Passion Is No Ordinary Word - The Music Of Graham Parker

Introduction

As often happens in these musical appreciation/playlist hybrid Vocal Stories I don't really remember when I first came across the music of Graham Parker. With The Rumour, he was part of the British pub rock movement that set the foundation for the punk explosion of 1977.

I remember the first few albums, plus the Pink Parker EP on pink vinyl (I have both the 7" and 12" versions in my vinyl collection) and certain songs really stood out.

One of the things I loved was that they were essentially on the rock side but covered Soul and Motown which introduced many to that genre as well. While I knew Motown and Soul, Parker and The rumour endorsed that this was great music to listen to.

The band were guitar and keyboard-based rock and rhythm and blues with a punk attituded and Parker is still producing some amazing music today. This is just a playlist of some of my favourites from his canon, and a chance for you to possibly discover an artist you were unaware of.

So here comes the music.

"Hold Back The Night" from "The Pink Parker".

This is the first piece of Parker vinyl that I remember buying because it was a great song and I loved the original by The Tramps, and there were three other great Parker originals on the disc.

"I Want You Back" (single Jackson Five cover)

A Jackson Five cover (we will get on to the original stuff next) but you cannot fail to love this song no matter who is singing it, and this is one of my favourite takes on this classic.

Mercury Poisoning ("B" Side of "I Want You Back")

I bought this because it really resonated with me for the state of the management of the company I was working for, with some incredible put-down lyrics and a great song. This was Parker's parting shot at Mercury records, I don't think they were too pleased but I am sure many of my readers will be familiar with the points that this song makes.

"I've got a dinosaur for a representative

It's got a small brain and refuses to learn"

I ate the orange and I don't feel well

For them it's inconvenience for me it's hell"

"White Honey" from "Howlin' Wind"

What can I say about this, it is just gorgeous, play it and see what I mean. There is a live take on "The Pink Parker" which I certainly didn't complain about.

"Stupefaction" from "The Up Escalator"

"The Up Escalator" is possibly my favourite Parker album and features Bruce Springsteen on "Endless Night", but every song is brilliant and "Stupefaction" is just a diamond in a bag of real diamonds.

"Wall Of Grace" from "Mystery Glue"

"Mystery Glue" is on my player at the moment and this live take shows that Graham and the band still have it, more soulful gorgeousness from them.

"Problem Child" from "Stick To Me"

This has a great reggae feel to it and shows the versatility of The Rumour and when I heard it I bought the album immediately.

"Heat Treatment" Album Title Track

This is just so full of life, pure Parker at his best, as he so often is.

"They Murdered The Clown" from "Struck By Lightning"

Another title with an image that drags you in, you really have to listen to this to find out what's going on, and you find so many circus images taking you into a dark world. Another brilliant song.

"Passion is No Ordinary Word" from "Squeezing Out Sparks"

This is an amazing title and the song more than lives up to it, which is why I chose it for this article. Again this is a jewel in a box of jewels, the album is worth investigating further, but if I were to add all my favourite Graham Parker songs this playlist would never end.

Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed this music and I have lit your fuse to investigate further.