Posted on October 25, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

Modern Lovers

His song on Picasso became popular once covered by David Bowie. He sang about Salvator Dalì and Vincent Van Gogh too. Still Jonathan Richman looked a lot like Ligabue last night at Bronson. Of course I’m not talking ’bout the rocky growling italian singer. We were all very excite ’bout Richy performance. He’s a little piece of history indeed.

I have to admitt that the first time I heard about him was thanks to the movie “There’s something about Mary”. He was the storyeller, introducing various situations of the film with his faithful drummer at his side, like Don Quixote  and Sancho Panza. I remember an older friend of mine, in World with Pixies and Pavements, was so excited about the movie to expecially for the precence of Jon and Tommy Larkins. Truth is, that Jonathan and The Modern Lovers were the heroes of the proto garage-punk scene in america along The Violent Femmes, and most of their songs became unique hymns for the future indie generations. Here he was. Eyes wide open on an obscure corner of the hall, lips headed mouth forming an “o”, moving his ass from side to side not doin a sound, strolling his poor acoustic guitar with his big thumb, ready for Tommy to go. A Psychokiller. A sudden clownesque smile. He started to sing, the show began.

Jonathan must know something like 324 languages, and he choose to pic quite any of his Italian repertoire during the night, with a worm welcome from the audience for “Così veloce”, so close to Paolo Conte cinematic style. Beside stange solo dancing acts, a strange cymbal stick thrown on the stage by the venue owner use like a magic wand to make the audience handclap, his fantastic acting timing, the craziest funny part of the show was his Italian monologue on “Let her go throught the darkness”, with Jon talking about this girl tired of mineral water unwilling to quit heroine.

After many unpredictable returns of his über-hit “Dancing in a lesbian bar”, audience tried to get the artist back on stage for one of the many lefty greatest hits. Ten minutes of applauses and shouts were unsuccesful, and so many people felt disappointed ’bout the comedian side having abducted the singer. I just had a real good time with one of the most genuine living legends still caring of having a direct relationship with his audience. That’s how I feel.

Jonathan Richman – Live @ Bronson 2009 Pics

Jonathan Richman – Live @ Bronson 2009 Clip#1
Jonathan Richman – Live @ Bronson 2009 Clip#2
Jonathan Richman – Live @ Bronson 2009 Clip#3
Jonathan Richman – Live @ Bronson 2009 Clip#4

Jonathan Richman – “Les Etoiles”

Waiting for our sight:

• What Will Replace MTV? (15)
• Our last year of independent? (7)
• Indie O’Clock: Tiny Tide and Nothing Meets All (7)
• Funny Little Bunny (6)
• Christmas Indie Ep from Japan (6)