"Modern Lovers" written on the drum set. Asa Brebner on bass and Andy Paley drums ... def. 1985 ... the only year of that configuration of the Modern Lovers.

Beaver Cleaver

I know it's a facile comparison used by concert reviewers with weak game. But whenever I see a Leave it to Beaver episode, I am struck with some of the similar mannerisms. Does it go too far to speculate that Jerry Mathers' character was perhaps an early influence on Jonathan? Leave it to Beaver debuted when Jonathan was six years old. If so... a fine influence!

 

I hesitate to read 'Jonathan's Notebook'

I've flipped through the first few pages... then stopped. Do I really want Jonathan to 'splain everything he's doing or was trying to do? Or would I rather have eternal possession of my own mental take of what was going on, devoid of any 'splanation? My decision could be fateful. Thanks and hat-tip to Vanessa for the obviously-incredible find.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFf1Vs5hmeh/

Zoomers desperately need to hear this message

(If you'll allow this blogger a personal aside. I once wrote an acapella song with a very similar melody and phrasing as this song years after Jonathan wrote this but years before this album was released. It was called "Now I Remember Why I Hate American Girls". It was written toward the end of my year studying abroad, upon encountering some American girls staying at a hotel I was staying at.)

Jonathan and Dylan

Over the years, I got the impression that Jonathan was not a big Dylan fan. Yet he is, e.g., a self-proclaimed Van Morrison fan (huge). Makes a certain amount of sense if you think about it. What are your thoughts? Leave them below.

I read the whole thing

Jonathan's AMA https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/j39v6w/im_jonathan_richman_a_professional_singer_and/

Wow, how did I miss this for so long?

An exquisite Affection, with slightly different guitar ... and of course the usual impromptu lyrics.

Which program was this on? It looks like a Top of the Pops knockoff in some country.

ps the follow up of "I'm a Little Airplane" is not bad eitehr. Very different lyrics.

Yes, yes, yes!

... and I like masculine arrogance too. But it was geyying way overdone in the 70s.

At any rate, Jonathan is right on the money here. (Also check out the "bye, bye" as in "bye bye Old World").

https://dangerousminds.net/comments/masculine_arrogance_blows_jonathan_richmans_letter_to_creem_magazine_1973

Comment poached

Jim Rader2 years ago

Jonathan played an acoustic gig at NYC 's The Kitchen in 5/75 or so, w/ two femme b/u singers, Andy Paley on drums, and another guy who acted out JR's lyrics now & then. Very fun show, attended by Allen Ginsberg, Gerard Malanga & Kathy Acker, who worked the door. At the time, I was under JR's mystical spell and praised him to Kathy who said: "I don't know, I've met other people who are on his trip and I just don't know."/ Then there was his appearance at Town Hall 10/76. Did no less than four encores of "Ice Cream Man"; a friend walked out on this madcap display, later explaining: "He's evil, man. He's not upfront about his [mental sadism]." Whatever. A strange dude.

Stop Your Sobbin' ... could have been an original Jojo tune

If you havent listened to this in a while, it may be time to listen to it again. Featuring Walter Powers, Maureen Tucker and Willie Alexander of the then-existing Velvet Underground 

Andrew Bird's Live From The Great Room

apparently done in 2017 ... published on Youtube April 2020

I'm bery partial to the long version of Jonathan's When We Refuse to Suffer.

anyone else? 

Jonathan Richman in cameo on old Saturday Night Live skit

He's right at the beginning:

And another brief shot of him eating at his table at 4:26. Anybody know how that came about?