CD-Charts Position 1
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Heat Treatment

by: Graham Parker

Release Date July 02, 2001
GP and the Rumour were Britain's answer to Southside Johnny and the Dukes and I'm a big fan of both. This album is the best thing the boys did and why they didn't stay together is beyond me. GP without the Rumour is like Johnny without the Dukes - unthinkable. Anyway, to the album in hand, and despite the new sleeve notes by a certain Mr Parker (what does he know !) they never bettered the attack and sheer vitality and 'rush' of their sophamore release, even bettering their marvellous debut, and just shading the later 'Squeezing Out Sparks' in my book. Graham himself doesn't rate the album as amongst his best, but I haven't heard a better one, and if it has a few weak points then we were too busy enjoying it to notice. The title track jumps ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

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The Vertigo Records Singles Collection

by: Graham Parker

Release Date April 14, 2008
GP and the Rumour were Britain's answer to Southside Johnny and the Dukes and I'm a big fan of both. This album is the best thing the boys did and why they didn't stay together is beyond me. GP without the Rumour is like Johnny without the Dukes - unthinkable. Anyway, to the album in hand, and despite the new sleeve notes by a certain Mr Parker (what does he know !) they never bettered the attack and sheer vitality and 'rush' of their sophamore release, even bettering their marvellous debut, and just shading the later 'Squeezing Out Sparks' in my book. Graham himself doesn't rate the album as amongst his best, but I haven't heard a better one, and if it has a few weak points then we were too busy enjoying it to notice. The title track jumps ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

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Squeezing Out Sparks

by: Graham Parker

Release Date July 02, 2001
This is as good as it gets. Having already produced some superb albums Graham Parker seemed to be running out of steam when this classic appeared. Gone were the trademark horn arrangements, to be replaced by searing unison guitars. The band are tighter than ever, helping Parker deliver stunning versions of some of his best songs. "Discovering Japan" and "Local Girls" are breathless rockers dealing with the ups and downs of touring - without the uninspired weariness that usually acompanied such subject matter.
"Protection" is another highlight with bitter but enigmatic lyrics and hooks galore, whilst "Love Gets You Twisted" is equally bitter but all too understandable with a slowly uncoiling melody adding to the atmosphere of recrimination. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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You Can't Be Too Strong - An Introduction To Graham Parker

by: Graham Parker & The Rumour

Release Date September 17, 2001
This covers a prolific period - five albums in just over 3 years. It shows the changes in style (from R&B through to "New Wave") and the strength of Graham Parker's songwriting - just listen to the words of You Can't be Too Strong.

At the time many people compared Parker to Elvis Costello, both were equally talented and any Elvis Costello fans would appreciate Parker: some of his earlier R&B is up to Van Morrison standard.

It contains a good selection from the widely acclaimed Squeezing Out Sparks album ( Squeezing Out Sparks). If you were a Parker fan back in the seventies you may go for that first. Why not try this instead, you get the great tracks from SOS plus a whole load of others (at the time of writing at a bargain ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Don't Tell Columbus

by: Graham Parker

Release Date April 30, 2007
Not only a great musician, but a great poet too, with a wonderfully ideosyncratic mixture of cynical political commentary ('Ambiguous' and 'Stick to the Plan'), poignant memories of a past that can't be recaptured ('Suspension Bridge') and searing exposes of the human condition ('Somebody Saved Me' and 'Hard side of the Rain').
One of the few album's that I can play straight through with no skips. The slow burn build that starts with track 4 'The other side of the reservoir' and culminates in the crescendo of Track 10 'Hard side of the rain' before falling away through 'Bullet of Redemption' and the bittersweet 'All being well' is compelling listening.
If Graham Parker can still fire himself up on stage as he used to do to with the Rumour ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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The Up Escalator

by: Graham Parker

Release Date June 02, 2008
It was probably Graham Parker's label problems with Mercury that stopped him from being a big star. At this stage in his career, he was as pasionate as Springsteen, but much more accessible. While critics hailed "Squeezing Out Sparks" as a fine album, it was a stepping stone for this album.

This album is far removed from pub-rock. It has a meaty production, excellent arrangements, and an A-list of guest contributors (Springsteen provides backing vocals). But it is the songs and Parker's delivery that shines.

The outstanding track, complete with Springsteen vocals, is "Endless Night". An epic tale of battling against the odds. When I bought this in the 70's, I thought it was the best thing ever made. I was younger then, but ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Howlin' Wind

by: Graham Parker

Release Date July 02, 2001
It was probably Graham Parker's label problems with Mercury that stopped him from being a big star. At this stage in his career, he was as pasionate as Springsteen, but much more accessible. While critics hailed "Squeezing Out Sparks" as a fine album, it was a stepping stone for this album.

This album is far removed from pub-rock. It has a meaty production, excellent arrangements, and an A-list of guest contributors (Springsteen provides backing vocals). But it is the songs and Parker's delivery that shines.

The outstanding track, complete with Springsteen vocals, is "Endless Night". An epic tale of battling against the odds. When I bought this in the 70's, I thought it was the best thing ever made. I was younger then, but ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

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The Parkerilla: Live

by: Graham Parker

Release Date February 25, 2008
It was probably Graham Parker's label problems with Mercury that stopped him from being a big star. At this stage in his career, he was as pasionate as Springsteen, but much more accessible. While critics hailed "Squeezing Out Sparks" as a fine album, it was a stepping stone for this album.

This album is far removed from pub-rock. It has a meaty production, excellent arrangements, and an A-list of guest contributors (Springsteen provides backing vocals). But it is the songs and Parker's delivery that shines.

The outstanding track, complete with Springsteen vocals, is "Endless Night". An epic tale of battling against the odds. When I bought this in the 70's, I thought it was the best thing ever made. I was younger then, but ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

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Stick To Me

by: Graham Parker

Release Date July 02, 2001
The sleevenotes of this remastered album indicate that the original lavish 24 track recording of this material was lost due to a technical problem with the original recording masters.This version , as released as original in 1977 , is minus GP's "spacious arrangements" and was rustled up in a week on a budget and just before a tour !It sounds like it was recorded live in studio. A nice raw basic quality.This is GP bashing out R&B in your local pub , and all the better for it.Looking back , you can hear some punk influences emerging amongst the R&B , soul and swing influences.Great powerful raw vocals and driving rythems. I've loved this album for nearly 30 years , this remastered CD is a treat, highly recomended.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Labour of Love: the Music of Nick Lowe

by: Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Charlie Musselwhite, Tom Petty, Joe Louis Walker, Marshall Crenshaw, Graham Parker, Guy Davis, Greg Brown

Release Date October 22, 2001
Labour of Love casts attention on a facet of Nick Lowe's talent that's surprisingly uncelebrated--his songwriting prowess. Having made his mark as a producer, performer, and sideman, Lowe's skills as a singer-songwriter have been taken for granted, but, as this tribute confirms, Nick has long possessed a knack for mating blissful hooks with pithy couplets. Here an assortment of players and singers from a range of genres tackle Lowe gems dating from his new wave heyday up through his brilliant late-'90s comeback. Proving the adaptability of Lowe's material is half the fun here, as Joe Louis Walker turns the '70s anthem ("What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" into a midtempo soul lament, "Half a Boy and Half a Man" is transformed ... Read More: