posted June 28, 2006

From Kate:

I've loved your music since I first heard it when I was in high school. Today I saw you somewhere I never expected...On National Review's list of 50 greatest conservative rock songs. When I heard that on NPR, I couldn't believe it. Any comments?

Ha! That was a hoot, no doubt.

I'll take publicity that has a touch of the controversial about it any day, so long as it's not in the nature of something embarrassing like a photo of me bending over with my arse crack showing like a plumber or something.

And this thing seemed to get quite a lot of publicity (I even saw it on CNN).

Most of my publicity is so dull it would make a slug yawn.

At the bottom of the version of the list that I saw, there was also an address to send your nominations for Liberal rock songs. I'll betcha anything I don't make that, even though there's a lot to choose from; let's start with "Here It Comes Again," Slash And Burn," and "Short Memories," for instance.

Hello,
Years ago I remember having a track of yours called 'The Joker's a fool' or similar. It was on a NME 'new wave' compilation. I can't see it listed anywhere, is it still avavlable?

BW

Never heard of it. Not such a bad title, though.

GP, I know you're a Peter Green fan. I've heard the poor guy is a real burnout these days--have you seen him? Anyway, my main question is what do you think of Jeremy Spencer? Personally, I think he played good slide but his whole '50's rock star' schtick on live tapes wears pretty thin for me fast.

Well, talking of "burnouts," Jeremy had his moments too, which probably continue to this day. Peter, I believe, has improved considerably; I heard an interview with him, maybe in the early '80's, where he talked about how people would ask him if he'd get back on the guitar again and he said that he couldn't play because his fingernails were too long! Now that's a burnout. He's gotta be a bit more together these days because he at least makes records and plays gigs. A friend of mine saw him recently in the UK and said he was pretty good.

I had the good fortune to see the early Fleetwood Mac a number of times. I was inches from the front in the tiny Gin Mill Club in Godalming, Surrey, a gig they'd booked before "Albatross" became number one in the charts, when they played with new member Danny Kirwin. It was unbelievable. They all had these huge, new Orange amps with that "Albatross" reverb going.

Spencer was very good at a couple of things, like doing endless retreads of "Dust My Broom" with various different titles, and the aforementioned "50's rock star schtick" that did indeed wear thin after more than one tune. He also did a great version of "Hellhound On My Trail" on piano in the early days I seem to recall.

If I was to do my PhD in musicology I would do it on - "Graham Parker and Social Darwinism - Slash and Burn/You Can't Have Love Without Greed" - whaddya think?

I'm still evolving, man.

After finding the website youtube.com and seeing a lot of old Elvis Costello, Jam, and other videos and appearances shown there via streaming video, (also a lot of old cool tv shows you can't find elsewhere) , it got me to wondering. Your music videos of yesteryear don't seem to be available to purchase. Would you object to someone (not me, I don't have them!) posting them there for people to visit and watch? Even before I was a fan, I enjoyed the video with you wielding a sword on ice blocks or sculptures (been a long time).

Also, speaking of the Jam and Paul Weller. Such a "British" act, never caught on well in the US. Why do you think that is and do you have any comments on their/his music? I hadn't heard his music in years but visited the website and "From the Floorboards up" also "rocks like a safari chimp".

There is a guy in the UK who is working with Eagle Entertainment on a CD greatest hits and DVD collection of as many GP videos he can get hold of. I"ll keep you'all posted. I suppose I wouldn't mind them being available on youtube, but there's probably not enough interest.

British acts with hard English accents don't make it here. There's some kind of mental block I guess. Plus, when the Jam came along, like a lot of New Wave/Punk, they were largely ignored by American radio.

I prefer Weller's solo stuff, at least the early faux soul stylings, to the Jam. Too ernest, were the Jam, for my taste. Not a shred of playfulness or humor. I found them extremely overrated. And three-piece bands often sound like they've got at least one instrument missing to me, which they have.

Dear GP -

Yer Cowboy Boot is no throwaway live album, mine arrived today and it really kicks (well, a boot does, doesn't it) ...

'Tell Me' is the jaw-dropping high point - if ever a man was born to sing something, that's you and it. The lyrics are wrong - it should be 'You said we're through before' (not 'You sent me a thrill before') but who cares when it sounds so good?

And we can't help but wonder if Graham Parker sings Jagger/Richards might not be such a bad idea ...

Tracks would include Tell Me, Stupid Girl, Out of Time, Take It or Leave It, I'm Free, Heart of Stone, Congratulations, My Obsession, Yesterday's Papers, Back Street Girl, Miss Amanda Jones, Let's Spend the Night Together, Sittin' on a Fence and (why not?) 2000 Light Years From Home. Nothing from any later than 1967, and I can hear you singing every one of those songs from the Stones' brief golden age. Maybe Mick and Keith will hear it and be reminded that they once knew how to rock and roll. Well, I can dream ...

