GP Answers Your Questions
Part 6
posted December 18, 1998
From Marcie:
Graham: I've been listening to your music for about twenty years now and
thought it might be about time to just say, thank you. I first saw you perform
live when you were the opening act for Journey way back in l978 (I think).
You played for about 40 minutes and then I had to suffer through over 2
hours of Journey, but your show that night was worth it. The show was in
Toledo, Ohio.
However, the thing that most impressed me in those days was an article I
read by Greil Marcus. At the end of the article it seemed he just put down
some things you had said about life in general and it was stuff like I had
never heard before, yet was thirsting to hear, and it really made a difference.
To make a long story short, it helped me to get up off of my butt and to
make something of my life at a time when I had thought there was no way
out of the misery of ghetto exsistence which surrounded me with all of its
poverty and ignorance. Anyway thanks from that scared (only girl) in the
audience.
Love ya.
Marcie
TO MARCIE:
Toledo, was it? I didn't think I'd ever been there, and I can't believe
how many gigs I did with Journey. All I remember is Flint and Port Huron,
Michigan, and Cleveland; but I keep hearing from people who saw me open
for them in all kinds of places I don't recall. I guess the mind really
can block out vile, traumatic experiences!
And it's great to hear from people who got something out of what I was doing;
I thought that the audiences on those gigs consisted entirely of idiots!
Greil Marcus has done some of the best pop music journalism and was one
of my early supporters. Good to know you got something out of that, too.
From Bryan McGough:
Graham,
First of all, let me say (like the countless others before me) that I am
a big fan. I really dig your songwriting, but i think your voice is my favorite
part of your music. I also love the way you incorporate the old Stax/Volt
horn section in from time to time.
Anyway, enough with the groveling, I do have a question for you. I recently
purchased a video of yours from 1982 titled "Graham Parker - Video LP Sony/Arista".
I had never seen one before. Can you tell me anything about this tape? Was
it a legitimate release, and was it released in the States?
Finally, I must say that I thouroughly enjoy reading your comments to our
questions. They are absolutely hillarious. I can't wait for your book to
come out!
Thanks,
Bryan (A fan in Alabama, who would love to see you live sometime. If you're
ever down south.......... )
TO BRYAN McGOUGH:
I believe the video you speak of, if it's the one with a photo of me on
the cover wearing a flashy jacket, was an official (for sale) release and
was recorded in Park West, Chicago in 1982. It was made to promote my current
album of the period, "Another Grey Area." There have been no other official
releases, but there's a lot better stuff out there, stuff that fans have
got hold of. Some of the best stuff comes from the two "Rockpalast" sessions
('77/'80) recorded in Germany and shown on TV in various countries.
I guess you can get stuff like this on the grapevine, whatever the grapevine
is.
When I did the Park West show, I had a raging case of the flu and really
couldn't wait to get off stage and get loaded and forget the whole thing.
None too satisfying.
And I was just in Alabama. Birmingham to be precise. Did you miss it?
Well, if you did, I expect I'll be back some day.
From Jeff Rosedale:
GP: You sang "Someone to Watch Over Me" -- among other things -- at the Rosendale
street festival about a year ago in upstate NY. It was a pretty stunning
performance, though I must admit that the crowd didn't know quite what to
do with it -- maybe it was the searing heat (Marshall Crenshaw quit after
about 3 songs at that show because I think he was scared that the sweat
running down his guitar was going to create an "electrical situation").
Have you ever released a version of this to the general public? You really
sounded incredible, and seeing you has spurred me to go digging through
your back catalog -- which I'm enjoying quite a lot. So I guess the subtext
to this question is, thanks for playing live -- it was great to see you in
action.
--Jeff
TO JEFF ROSEDALE:
I haven't released my accapella version of "Someone To Watch Over Me" but
have performed it several times over the last year or so. I recorded a gig
in Belgium where I sang it and may one day put this session out, probably
under the title, "Live Alone! The Bastard Of Belgium."
Interesting projects like this may see the light of day if my forthcoming
Spare Tracks and Lost Demos record, which I plan to sell on the Internet
only (next year -- no release date yet), is not a complete stiff.
