Chock full of great songs like the classic 'Stupefaction,' the album kicked off a rough decade for Parker artistically, as '80s production values often clashed with his style.
The album wandered up to No. The sound of 1979 is in full bloom here as Parker does his thing amid a pure pop setting. East London songwriter who emerged from the pub rock scene of the mid-'70s to garner critical acclaim for his righteous passion and vicious sarcasm.
It was released as a single in America with video to accompany it, but failed to even make the Top 100. Perfection in action.One of the finest songwriters of the past several decades, Graham Parker made a name for himself as the "angry young man" before the flurry of punk rock took over his native U.K.
It was released as a single in America with video to accompany it, but failed to even make the Top 100.
Street-smart lyrics over a power-pop backdrop should have gone a long way to turn people's heads, but by 1983, Parker was sadly yesterday's news to most.
Don't be an angry young man (or woman) -- drop us a line in the comments below.Parker's 1983 album 'The Real Macaw' was another solid offering, stocked full of instantly catchy tunes and a solid crisp production. Street-smart lyrics over a power-pop backdrop should have gone a long way to turn people's heads, but by 1983, Parker was sadly yesterday's news to most. Graham Parker & the Rumour headed into the studio to cut their debut album with producer Nick Lowe, who gave the resulting record, Howlin' Wind, an appealingly ragged edge. The air of despair never sounded so beautiful.'The Up Escalator' (1980) would be the final album Graham would make with his legendary backup band, the Rumour, until their fine reunion effort 'Three Chords Good' in 2012.
Not so on this one though, as the pure pop washed with grit here ranks as one of Parker's best.Parker's 1983 album 'The Real Macaw' was another solid offering, stocked full of instantly catchy tunes and a solid crisp production. 'The Up Escalator' (1980) would be the final album Graham would make with his legendary backup band, the Rumour, until their fine reunion effort 'Three Chords Good' in 2012. An official Graham Parker and The Rumour live album, The Parkerilla, issued in 1978, had nothing new: three sides were live, with versions of previously released songs; the fourth was devoted to a "disco" remake of "Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions". 'Just Like A Man' is another in a long run of dead-on, glowing pop songs from GP.
Street-smart lyrics over a power-pop backdrop should have gone a long way to turn people's heads, but by 1983, Parker was sadly yesterday's news to most.A real raver from the 'Squeezing Out Sparks' album, this full-on rocker stands as a testament to the power and urgency of the Rumour in their prime. GRAHAM PARKER's songs: Listen to songs by GRAHAM PARKER on Myspace, Stream Free Online Music by GRAHAM PARKER From his first classic LP 'Howlin' Wind' (produced by Nick Lowe) and right up to his most recent outing with the reunited Rumour, 'Three Chords Good,' GP has never stopped traveling his own unique road. 'Just Like A Man' is another in a long run of dead-on, glowing pop songs from GP. Despite all the checks in the plus column, no one was taking the bait. Additional musicians include James Hallawell (keyboards), Ralph Salmins (drums), Simon Taylor (saxophone), Melvyn Duffy (pedal steel).
It's a shame, since to this day, there's pop gold to be mined from those grooves.One of the finest songwriters of the past several decades, Graham Parker made a name for himself as the \"angry young man\" before the flurry of punk rock took over his native U.K. Howlin' Wind was greeted with enthusiastic reviews upon its summer release, as was the similar Heat Treatment, which followed in the fall.
'Squeezing Out Sparks' ranks as one of Parker & the Rumour's finest hours, and 'Local Girls' is one of their catchiest singles. Despite all the checks in the plus column, no one was taking the bait. "Protection" is a song by British rock musician Graham Parker, recorded with his backing band the Rumour.
It was released as a single in America with video to accompany it, but failed to even make the Top 100.