Having a Party with Jonathan Richman
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Having a Party with Jonathan Richman
| type = studio
| artist = Jonathan Richman
| cover = Having a Party with Jonathan Richman.jpg
| alt =
| released = 1991
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre =
| length =
| label = Rounder{{cite news |last1=Mendoza |first1=Manual |title=Jonathan Richman 'Having a Party with Jonathan Richman' |work=The Milwaukee Journal |date=25 Feb 1992 |page=D6}}
| producer = Brennan Totten
| prev_title = Jonathan Goes Country
| prev_year = 1990
| next_title = I, Jonathan
| next_year = 1992
}}
Having a Party with Jonathan Richman is an album by the American musician Jonathan Richman, released in 1991.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ctjc6UWCm4C&pg=PA875|title=The Rough Guide to Rock|first=Peter|last=Buckley|date=June 29, 2003|publisher=Rough Guides}}{{cite magazine |last1=Wilde |first1=Jon |title=Albums — Having a Party with ... by Jonathan Richman |magazine=Melody Maker |date=Jan 18, 1992 |volume=68 |issue=3 |page=29}} Richman supported the album with a North American tour.{{cite news |last1=Righi |first1=Len |title=Jonathan Richman Does It All at Godfrey's |work=The Morning Call |date=13 June 1992 |page=A72}}
Production
The album contains live and studio tracks, performed by Richman with just his guitar and voice, with occasional percussion.{{cite news |last1=Gettelman |first1=Parry |title=Jonathan Richman: Have Guitar, Will Travel |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=31 Jan 1992 |department=Calendar |page=7}}{{cite news |last1=Maurstad |first1=Tom |title=Arts Day |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=October 31, 1991 |page=5C}} It was produced by Brennan Totten. The songs are mostly about relationships, with Richman writing in the liner notes that his musical style and methods remain unchanged.{{cite news |last1=Armstrong |first1=Gene |title=Man-child Richman—in his prime—is eagerly awaited |work=Arizona Daily Star |date=January 24, 1992}} The cover photo was taken near Richman's home, around Sacramento, California.{{cite news |last1=Washburn |first1=Jim |title=Richman's Party Open to Everyone |work=Los Angeles Times |date=22 Jan 1992 |page=F1}}
Critical reception
{{music ratings
|rev1 = AllMusic
|rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/having-a-party-with-jonathan-richman-mw0000268984|title=Jonathan Richman Having a Party with Jonathan Richman|website=AllMusic}}
|rev2 = Robert Christgau
|rev2score = {{Rating-Christgau|hm1}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=703&name=Jonathan+Richman|title=Jonathan Richman|website=Robert Christgau}}
|rev3 = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
|rev3score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2006 |publisher=MUZE |volume=7 |page=15}}
|rev4 = Entertainment Weekly
|rev5 = MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide
|rev5score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite book |title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide |date=1999 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |page=942}}
|rev6 = Orlando Sentinel
|rev6score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite news |last1=Gettelman |first1=Parry |title=Records Jonathan Richman |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=31 Jan 1992 |department=Calendar |page=8}}
|rev7 = The Republican
|rev7score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite news |last1=O'Hare |first1=Kevin |title=Jonathan Richman, 'Having a Party with Jonathan Richman' |work=The Republican |date=November 3, 1991 |page=G6}}
|rev8 = (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide
|rev8score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite book |title=(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide |date=2004 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |page=690}}
|rev9 = The San Diego Union-Tribune
|rev9score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite news |last1=Blue |first1=Buddy |title=Ellington treasures – unchanging Richman |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |date=January 17, 1992 |page=C2}}
|rev10 = Spin Alternative Record Guide
|rev10score = 5/10{{cite book |title=Spin Alternative Record Guide |date=1995 |publisher=Vintage Books |page=257}}
}}
Trouser Press wrote: "In a pensive frame of mind for much of the record, Richman reconsiders past times with new-found gravity."{{cite web |title=Jonathan Richman (and the Modern Lovers) |url=https://trouserpress.com/reviews/jonathan-richman-and-the-modern-lovers/ |website=Trouser Press |access-date=29 June 2022}} Entertainment Weekly called the album "one of his most clear-eyed and least coy records... It’s chock-full of simplistic—but not simpleminded—songs about puzzling relationships." The Columbus Dispatch praised "My Career as a Homewrecker" and "The Girl Stands Up to Me Now".{{cite news |last1=Eichenberger |first1=Bill |title=All-live folk rock |work=The Columbus Dispatch |date=November 7, 1991 |department=Weekender |page=8}} The Deseret News deemed Richman "the new wave Mister Rogers of folk."{{cite news |last1=Vice |first1=Jeff |title=Jonathan Richman; 'Having a Party with Jonathan Richman' |work=Deseret News |date=April 23, 1992 |page=C6}}
Robert Christgau described the album as the "confessions of a reluctant grownup." The Christian Science Monitor determined that, "as soon as the disc starts spinning and the strings start twanging, Richman delivers enough energy and wit to stop a roomful of conversation."{{cite news |title=CD Review 'Having a Party with; Jonathan Richman' |work=The Christian Science Monitor |date=11 Oct 1991 |department=The Arts}} The Republican noted that "he's one very funny guy, with an impressive ability to make the most out of the obvious."
AllMusic wrote that, "without a band to support him, Richman grows more pensive than usual."
Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_writing =
| title1 = The Girl Stands Up to Me Now
| length1 =
| title2 = Cappuccino Bar
| length2 =
| title3 = My Career as a Homewrecker
| length3 =
| title4 = She Doesn't Laugh at My Jokes
| length4 =
| title5 = When She Kisses Me
| length5 =
| title6 = They're Not Tryin' on the Dance Floor
| length6 =
| title7 = At Night
| length7 =
| title8 = When I Say Wife
| length8 =
| title9 = 1963
| length9 =
| title10 = Monologue About Bermuda
| length10 =
| title11 = Our Swingin' Pad
| length11 =
| title12 = Just for Fun
| length12 =
}}