Customer Reviews

Roadrunner

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this album mainly for the three versions of "Roadrunner" and I was not disappointed. The extended live version and the second version are, if anything, better than the original version. There is also a great version of "Pablo Picasso". The rest are a bit of a mixture from excellent to so-so, in typical Richman fashion, but overall it is well worth purchasing this album. (you certainly get value - 73 minutes worth).

This CD of the first 7 or 8 years of Jonathan's career helped remind me why I've loved his music so much these past 20 or so years. There is no more original voice in Rock and Roll than Jojo and what you hear here is the start of it all. Included the very hard to find acoustic version of Roadrunner and some excellent live tracks. I loved "New Teller" as well, which I think is new. If you only know the Jonathan of the 80s or 90s, or the one in Something About Mary, then there's much more you need to know.

If you've looked up this album, you are obviously already a Jonathan Richman fan. And I would encourage you to buy this rare CD for one of the greatest versions of "Roadrunner" ever - a nearly 10 minute long live version that will take your heart away. I don't normally like live versions of songs, but this rendition is just incredible and feels more emotional than any other version I've heard. (It's almost like a director's cut of the song - it contains a number of passages -improvised I'm guessing - that aren't on any of his studio versions)

Of course, the CD also has a number of his other great early songs. I'm very glad I happened to stumble on this CD. I hope you will be, too.

I'll agree this isn't the best Jonathan comp out there (the Beserkley Years is still my favorite), but it beats all the others for rarity. Five of these songs ("Chapel of Love", "Oh Carol" & the three live ones) were only found on this CD as far as I can tell, & four others have appeared on other comps but must have been b-sides or something else as well. I do wish they'd gone for it & put every rarity into this one disc (it's missing "Government Center2", "Dodge Veg-o-Matic" with Jonathan's spoken word intro, & probably others), but it's still the most complete one disc comp out there. Cool cover too. Jonathan IS the Roadrunner. Back to the three live songs: I didn't think Jonathan performed songs from the original M.L.s with the mostly acoustic lineup, but they sound alot like they were recorded the same time as "M.L.s Live". Knowing him though, I wouldn't be surprised if they did "Hospital" & "I'm a Little Dinosaur" back to back at that concert! Let's hope they reissue ALL of Jonathan's 70's albums (with bonus tracks) real soon.

This is not the first Jonathan compilation anybody should buy.
But this one is a must, just because of a few items (mainly B-sides) that you won't find anywhere else. The best reason is the ultimate version of Roadrunner. It was already the best cruising song ever, but this live version is so good, that you will find yourself driving down the highway and you can feel the rhythm of the engine.....

This CD of the first 7 or 8 years of Jonathan's career helped remind me why I've loved his music so much these past 20 or so years. There is no more original voice in Rock and Roll than Jojo and what you hear here is the start of it all. Includes the very hard to find acoustic version of Roadrunner and some excellent live tracks. I loved "New Teller" as well, which I think is new. If you only know the Jonathan of the 80s or 90s, or the one in Something About Mary, then there's much more you need to know.