Blogcritics: Comments on Graham Parker pours it all out

Comment by Anne

Mon, 18 Nov 2002 13:49:10 EST

I agree that Parker is a highly underrated artist. "The Mona Lisa's Sister" from 1988 is also worth checking out. James Lileks once wrote that he thought critics liked Elvis Costello because he looked like them. I still enjoy Costello's work, but Parker's always been more daring.

Comment by Bill Sherman

Mon, 18 Nov 2002 10:33:20 EST

I'm a major Parker fan, too: did a tribute page to the man a while back. I remember when Elvis Costello came on the scene; for a time there was a rumor going 'round that EC was a new persona for Graham, using a new i.d. to crack the charts. The sounds were undeniably similar, but Elvis wouldn't reach Graham's level of soulful tribute and arranging for several elpees. Agree that the first four albums are indispensible, but the later 'uns have plenty of great curmudgeonly moments, too.

Comment by Eric Olsen

Mon, 18 Nov 2002 09:38:18 EST

Parker is grossly underrrated, Costello overrated, and Jackson seen for what he is: smoking start, not much since. Besides the surface similarities you mentioned, these three have very similar voices and at the beginning anyway, singing styles. Don't forget: the Rumour was a terrific band - saw them several times in smallish venues and they rocked and rolled. Brinsley Schwartz (sp?)has always been underrated.