Graham Parker - 1996-03-22 - Philadelphia, PA (SBD)

Graham Parker

1996-03-22 

Early Show

Tin Angel

Philadelphia, PA

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. White Honey 

02. Lady Doctor 

03. Howlin' Wind 

04. Pollinate 

05. Force Of Nature 

06. Over The Border (To America) 

07. Sweet Sixteen 

08. Green Monkeys 

09. Sharpening Axes 

10. Haunted Episodes 

11. My Love's Strong 

12. Back Door Love

13. Stick To Me 

14. No Woman, No Cry 

15. Discovering Japan

Encore:

16. Disney's America 

Graham Parker - 1996-03-22 - Philadelphia, PA (SBD)

1990s - #6: In rapid succession in 1995 and 1996, Graham Parker released the albums, 12 Haunted Episodes and Acid bubblegum.  AllMusic noted that the former was an artistic rebirth for Parker, boasting a quiet set of intimate songs about simple, domestic concerns that had tenderness, even when he was bitter.  In contrast,  they noted that the latter blasts out of the speaker with the snarly rage that distinguished his seminal late '70s albums that unfortunately often sounds like a parody of classic Parker instead of an inspired return.  This soundboard recording captures Parker on tour in support of both discs, in Philadelphia, on March 22, 1996, 27 years ago today.

Dave Edmunds Rock 'N' Roll Revue - 1990-03-13 - Springfield, MA (Ex Aud)

Dave Edmunds Rock 'n' Roll Revue
featuring Dave Edmunds, Kim Wilson, Graham Parker & Dion DiMucci

1990-03-13
Paramount Performing Arts Center
Springfield, MA
Excellent Audience Recording
320 kbps
Artwork Included

Kim Wilson
01. Wrap It Up
02. It Comes To Me Naturally
03. Wasted Tears
04. I Believe I’m In Love With You
05. Streets Of Gold
06. Tuff Enuff
07. Nervous Fellow
08. Band Introduction

Graham Parker
09. Get Started, Start A Fire
10. Under The Mask Of Happiness
11. Local Girls
12. Slash And Burn
13. Lady Doctor
14. My Love’s Strong
15. Soultime
16. Heat Treatment

Dion DiMucci
17. King Of The New York Streets
18. And The Night Stood Still
19. Ruby Baby
20. Written On The Subway Wall
21. Runaround Sue
22. The Wanderer
23. Abraham, Martin And John

Dave Edmunds
24. I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock & Roll)
25. Closer To The Flame
26. I Feel So Right
27. From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)
28. Don't Talk To Me
29. Never Take The Place Of You
30. I Hear You Knocking 
31. King Of Love
32. Paralyzed
33. Crawling From The Wreckage
34 (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay*
35. I'm Ready

*with Steve Cropper

Dave Edmunds Rock 'N' Roll Revue - 1990-03-13 - Springfield, MA (Ex Aud)

1990s - #4: In 1989, Ringo Starr launched his first All-Starr Band, gathering a group of fellow musicians for a series of concerts, which featured songs from the Beatles, Ringo's solo career, and each of the individual group members repertoire. The All-Starr tour received such a positive response that Dave Edmunds decided he would try something similar the following year. Edmunds joined forces with Dion, Graham Parker, Kim Wilson (of the Fabulous Thunderbirds) and Steve Cropper, to create the Rock 'N' Roll Revue. Ironically, Edmunds' old Rockpile band mate, Nick Lowe, wasn't part of the show. This excellent audience recording (from the Two of Us masters series) captures the Roll "N" Roll Revue in Springfield on March 13, 1990, 3 doazen years ago today.