Damn, I'm still getting Jagger's lyrics wrong! Oh well, that was always half the fun with the Stones: deciphering the lyrics. Glad you like my version of "Tell Me."

I love the Brontiferous (new word—means towering, big-ass, like a Brontosaurus crossed with a freakishly large Douglas fir) guitar solo Drew Glackin does; sounds like the Scorpions or something.

Not a bad list you have there and a kind of fantasy idea, me doing a Stones cover album. (Amazingly, I was doing "Sitting On A fence" live solo for a brief period in the '90's.)

You're selling the Stones a bit short, though. Be hard to ignore "Exile" and "Some Girls" and on and on...

Gotta be a double album, hasn't it.

Not a question, just thanks for a great show from a couple of the fossils sitting second row centre at the Beverly Arts Center in (only just though) Chicago last week. We've both listened to you for almost 30 years and your music gets better and better. Neither of us had never seen you perform before (I know, we're pathetic), but now that we have, we want more live GP. Please come back to Chicago soon! Even if it does have to be the Beverly Arts Center (which looks a bit like a school gymnasium). Oh, our neighbours' wild five-year old (he could be the safari park chimp) sings Bad Chardonnay - you're building a new generation of fans. Anyway, we're watching this site for tour news. Thanks again.

Thanks for enjoying the Bev. Arts gig. Hope I get back there again sometime.

Thank you again for the lovely dedication at the TP. It had quite the impact on me as evidenced by the fact that I found myself somehow getting on the Thruway south, which took me across the bridge instead of north to Suffern (I never do that!!!). On the way back-stopped in Nyack at a gas station to get coffee. As I was turning out of the lot, you whizzed by me into the West Gate giving me pause. I immediately banished the thought that flickered through my brain. Embarrassed, I got back on the highway- this time in the right direction. Again, my deepest appreciation. Hope that the rest of your gigs went well.

Fond regards

The West Gate. Tito Puente's joint! Never been in the club: I just crash at the hotel.

Dear Mr. Parker:

I recall browsing your old website several (8-10?) years ago & coming across a funny, hyperarticulate account of an unlikely goal you scored in a soccer game. Is this tale anywhere to be found on the current site? Still playing footie? How do you like England's team for this year's world cup? Just curious...

p.s. Any upcoming shows in NYC area?

I guess if you look back at the "Chairman" columns or the Q&A on this site (can't recall where that piece was) you'll find that awesome goal description. I did score one from almost that distance last Summer with a brilliant left foot chip from way out around the halfway line, right over the goalie, (who I knew was not too clever) who was off his line. But it was only on a half length field and in 6-a-side play.

Just watch the "live" page page for gig action.

Chairman P,

I was recently listening to your cover version of the Richard Thompson song - "The Madness of Love". I feel there is a certain afinity between you two artists in terms of artistic integrity throughout the duration of your careers and a strong chord of wisdom about the "human condition".

Any thoughts, or has my own aging perhaps claimed yet another victim to overly sentimental musings and madness?

DS

Well, I certainly think Thompson is very great indeed, especially as a guitarist. I must confess, though, that the Northern accent he sings in weirds me out a bit. Sounds a bit Shetland sweaters and fingers-in-the-ear singers night at the local folk club. One of the greats, nevertheless.

Hello

I recently purchased a copy of 'stick to me' on CD. I read with great upset the tribulations you went through at the Island studios, the black dust in the heads, etc. I just want to say the Nick Lowe 're-production' is still amazing. I love this LP, as much as Squeezing.

Bands would die to sound as grungy these days...

Just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the brilliant set you played at the Fairfield Theatre Company (Fairfield, CT). Not only were you on your game, but you were charming and gracious to me and my son after the show, taking time for a little chat and autograph. You might be pleased to know that my 15 year old son is now a big fan, and continues to plow through my GP vinyls. Good job! Please come back soon, as we see too little of you around these parts.

Thanks, man.

Mr. Parker,

I saw Leon Russell do a show in Tulsa last Friday night. (I had never seen him live. What precious Americana.)

He told a story - saying that many years ago you gave him a top hat - which we all know he wore promonantly. He also said that years later he discovered where it came from.

When and where in the world did you meet Leon - and where did you get that hat? (Shouldn't that be a song?)

Thanks by the way for all the great music.

RC

This is astonishing news to me! I did play on the same bill as Leon at a street festival once. I think it was in Birmingham, Alabama. This might have been just after "Acid Bubblegum" came out cos I did "Obsessed With Aretha" and the God-fearing crowd seemed a bit stunned. This would be in the '90's then. Can't recall even meeting Leon, though. Just seeing his alarming hair from the side of the stage.

