Jonathan Richman

Jonathan Richman at London Islington Academy, Thu 15 Apr

Review by Tommy Mack

Too weird for pop, too nice for punk, too smart for rock and too beautiful and beatific to be 'got' by the hurried and inattentive world (he doesn't even have a record deal in the UK). A round, round peg in a square, square world. A perennial outsider despite major label deals and Hollywood film roles. Yet despite dwindling record sales and despite never breaking out of cult status, a winner, not a loser in the struggle for creative and artistic freedom. In short, he is a mass of contradictions. Like all great performers. Like everyone.»

Islington Academy

The newest Carling Academy is really the old revamped Marquee, but with decent bands playing there. Next to Angel's GAP store, it boasts one of the best PAs in town and holds about 800. Sister venue is that IA2.»

Jonathan Richman

I could write reams and reams on this truly unique artist's genius and influence, but I couldn't do him justice. For those of you who really don't know, this is from his record label website...

In the early '70s, Boston's Richman founded the influential proto-punk band the Modern Lovers whose self-titled debut featured favorites 'Roadrunner' and 'Pablo Picasso'. An acoustic Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers scored a European hit with the 1977 instrumental "Egyptian Reggae." Richman then went solo and critically acclaimed pop records followed, as did idiosyncratic excursions into country and Latin music. His Vapor debut was 1996's Surrender To Jonathan, followed by 1999's I'm So Confused.

Jonathan Richman added a major new audience to his fiercely loyal cult following with his star turn in the hit "There's Something About Mary" and frequent performances on late-night television. His latest album, his 20th, Her Mystery Not Of High Heels And Eye Shadow, explores all that is the disarmingly profound, enchanting and whimsical Richman, from the Velvet Underground-but-happy "Her Mystery Not Of High Heels And Eye Shadow" to the charming, gentle "Springtime In New York," from jangly pop to proto-rock shuffles. Modern love never sounded so good.»