At the 9:30 Club on Friday, the ex-Modern Lovers frontman Jonathan Richman started a little late, but the moment he kicked into the stunning “Because Her Beauty is Raw and Wild,” probably no one held it against him.

Backed by longtime drummer Tommy Larkins, Richman plucked some choice tunes from his lengthy discography, danced about the stage, and told stories in that clever and charming way that only Jonathan Richman can. To be frank, I was late to board the Richman train, but seeing him live won me over; his warm stage presence could change the mind of even a hardened critic.

See additional photos in the gallery.