Johnathan Richman - any good live?

[Pieface]

He was great and the venue is gloriously pretty, but unless you're one of the privileged few lording it up in the balconies, it's an appalling place to watch a live act.

I thought he was wonderful but did seem to spend my time wandering about trying to get a look - it's a rubbish venue downstairs. If I go again I'll deff get a seat I think. But the sound was ace and he is really captivating when people stopped chatting (I ended up at the back near the bar which is a first - my god people just talk and talk back there! ). I didn't even know there was a drummer on stage for the first 4 songs x millions

I liked his little dances with the guitar and I did get to hear Dancing at the Lesbian Bar But there was no dancing in the audience - I know what you mean about a comedy show, Ian - there was a lot of playing it for laughs and he is funny but....I don't know, he doesn't seem to be doing it just for yucks. Anyway - I'd love to see him again in a smaller place perhaps.

He is an original isn't he? "Do you want to hear it in French? It sounds way different?!" Dub said his he sings his new album in 4 languages or something

 

[clandestino]

The friend I went with said he saw him play a roughly similar set at the Union Chapel a few years back. It was totally unamplified so the audience really had to keep quiet in order to hear anything, and he said the tone of the night was totally different - a very reverential show, with an incredible atmosphere.

I think I would have missed some of the sheer joy of last night at that Union Chapel show - and you could tell JoJo was enjoying messing around in the spotlight, which is good because I've seen him before when he's seemed on the verge of tears. But there were bits when the audience was forcing out the guffaws when I was thinking "What's funny about this?" I'm really glad he did that very heartfelt and very very serious song to end off with. I do love his sense of humour and his childlike joy, but he's so much more than a clown.

 

[t0bytoo]

Managed to move from downstairs to the upper seats quite easily.

Really moving when he closed the set with that song about being with his mother in the nursing home. Haven't heard that one before, and am guessing that it's new / recent experience.
Anyone know?

Anyways. I've seen him at least a dozen times, mostly in US and this show was one of the best for me. Struck a few chords.