Dave Edmunds Rock 'N' Roll Revue - 1990-03-16 - The Ritz, New York, NY (FM)

Dave Edmunds 

with Kim Wilson, Graham Parker, Dion & the Miami Horns

Rock 'N' Roll Revue

1990-03-16

The Ritz

New York, NY

WNEW-FM Broadcast

320 kbps

Artwork Included

Miami Horns

01. Last Night

Dave Edmunds

02. Fallin’ Through A Hole

03. Feels So Right

04. Closer To The Flame

05. I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock & Roll)

Kim Wilson

06. Wrap It Up

07. Can’t Quit You

08. Wasted Tears

09. I Believe I’m In Love With You

10. Streets Of Gold

11. Tuff Enuff

12. Nervous Fellow

Graham Parker

13. Get Started (Start A Fire) 

14. Local Girls 

15. My Girl

16. Slash And Burn

17. Lady Doctor

18. My Love Is Strong

19. Soultime

20. Heat Treatment

Dion

21. King Of The New York Streets

22. And The Night Stood Still

23. Ruby Baby

24. Written On The Subway Wall

25. Runaround Sue

26. The Wanderer

27. Abraham, Martin And John

Dave Edmunds

28. From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)

29. She’ll Never Take The Place Of You

30. I Hear You Knocking

31. King Of Love

32. Crawling From The Wreckage

33. Paralyzed

All Performers

34. I'm Ready

35. Keep A-Knockin’

Dave Edmunds Rock 'N' Roll Revue - 1990-03-16 - The Ritz, New York, NY (FM)

Edmunds 1990 - Back To Back - #2: As promised, yesterday, here's the 2nd half of our Back To Back set featuring the Dave Edmunds Rock 'N' Roll Revue in 1990.  This one is a WNEW-FM broadcast of the 2nd night at The Ritz in New York, from March 16, 1990, 35 years ago today.

Dave Edmunds Rock 'N' Roll Revue - 1990-03-15 - The Ritz, New York, NY (Ex Aud)

Dave Edmunds 

with Kim Wilson, Graham Parker, Dion & the Miami Horns

Rock 'N' Roll Revue

1990-03-15

The Ritz

New York, NY

Excellent Audience Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

Miami Horns

01. Last Night

Dave Edmunds

02. Fallin’ Through A Hole

03. Feels So Right

04. Closer To The Flame

05. I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock & Roll)

Kim Wilson

06. Wrap It Up

07. Can’t Quit You

08. Wasted Tears

09. I Believe I’m In Love With You

10. Streets Of Gold

11. Tuff Enuff

12. Nervous Fellow

Graham Parker

13. Get Started, Start A Fire

14. Under The Mask Of Happiness

15. Local Girls

16. Slash And Burn

17. Lady Doctor

18. My Love’s Strong

19. Soultime

20. Heat Treatment

Dion

21. King Of The New York Streets

22. And The Night Stood Still

23. Ruby Baby

24. Written On The Subway Wall

25. Runaround Sue

26. The Wanderer

27. Abraham, Martin And John

Dave Edmunds

28. From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)

29. She’ll Never Take The Place Of You

30. I Hear You Knocking

31. King Of Love

32. Paralyzed

33. Crawling From The Wreckage

All Performers

34. I'm Ready

35. Keep A-Knockin’

Dave Edmunds Rock 'N' Roll Revue - 1990-03-15 - The Ritz, New York, NY (Ex Aud)

Edmunds 1990 - Back To Back - #1: In 1989, Ringo Starr launched his first All-Starr Band, gathering a group of fellow musicians for a series of concerts, which featured songs from the Beatles, Ringo's solo career, and each of the individual group members repertoire. The All-Starr tour received such a positive response that Dave Edmunds decided he would try something similar the following year. Edmunds joined forces with Dion, Graham Parker, Kim Wilson (of the Fabulous Thunderbirds) and Steve Cropper, to create the Rock 'N' Roll Revue. Ironically, Edmunds' old Rockpile band mate, Nick Lowe, wasn't part of the show. This excellent audience recording (from the Two of Us masters series) night one of the Roll "N" Roll Revue concert at the Ritz in New York, on March 15, 1990, 35 years ago today. Download this one, then come back tomorrow from the 2nd half of this Back To Back set.