From Dave Young:
Graham, I've been a fan of yours since "Sparks". I was amazed 20 years ago
that your record sales did not reflect your talent, and still am. Can you
tell how Bruce came to back you on Endless Night? I remember at the time
reading that he reportedly said that the only artist he would pay to see
was Graham Parker!
TO DAVE YOUNG:
Iovine said that Bruce was in town and would I like him on a backing vocal.
I agreed, so Iovine called him. Bruce agreed.
From mike moreau:
graham, I recently purchased again Live Sparks, the equivalent of at least
3 bottles of chardonnay, and it still is an unbelievably great album. I
am a runner and your music is my daily choice! Imagine, 20 years old, and
it's as fresh and exciting as when it was released. thank you graham,
cheers,mike
TO MIKE MOREAU:
Cheers, Mike. Keep the old pins movin'.
From HAL FREED:
HEY GRAHAM,
IT'S HAL FROM FOREST HILLS, NY (Y'KNOW THE DRUMMER..)
JUST GOT A COPY OF "LIVE ALONE DISCOVERING JAPAN"-GREAT PERFORMANCE..(LOVE
THAT VERSION OF "THATS WHAT THEY ALL SAY") ANYWAY, I GO THROUGH "PHASES
OF OBSESSION" WHERE ALL I DO IS LISTEN TO A CERATIN ARTIST FOR WEEKS...
(USUALLY DYLAN, CROWDED HOUSE, MELLENCAMP, PETER HIMMELMAN,DAN BERN,GIPSY
KINGS, SIMPLY RED ETC. (YES, ECLECTIC TASTE, I KNOW...) .,ALTHOUGH ITS USUALLY
DYLAN AND YOURSELF, WHOSE CD'S ARE "REPLACED" THE MOST, DUE TO MY WIFE TRYING
"CAREFULLY" TO REMOVE THOSE CD'S FROM THE CD PLAYER TO SUBSTITUTE THEM WITH
HER CELINE DION/NEIL DIAMOND CD'S AND THOUGHTFULLY DROPPING MINE ON THE
FLOOR...) ANYWAY, WHEN I DO GO THROUGH THESE PHASES AND SOME "WORDLY CRISIS"
OCCURS, I ASK MYSELF "I WONDER WHAT HE (DYALN, PARKER) THINKS ABOUT THIS..SO,
HERE IS MY QUESTION............... (I AM EXPECTING A SOMEWHAT COMICAL/SERIOUS
ANSWER FROM YOU) "BIG BILL CLINTON", IMPEACH? RESIGN? STAY IN OFFICE?? WHAT
IS YOUR VIEW? MANY OF MY EUROPEAN FRIENDS SAY THAT THE MEDIA IS HYPING THIS
TOO MUCH, THAT IN EUROPE IT WOULDN'T BE SUCH BIG NEWS... NEXT......, WANT
YOU TO KNOW THAT SOMEWHERE OUT THERE YOU PROBABLY HAVE A FEW NEW FANS DUE
TO THE FACT THAT THOSE "NEW FANS" STOLE MY CAR (THIS DOES OCCUR ALOT IN
FOREST HILLS....)AND I HAD HALF OF MY GP CD COLLECTION IN THE TRUNK INCLUDING
"CHRISTMAS IS FOR MUGS", "LIVE WITH THE FIGS", LIVE WITH THE EPISODES AND
MY MY FAVORITE CD FROM THE EARLY DAYS "HEAT TREATMENT" ( YES, I KNOW YOU
WOULDN'T AGREE ABOUT THAT ONE, I REMEMBER READING A FEW YEARS BACK THAT
YOU SAID THAT YOU "CRINGE" WHEN YOU HEAR SOME OF THOSE OLD VOCAL TRACKS..)
ANWAY, IF YOU EVER MEET THEM, PERHAPS AT A SHOW, TELL 'EM TO PUT A CHECK
IN THE MAIL FOR ME (THEY SHOULD HAVE MY ADDRESS ON THE REGISRATION THAT
WAS IN THE GLOVE BOX WHEN THEY STOLE THE "#&$*^@* VEHICLE").. LOOKING FOWARD
TO YOUR NEXT STUDIO RELEASE AND NYC APPEARANCE... CHEERS, HAL
TO HAL FREED:
Whoa! Bill (or the Teflon John, as I like to call him....keep thinking about
it....) had to make an appearance eventually.
