Omnivore Recordings reissues 4 out of print Jonathan Richman and Modern Lovers albums on LP and CD
Starting last August and running through November, four previously out-of-print albums by Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers will be released from Omnivore Records.
The albums originally reissued on the Bezerkley label – Jonathan Richman and Modern Lovers, Rock ‘n’ Roll with lovers of modernity, Modern lovers “live” and Back in your life – are “faithfully reproduced” and are available in cd and vinyl editions.
Richman has always held a special place in music and enjoys a long-standing cult following. The Modern Lovers began as a neo Velvet Underground indie garage band and grew into a Richman-led folk-rock combo drawing influences from South American, Chinese, reggae, 50s do-wop and jazz music with a dose of Zappa. His lyrics are described as “whimsical” or “childish” in their humor and innocence, but there is also sometimes a sensitive and emotional side to his themes.
Although his songs have been covered by major rock artists (Iggy Pop, The Sex Pistols, David Bowie, Joan Jett, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Echo And The Bunnymen), Richman is like the nerdy outsider who almost never gets the girl but still wins somehow in the end. An early ‘minimalist’, there’s no doubt bands like They Might Be Giants, Violent Femmes, Cake, Parquet Courts, Hold Steady and Ween would cite him as an influence.
Still on the brink of obscurity, Richman got a huge boost in recognition and popularity when the Farrelly brothers cast him as an actor and performer in their hit 1998 film. There’s something about Mary.
These four albums capture some of Jonathan Richman’s best, so it’s great to have them available again.
The first album Jonathan Richman and Modern Lovers (1976) was reissued in August on CD and vinyl and includes the tracks “New England” and “Here Come the Martian Martians”. This line-up of Modern Lovers included drummer David Robinson (The Cars) and bassist Greg Karanen (The Rubinoos.)
(It should be noted that there was a separate and different Modern Lovers self-titled “first” album recorded in 1972 and also released in 1976. Richman prefers not to call this his “debut” although it remains highly regarded and remains an important part of the band’s legacy.)
“Abominable Snowman in the Market”
Available on CD and LP in our Rock Cellar store ON SALE
Rock ‘n’ Roll with lovers of modernity (1977)
The band’s second album with the UK Singles Chart Top 5 hit, “Egyptian Reggae”, was re-released by Omnivore on September 16. Also includes “Ice Cream Man” and “Dodge Veg-O-Matic”.
“Afternoon”
Available on CD and LP in our Rock Cellar store ON SALE
Modern lovers live was the band’s first live release, recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1977 (the band was particularly popular in the UK). Richman and the Modern Lovers perform favorites from their first 2 albums, including the famously insanely long 8 minute version of “Ice Cream Man”.
Live will be released on October 21 and is available for pre-order in our Rock Cellar store HERE ON SALE
“Egyptian Reggae”
Back in your life (1979) could be considered more of a solo Richman album as more than half of the songs were recorded without a Modern Lovers backup band. The finale of this quartet of albums will be released on November 11.
Available for pre-order in our Rock Cellar store HERE — ON SALE
“My Love is a Flower (Just Beginning to Bloom)”
Richman continues to perform live and is in fact ON TOUR NOW. Upcoming dates include:
October 18, 2022 The Opera; Brooklyn, New York
October 19 StageOne; Fairfield, Connecticut
October 20 Columbus Theater; Providence, RI
October 21 Academy of Music; Northampton, MA
October 22 Hangar Theatre; Ithaca, NY
October 23 Opera; Toronto, ON
October 24 Asylum in the Masonic temple; Cleveland, Ohio
October 25 Kenyon College: Horn Gallery; Gambier, Ohio
October 26 Third Man Records: Cass Corridor; Detroit, Michigan
Constellation of October 27; Chicago, IL
Constellation of October 28; Chicago, IL
December 13, 14, 15, 16 Zebulun; Los Angeles, CA
December 17 Herbst Theatre; San Francisco, California
Photo: Driely S. ~ High Road Touring
While you’re at it, feel free to check out the Omnivore catalog sale now visit our Rock Cellar Store