Real Macaw

Graham Parker | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 6, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: American Beat
• ASIN: B000MM0KT2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,281 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Just Like a Man

2. You Can't Take Love for Granted

3. Glass Jaw

4. Passive Resistance

5. Sounds Like Chains

6. Life Gets Better

7. A Miracle a Minute

8. Beyond a Joke

9. Last Couple on the Dance Floor

10. Anniversary

11. (Too Late) The Smart Bomb

12. I Want You Back [Live][*]

Editorial Reviews

Digitally remastered reissue of 1983 album, one of Parker's more collectable & sought after, includes one bonus track 'I Want You Back'. Cherry Red. 2004. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars finally available again, August 30, 2007

By 

Passionate About Music - See all my reviews

This review is from: Real Macaw (Audio CD)

Way back when, Parker gave Elvis Costello a run for his money. Just like Costello, he could not sustain his angry-young-man persona. This album was made after Parker's early pub rock sound period with Mercury Records and before he became an "indie" artist. Basically, it's a polished, glossy rock record that was made in the hope of getting a radio hit. So it's not as raw or exciting as Squeezing Out Sparks (from 1979). Instead, it's mostly an album of sunny optimism and happiness. With songs like "Life Gets Better" and "Anniversary," it is an essential purchase for anyone who likes Parker's music.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Graham's Best, But Somehow Overlooked, September 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Real Macaw (Audio CD)

"Squeezing Out Sparks" was undoubtably Graham Parker's finest album, but this one ain't far behind and is a near-masterpiece. After disappointing efforts "The Up Escalator" and "Another Grey Area", this album firmly reestablished Parker as a first rate writer. Unfortunately the momentum of "Sparks" had been lost and this album didn't make a big commercial impact. Which is a shame, because this is great stuff, and has several of my all time favorite Parker compositions. "You Can't Take Love For Granted" is the first high point, with a great minor key moanful chorus, and "My Glass Jaw" continues the theme of the pitfalls of love (a recurring Parker theme). "Passive Resistance" is also great. The real greatness is found on Side 2 (or the last half of the CD...one thing I hate about CD's is no "Side 2"). The theme of this side is...happiness and contentment! (From Mr. Angry Young Man). "Life Gets Better" is soaring and great, one the best songs ever by anyone. "Miracle A Minute" hops along happily and is a great rockin love song. "Beyond A Joke" and "Last Couple On The Dance Floor" are great touching ballads with real nice melodic hooks. But the absolute best moment is "Anniversary" which is simply the most personal and touching song that Parker has ever recorded, a simple statement of love. Great writing, great singing.

The sound is sparer and more relaxed that on most of Parker's albums, which serves this batch of songs very well. The great Brinsley Schwarz is still around on guitar, along with Squeeze drummer Gilson Lavis. Parker himself is playing much more guitar than on past albums, a trend that will continue in his subsequent work.

This is truly a great album. The quality of the songwriting, singing, and arrangements is exceptional. If you are even a passing Parker fan or just appreciate great intelligent pop music, you gotta get this! The real deal.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite of his 80's albums, January 10, 2005

By 

Tankery "Tankery" (New Orleans) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Real Macaw (Audio CD)

This was a great album at the time and has some of Graham's best songs on it. Anniversary is beautiful. Lyrically, he was at a happy place and wrote wonderful relationship songs (Then he got bitter again on the next two releases! funny..)

My beef is with these new re-releases with the dance mixes on them. What a waste. No need to add value to brilliance.