I was in many locations throughout Europe in the last year and I found the
general consensus to agree with your findings. The Continentals, and even
the British, to some extent, almost expect people in power to have a bit
-- or in Bill's case, a few bits -- on the side. (Joke: Why do rich old
men have young girlfriends? Because they can.) They certainly think that
the Republicans' current overbearing and puritan ideas of morality are either
heinous or laughable, and quite frankly, this whole nonsense is making the
States a bit of a laughing stock.
This reminds me of a restaurant I visited in Paris in the early '80's.
Beautiful joint, overlooking The Seine, snooty waiters, bill (check) as
long as your arm, etc. My host informed me, as we dined in a private room,
that there were, or at least used to be, tunnels connecting this establishment
to some official gaffe like Parliament, or the palace, or whatever, and
that dignitaries would slip out of sessions at the end of the day, slide
off through a tunnel and meet with their mistresses in the comfortable,
velvety private rooms of this very restaurant where I was noshing. Once
ensconced with the broad, the bounders would then no doubt have a damn good
feast with buckets of nicotine and alcohol, and then enjoy a good old shagging
on the red velvet couch in the corner.
My host was an extremely knowledgeable and educated man (plus spent most
of his life in France) and has, regarding information of this nature, never
steered me wrong. So I don't doubt a word of this. Back to the point. Although
I can't quite agree with Chris Rock who reckons that Clinton is the "first
black President" (Bill's taste in music blows that idea), I think a Pres
who has smoked dope and has a serious sex drive can't be all bad. Make no
mistake, the Republican Party are the forces of zealotry and ignorance.
Bill should stay in office and keep providing those of us with a sense of
humour and stronger than Republican stomachs plenty more chuckles and searing
embarrassments, like when he finally (sort-of) admitted to having been gammed
by young Monica. Now that was a healthy piece of cringe, if ever I saw one.
As for the car/CD thefts -- buy it all again or move on, your call.
Cheers.
From Ed Lorah:
The recent live album with the Figgs was terrific! Who are these guys? Any
chance you'll do another album with them? They capture the spirit of your
music like no other band since the Rumor days. Thanks for all the great
years of music.
TO ED LORAH:
The Figgs have been together for years -- I think they went to high school
in Saratoga together. They've made a number of records, including their
latest, "The Figgs Couldn't Get High." They recently did a tour of Canada.
Guy Lyons, one of the guitarists, has left the band, reducing them to a
3-piece.
Whether I'll ever tour with them again hinges on too many variables for
me to foresee right now. I'd like to, and your assessment is correct.
From Cecilia:
Hello sweetheart.I am not blond anymore and my ass is bigger.What about
you,Graham? Have you finished that book you told me about?
TO CECILIA:
This is more like it. Things are starting to liven up around here. Thank
you dear. I've put on 5 pounds in the last 5 years and it's getting a little
worrying. It's probably because I was in spitting distance of a Vegetable
Stand three times in March and had no way of losing the extra weight. A
detective was notably absent. Disappointing, I must say. (Excuse me folks,
I'm on a no-nicotine/-alcohol binge at the moment and may slide off into
obtuse territory occasionally.)
Check answer to Brett in "GP Answers Your Questions (Part 5)" for news of my writings. And keep your eyes peeled.
From Bruce:
Hey Graham,
I just want to thank you for providing me years of enjoyment. I discovered
your music while living in Austin, TX in 1981. I found some of your cassette
tapes at the K-Mart with holes punched into them in the bargain bin. Best
buy I have ever made. I now have all of your CD's. I had the privilege of
seeing you in Austin, Texas when you were doing your one man tour right
after you released Live-Alone in America. You have too many great songs
for me to pick a favorite, but one of them is "Watch the Moon Come Down".
What was going on when you wrote that? When my spirits need lifting, that's
the song I turn to. Thanks for proving that rock music can have intelligence,
make a statement, and still be fun.
