Album : Graham Parker And The Rumour – Howlin’ Wind

This wasn’t my first GP record (Squeezing Out Sparks was) but after discovering his music I went on a Parker binge. I could be writing (and I will) about a half dozen of his records but I had to start somewhere. Howlin Wind is as good a place as any for his music.

It’s hard to talk about Graham Parker without talking about his great band , The Rumour. This is a band that has played together and are as tight as you can get. Along with Parker they craft some very cool music from their influences, R & B, rock n roll, soul etc. Similar to the early E Streeters and Bruce, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and the Band. I guess the best way to give you an idea is let the music do the talking (good thinking CB) and talking it does on this record.

‘White Honey ‘ opens the album and its a real good feel on what GP is all about. ‘Red Hot Gypsy Blood’ is another highlight. It has stayed with me for a long time. It starts out in ballad land and ends up with Graham and the band building it into soulful groove.  The whole record has a permanence. You get a range from the softer stylings of ‘Between You An Me ‘ to the punchy, tough more street side of ‘Lady Doctor’. The title track is another highlight for me. Reggae beat with some cool guitar licks, great lyrics (“swing time is here children”) and delivery by Parker. ‘Back To Schooldays’ (covered by Dave Edmunds) another Parker gem. ‘Soul Shoes’ just gets me going with a Stones’ vibe. GP sings all these with passion.

Why not end the record with a very cool song. ‘Don’t ask Me Questions’. When I first heard it I thought “what the hell is this?”. It grew on me. This is the unique kind of song he writes. Reggae, rock with very cool lyrics and guitar. One of those songs that came out of left field for me. It just has that GP stamp. Take all those musical influences and makes his own kind of music.

I like everything about Graham Parker and the Rumour . Parker writes some great songs but first and foremost he’s a rocker. I think all the good ones start from that base. I dig this album big time, maybe you will too or already have. Not a one trick pony. Parker’s songs have got into me. I’ve been listening to him for years and I pull his music out a lot. Seeing him and the band live just sealed the deal.