Dave Edmunds Rock 'N' Roll Revue - 1990-03-09 - New Haven, CT (Ex Aud)

Dave Edmunds 

with Kim Wilson, Graham Parker & Dion

Rock 'N' Roll Revue

1990-03-09

Palace Theatre

New Haven, CT

Excellent Audience Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

Kim Wilson

01. I Believe I’m In Love With You

02. Streets Of Gold

03. Tuff Enuff

04. Nervous Fellow

Graham Parker

05. Get Started, Start A Fire

06. Under The Mask Of Happiness

07. Local Girls

08. Slash And Burn

09. Lady Doctor

10. My Love’s Strong

11. Soultime

12. Heat Treatment

Dion

13. King Of The New York Streets

14. And The Night Stood Still

15. Ruby Baby

16. Drop Down Mama

17. Runaround Sue

18. The Wanderer

19. Abraham, Martin And John (with Parker & Edmunds)

Dave Edmunds

20. I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock & Roll)

21. Don’t Talk To Me

22. I’ll Never Take The Place Of You

23. Ju Ju Man

24. I Hear You Knocking

25. King Of Love

26. Paralyzed

27. Crawling From The Wreckage (with Parker)

28. Ready, Willing And Able

Dave Edmunds Rock 'N' Roll Revue - 1990-03-09 - New Haven, CT (Ex Aud)

1990 - In 1989, Ringo Starr launched his first All-Starr Band tour, gathering a group of fellow musicians for a series of concerts, which featured songs from the Beatles, his solo career, and each of the individual group members repertoire. The Starr tour had such a positive response that Dave Edmunds decided he would try something similar the following year. Edmunds joined forces with Kim Wilson (of the Fabulous Thunderbirds), Graham Parker, Steve Cropper and Dion, to create the Rock 'N' Roll Revue. Ironically, Edmunds' old Rockpile band mate, Nick Lowe, wasn't part of the show. While a Rockpile reunion would have been nice, it clearly wasn't needed to make these shows a success. This excellent audience recording from New Haven on March 9 1990, 33 years ago today, features stellar performances by each band member, with Dion's set being a particular standout. 

Graham Parker - 1983-09-15 - Poughkeepsie NY (FM)

Graham Parker

1983-09-16

The Chance

Poughkeepsie NY

FM Broadcast

192 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Just Like A Man

02. Thunder And Rain

03. Fool's Gold

04. Fear Not

05. Sounds Like Chains

06. Love Gets You Twisted

07. Passive Resistance

08. You Can't Take Love For Granted

09. Glass Jaw

10. Life Gets Better

11. You Can't Be Too Strong

12. Local Girls

13. Protection

14. Saturday Night Is Dead

15. Discovering Japan

Graham Parker - 1983-09-15 - Poughkeepsie NY (FM)

1980s - #4: In July 1983, Graham Parker released his 2nd solo album since departing from the Rumour, entitled The Real Macaw. The album went to #59 on the Billboard charts amd received decidely mixed reviews.  On the one hand, Rolling Stone gave the disc 4 stars and called it "a propulsive, brilliantly sung lp."  On the other hand, however, Trouser Press called the album "a disc that is watered down and should have been harder.":This FM broadcast captures Parket on tour in support The Real Macaw, on Septmber 15, 1983, 39 years ago today. 

Graham Parker - 1982-05-14 - Chicago IL (FM)

Graham Parker

1982-05-14

Park West

Chicago, IL

FM Broadcast

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Discovering Japan

02. Jolie Jolie

03. Fear Not

04. White Honey

05. Thankless Task

06. Howlin' Wind

07. Stick To Me  (MISSING)

08. Passion Is No Ordinary Word  (MISSING)

09. Can't Wait A Minute  (MISSING)

19. No More Excuses

11. Heat Treatment

12. Dark Side Of The Bright Lights

13. You Hit The Spot

14. Another Grey Area

15. Stupefaction

16. Big Fat Zero

17. Empty Lives

18. Nobody Hurts You

Graham Parker - 1982-05-14 - Chicago IL (FM)

1982: In 1982, Graham Parker returned to the U.S. to promote Another Grey Area, his seventh album in six years. Parker was no longer backed by The Rumour and had moved from Mercury Records to Arista in the process. His new band was comprised of former members of Billy Joel's band, studio players who worked on the LP, and guitarist Brinsley Schwartz, the lone holdover from the Rumour. This FM broadcast captures Parket during that tour, in Chicago, on May 14, 1982, 4 decvades ago today.