Bruce...
TO BRUCE:
I was looking out of a window in a second-floor flat in Finsbury Park, London.
I don't think you could see the moon from there but I needed a punch line.
From Jeff Caldwell:
Do you and Nick Lowe have any plans to work together? What about a joint
tour? I could promise at least four seats sold in Baltimore! If everyone
did their part, this could really fly! I'm full of great ideas...you can't
stop me when I'm on a roll like this. If you'd like me to take over management
of your career, just drop a line. Thanks.
TO JEFF CALDWELL:
I don't have any plans to do anything with anyone.
Thank you, with ideas like that, I'd hire you as my manager in an instant,
but there's nothing to manage.
From David Jawor:
Hello Graham! First and foremost I want to give you a heartfelt THANK YOU!
for your hard work over the years! I, too, am truly disgusted and offended
with what the music industry has become. I've always hated MTV and the way
they take their audience for a bunch of musically illiterate sh*theads.
They insult our intelligence w/ generic music commercials that make one
cringe and want to kick in my TV(angry young man at 29?) As a fan of over
10 years (yes, Mona Lisa worked on me, sorry I'm young) I have educated
myself furthur in (your) songwriting as an art as it certainly does not
exist today in mainstream music. Your body of work is of a disturbingly
genius proportion (right up there w/ Ray Davies, do you like him?) and I
CANNOT believe from listening to "Between you and Me" to "Turn it into Hate"
that you are not an icon after 21 years. The respect and acclaim are definately
there. But I guess intelligent music requires patient listeners and those
are hard to find these days. I've purchased your entire available catalog
on cd including imports (I've purchased a hard to find "Steady Nerves" on
cd in London recently). Does Mercury have any plans to re-release your catalog
as Arista's "Sparks"? It would be great to have your first 3 studio albums
digtally remastered w/ bonus tracks ("Marble Arch" and "Parkerilla" would
be great as well) Also, right now I'm really into "Stick to Me" (I have
a pristine vinyl copy w/ the stickers! Remember that!?) and "Live at Marble
Arch" (I'm thrilled to own a copy as well). Looking back, did you like working
with Nick Lowe and how was your relationship w/ him after he produced EC's
first record (why do very little people know you already had 3 albums and
a promo out in '77?) Do you have any funny stories from that period (i.e.)
like The Damned emptying all the bus ash trays in EC's sleeping open mouth
on the '77 Stiff tour or when The Damned, again, beat up Nick Lowe? Did
you like The Damned and their antics? I know these are stupid questions
but it's late and I'm hearing....The Damned. I saw you last year in L.A.
and O.C. where you signed my "Sparks" and we got to talking about Phil Lynot's
"Live and Dangerous" plug. What were those shows like w/ Thin Lizzy and
how was Phil as a person? My role now is to teach people that flavor of
the moment brainless hype is not where it's at. But I guess you could take
it as a compliment that you're not on MTV w/ 3 Doggy Blind, R-Two-Dee-Too,
or whatever they call that crap!! Keep alive and well Graham, there are
more fans out ther than you know! Bear Hug, David Jawor Newport Beach,CA
P.S. I recently found a vinyl copy of Rachel Sweet's version of "Fool's
Gold." It's cute. Your thoughts? And for the thousanth time why did you
give Dave Edmunds 'Crawlin' from the Wreckage" to record and not do it yourself!
I had to shell out a small fortune to get it on a "Live New York" gold cd,
Ohhhhh I get it Fool's Gold!
TO DAVID JAWOR:
All the Kinks' singles are etched in my brain cos I heard them so much on
the radio when I was growing up and still hear them all the time, mostly
on adverts. But I never bought a Kinks record. Too commercial for my taste.
Great stuff, but strictly radio fodder.
Actually, I have read that I am, in fact, an icon, but you can't believe
everything you read.
Much stuff has been released on compilations on Phonogram/Vertigo in the
UK. "Marble Arch" finally came out, along with lots of tracks from the early
albums on a double CD called "Vertigo." It also included my first non-album
track B-side, "I'm Gonna Use It Now."