Are you sure he didn't say Gram Parsons? That would make more sense.

Riding a motorbike to Australia from London in the early 90's, I ended up in a Baluchistan desert clinic for three months with just one tape - an original of The Parkerilla. Just one example of the hope, inspiration, thrills and pleasure you and your music has given me over the years since seeing you in London in 77. Thank you, and if you ever fancy visiting Peru, let me know. Having suvived on Santana (last night) The Beach boys (ish) Fish and Jethro Tull and Foreigner, we really need some soulful wind! Great books too--any more?

Thanks for enjoying the books. I do have a few short stories in the computer but can't seem to be bothered to work on them or write more right now.

The songs have been coming thick and fast, and that's my day job. A new album is completed, but it's now too late to get it out this year, at least that's the logic that record companies will have you believe: it takes at least four months to get all the payola in place to the press and all. It'll have to wait till next year.

Hi Graham,

I'm a longtime music fan, but the last time I remember hearing your music was on college radio way back around 1980. Back then I lumped you together with Elvis Costello (whom I was never a fan of) and Joe Jackson (whom I like a little, and his recent album is quite good). To my surprise, while searching the Bloodshot Records site (I love old "country punk" like Jason & the Scorchers and have recently discovered true county music such as George Jones and Steve Earle), was surprised that you are still active. Upon listening to the 2 tracks online, I was amazed at how much they rocked! I played the tracks over and over, and, with the exception of the lame "Evil" (and I do love reggae) was equally stunned by the album. The songwriting is perfect, and the album brims with personality only achieved by the likes of Joe Strummer, The Pogues, and the Minutemen. "Songs of No Consequence" should be a hit, both on commmercial radio and in the "indie" scene, but unfortunately we all know that the music industry is spineless and trend-oriented. However, your music sounds fresher than anything else on the radio these days. I've realized that you are among a proud handful (along with the Buzzcocks, Jake Burns of Stiff Little Fingers, and Joe Strummer until his death) writing and rocking into middle age. Your stuff sounds even better now than it did 25 years ago, and your live show in Boston in 2005 was amazing (glad to see your relic Ian Dury t-shirt!).

P.S. I somehow discovered that a co-worker of mine last year, who looked like the last person who'd be into cool bands, was a huge GP fan, and I told her to get the "Songs" cd--she said that she and her husband loved it (although they missed the live show). I look forward to collecting all your previous albums, and if you play Boston again, I'll force all my music-loving friends to go!

Thanks for getting back into my work and correctly assessing its worthiness. In this "trend-oriented" world it's good to see someone who can still cut through the bs and call a spade a spade.

Wish I could play Boston more. It used to be a GP stronghold but now it's like a lot of major cities: Too blase and "trend-oriented"; hard for me to pull in a useful enough size audience anymore. Plus, there's few venues that are the right size and will pay the right kinda money.

(By the way, my "lame" song "Evil" has been included on a documentary of Evel Knieval which is being shown on the CMT channel and is earning me more than the entire SONC album. {Note to self: write more "lame" songs!})

Hey Graham...

Can you tell me if there was a specfic inspiration for Three Martini Lunch??

Thanks,

tim

No. I've no idea what brought the tune about other than that cliched phrase must have popped right into my head and off to the races I went. It's total fiction.

Graham,

Burning Questions. Great album. Underrated and perfect for those Capitol clowns (what were they thinking?). It seems like a crack at the spotlight. What are your thoughts on BQ now that you look back?

Deepcut To Nowhere. This damn disc is really good. It's the sleeper (or creeper) in your collection. Voice in fine form, brother.

I've really enjoyed following your career. Don't be doing anything stupid on the soccer field and ruin that great strumming hand.

Randy

"Burning Questions" is, in theory at least, one of my best. I find the sound of it a bit clean and glacial, though. I prefer the warmer, compressed and thick sound of "Deepcut," another of my best I think. The songs on BQ are very creative, way better than anything that came out by anyone else that year. But that's typical (and I'm not really blowing my trumpet here, just describing reality,: Devo were right: people have in fact "devolved" into beings more stupid, and artists, and especially the press that lie and trump them up to be more than they are, have followed suit. And I'm catching up fast...).

Bearing that in mind, I probably will do something stupid on the soccer field, especially if my team mates convince me to join a Summer league that will play on full-size fields this Summer in 90 degrees and humidity. For an old geezer like me, that would indeed be stupid. The sensible thing would be to wait till Fall for the small 6-a-side indoor games, but I'm devolving as we speak, so who knows?

GP