Graham Parker - 1977-12-19 - Rotterdam, Netherlands (FM)

Graham Parker

& the Rumour

1977-12-19

Rotterdam, Netherlands

FM Broadcast

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Back to Schooldays

02. Hotel Chambermaid

03. The Heat in Harlem

04. Fool's Gold

05. Watch the Moon Come Down

06. KRO Station Break

07. I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down

08. Don't Ask Me Questions

09. Not If It Pleases Me

10. New York Shuffle

11. Soul Shoes

12. Pourin' It All Out

13. Hold Back the Night

Graham Parker - 1977-12-19 - Rotterdam, Netherlands (FM)

1977 - In the late 1970's, as the punk and new wave scene flourished, the UK produced the 3 angry men of rock and roll - Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson and Graham Parker. Of the 3, Graham Parker often gets over looked, which is a shame. His first two albums, Howling Wind and Heat Treatment, both released in 1976, were widely hailed by critics. For example, Robert Christgau gave both discs a grade of A! In March 1979, Parker released his masterpiece, Squeezing Out Sparks. The album was not only a critical success, but also a commercial one, as the disc cracked the top 40 on the Billboard charts. This soundboard recording captures Parker between Heat Treatment and Squeezing Out Sparks, in Rotterdan Nottingham on December 1977, 44 years ago today. 

Graham Parker - 2013-04-20 - Wilmington, DE (SBD)

Graham Parker 

& The Rumour

2013-04-20

World Cafe at The Queen 

Wilmington, DE

Soundboard recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. White Honey

02. Fool's Gold

03. Howlin' Wind

04. Coathangers

05. Thunder And Rain

06. Long Emotional Ride

07. Lady Doctor

08. Get Started, Start A Fire

09. Black Honey

10. Snake Oil Capital Of The World

11. Soul On Ice

12. A Lie Gets Halfway 'round The World

13. Watch the Moon Come Down

14. Discovering Japan

15. Don't Get Excited

16. Protection

17. Stupefaction

18. Local Girls

Encore

19. Don't Ask Me Questions

20. Chain Of Fools

21. Soul Shoes 

Graham Parker - 2013-04-20 - Wilmington, DE (SBD)

In November 2012, Graham Parker reunited with his original band, the Rumour, and released their first album together in 31 years, called Three Chords Good. The title, of course, is a reference to the power pop/new wave/punk era that when Parker and the Rumour began their career. Allmusic noted, however,that despite the disc's title, "Parker is no longer an angry young man, he's a grizzled old curmudgeon with a sentimental streak, a decidedly warmer persona and one that suits the Rumour's revived pub rock." The band also embarked on a tour to promote the album.  This soundboard recording captures Parker and The Rumor in Delaware on April 20, 2013, 8 years ago today.

Graham Parker - 1977-03-25 - Nottingham UK (SBD)

Graham Parker

& The Rumour

1977-03-25

Trent Poly Sports Hall

Nottingham UK

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Lady Doctor

02. Heat Treatment

03. (Let Me Get) Sweet On You

04. Silly Thing

05. Fool's Gold

06. Howlin' Wind

07. Pourin' It All Out

08. Gypsy Blood

09. Back To Schooldays

10. Don't Ask Me Questions

11. Not If It Pleases Me

12. New York Shuffle

13. Soul Shoes

14. Hold Back The Night

15. Kansas City

Graham Parker - 1977-03-25 - Nottingham UK (SBD) 

In the late 1970's, as the punk and new wave scene flourished, the UK produced the 3 angry men of rock and roll - Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson and Graham Parker. Of the 3, Graham Parker often gets over looked, which is a shame. His first two albums, Howling Wind and Heat Treatment, both released in 1976, were widely hailed by critics. For example, Robert Christgau gave both discs a grade of A! In March 1979, Parker released his masterpiece, Squeezing Out Sparks. The album was not only a critical success, but also a commercial one, as the disc cracked the top 40 on the Billboard charts. This soundboard recording captures Parker between Heat Treatment and Squeezing Out Sparks, i Nottingham on March 25, 1977, 44 years ago today. By the way - we plan on covering all 3 Angry Young Men this month - we've now brought you shows from Parker and Joe Jackson, and in a few days we'll have one from Elvis Costello.

