CD Description
Jonathan Richman's output over the years has been fairly regular, creating a rather large body of work. The label he maintained the longest relationship with was Rounder, for whomrecorded eight albums. These range from the all-Spanish JONATHAN, TE VAS A EMOCIONAR! to the rollicking JONATHAN GOES COUNTRY, on which he was backed by the Skeletons. ACTION PACKED offers a 22-song tour through his decade with Rounder. It's a fine entry point into Richman's incisive yet gentle songwriting, and also an excellent overview for those already familiar with the source albums.
Richman delights in celebrating the world around him ("Cappuccino Bar", "Fender Stratocaster", "Everyday Clothes") and has also created some of the most vividly honest and original looks into the world of relationships ("The Neighbors", "Closer", "When I Say Wife"). The one cover included is the surprising, yet completely appropriate Tom Waits number "The Heart of Saturday Night".