Album Essentials: Graham Parker "Squeezing Out Sparks"
By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
Graham Parker has lived a life of music. From his teenage years, following a beat group dream, and on through to gracing the world stage with his own brand of rock and roll, which he merged with soul, folk, and a smart pop sensibility. Parker hit the ground running with his debut LP, 'Howlin' Wind,' in 1976. Produced by Nick Lowe, 'Howlin Wind' was a perfect introduction to the world of Parker and his songs. 'Nothing's Gonna Pull Us Apart,' 'Back To Schooldays,' and 'Don't Ask Me Questions,' to name a few, made people take notice there was a new force to be heard.
Soulful yet savage, Parker was the first kid in line, before Costello, Jackson, and the rest. Melding a bit of Van Morrison with Bob Dylan and his own personal venom, he quickly developed his trademark sound. He would follow that with the slightly more polished, Mutt Lange produced, 'Heat Treatment,' a mere few months later. Two landmark albums under his belt by the end of 1976, and the 'revolution' that was punk rock/new wave had yet to get into gear. Not that GP was 'punk rock,' but like many of the era, that had little to do with the grandiose candelabras and conceptual works of the day, he shared a back to basics sensibility. Graham called Nick Lowe back for album three, 'Stick To Me,' followed by the gritty live album, 'The Parkerilla.'
By 1979, the lay of the land was different in the few years since Parker wandered into the landscape, meaning, the world was catching up with the style GP was laying down, which should have made 1979 the year of Mr. Parker. In some ways, it was. The release of 'Squeezing Out Sparks,' in March of 1979, was perfectly timed. Chock full of classics delivered with a crash, bang, and wallop simply made for the era, Parker was suddenly in the spotlight.
It's not a stretch to claim that it is a perfect album. From the first chord of 'Discovering Japan,' to the final note of 'Don't Get Excited,' the album had everything going for it. The sharp production, by the legendary Jack Nitzsche, was a perfect fit for the first rate songs within. With backing by his loyal, and very rocking band, The Rumour, it honestly didn't get much better. 'Local Girls' was the hit that never was, while 'Nobody Hurts You,' 'Saturday Nite Is Dead,' ‘Passion Is No Ordinary Word,' and 'Love Gets You Twisted,' are all classics that prove Mr. Parker should be on that elusive Mount Rushmore of unsung heroes of rock and roll!
A modest hit in the UK, hitting number 18, 'Squeezing Out Sparks' actually hit the U.S. Top 40, making it, along with the follow-up 'The Up Escalator,' his highest charting U.S. albums. While it never made him a household name, it certainly gained him many new fans, and could easily be held up as Essential! Now, go turn it up and enjoy!