Graham Parker - 1988-07-04 - Grant Park, Chicago IL (FM)

Graham Parker
1988-07-04
Grant Park
Chicago IL
FM Broadcast
320 kbps
Artwork Included

01. Don`t Let It Break You Down
02. Thunder And Rain
03. Local Girls
04. Passion Is No Ordinary Worf
05. Durban Poison
06. Howlin` Wind
07. Sinkin` Low
08. Blue Highway
09. White Honey
10. Under The Mask Of Happiness
11. OK Hieronymus
12. Get Started-Start A Fire

Bonus Tarcks
13. You Hit The Spot
14. No More Excuses

Graham Parker - 1988-07-04 - Grant Park, Chicago IL (FM)

After splitting with The Rumour in 1980, Graham Parker’s solo career during the rest of that decade was a series of ups and downs. His 1982 disc Another Grey Area, charted well in both the US and UK. In 1985, he scored his only top 40 hit in the US with the tune Wake Up (Next to You). Yet, despite these commercial successes, Parker could not manage to stay with a record label. He moved from Arista to Electra to Atlantic between 1982 and 1987. He bottomed out during that stint with Atlantic, as the label dropped him without releasing a single album or song! In 1988, he signed with RCA and took control of producing his own records, with help from guitarist Brinsley Schwarz. He released the album The Mona Lisa's Sister in the spring of 1988, which was hailed as a comeback by several critics. The album spent 19 weeks on the Billboard charts and generated a college radio hit with Get Started (Start a Fire). The disc had a sparser, back to basics sound, similar to a trend that would emerge in rock in the 1990s. This FM broadcast captures Parker in Chicago on July 4, 1988, 32 years ago today, on tour in support of The Mona Lisa's Sister. Download this one to hear Parker’s comeback as he provides a glimpse into the “roots rock” movement that would highlight the early parts of the next decade.

Graham Parker - 1988-06-27 - The Ritz, NY (FM)

Graham Parker

1988-06-27

The Ritz

New York, NY

WNEW FM Broadcast

192 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1:

01. Intro

02. Don’t Let It Break You Down

03. Glass Jaw

04. Thunder And Rain

05. Passion Is No Ordinary Word

06. Break Them Down

07. Durban Poison

08. Howlin’ Wind

09. DJ > Sinkin’ Low

10. Blue Highways

11. The Girl Isn’t Ready

12. I Don’t Know

CD 2:

01. White Honey

02. Under The Mask Of Happiness

03. OK Hieronymous

04. Get Started, Start a Fire

Encores

05. DJ > Between You and Me

06. She’s A Runaway

07. Love Without Greed

08. DJ > Cupid > Chain Gang

09. Mercury Poisoning

10. Band Intro > Local Girls
 

Graham Parker - 1988-06-27 - The Ritz, NY (FM) 

Graham Parker 1988 - Back to Back - #2.  As promised yesterday here's the  2nd half of our back to Back set featuring Graham Parker in 1998.  This one is an FM broadcast that captures Parker at The Ritz on June 27, 1988, 32 years ago today.

Graham Parker - 1988-06-26 - Boston, MA (FM)

Graham Parker
1988-06-26
Paradise Theater
Boston, MA
FM Broadcast
320 kbps
Artwork Included

01. Don't Let It Break You Down
02. Glass Jaw
03. Thunder And Rain
04. Passion Is No Ordinary Word
05. Break Them Down
06. Durban Poison
07. Howling Wind
08. Sinkin' Low
09. Blue Highway
10. Success
11. The Girl Isn't Ready
12. I Don't Know
13. Under The Mask of Happiness
14. OK Hieronymus
15. Get Started, Start A Fire
16. Between You And Me
17. Love Without Greed
18. WBCN commentary
19. Cupid Chain Gang Medley
20. Local Girls
21. You Can't Be Too Strong
22. WBCN credits

Graham Parker - 1988-06-26 - Boston, MA (FM)

