Jonathan Richman
Jonathan Richman – "Action Packed: The Best of
Jonathan Richman"
(Rounder Heritage)
It’s hard to believe that Boston’s favorite musical adolescent is old
enough for a ‘greatest hits’ collection (let alone a release on Rounder
Heritage). Having "grown up in the time of ‘Louie Louie’ and ‘Little Latin
Lupe Loo,’ Richman takes musical, lyrical and bilingual cues from these
simple circles, letting every bit of youthful indiscretion shine through
his rockabilly bouncers. Though most of these 22 songs offer
three-chords-and-the-truth (however odd), it is the things in between that
give this album (and its chief composer) their charm. From impromptu
self-interruptions to elucidate on his situation and international local
references meant to connect with his clubby fans to sudden stylistic
changes meant to demonstrate his own musical inspirations, Richman touches
on a variety of topics and styles in a consistently touching style. The
adulterous slink of "The Neighbor," the linguistically challenged "When I
Say Wife" and the gender-bending "I Was Dancing in a Lesbian Bar" offer
comical confessions about Jonathan’s infamously twisted love life. Other
hot topics include wanderlust ("Reno," "You’re Crazy for Taking the Bus")
and a dating scene that could be described as interesting, to say the
least ("Since She Started to Ride," "Vampire Girl"). However, whether
taking from his own life or from the likes of Tom Waits ("The Heart of
Saturday Night"), Jonathan makes each song a personal exploration that
everyone is invited to join.
- Matthew S. Robinson
c. 2002, M. S. Robinson, ARR
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