Customer Reviews

Howlin Wind

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to agree with the only other person who took the time to review this album. The over hyped and over produced bands seemed to get the ink while bands like Graham Parker and the Runour just produced great music and were great live. Elvis Costello was receiving great reviews and deservedly so, but Graham Parker was right there with him. Howlin Wind covers the full spectrum from rockabilly to the blues and this was definitely one of the best albums of 1976. Heat Treatment was the follow up and it wasn't far behind Howlin Wind. People from the Capital District in upstate New York are extremely lucky. Graham Parker resides close by and we're fortunate that he plays locally with some of the areas talenteed musicians and whether solo or with others he never disappoints.

Kevin Burns

I'm shocked, shocked I say, that there is not one review for one of the best albums of the 70s. This is like the antithesis (or perhaps the antidote) to the overproduced bands of the era (Styx, Kansas, Blue Oyster Cult, ugh, Jefferson Starship fer chrisakes!). Buy this and buy Heat Treatment too while you're at it. I give a slight edge to Howlin Wind but that just depends on my mood. It's like the best bar band you ever were lucky enough to stumble in on and hear and the great thing is, it sounds good when you're sober too.

This album is one of the best albums to come from the 70's. Elvis Costello had stolen a lot from this man. In a way I like that Graham Parker isn't really well known because it makes him more exclusive to the people that have good taste and not just a well known no talent flash in the pan singer for the fickle masses. The only thing I worry about an artist like this, is that the record companies decide not to make their albums anymore since they don't sell very well.

to find only two reviews for this great album, which features in the original rolling stones top 100 albums ever!

'howling wind' imo is musically even better than the much acclaimed 'sqeezing out the sparks'. there's a greater range of music here - blues, rock n roll, ballads, punk etc.

and the unique title song is alone worth the price of this disc.

exceptional music this!

When I first read the positive reviews about this album and hearing "White Honey", I decided to give the album a try. This album is filled with stunningly literate pub rockers, which are invigorated with cynicism and anger. The songs are distinctly original and the production, by Nick Lowe, makes Parker and his backing band, the Rumour, sound like a terrific bar band. Very few debut albums reach the heights of this near masterpiece.

I'd really like to know.

I was blown away by Howlin' Wind when I first heard it, and I am amazed that this record did not find a wider audience. Graham Parker is such an immense talent, and the songs on this album are tremendous.

Almost all of the tracks from Howlin' Wind could have been released as singles: "White Honey," the rockin' "Soul Shoes," "Back To Schooldays," "Not If It Pleases Me," the soulful title track, and the epic "Lord Don't Ask Me Questions" are dynamic tracks, and all were worthy of radio play. But only the swinging "Silly Thing" got any air time.

What a shame it is that this album has gone so unnoticed. Howlin' Wind is a stunning album by any measure, and taking into account that it was Graham Parker's debut album makes it all the more stunning. How was he never noticed?

I'm only reviewing one song on this album;that gives you a good idea
how good the rest of the album probably is: "Don't ask me questions" is a song I have to listen once, then twice, then thrice until the words lose all meaning and all I'm left with is a haunting nonsensical voice and the ambience of a morbidly catchy rhythm. I first heard "don't ask me questions" at a friend's house back in 92 when music didn't suck and vintage punk was cannonical. It was on a "punk and wave" compilation album made in Germany that I haven't been able to find anywhere. "don't ask me questions" got stuck in my head and I've been humming it to myself just about every day since then. It's a spectacular song worth the price of the whole album. I haven't listened to this album but I'll probably play "howlin' wind" until I scratch every single song whenever I get my hands on it.
Every year or so I make a list of stuff I want to get from amazon and trust me, graham parker's "howlin' wind" is on it. Frankly I'm not that amazed only two people had reviewed the album. Most people give you a bewildered look whenever you bring up "graham Parker and the rumour". The kids want to listen to Paris Hilton, Kelly Clarkson or whatever crap MTV pours out on a daily basis. Graham Parker and the Rumour is our little secret indeed.

exciting, raw blue-eyed soul and r & b. released in 1976 this is a great set of barroom burners. in fact, mr parker and his band (including the fantastic brinsley schwarz on guitar) sound like the ultimate british pub band here, tearing through hot rhythm and blues numbers with breathtaking power and soul. all winners. my favorite graham parker album is "squeezing out sparks," this is my 2nd favorite. a wonderful thing, indeed.

Graham Parker / Howlin Wind: Great Rockin' songs expertly done! This is a Great album that should have become a familiar classic, and it would have been if Mercury records had promoted it properly. Graham would leave that company and write a little ditty called "Mercury Poisoning" (obviously not on this disk) to thank the record company for being so stupid. Howlin Wind earns Five Stars.

The 1st time I heard Graham was in 1977 on WNYU radios "New Afternoon show" & I remember drivin' in my car when the opening epic notes of "Questions" filled the cab of my '72 beemer. I was in awe from that very moment. I immediately ran out to pick up the record and for the next 3 years beat it to a pulp on my turntable. I personally enjoyed being a fan of his @ the time as he flew under the radar while others like Elvis were getting all the attention. But as time wore on I progressively grew as frustrated as Grahams trademark Howl....this guy & the great back up band The Rumour deserved better. Graham gave many punk singers the passionate guidance in his vocalization without actually goin' there. He avoided the trendiness of the genre while at the same time being a leader.
While Howlin' Wind is a landmark recording, it in my opinion surpassed in his follow-up - Heat Treatment(hence the 4 star rating). If you enjoy Howlin' Wind, please GO THERE!...you won't regret it.