Jonathan Richman first established his music career as the excitable and talented frontman of his former band, The Modern Lovers, penning the refreshing, if rather unprolific LP "Roadrunner!". Yet the material he produced as a solo artist has consistently proved more confident and of a sustained quality, with an applaudable discography spanning nearly three decades.
Despite the evidently broad genres of music he has succussfully experimented with, Richman's primary influence, The Velvet Underground, is apparent.
Born in America in 1951 and surrounded by the international and radical revolutions in the sixties' art worlds, allusions to Camus and bilingual vocalisation mirrors subtely Richman's awareness of the expressionism around him, shaping his music, poetry and light philosophy.
Topics coinciding with the existentialist literary movement in mainland Europe, particularly France, can happily be found nestling amongst his lyrical solidarity, his observations of the natural world and his incurable sense of adventure. Although don't regard Richman as another melancholic troubadour as his eclectic melodies and upbeat, rhythmic numbers such as 'Cappuccino Bar' and 'She Doesn't Laugh At My Jokes' will guarantee toes a' tappin'.
Potentially, parallels could be drawn between Richman and the late Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen or even Tom Waits but the trademarked energy and passion devoted to his music is more than deserving of equal credit, if for a somewhat different achievement.
Jonathan had always assured himself and his fans that if performing and composition ever became more like work than fun, he'd quit. And if they ever do, he will.
Recommended titles:
'I, Jonathan'
Jonathan Richman
'Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow'
Jonathan Richman
'88 Modern Lovers'
Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers
Bio written by: Laure |
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