MUSIC: Jonathan Richman Gets Intimate at Fete

Monday, June 17, 2013

Rob Duguay, GoLocalProv Music Critic

It seems like whenever a legend comes to Providence, the people come in droves and the place is packed to the rafters for a special night. This past Friday at The Fete Lounge, a New England musician who is no stranger to lore and stardom in Jonathan Richman provided an intimate acoustic performance with Tommy Larkins on drums. There were no openers, just one act playing in front of a sold-out crowd. In my opinion Jonathan is the New England ambassador of punk rock from his start as the central nucleus of The Modern Lovers in the late 60s and 70s, even though he was doing his contemporary acoustic tunes you knew it was going to be an exciting evening.

Richman and Larkins went up just by themselves in front of crowd that was abundant with humanity. I kind of felt like the youngest guy here but then again when it comes to a timeless musician like Jonathan Richman, you know people of all ages, shapes and sizes were going to come out. This magnificent duo started things off with "Behold The Lilies Of The Field" with the audience clapping along and roaring with applause. Following it up with "No One Was Like Vermeer" and then a brief delay due to the air conditioner being on that brought a laugh amongst the attendees. "Because Her Beauty Is Raw And Wild", an improvised version of James Brown's "Sex Machine" right into a rhythmic drum solo from Larkins while Richman busted a move that had the crowd clapping again in unison, "Old World", "Take Me To The Plaza" and "That Summer Feeling" were extremely enjoyable as Richman had people elated with his stories of childhood and his theatrics before a short intermission.

Richman and Larkins went back to it with "The Honeymoon Is Over", "I Was Dancing In A Lesbian Bar", "When We Refuse To Suffer" and "Not So Much To Be Loved As To Love" ended a spectacular performance that had the audience giving the loudest applause of the night. Richman stayed on stage to serenade the crowd with reciting Salvatore Di Giacomo's "Pianneforte E' Notte" to end it on a romantic tone that only he can deliver. Usually I mention the new album from a band I'm reviewing but you should get everything Jonathan Richman has touched. The Modern Lovers, his solo records, even watch There's Something About Mary (he's in it you know), get everything that Jonathan Richman has done and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

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By now you've read this and exclaimed loudly "Why wasn't I at this show?!" Well, here's some advice. Log on to fetemusic.com and you won't miss out on anything that's going on at Fete ever again.

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