Graham Parker 1988 - Back to Back - #1: After splitting with The Rumour in 1980, Graham Parker’s solo career during the rest of that decade was a series of ups and downs. His 1982 disc Another Grey Area, charted well in both the US and UK. In 1985, he scored his only top 40 hit in the US with the tune Wake Up (Next to You). Yet, despite these commercial successes, Parker could not manage to stay with a record label. He moved from Arista to Electra to Atlantic between 1982 and 1987. He bottomed out during that stint with Atlantic, as the label dropped him without releasing a single album or song! In 1988, he signed with RCA and took control of producing his own records, with help from guitarist Brinsley Schwarz. He released the album The Mona Lisa's Sister in the spring of 1988, which was hailed as a comeback by several critics. The album spent 19 weeks on the Billboard charts and generated a college radio hit with Get Started (Start a Fire). The disc had a sparser, back to basics sound, similar to a trend that would emerge in rock in the 1990s. This FM broadcast captures Parker in Boston on June 26, 1988, 32 years ago today, on tour in support of The Mona Lisa's Sister. Download this one to hear Parker’s comeback as he provides a glimpse into the “roots rock” movement that would highlight the early parts of the next decade, then come back tomorrow for part 2 of this Back to Back set.

Graham Parker - 1979-04-03 - London, UK (FM)

Graham Parker 

& The Rumour

1979-04-03

Hammersmith Oden

London UK

FM Broadcast

256 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Discovering Japan

02. Local Girls

03. Thunder & Rain

04. Don't Get Excited

05. Back to Schooldays

06. Passion is No ordinary Word

07. Mercury Poisoning

08. Stick To Me

09. Love Gets You Twisted

10. Crawling From The Wreckage

11. Saturday Night is Dead

12. Nobody Hurts You

13. Soul Shoes

14. Protection

Graham Parker - 1979-04-03 - London, UK (FM)

In March 1979, Graham Parker released Squeezing Out Sparks, which would become the signature album of his career. The album was a spectacular critical success. Robert Christgau called it "an amazing record" and gave it an A+. The Village Voice voted it album of the year. The album's critical reputation has continued to grow since its release over 3 decades ago. Trouser Press called it "his toughest, leanest and most lyrically sophisticated LP" while Allmusic cited it as his "finest album, a masterful fusion of pub rock classicism, new wave pop, and pure vitriol". In 2003, Rolling Stone placed Squeezing Out Sparks at number 335 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Filled with songs such as Discovering Japan, Local Girls, and Love Gets You Twisted, the disc showcases Graham Parker as one of New Wave’s 3 Angry Young Men, along with contemporaries Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. This FM broadcast captures Parker on April 3, 1979, 41 years ago today on London, just after the release of Squeezing out Sparks. Download this one to hear one of the earliest live performances of his classic album, along with a rare version Crawling From The Wreckage, a song written by Parker but made popular by Dave Edmund’s and Rockpile!

Graham Parker - 1979-05-11 - The Palladium, NY NY (FM)

Graham Parker
& The Rumour
1979-05-11
The Palladium
New York, NY
WNEW-FM broadcast
320 kbps
Artwork Inckluded

01. WNEW-FM Introdcution
02. Discovering Japan
03. Thunder And Rain
04. Back To School Days
05. Don't Get Excited
06. Local Girls
07. Passion Is No Ordinary Word
08. Protection
09. Mercury Poisoning
10. Howlin' Wind
11. Heat Treatment
12. Stick To Me
13. You Can Be Too Strong
14. Watch The Moon Come Down
15. Tear Your Playhouse Down
16. Don't Ask Me Questions
17. Saturday Night Is Dead
18. Nobody Hurts You
19. Soul Shoes
20. I Want You Back
21. Pourin' It All Out
22. Intro > New York Shuffle (part 1) >
23. New York Shuffle (part 2) > Outro

Graham Parker - 1979-05-11 - The Palladium, NY NY (FM) 

In March 1979, Parker released Squeezing Out Sparks, which would become the signature album of his career. The album was a tremendous critical success. Robert Christgau called it "an amazing record" and gave it an A+ rating. The Village Voice voted it album of the year. The album's critical reputation has continued to grow since its release over 3 decades ago. Trouser Press called it "his toughest, leanest and most lyrically sophisticated LP" while Allmusic cited it as his "finest album, a masterful fusion of pub rock classicism, new wave pop, and pure vitriol". In 2003, Rolling Stone placed Squeezing Out Sparks at number 335 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Filled with songs such as Discovering Japan, Local Girls, and Love Gets You Twisted, the disc showcases Graham Parker as one of New Wave’s 3 Angry Young Men, along with contemporaries Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. This FM broadcast captures Parker on May 11, 1979, 4 decades ago today, at the Palladium in New York on tour in support of his classic album.

