Mona Lisa's Sister [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Graham Parker | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 18, 1999)
• Original Release Date: 1988
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Buddha
• ASIN: B00000IYVQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,016 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Don't Let It Break You Down

2. Under the Mask of Happiness

3. Back in Time

4. I'm Just Your Man

5. Ok Hieronynus

6. Get Started, Start a Fire

7. The Girl Isn't Ready

8. Blue Highways

9. Success

10. I Don't Know

11. Cupid [*]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Maturation of an Artist, September 14, 2000

By 

Barry Ellis (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mona Lisa's Sister (Audio CD)

Long considered by MOST GP fans as one of the three best albums done by him (along with "Squeezing Out Sparks", 1979's Rolling Stone Critic's pick for album of the year and 1996's "Acid Bubblegum", his last studio effort), "The Mona Lisa's Sister" signalled the arrival of GP as a truly independant artist as well as the resurgence (in quality at least) of a somewhat moribound career. While his loyal fans enjoyed his work of the early-mid 80's, it did seem as his sense of direction and earlier commitment to his music was somewhat lacking. "Mona Lisa" was GP's first TOTALLY personal record and established the pattern he was to follow for the rest of his career, making records that make HIM happy and all of his fans have benefitted from that artistic genesis. "Mona Lisa" includes some of his absolute greatest songs, and every song is an heartfelt and riveting performance. Some reviewers have quibbled with Buddha's remastering here, but I thank it really does a lot for the lower end which was somewhat subdued on the earlier production. A matter of taste, but a truly wonderful record regardless of which mix you prefer. As readers of GP's website (found at punkhart.com) know, it is a mystery when or if GP is going to release a new studio album. Myriad label changes and a refusal to subvert his musical philosophy have led to diminished sales and recognition over the years. I consider GP to be in the same league as Van Morrison and Bob Dylan as a song writer/performer. Unbelievers only need to peruse his work of the past 20 plus years and they MIGHT be converted, or at least acknowledge that GP is one of the most underrated and underappreciated artists of his time.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parker Delivers Listenable Angst, June 25, 1998

By 

J. E. Fitzgerald "The Original Mexican Bob" (Roanoke, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mona Lisa's Sister (Audio CD)

I've long considered Graham Parker part of my "little, p*****-off British guy" phase, during which I listened to a lot of Elvis Costello and related artists. Parker is a cynic, without a doubt, but the heart of a true romantic still beats in his chest. Like Costello, who does not allow his varnish of world-weary cynicism to obliterate his soft side, Parker goes from sharp-tongued social criticism to whistful longing at times in the same breath. All without forgetting how to craft a good solid melody, which makes for music you can listen to even if you're not particularly interested in what it has to say.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hightlight of his career, October 24, 1999

By 

Paul Campbell (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mona Lisa's Sister (Audio CD)

This disc is the highlight of his career, because it was here that he took charge of production and made the record he wanted to make. The songs come out easily with wit and grace. Back In Time and I'm Just Your Man are probably my favorite GP compositions. And the re-make of Cupid is done convincingly.