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Very much worthwhile to go deep on this guy, who produced the likes of Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor, early Bob Dylan, early Simon & Garfunkel, the Mothers of Invention and the Velvet Underground. Also The Animals, including this gem:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckAAj6mu2zI
Jan 24, 2024
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definitely more than just "problematic", he did some very deplorable things but he was also an amazing producer and songwriter and heavily inspired my fave (Brian Wilson)
Jan 17, 2025
New Jersey may have Bruce, but Massachusetts has Jonathan- a guy who has always been unapologetically himself whether it was being totally sober in the 70s, writing pleas for tenderness in a genre known for bravado, dancing in lesbian bars, or driving down to NYC every weekend to be Velvet Underground's biggest fan before anyone else was. a guy who despite being a rock legend, spends his days installing pizza ovens around the san fransisco area.
I've seen him live a few times now, and watching him play his sweet silly songs in an unapologetically sincere + sort of autistic way is somehow just as transgressive as the proto-punk he invented with The Modern Lovers over 50 years ago. I can't help but smile ear to ear for his entire set. effortless humor and charm.
Something that's also stood out to me after seeing him live a few times now, is the way he recontextualizes the classics. When he played "Old World" in 2022 he changed the lyrics to recognize how some things should be left in the past rather than simply romanticizing it. And last night he played with the iconic "Pablo Picasso" to focus less on the swagger of Pablo, and more on how that type of guy is actually kind of an arrogant creep. Angel Prost (of Frost Children) wrote a great essay on Jonathan's reinvention for her email-only newsletter a few years ago, if you'd like to read it I'm sure I can dig it up for you.
From last night-
When I was a kid, I wanted to be an oil painter. I was obsessed with colors.
Then I heard Velvet Underground and saw you can paint with a guitar
Anyways...if more people were a bit more like Jonathan the world would be a better place. A huge inspiration to me!
Mar 8, 2024
much to be said about him, both in his utter sincerity and songwriting prowess, I recall finally understanding him when I found a letter he sent to the Velvet Underground in an art museum, at once, so much joy, and so much complexity even just before the Modern Lovers days!
Mar 8, 2024
Top Recs from @thisrighthere
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You can see action movies at home and you're fine. But to truly appreciate a movie with any nuance or subtlety, you must see it in a darkened, under-attended theater so you can hold your thoughts and keep your phone in your pocket and surrender yourself to the vision
Jan 24, 2024
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Except that it's actually, secretly, a very very good movie
Jan 24, 2024
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Just go on Spotify or whatever and hit play on some Charlie Parker or Ornette Coleman or Miles Davis. Let it spin out recommendations from there. It will all be over your head, and that's just fine. The more you pay attention, the more you'll be rewarded, but also, just hit play and get on with your day
Jan 24, 2024