Graham Parker - 2013-04-19 - Asbury Park, NJ (HQ Aud)

Graham Parker 
& The Rumour
2013-04-19
The Stone Pony
Asbury Park, NJ
Excellent Audience Recording
320 kbps
Artwork Included

CD 1:
01. White Honey
02. Fool's Gold
03. Howlin' Wind
04. Coathangers
05. Thunder And Rain
06. Long Emotional Ride
07. Lady Doctor
08. Get Started, Start A Fire
09. Black Honey
10. Snake Oil Capital Of The World

CD 2:
01. Soul On Ice
02. A Lie Gets Halfway 'round the World
03. Watch the Moon Come Down
04. Discovering Japan
05. Don't Get Excited
06. Protection
07. Stupefaction
08. Local Girls
09. Don't Ask Me Questions
10. Soul Shoes
11. Chain Of Fools

Graham Parker - 2013-04-19 - Asbury Park, NJ (HQ Aud)

In November 2012, Graham Parker reunited with his original band, the Rumour, and released their first album together in 31 years, called Three Chords Good. The title, of course, is a reference to the power pop/new wave/punk era that when Parker and the Rumour began their career. Allmusic noted, however,that despite the disc's title, "Parker is no longer an angry young man, he's a grizzled old curmudgeon with a sentimental streak, a decidedly warmer persona and one that suits the Rumour's revived pub rock." The band also embarked on a tour to promote the album.  This high quality audience recording captures Parker and The Rumor at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park on April 19, 2013, 6 years ago today.

Graham Parker - 2008-09-06 - Bowling Green, OH (SBD)

Graham Parker
2008-09-06
Black Swamp Arts Festival
Bowling Green, OH
Soundboard recording
320 kbps
Artwork Included

CD 1:
01. intro
02. Watch The Moon Come Down
03. I Discovered America
04. Hard Side Of The Rain
05. intro to "Guillotine..."
06. Guillotine Of Guadalupe
07. Pollinate
08. Sugaree
09. That's What They All Say
10. Next Phase
11. stage banter and tuning

CD 2
01. Devil's Sidewalk
02. Signed, Sealed, Delivered
03. Fool's Gold
04. Passion Is No Ordinary Word
05. White Honey
06. Don't Ask Me Questions
07. Get Started, Start A Fire
08. encore applause and tuning
09. Nation Of Shopkeepers
10. Local Girls

Graham Parker - 2008-09-06 - Bowling Green, OH (SBD)

We mentioned in our post announcing this month's theme that we would have some surprises when it came to bands connected to the Grateful Dead, and this post qualifies as one of them. I consider Graham Parker one of the 3 original Angry Young Men of the Punk and New Wave era, along with Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. It's hardly surprising then, as Parker readily admits in this video, that he wasn't really a fan of the Grateful Dead. That said, he did take a liking to one particular song by Jerry Garcia, namely Sugaree, recording the tune for the album Your Country and adding it to his live performances.  This soundboard recording captures Parker on September 6, 2008, 6 years ago today, in Bowlong Green playing a set that includes Sugaree alongside such 1970s classics as Local Girls, Passion Is No Ordinary Word, and Don't Ask me Questions.

