A stunning acoustic number by Graham Parker about hustling success in Hollywood … amidst a downward spiral of decreasing prospects with an unhealthy dose of boozing and drugs. Key line: “Things will get better soon … I’ve got a hunch.” From the 1989 album “Live! Alone in America.”
A standout track from Parker’s 1976 album “Heat Treatment.” The song has not only been a part of Parker’s live set for several years, but was also covered by Rod Stewart in 1998. Trivia note: the T-shirt that Parker wears on the “Heat Treatment” album cover was one that I owned and wore when I was 6 years old. I don’t know what that says about me … or Parker for that matter … only that I feel like a rock star as much as anyone would wearing a T-shirt showing symmetrical lions in a pattern.
An outstanding, snarling, but still soulful hard rock cover of the Ann Peebles’ 1973 R&B classic. This live version is even better than the studio version included on Parker’s 1977 album “Stick to Me.” If there’s ever an artist that needs rediscovering, it’s Parker. Parker is like an angrier, more sarcastic Bruce Springsteen and like the Boss, had an outstanding band behind him (The Rumour) that always delivered.
A lovely song about the isolation of a small town. Parker is another one of these terrific performers/songwriters who has only had marginal commercial success over the years. However, 2012 could finally be his year. Parker will be a pivotal part of Judd Apatow’s new film “This is Forty,” which is a sort-of-sequel to “Knocked Up,” this time focusing on Paul Rudd’s and Leslie Mann’s characters. Should be great.
The highlight from Parker’s first album “Howlin’ Wind” from 1976. A wonderfully bitter, hard-edged reggae / R&B song about Graham having no answers for God when God asks him questions about mankind.
Never realized my favorite song from 1979’s “Squeezing Out Sparks” actually had a music video. That’s cool. AND … you get to see Graham with this sunglasses off! Impression? Graham, you were wise to leave the glasses ON! Don’t get me wrong. You’re not a bad looking guy, but you kind of look like Corey Feldman. Very, very, very smart career move to leave the glasses on, even though your music would still be pretty bitchin’ if you decided to be in “License to Drive 2.”
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