Graham Parker: Howlin' Wind CD Track Listing

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Graham Parker Howlin' Wind (1976)
1990 Mercury Records, Inc.\n\nOriginally Released July 1976\nCD Edition Released January 24, 1990 or February 1990\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: For most intents and purposes, Graham Parker emerged fully formed on his debut album, Howlin' Wind. Sounding like the bastard offspring of Mick Jagger and Van Morrison, Parker sneers his way through a set of stunningly literate pub rockers. Instead of blindly sticking to the traditions of rock & roll, Parker invigorates them with cynicism and anger, turning his songs into distinctively original works. "Back to Schooldays" may be reconstituted rockabilly, "White Honey" may recall Morrison's white R&B bounce, and "Howlin' Wind" is a cross of Van's more mystical moments and the Band, but the songs themselves are original and terrific. Similarly, producer Nick Lowe gives the album a tough, spare feeling, which makes Parker and the Rumour sound like one of the best bar bands you've ever heard. Howlin' Wind remains a thoroughly invigorating fusion of rock tradition, singer/songwriter skill, and punk spirit, making it one of the classic debuts of all time. -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine \n \nAmazon.com Editorial Review\nThe cursive scrawl on the cover of Graham Parker's 1976 debut makes it look like it's called Howlin' Wino, which is kind of appropriate; after all, this is rambunctious British pub rock at its finest. Though lumped in with the punk and new-wave movements owing to his connections with Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, and Stiff Records honcho Dave Robinson, Parker comes off here more like an angry soul man. "Back to Schooldays" and "Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions" are searing indictments of the world around him; and though Parker's rage softens noticeably on the rakish "Silly Thing" and the achingly romantic "Gypsy Blood," it fuels even the positive musings of "Soul Shoes" (one of the greatest party songs of all time) and "Nothing's Gonna Pull Us Apart." And to think he was just warming up... --Dan Epstein \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nRed-eyed soul, May 24, 2004\nReviewer: Ray Pence (Lawrence, KS, USA) \nRather than call this blue-eyed soul, the usual euphemism for what happens when white men go to the source, let's call it red-eyed soul, reflecting Mr. Parker's truly original persona and passion. This is a magnificent record, sadly unappreciated then and now, one of the finest albums of the 70s and also one of the finest debuts in rock and roll. If you forgot what rock and roll sounds like in its real form, here it is. The Rumour, GP's backing band, is tight as it gets, absolutely professional and precise but never slick. GP sings his heart out on each and every song, which he also wrote, and his performance is genuinely moving. It is almost like he knew this record might be his only shot--I doubt if he figured he'd still be making records and gigging almost 30 years later--and sang every number like it mattered more than anything in the world to him. Every song is solid and a few verge on the classic: Soul Shoes, Schooldays, White Honey. The overall sound is somewhere between Bruce Springsteen and the Band, with Parker sounding like the natural heir to Van Morrison here, with some Otis Redding and Bob Dylan thrown in for even more flavor. But GP is never derivative. Again, the man is an original, and the songwriting is what seals the deal. He had a point of view, a voice, in these songs, mature and no nonsense. So, you ask, why didn't GP become a superstar? I can't answer that, because I've heard the record and can't think of any reason why the world didn't embrace this man.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nShouldn't that be, "I'm gonna how-ooo-owwwl ... "?, November 22, 2003\nReviewer: David Clarke (Oshawa, Ontario Canada) \nThis is just a terrific, timeless album. It still sounds incredibly fresh today. Graham Parker is usually categorized as a "pub-rocker," which he was, but he was also an amazing gifted song-writer and an unmatchably passionate performer. There's a lot of good humour on this album, and a lot of wistfulness too. If you are a fan of Bruce Springsteen, or Van Morrison, you owe it to yourself to check this album out. Incidentally, this made Rolling Stone's list of the "Top 100 Albums since Sgt. Pepper's," published way back in 1987, but still valid today. That's how I discovered it, and of all the great albums on that list, this is one I come back to again and again. Not a "deep" listen, but one that is surprisingly moving, whether high-spirited, angry, romantic, or sad. There is no point in singling out special favorites, since every song on here kills. A classic from the first track to the last.