I think "Howlin'" "Heat" and "Stick" are available on CD. You won't find
extra tracks apart from the aforementioned B-side cos we didn't record any.
Yes, those stickers! Wish I'd kept some.
The Damned actually opened for GP & The R. on what was probably their first
major high-profile gig in London. I think it was at the Old- or New-Vic.
I thought they were pretty bad, but I got to like them, although not particularly
for their music.
Nick is always pleasant with me, if a tad remote, but the fun days are long
gone and it's just business now.
Funny stories? Eh.....not whilst I'm on this no nicotine/alcohol jag. Sorry,
but nothing's funny.
"Crawlin'" was written at the time I was writing the "Sparks" material and
was obviously too frivolous a song to fit with those sessions. Martin Belmont,
as it happens, heard my demo of it and asked if he could play it for Dave
who was scouting for stuff. Good call, Mart.
Ah, the gold CD....so you were the one who bought it. Good work.
Too many questions old chum.....gotta move on.
From john derek:
How do you answer the charges that you're from Venus?
TO JOHN DEREK:
Drat. I knew that would get out eventually.
From Stuart Jung:
In one of your songs from "Acid Bubblegum" you sing "there's a lot of fat
Christians you want to throw to the lions" Are you commenting on Christianity/Jesus
Christ or just the behavior of Christians..and do you believe in God?...and
will there be a new studio album soon?
From Eric Hartvigsen:
Hi Graham,
First question is a bit of a repeat of the "secular humanist" query from
part II of Q&A, but I'll be more blunt. Are you an atheist? As that rarest
of breeds, an American (!) Atheist, I've always taken great pleasure in
your swipes against faith and religion, and I wonder if you'd classify yourself
as an "unbeliever." With lines like "who needs the third party (God) anyway"
(And It Shook Me), "what he (the preacher) stands for is totally mythical"
(Here It Comes Again), and "Ignorant acceptance is their (Christians) only
aim" (Obsessed With Aretha), it seems that you're destined to write some
sort of Atheist Anthem for us. How 'bout it? Granted, you might need to
hire a couple bodyguards for your next tour through the midwest, though....
Also thought you'd like to know that one of the radio stations here in Seattle
still regularly plays your music. KMTT, 103.7 FM, who you've done an in-studio
interview (4/95) and an in-studio performance (11/96) with, still play a
variety of your recordings. They even pushed "Beancounter" from the last
album for a time!?! If you're ever back through the area, you should keep
in touch with 'em. They're the ones who've informed me of your 3 gigs here
in recent years. The 11/92 show (at Parker's, no less!) and the 4/95 show
at the Backstage were enjoyable, but that 11/96 gig at Moe's was probably
one of the best handful of shows I've seen!
Any chance of you ever doing a "covers" collection? You often throw in the
occasional cover at live shows, and it would be interesting to see what
artists/songs you might re-interpret. As a longtime follower of Dylan's,
I'd love to see you tear into one of his lesser-known numbers, for example.
Q magazine used to have their q&a section on the last page of each issue,
and one of the questions was "What do you think of Bob Dylan?" Since I didn't
see you in Q, would you care to answer that one for me?
Speaking of other performers, have you ever heard of Peter Himmelman? He's
sort of a neo-folkie with a similar cult following to yours, and a checkered
record label history. Visitors to this site might want to ditch Mr. Costello
for awhile, and listen to something different...
Lastly, I wanted to mention how much I (still) enjoy "Struck By Lightning"--it's
definitely my favorite disc of yours. But I'll be looking forward to the
next one...
TO STUART JUNG AND ERIC HARTVIGSEN:
My apologies for lumping you two together but you've both thrown the same
loaded question at me. (By the way, you both missed the most savage assault
on religion from "Museum Of Stupidity".: "...along with religion, and what
it really means. A way to hammer nails through, the back of your brains."
(!)
Your question and its many varieties of answer are so multi-layered that
I could fill a book on the subject and I'd be a fool to get into it here.
But I am, in fact, a fool, so I will give some kind of synopsis of my experience
and observations (notice how pompous I sound already?).
