TEMPORARY BEAUTY, Camden CD 74321 487282, 6/30/1997, UK


One of the great British r'n'b voices and songwriters, Graham Parker - either solo or with the mighty Rumour - made some of the best and most critically lauded albums of the 70s and 80s including Howlin' Wind, Heat Treatment, Squeezing Out Sparks and Mona Lisa's Sister.

Born in London on November 18th 1950 Graham Parker worked in a variety of factory jobs before getting together with various ex-members of pub-rock groups who became the Rumour (although Parker wanted the band to be called Graham Parker And The Questions he was outvoted). They recorded the debut album Howlin' Wind, released in 1976.

The tough, passionate and accomplished sound drew comparisons with U.S. contemporary Bruce Springsteen and Nick Lowe's inimitable production style thrust Parker into the post pub-rock / r'n'b / punk rock limelight.

Parker drew his influences from the diverse world of The Supremes, the Stax label, Bob Dylan and Bob Marley but later termed the particular brand of music he played as 'soul / punk'!

This collection brings together the material Graham Parker recorded for RCA in the early 80s. Having split from the Rumour, Parker regrouped in the U.S. and recorded his solo debut album 'Another Grey Area' in New York. It was released in March 1982 and included the top 50 hit Temporary Beauty, an excellent soul-ballad featuring some typically barbed Parker lyrics. The Bob Marley influence is notable on the reggae-tinged tracks Thankless Task and No More Excuses.

'The Real Macaw' album followed in 1983 and although not as big a commercial success continued the rich vein of songwriting form - featuring more Parker gems such as You Can't Take Your Love For Granted and Life Gets Better.

All these tracks have been unavailable for many years and re-discovering this material again proves Graham Parker's talent as a singer, songwriter and performer.

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