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nI'm Gonna Howl, August 6, 2002\nReviewer: The Orange Duke "orangeduke" (Cupertino, Ca United States) \nIn 1976, Graham Parker hit the music scene like a hurricane. He was angry like the punks, but he wasn't a punk. He was cool like the new wave bands, but he wasn't new wave. No one knew what to make of him, then or now. What he was and is a pub rocker, a ferocious rock shouter that makes driving, infectious rock and roll that will stand the test of time. Similar to like minded artists like Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and Bruce Springsteen, Parker has been scorned by the mainstream. This album is his legendary fiery debut, part one of his one-two punch to the staid rock scene. It includes an excellent group of songs, and it alone would have established Parker as one of the premier songwriters of his time, but there were many, many excellent albums to come. Check out the irresistible pull of `White Honey', the rollicking rockabilly of `Back To Schooldays' and the cool funk of `Soul Shoes'. Every time I listen to this album, it gets better. Parker's heady mix of punk attitude, smart lyrics and pure undiluted rock and roll make this album a classic, an instant favorite album for any true rock fan. I also highly recommend THE REAL MCCAW and STEADY NERVES.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nSoul shoes and rockin' blues, November 20, 2001\nReviewer: Peter Guglietta (Mt. Prospect, IL) \nThis has got to be one of the best debut albums of all time. In 1976, Graham Parker, along with his band The Rumour, put out an out-of-nowhere album that capitalized on the rebirth of soul and r&b-influenced rock that was back in the forefront, thanks to the likes of Bruce Springsteen (to whom Parker was being compared). Not quite the punk style of other English performers, and a little more r&b influenced than Elvis Costello, Parker "howls" his way through some all out rockers ("Soul Shoes", "White Honey", "Back to Schooldays") and more soulful, acoustic-tinged songs ("Gypsy Blood", "Between You and Me"). Typecast as the latest incarnation of the Angry Young Man, Parker delivers on that premise and takes it up a notch. There isn't a false note, or emotion, on this album. And The Rumour, made up of pub-rock veterans like Brinsley Schwartz and Bob Andrews, do his songs justice. 25 years later, this album is just as fresh. \nAn important milestone that pre-dated (ever so slightly, but importantly) the punk movement that was brewing in the UK, this was a throwback and a look forward at the same time. When GP snarled and sang his way through these songs, he wasn't kidding around. He was out to stake his claim in the world of real rock'n'roll. Unfortunately, Parker seldom got better than on his first 4 studio albums, but he remains an important artist as a songwriter and performer. This is a must have album. So put on those soul shoes and let the wind howl. When attitude and intelligence mix with from-the-gut rock'n'soul, you've got the goods. I highly recommend this as a starting point for the mid-70's music scene. If you only own one GP album, this is the one.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nOne of the greatest debut albums ever, November 1, 2001\nReviewer: Christopher Ingalls (Massachusetts) \nMany people consider Parker's 1979 gem "Squeezing Out Sparks" to be his finest work. While I agree that SOS is an excellent album, I find it a bit too mechanical and forced, especially when compared to Parker's stunning "Howlin' Wind." This album is pure Parker, combining the snarl of Elvis Costello with the blue-eyed soul of Van Morrison. There are so many great classic GP songs here. The opener, "White Honey," is a classic...then there's the aching beauty of "Gypsy Blood," the Stones-inspired "Soul Shoes," the haunting title track...it's just a wonderful album all around. If you love flawless, inspired rock and roll, it doesn't get much better than this.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nDesert Island Disc, January 25, 2001\nReviewer: Patrick Earley (Edmond, Oklahoma USA) \nThis is one of the great rock albums of the 70's, or any other decade. With the onset of the awful disco movement coming on, what a breath of fresh air this guy was. We had all the punk rockers out there who couldn't sing or play. But when this little English pub rocker came along with this album, it blew all those pretenders out of the water. He had a snarly voice that sounded like he just swallowed a mouthful of gravel, but he had SOUL! And that's all that really counts. With a chip on his shoulder a mile wide, he comes swinging out of the gate with that nasty little drug song called "White Honey". Whatta great rock song! When he sings "we're gonna hit white honey when the chips are down, we're gonna taste white honey when there's no one around", it sounds like he's been down that road before. Parker sings with more emotion than just about any singer can hope to achieve. He can be serious one minute, as in "Howlin Wind" or "Don't Ask Me Questions", or he can have some fun on songs like "Silly Thing" or Lady Doctor". Not many bands would be able to pull off the songs he wrote for this album, but Parker hired The Rumour, who were some of the best musicians England had to offer. I've always thought these guys were England's answer to Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. They were THAT good. I can't say enough good things about this album. It's fantastic! Also, I highly recommend his second album "Heat Treatment". It comes a very very close second to this one. Good luck finding it.