Deepcut to Nowhere

Graham Parker

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 21, 2001)
• Original Release Date: August 21, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Razor & Tie
• ASIN: B00005NHNV
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #155,454 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Whoever decreed that rockers had to sacrifice their edge to attain maturity obviously never met Graham Parker. The Brit-born, New York-based singer-songwriter has been making records since the mid-'70s, yet 2001's Deepcut to Nowhere is every bit as energetic and passionate as was his debut, Howlin' Wind, back in 1976. He is aided immeasurably here by a reunion with drummer Steve Goulding from the Rumour, the group with which Parker partnered for his first few albums. The quartet on these sessions is fronted by the singer's surprisingly adept electric and acoustic guitar work. The band--also including bassist Pete Donnelly of the Figgs and organist Professor Louie--is elastic enough to accommodate the customary GP range of moods and styles, from full-bore folk rock ("I'll Never Play Jacksonville Again") to ballads that can be R&B inflected ("Depend on Me") or more rural in tone ("Blue Horizon"). And should you question whether the razor-sharp attitude that produced bilious classics like "Mercury Poisoning" has survived, the song titles "It Takes a Village Idiot" and "Syphilis & Religion" assure you this Parkerilla remains proudly unmellowed. --Ben Edmonds

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mature groove with an edge, September 3, 2001

By	Olby Ulf (VASTERAS Sweden) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ten seconds into the first track on this CD, Dark Days, I find myself smiling from ear to ear. There are a very limited group of artists that can offer us such an organic groove, but Graham Parker is definitely one of them.This album is very varied in music and lyrics, from hardrocking and cynical to soft (if this is possible for GP?) and romantic sweet with a little humour stuck in between, GP covers the full spectra. The musicians play tastefully with an overall acoustic feel and GP himself sings better than ever since he varies his singing style more than ever before. Among the highlights are the groovin' Dark Days, the beautiful Depend on Me, the touching Blue Horizons, the funny Tough on Clothes and Socks'n'Sandals, the catchy Syphilis & Religion ... I could go on and on. The album ends with a breathtaking slow song called Last Stop is nowhere, where GP sings like a Nick Lowe of our days with a low, rich voice. It is plain beautiful. This is a very, very good album where in my opinion most of the songs are as good as they get.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT to have him back, regardless..., August 28, 2001

By	Barry Ellis "Dinosaurguy" (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While I have no argument with the opinion of the "Castro" reviewer (someone who is so obviously a SERIOUS GP fan has to be respected), I don't see this album in quite the same vein. I've always enjoyed the different facets of GP's talent and therefore grooved quite nicely on the rockin' "Dark Days" & "Jacksonville". The highlights ARE indeed the more "adult" songs. "Depend On Me" is thematically AND musically the sequel to "Wake Up (Next To You)", "Tough On Clothes" IS a GREAT song (anyone with a teenage daughter can't help but laugh out loud), "Socks'n'Sandals" will make all 40/50 somethings cringe, and the last verse in "Blue Horizon" literally brought tears to my eyes (first time in a LONG time a song has been able to do that for me). I COULD go on & on, but the important thing is GP is BACK!! Where does this album fit in his 25 year pantheon? Can't say yet. Like the artists that I consider his peers, Bob Dylan & Van Morrison, GP's music is never "easily digestible". It takes repeated listenings (and sometimes YEARS) to fully appreciate what lays in the grooves. All I know is that I enjoy every second of GP's first studio album in five years and hope he won't wait so long to make me so happy again.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The long wait is over, October 10, 2001

By	Brian Case "Music Maven" (Wellsville, N.Y. United States) - See all my reviews

I've been waiting patiently for five years for Graham Parker to release some new music.Well, the long wait is over.Acid Bubblegum was released in 1996 and it was excellent. I rate this new release, Deepcut To Nowhere right up there with all his recent releases. Grahams sense of humor shines on cuts like "I'll Never Play Jacksonville Again" and "Socks And Sandles". His songwriting skills are sharp as ever on basically every song.Graham has a way of making the average listener part of each song, drawing you into each cut. His voice is strong and his band (including original Rumour drummer, Steve Goulding) is tight.Artists such as Graham Parker are hard to find. He has great songwriting skills, good musicians and the quality of music that you just don't hear on the radio anymore.Do yourself a favor and purchase this release. Take the time to sit down and give it a few spins and I know you'll end up agreeing with me.
I take it with me in my car so I'm not stuck listening to the radio. What a pleasure it is to have Graham back. Let's just hope he doesn't wait another five years to release some more excellent music!