I believe (for want of a better word) that the majority of people who subscribe
to the western idea of the Jesus/God cults (Christianity/Catholicism, etc.)
are deeply confused. I'm convinced that they are confusing spirituality
with emotionalism and that the overriding experience of prayer, worship,
love of God/Jesus and the powerful, ingrained symbolism of the church is
in fact an experience of the heart and not of the spirit. Simply put, when
a "worshiper" feels the "spirit move within," or "talks to God," etc., or
just feels all warm, gooey, uplifted and righteous when the scriptures are
being quoted and the words "God" and "gentle Jesus, meek and mild" are used,
they are responding both to an ancient structure of deeply felt needs within
the human psyche which endlessly searches for comfort and a universal, simplistic
"answer" to the strangeness of being alive and trapped in the flesh, and
to an authoritarian control formulated by governmental and "religious" institutions.
These two work together in perfect syncronicity and couldn't work better
if God Himself had designed them.
All this is well and good if you keep it to yourself and it helps you make
it through the night. We know, however, that this system is the most abused,
manipulative and evil force man has ever devised, splitting the atom included,
and it is only natural that any artist who routinely juggles with the hemispheres
of the brain in an attempt to extract a pinhead of truth about the human
condition is going to be very critical of a world almost exclusively ruled
by this monstrous emotional misinterpretation of the possibility of the
divine, known as religion. I mean, I've got to have a go at it from time
to time because it just pisses me off so much. It's not all that clever
to tackle this subject, though. It's so bloody obvious, really, that I can't
make any great claims for major insights in the songs I've written that
allude to it now and again. I think what I've just written in the above
explanation goes further than any of my lyrics in clarifying my observations,
but it hasn't got a tune.
I have been to funerals and weddings. I have seen my children enter this
world. I am profoundly moved by hymns. I tear up with emotion when I hear
a choir. I have heard Otis Redding hit that high note in "Try A Little Tenderness"
on "Live From Monterey." I have been to very moving services in church.
It is all emotional.
Spiritual/mystical experience, If there is such a thing, is not at all comforting
and largely too damn weird to stir up the warm, fuzzy emotion of the type
experienced by the non-empirical "faith" crowd. It is achieved through actual
changes in brain chemistry that allow us to slip over to different vibrational
templates and has nothing to do with the comfort of a benign supreme being
who looks like a real cracker. It can be activated by fasting, rigorous
discipline in the form of meditational techniques, etc., venomous snake
bite, clinical insanity, spontaneously, by dervish whirling, brain damage,
heading a soccer ball with the wrong part of your cranium, (this can also,
paradoxically, make you go quite stupid) and a high-dose acid trip will
put you right in the middle of it very quickly. (I don't recommend any of
the above, especially the last one which is usually riddled with useless
psycho-analytical cunumdrums that'll tie you up in knots.) "Religious" symbolism
may often make an appearance during these experiences, but it does not originate
from the historical physical architects of these designs. It is hard-wired
into the genetic/cosmic(?) engines that release this utterly profound and
unfathomable (to human intelligence) information and this symbolism has
in fact has been appropriated by authoritarian religions -- probably because
it looks so cool. I'm referring of course to mandalas, stained glass windows,
cathedral ceiling effects, Bugs Bunny cartoons, etc.
In short, Donovan was on the right track (apart from the peace and love
bit which was in part a fashion statement and in part a reaction to the
Vietnam war) and the Christian Coalition/Republican Party are a bunch of
annoying peckerwoods who have no idea what spirituality really is. And I
hope that one day, people who turn up on my/your doorstep at obscene hours
on Sunday morning in their nasty little Pinto's and Cavalier's wearing cheap
brown suits with scurf on their shoulders brandishing puke-inducing simplistic
little pamphlets that attempt to explain to intellectually superior people
how to live will be liable to face lengthy prison sentences or at least
very stiff fines. And no, there won't be a new bloody studio album out soon!
