Jonathan Richman and Robyn Hitchcock

The genius of Jonathan Richman is that he knows he does “Jonathan Richman” better than anyone else ever could. Normally describing a singer/songwriter as “wacky” seems to be a writer’s polite way of saying this guy is really a childish boob, not a real songwriter. Richman would be the exception. He is a goof, his songs have titles like “You’re Crazy for Taking the Bus” and “I Was Dancing in a Lesbian Bar.” Add to that that he was featured prominently in 1998’s There’s Something About Mary, playing guitar in a tree, no less. But it’s just that silly glee that makes Richman the treasure he is. The only other brilliant man to give Richman a run for his money as King Goof is Robyn Hitchcock. Would you expect anything less from the man who sang, “Sometimes I wish I was a pretty girl, so I could (oop) myself in the shower”? 612-332-1775; www.first-avenue.com