Washington. To mark this festive occasion at the beginning of a festive season, I bring you pictures from the last tour, courtesy of tantrum_dan's flickr.