Graham Parker - 1979-06-06 - Hempstead, NY (FM)

Graham Parker

& The Rumour

1979-06-06

Calderone Concert Hall

Hempstead, NY

WLIR-FM Broadcast

320 kbps

Artwork Inculded

01. Discovering Japan

02. Local Girls

03. Protection

04. Don't Get Excited

05. Back To Schooldays

06. Passion Is No Ordinary Word

07. Howling Wind

08. Heat Treatment

09. Stick To Me

10. Mercury Poisoning

11. You Can't Be Too Strong

12. Love Gets You Twisted

13. I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down

14. Don't Ask Me Questions

15. Saturday Nite Is Dead

16. Nobody Hurts You

17. Soul Shoes

18. encore applause

19. I Want You Back (Alive)

20. New York Shuffle

Graham Parker - 1979-06-06 - Hempstead, NY (FM) 

In March 1979, Graham Parker released Squeezing Out Sparks, which would become the signature album of his career. The album was a spectacular critical success. Robert Christgau called it "an amazing record" and gave it an A+. The Village Voice voted it album of the year. The album's critical reputation has continued to grow since its release over 3 decades ago. Trouser Press called it "his toughest, leanest and most lyrically sophisticated LP" while Allmusic cited it as his "finest album, a masterful fusion of pub rock classicism, new wave pop, and pure vitriol". In 2003, Rolling Stone placed Squeezing Out Sparks at number 335 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Filled with songs such as Discovering Japan, Local Girls, and Love Gets You Twisted, the disc showcases Graham Parker as one of New Wave’s 3 Angry Young Men, along with contemporaries Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. This FM broadcast captures Parker on June 6, 1979, 37 years ago today on tour in support of his classic album. 

Graham Parker - 1980-10-18 - Rockpalast, Essen, Germany (SBD)

Graham Parker 

& The Rumour

1980-10-18

Rockpalast

Essen, Germany

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Include

01. Stupefaction

02. No Holding Back

03. Jolie, Jolie

04. Love Without Greed

05. Discovering Japan

06. Passion Is No Ordinary Word

07. Howlin Wind

08. Thunder And Rain

09. Manouvers

10. Don't Get Excited

11. Beating Of Another Heart

12. Empty Lives

13. Devils Sidewalk

14. Endless Night

15. Can't Get No Protection

16. Nobody Hurts You

17. Hey Lord Don't Ask Me Questions

18. Tripe Face Boogie

19. Soul Shoes

Graham Parker - 1980-10-18 - Rockpalast, Essen, Germany (SBD)

On May 23, 1980, Graham Parker and the Rumour released the album The Up Escalator, the follow up to the critically acclaimed Squeezing Out Sparks. Interestingly, the cover simply credited the lead singer, with no mention of his long time back-up band. A further look at the personnel playing on the album revealed that long time Rumour keyboard player, Bob Andrews, had been replaced by fabled session pianist, Nicky Hopkins. The end was near for Graham Parker and the Rumour, though they geared up for one last tour together. This soundboard recording captures them at the famed Rockpalast in Germany, on October 18, 1980, 35 years ago today. The band plays almost the entire new album along with numerous classics such as Discovering Japan, Passion Is No Ordinary Word, Howlin' Wind and, my personal favorite, Hey Lord Don't Ask Me Questions. Download this one to hear the swan song for Graham Parker and The Rumour.

Graham Parker - 1979-04-09 - San Francisco, CA (FM)

Graham Parker

1979-04-09

Old Waldorf

San Francisco, CA

KSAN-FM Broadcast

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Intro

02. Local Girls

03. Soul On Ice

04. Passion Is No Ordinary Word

05. Protection

06. Mercury Poisioning

07. Heat Treatment

08. Stick To Me

09. You Can't Be Too Strong

10. Watch The Moon Come Down

11. I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down

12. Saturday Night Is Dead

13. I Want You Back

14. Chain Of Fools

Graham Parker - 1979-04-09 - San Francisco, CA (FM) 

The 1970s - #3: As evidenced in yesterday’s Rachel Sweet post, the Old Waldorf in San Francisco featured a host of new wave and punk acts in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This FM broadcast captures Graham Parker in concert at that venue on April 9, 1979, 3 dozen years ago today. As long time readers of this blog know, I’ve anointed Parker as one of the “Three Angry Men” of punk, along with Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. While all 3 have mellowed in their later years, their early shows, such as this one by Parker, are electric and demonstrate why the punk/new wave movement revitalized rock at that time.