My recent More Pub Rock Favourites Covered post included a cover of Local Girls a song by Graham Parker and the Rumour.
At the time George commented that he had nothing by them which was a shocking omission on his part. In fairness it was something that he quickly rectified and by way of penance he pushed two I don't have 1979's Squeezing Out the Sparks and Struck by Lightning a solo album from 1991 in my direction.
Their first three albums Howlin' Wind (1976), Heat Treatment (1976) and Stick to Me (1977) are must haves given that the band were on fire at the time.
Parker at the time was often compared to Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson.Sadly he was never as commercially successful as either of them. Sometimes life just ain't fair.
If you are not familiar with them you should obviously rectify that at the earliest opportunity
1980's Best of available for buttons on Discogs is a good place to start. 14 tracks and everyone a belter
Graham Parker & the Rumour - Local Girls
Graham Parker & the Rumour - You Can't Be Too Strong
Graham Parker - She Wants So Many Things
I still remember the cover to Parkerilla album and the first time I saw it in the record dept of Lewis's on Argyle Street and it scared me for months afterwards. Subconsciously as a result I really have never listened to Parker. Stiff big brother Bat was right into him.
ReplyDeleteSaw him 5 years ago at Aberdeen's Lemon Tree alongside Brinsley Schwarz
ReplyDelete(that's Mr Schwarz not the band).
My chum Charlie posted a review for the Scottish tabloid the Daily Record
Here's the link...the sub editors screwed up the first paragraph...or so Charlie told me
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/review-graham-parker-brinsley-schwarz-5597012
Parker's album The Mona Lisa's Sister is pretty good, especially "Get started, start a fire".
ReplyDeleteAgreed - as is YOUR country
DeleteNot quite sure why I was shouting there
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, I fell hard for Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson but Graham Parker was left out in the cold. Big mistake that I didn't rectify until well into adulthood. Great reminder of his genius here, CC.
ReplyDelete