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JONATHAN RICHMAN:
Of Course We Surrender!
It's no secret that Jonathan Richman, singer/;xx)gwriterAroubadour, is on a different
plane. He has written entire albums in Spanish (and often sings in French or Italian), has
made a full-blown “Nashville" country album, and has a penchant for wide-eyed, semi-
goofy songs like “Ice Cream Man,’ “I Was Dancing at the Lesbian Bar" and “Rockin' Rockin’
Leprechaun." It's also no secret that a Jonathan Richman show is about the most fun you
can rightfully expect from a rock show. He is his own creation, and no one does it better.
Richman formed the Modern Lovers with Jerry Harrison (later of the Talking Heads) and
Dave Robinson (later with the Cars) in the early 70s. John Cale of the Velve* Underground
helped them produce some demos, and for most of that decade Richman was surrounded
by an ever-changing Modern Lovers line-up. The angst-ridden tone of the Lovers was re
placed soon after by a kinder, gentler Jonathan that took most everybody by surprise. He
has maintained this positive, childlike stance ever since, and Richman has been a solo
periormer since 1978.
This year marks his move from Rounder Records (which has been handling his new
albums and re-issuing his old ones) to Neil Young's Vapor Records (an offshoot of Reprise),
for Surrender to Jonathan!. It's a full-band recording of many of his tour staples (including
re-recofdings of “Lesbian Bar’ and his biggest hit, the instrumental “Egyptian Reggae"),
and, true to form, it's not a» all what you might expect (neither, mind you, was his appear
ance in the film Dumb and Dumber).
On Surrender, Richman's patented '50s guitar-wcrk is in full effect, as is his trademark
Springsteen-domg-his-best-Bowie voice, but it's the horn section that reaches out of the
speakers and conks you on the head. It’s not worth arguing over which would have been
better — solo renditions of “Surrender." "Rock 'N' Roll Drummer Straight From the huspy-
Tel" and “Not Just A ‘Pius One' On the Guest List Anymore" versus the big-band versions,
' because Surrender to Jonathan! is the record Richman wanted to make, and I can't imagine
anyone telling this man “No." Perhaps I’m still reeling from
the fact that this album is so different from what I was
accustomed to hearing from Richman Whatever the
reason, it’s not for me to question where Richman is
going or why; he is the only tour guide we can trust to
take us though his world. I'm just thankful to be along
for the ride.
Richman's devotion to his family comes tnrough loud
and clear on this new record, and the folks at Vapor tell
me that in the near future he doesn’t plan to tour as much
as he has been of late. There are few artists who you
simply must see live (every time they're near)
whether you feel like it or not. For me,
there's the Jesus Lizard, there's P.J.
Harvey, and there’s always Jonathan
Richman.
Marc Pilvinsky
Jonathan Richman and his band play
the 40 Watt Wednesday, Nov. 20. Duane
TTTTTT
Some bands are just plain multimedia. Listen to R.E.M.'s “E-bow the Letter’ and then
compare that experience with watching the video. It all makes a little more sense with infor
mation pouring into your eyes as well as your ears, and I think certain bands — including
R.E.M. and local trio Breathlanes — can use that extra input to great effect.
Breathlanes will host a special show at the Globe Saturday, and filmmaker Dolman
McCord will do film collage projection during their set. McCord will also show his newest
film, “The Human Screen,’ as the band continues to play its airy, semi-improvisational mood
music. Two-thirds of Breathlanes—John Miley and Jamie DeRevere—did the music for the
film and will play the soundtrack live as the film is shown. They'll be joined by ex-Lenny
vocalist Elissa Hadley for a set of their more straightforward material (though it's still simulta
neously sparse and shimmering), and it should make for a swell night on the town
Multimedia and all.
Marc Pilvinsky
Breathlanes plays upstairs at the Globe Saturday, Nov. 23 Showtime is 10 p m., and
filmmaker Colman McCord will show his films Me the band plays.
everyone
Wednesday 11.20
Bum, Bct>'' Bi/mi
Evil TJ Spins
Thursday 11.21
thcasmevosie
NO COVER
DJ Eric Spins till late nite!
frida^ILzz
AV -MI 8 ^-!t 90sDis CO
(flbOyy at its best With
- ^^^tbeEvrrj
Saturday U-2^
fjo tjeJ* 4cmi
Monday 11.25
David Burnil is Back!
Performing hits from his new dance
CD. This auy is wild!
Showtimes: 10:00 & Midnight
$3 Cover
Donl miss this one!
Tuesday 11.26
444 REWIND
«3 MST HAlfC@CK
W@: 543-1555
F^SHflKEPS
I \t)i:Ruk< Jt M . : \\ ! ; .
Monday All Night Happy Hour
Mou-Sai 8 ; 11:30 >2 Mill pitchers
$2 Long Island Iced Teas si.50 Well brands
Wed 11 /20 - Nathan Sheppard
Thurs 11/21 - Kudzu Jones
Fri 11/22 - Kilgore Trout
Sat 11/23 - The Hill
Mon 11/25 - Larry Keel Experience ■
Tues 11/26 - Nathan Sheppard
Always SI draft & shots
140 E. Clayton St. • 543-9276
Coming Soon:
Redneck Greece Deluxe 11/30
Hurricane 12/6
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion 12/7
285 W. Washington St. Athens, GA
Cal! 549-7871 for Show Updates
www.40watt.com
2D, liz]
FID