Jonathan Richman, off-kilter as usual, at the Bowery Ballroom, NYC, on June 16. (Photos copyright 2009, Steven P. Marsh)
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Jonathan Richman‘s set at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom last night was so wonderful it left me virtually speechless. And Athens, Ga., legend Vic Chesnutt‘s opening set was revelatory, as well.
Vic Chesnutt preparing before his set.
Newsflash: Vic told the crowd last night that Jonathan had recently flown him to San Francisco, where Vic recorded his new album, with Jonathan and his drummer, Tommy Larkins, backing him up. “It went pretty well,” the paraplegic singer-songwriter said with a grin.
I’ll be back for tonight’s show, expecting something equally entertaining. You should be there too.
Check out more photos after the jump.
Tommy Larkins joins Vic Chesnutt for a few songs.
Jonathan dances.
Jonathan keeps dancing.
Jonathan's shadow dances too.
Do you recognize the celebrity Jonathan Richman fan in the lower left corner of this photo? Please leave a comment with your guess.
Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone? 
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I went to the Bowery Ballroom to hear Jonathan Richman and arrived at the end of Vic Chesnutt’s set. He was stunning in his ability to hold the crowd in rapt attention. For a few minutes I was transported along with everyone else. A unique individual is gone.
Ken: It took me a long time to “get” Vic and his music. But I did, and I was part of that rapt crowd, right next to Michael Cerveris at the front of the room on that first night. Vic’s emotions were raw, and his pain palpable. He was one of those really real artists!