Jonathan Richman

Last minute google search for music in Brooklyn on a Saturday night brought up a long list... and when you dropped out all the hits over 20 bucks a pop, it had very few names I recognized. After checking out a few myspace pages, I thought Jonathan Richman looked like a good find. Hopped on the B62 to Williamsburg and walked in just in time for the show to start.

An eccentric Jonathan walked out onto an almost empty stage (save for a microphone and drum set), guitar case in hand, with his overly subdued drummer. He popped out his classical guitar, the drummer took his seat and they rolled right into an hour+ set of comedic, philosophical, and sentimental songs. He was able to milk out a wide range of styles-- rockabilly, flamenco, folk-- with the considerably limited ensemble of instruments and also made up a few highly entertaining songs on the spot. He's got a great on-stage character, equal parts aloof, funny man, and thinker, while being incredibly in tune with the audience.

Overall a great show, though the highlight had to be listening to his song "Dancing in a Lesbian Bar" while I found myself dancing next to a few lesbians...