Jonathan Richman Live At The Long Branch & More CD

This live album by classic rock band Modern Lovers features the songs "Someone I Care About," "Foggy Notion," and "Ride Down the Highway."

While the proto-punk genius of the Modern Lovers' first records is well known, not so publicized is their short-lived tenure as a live band. The live treatment has mixed results on the Modern Lovers' repertoire; Jonathan Richman has two types of songs: the fast-and-furious rockers ("She Cracked"), which benefit greatly from the live setting, and the slow-burning love songs ("Hospital"), which are not as well suited. Also, the sound quality leaves something to be desired; at times Live at the Long Branch sounds like a bad bootleg rather than a soundboard recording. But despite these detractions, the band does perform great renditions of all their would-be hits. "Roadrunner," "Girlfriend," and "Pablo Picasso" are all represented here, along with a dead-on cover of the Velvet Underground's "Foggy Notion," which threatens to trump the original. Though it has its weaknesses, this is a mostly solid record that makes a perfect belated apology from the rock gods for all those Jonathan Richman solo records. ~ Ari Wiznitzer

Digitally remastered reissue of their classic 1972 concert recording with four bonus tracks added, 'A Plea For Tenderness' from a 1973 concert at the Boathouse in Cambridge, Massachusetts, & previously unreleased versions of 'Modern World', 'Old World' & a cover of & The Mysterians' '96 Tears'. 17 tracks total. The band featured Jonathan Richman, who makes five singing cameos in the hit 1998 film 'There's Something About Mary'. Last Call. 1998.

Recorded live in April 1972.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

This remastered reissue features four bonus tracks.

Modern Lovers: Johnathan Richman, Jerry Harrison, David Robinson, Ernie Brooks.