Having a Party with Jonathan Richman
Studio album by
Released1991
LabelRounder[1]
ProducerBrennan Totten
Jonathan Richman chronology
Jonathan Goes Country
(1990)
Having a Party with Jonathan Richman
(1991)
I, Jonathan
(1992)

Having a Party with Jonathan Richman is an album by the American musician Jonathan Richman, released in 1991.[2][3] Richman supported the album with a North American tour.[4]

Production

The album contains live and studio tracks, performed by Richman with just his guitar and voice, with occasional percussion.[5][6][7] It was produced by Brennan Totten.[6] The songs are mostly about relationships, with Richman writing in the liner notes that his musical style and methods remain unchanged.[8][9] The cover photo was taken near Richman's home, around Sacramento, California.[10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
Robert Christgau(1-star Honorable Mention)[12]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[13]
Entertainment WeeklyB[14]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[15]
Orlando Sentinel[6]
The Republican[16]
(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide[17]
The San Diego Union-Tribune[9]
Spin Alternative Record Guide5/10[18]

Trouser Press wrote: "In a pensive frame of mind for much of the record, Richman reconsiders past times with new-found gravity."[19] Entertainment Weekly called the album "one of his most clear-eyed and least coy records ... It’s chock-full of simplistic—but not simpleminded—songs about puzzling relationships."[14] The Columbus Dispatch praised "My Career as a Homewrecker" and "The Girl Stands Up to Me Now".[20] The Deseret News deemed Richman "the new wave Mister Rogers of folk."[21]

Robert Christgau described the album as the "confessions of a reluctant grownup."[12] The Christian Science Monitor determined that "as soon as the disc starts spinning and the strings start twanging, Richman delivers enough energy and wit to stop a roomful of conversation."[22] The Republican noted that "he's one very funny guy, with an impressive ability to make the most out of the obvious."[16]

AllMusic wrote that "without a band to support him, Richman grows more pensive than usual."[11]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."The Girl Stands Up to Me Now" 
2."Cappuccino Bar" 
3."My Career as a Homewrecker" 
4."She Doesn't Laugh at My Jokes" 
5."When She Kisses Me" 
6."They're Not Tryin' On the Dance Floor" 
7."At Night" 
8."When I Say Wife" 
9."1963" 
10."Monologue About Bermuda" 
11."Our Swingin' Pad" 
12."Just for Fun" 

References

  1. Mendoza, Manual (25 Feb 1992). "Jonathan Richman 'Having a Party with Jonathan Richman'". The Milwaukee Journal. p. D6.
  2. Buckley, Peter (June 29, 2003). "The Rough Guide to Rock". Rough Guides via Google Books.
  3. Wilde, Jon (Jan 18, 1992). "Albums — Having a Party With ... by Jonathan Richman". Melody Maker. 68 (3): 29.
  4. Righi, Len (13 June 1992). "JONATHAN RICHMAN DOES IT ALL AT GODFREY'S". The Morning Call. p. A72.
  5. Gettelman, Parry (31 Jan 1992). "JONATHAN RICHMAN: HAVE GUITAR, WILL TRAVEL". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 7.
  6. 1 2 3 Gettelman, Parry (31 Jan 1992). "RECORDS JONATHAN RICHMAN". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 8.
  7. Maurstad, Tom (October 31, 1991). "Arts Day". The Dallas Morning News. p. 5C.
  8. Armstrong, Gene (January 24, 1992). "Man-child Richman—in his prime—is eagerly awaited". Arizona Daily Star.
  9. 1 2 Blue, Buddy (January 17, 1992). "Ellington treasures – unchanging Richman". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. C2.
  10. Washburn, Jim (22 Jan 1992). "Richman's Party Open to Everyone". Los Angeles Times. p. F1.
  11. 1 2 "Jonathan Richman - Having a Party with Jonathan Richman Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" via www.allmusic.com.
  12. 1 2 "Robert Christgau: CG: Jonathan Richman". www.robertchristgau.com.
  13. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7. MUZE. p. 15.
  14. 1 2 "Having a Party With Jonathan Richman". EW.com.
  15. MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 942.
  16. 1 2 O'Hare, Kevin (November 3, 1991). "Jonathan Richman, 'Having a Party With Jonathan Richman'". The Republican. p. G6.
  17. (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. 2004. p. 690.
  18. Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 257.
  19. "Jonathan Richman (and the Modern Lovers)". Trouser Press. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  20. Eichenberger, Bill (November 7, 1991). "All-live folk rock". Weekender. The Columbus Dispatch. p. 8.
  21. Vice, Jeff (April 23, 1992). "JONATHAN RICHMAN; 'Having a Party With Jonathan Richman'". Deseret News. p. C6.
  22. "CD Review 'Having a Party With; Jonathan Richman'". THE ARTS. The Christian Science Monitor. 11 Oct 1991.
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