The three-chord drive is the same, but unlike Lou Reed's dark urban visions, Richman has always had an innocent's youthful outlook. His style is disarming. It's all heart, making up for his lack of singing skills with bare-faced honesty and openness, as he confesses, "If I had beside me a girlfriend/I could look through the paintings, I could see right through them" while standing before a Cezanne on the song "Girlfriend."
Now it's just Jonathan, traveling the country with his drummer (his last swing through South Florida was in an old convertible), performing in his singular and intimate style that borders on sing-along. There's even a chance he'll sing a few from Jonathan, Te Vas a Emocionar! (Jonathan, You're Going to Get Excited), the Spanish-language album he recorded of translations of some of his favorite songs.