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nbreathtaking., March 7, 2000\nReviewer: barry ledgister (Birmingham England) \nFirst bought Howlin Wind in 78, which means punk had happened and a lot of this record`s sounds;blues,rockabilly and R and B were looked down on. Well very much of that period doesnt stand up now while this album does. In fact I like it better. the two tracks I thought were duff then, Lady Doctor and Not if it Pleases me can be appreciated as brilliant white English takes on musical styles most English musicians have never done well. The rest is sublime,pure and simple...the first four tracks on what used to be side two 'Soul Shoes' onward are perhaps Parker`s finest medley of songs,with Howlin Wind and You Got To be kidding breathtaking takes on reggae and Dylan respectively. This album is the best rock singer ever with some of his best songs ever which crucially take on say The Stones and Van Morrison and are better than them, eg Gypsy Blood,Soul Shoes and White Honey. A vital album influencing--to me--Elvis Costello,The Boomtown Rats, The Clash and Joe Jackson especially. ''Influenced?'' Nah..they copied him...this was a new rock and roll blueprint. And the Rumour were a transcendent backing band...not too many dumb soloes,with great sounds and arrangements.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nA classic album of rage, wit, pain, and pleasure, February 17, 1999\nReviewer: A music fan\nSometimes I hate rock critics but without them, I never would have heard of this masterpiece. This album has so much heart, it puts most rock music to shame. There aren't many artists who can switch from raging at God one minute to sadly longing for a lost love the next, and then throw in how great it is to put on some cool shoes. How could you not love an album with lines like, "I feel like I've been livin' to die, but when that rhythm plays, I don't know how to cry"?\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nGraham Parker at his splenetic best, May 14, 1998\nReviewer: A music fan\nPoor Graham Parker! His angry brand of pub-rock got overtaken by the punks, who made him seem not angry enough and suspiciously attached to Motown, r&b, and the blues. He also paid a dear price for his faint vocal resemblance to Elvis Costello, whom he actually preceded. Anyway, this record is a killer: great songs, passionate singing, and some sublime, beer-soaked support from the Rumor. Check out Brinsley Schwartz's lead guitar on "Don't Ask Me Questions," or the endearing horn charts on "Silly Thing," or Graham's cantankerous vocalizing on the dobro-driven "Not If It Pleases Me." This one will still sound fresh in the year 2525--if man is still alive and sporting those aviator sunglasses Graham always wears. What color are his eyes, anyway?\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nIt's Fatal and It Don't Get Better., October 25, 2000\nReviewer: Joe C Hadar (Humboldt, IA United States) \nGP came along when the world needed a snarl and a pair of dark sunglasses (my world, anyway). Amazing that no one records covers of these songs.\n\nHalf.com Album Credits\nNick Lowe, Producer\n\nAlbum Notes\nThis is Parker's 1976 debut with The Rumour, prepared from the original master tapes.\n\nThe snarling debut from England's Graham Parker is a startling slice of purpose, fury, and passion. The braying anger and defiance of the album was enough to get Parker lumped in with the punk explosion that followed on the heels of HOWLIN' WIND. But for every ounce of punk frustration there is an equal measure of Parker's musical roots--R&B, soul, and Motown all bubble over the righteous anger. Standout tracks include the jaunty "White Honey," a cocaine warning that ripples like a '60s dance floor favorite and the reggae-fied "Don't Ask Me Questions," which brays with such indignant fury it makes much of the punk rebelliousness seem rote by comparison.\n\nThis sense of steely determination serves as the foundation of nearly all Parker's later work. As his approach of biting wordplay, stinging delivery, and traditional bar band backing became a template from which all his future releases stemmed, HOWLIN' WIND is a telling document. It's also the best place to catch an early glimpse of the work of a former gas station attendant who decided to make a significant noise of his own.
This rock cd contains 12 tracks and runs 42min 15sec.
Freedb: 9d09e50c
Buy: from Amazon.com

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