"Piss & Vinegar: The Songs of Graham Parker"
Veteran rocker Graham Parker gave his cynical blessing to the tribute album of his songs called "Piss & Vinegar," a 20-song, 20-band, two-years-in-the-making Buy Or Die compilation CD.After giving the green light to Jerry "J.B." Balderson, co-founder of Buy Or Die Compact Discs, Parker stepped back and let Balderson take control of the project. The resulting album was released on November 1st.
The time seems right. Many new fans are just discovering Parker who’s hit the road for numerous concert dates backed by The Figgs who cover "Passion Is No Ordinary Word" on "Piss & Vinegar." Parker himself has a new release called "Acid Bubblegum" on the Razor & Tie label.
The music-packed CD features 20 interpretations of Parker’s music by nationally renowned musicians such as Frank Black, Pat DiNizio of the Smithereens, and indie-heavyweights The Health and Happiness Show, along with Buy Or Die’s stalwart artists and some guests from Zero Hour Records.
Unlike many tributes, Parker gave his approval to the Hackettstown-based indie label. "We have his grudging approval," Balderson said. "He didn’t want to be presumptuous enough to pick his own tribute. He left it up to me and the bands."
The idea for "Piss & Vinegar" literally came through the door of Balderson’s Main Street Hackettstown, NJ record store, Sound Effects.
"A customer suggested it to me. His wife had suggested it to him. I talked it over with (Buy Or Die co-founder) Michelle Ceddia and we agreed," said Jerry. "No one had ever done a tribute to Graham Parker."
Balderson said he didn’t need to be convinced that Parker was worthy of a tribute. "I’m a long-time fan of Graham Parker’s. He’s a great songwriter, as good as other significant artists of the ‘70s such as Bob Marley, Springsteen, Elvis Costello or Joe Strummer," Jerry said.
In addition to showcasing Parker’s songwriting, Balderson saw "Piss & Vinegar" as a way to expose Buy Or Die’s roster of hard-working bands to a new audience.
"Michelle and I agreed, we could keep doing good recordings that no one hears or do a high-profile recording like this," Jerry said.
Jon Tiven, who also performs on "Piss & Vinegar," hooked Balderson up with Pat DiNizio of the legendary Smithereens and Frank Black of Pixies fame. They did the first recordings for "Piss & Vinegar" in April 1995 and the rest of the bands spent the spring and summer recording and mixing tracks in the studio.
"Graham’s been aware of the project, but the first time I spoke to him was July 1995," said Balderson. Tiven proposed the title "Piss & Vinegar" for the disc, a suggestion which caused Balderson to raise his eyebrows. Parker, however, loved the name and it stayed, Jerry said.
In turn, Balderson gave the bands the freedom selecting a Parker song to cover. "I didn’t want to put the artists in a position of playing something they didn’t like," Balderson said.
Some of the bands knew Parker’s music and immediately had specific songs in mind. Other artists weren’t familiar with him and embarked on a learning experience. The result is a unique blend of interpretations of Parker’s songs.
Check under Discography for a full listing of the Graham Parker songs and their respective recording artists
This year, Parker has been to Northern New Jersey twice to play concerts, one at Centenary College and an outdoor show at Bernie’s Hillside in Chester Township.
The album should be in stores soon, or it can be ordered by telephone by calling toll-free: 1-800-303-8525. Orders can also be sent by fax to Buy Or Die at (908) 850-1190, or send a check or money order for $15 plus $1.50 postage and handling to Buy Or Die Compact Discs, Inc., 174 Main St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840.