PS: An "Atheist Anthem"? asks Eric. Well, one of the funniest things I read
recently was an article about atheists in, I seem to remember, The New York
Times magazine. This big honcho from an atheist organization said, and I
paraphrase: "People who believe in God ought to be institutionalized and
given psychiatric help." (!) It's tempting to adopt this brilliant motto,
but the last time I got into trouble with a powerful ocean current whilst
snorkeling around a Caribbean island, I started praying to the old cracker
upstairs like a right little muthafuckin' wimp, let me tell you! So, I think
I'll keep my options a tad open, just in case.
Wait a minute, Eric. You have more questions? After the religion bit?
I'm drained, man.
From hal:
graham, when was the last time you spoke to or "ran-into" dylan? what do
you think of the wallflowers?
TO HAL:
I spoke to Dylan when I opened for him in Europe in 1991. We exchanged at
least 3 words. The Wallflowers are pretty good.
From chris fontecchio:
GP: Good to catch the skinny from you on line.
It's also nice to hear that some of the euro gigs went well on your more
recent tour. I've been to enough of those sparsely populated US shows to
have an inkling as to what you're talking about. Have you ever considered
faking your own death? We Americans really appreciate things when it's too
late. Look at Elvis: were there really Elvis lamps and light fixtures before
his alleged pathetic drug-addled demise? Nope. Of course, those of us who
love your work would be terribly disturbed, but maybe there's a way you
could send a mailer to us all telling us not to worry. And your new music,
with your vocals ever better as you point out, could be marketed as music
from the grave, like all the post-mortem shit that gets released upon discovery
in an old trunk, when the relatives are sorting out the possessions. Only
much better. Could be huge.
OK, it probably won't work, since those duped by the scheme will be mad
when you return, and aren't sharp enough to appreciate your music to begin
with. And I wouldn't get to see you at the Birchmere in Alexandria in two
weeks. Bad idea.
Enough dark silliness. My real point is, the world is full of great truths
that nobody knows about (top 5 unknown great truths: number 5: pesticides
are bad for you. Number 4...) I work in a quasi-political job in Washington
where my coworkers and I get to lament how incredibly clueless the general
populace of this country can be, but at the end of the day we go do something
useful (soccer!) and forget it before we go crazy. So it makes perfect sense,
sadly, that your appeal isn't wider. Does that change the quality of your
work? If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there to hear it, does
it make a sound? Damn straight it does. If nobody ever looked at a great
painting, like the Mona Lisa for instance, it'd still be great. Anyway,
I just hope you get at least as big a charge out of playing your music as
I do listening to it. And I look forward to cueing up that compilation disc
"Graham Parker: Kicking Billy Joel's Ass For 50 Years" someday yonder. See
you in Alexandria. cdf
TO CHRIS FONTECCHIO:
Have you people got nothing better to do than blather on in this extraordinary
fashion? Like myself? Some wag recently opined that the internet proves
that everyone needs an editor. Talking of faking death, someone called me
up not long ago and asked me if it was true, was I indeed dead? There'd
been a rumour circulating, apparently. Well, I hadn't been feeling 100%
that day but this seemed a trifle exaggerated. Still, seeing as he'd asked
this question to my mindless answering machine, I decided not to call him
back and see what happened next. Let him sweat a bit, I thought. The rotter
hasn't called since and no one else has mentioned my rumoured demise, so
I don't think faking my death would have a lot of legs. The rest of your
comment/question is pleasantly impenetrable to me.
Hope you got to the Birchmere, it was a good one, as I remember.
From javier:
i only want to say that you are the best songwriter tha i ever heard contratulations!
i think i never been like as i am if i 'd never heard your albums. thanks
for all your songs
TO JAVIER:
Thanks. (No editor needed here either way.)
From Mike Walk:
Love your music. All of it. People who say "such and such album sucks",
and "this album is on my worst album list" are nitwits. You get better every
year. I have two questions. 1st - I heard you got pissed that Iovine added
Springsteen vocals to "Endless Night". True? 2nd - I've never seen you (a)live,
are you a "little person"? Love you man! Mike
P.S. I love the song "Milk Train", and to hell with those that don't.
TO MIKE WALK:
Where do people get these remarkable ideas? I think that there are minds
that need editing. Not meaning yours, Mike. Meaning whoever said that I
got pissed at having Bruce on backing vocals.
It's true, I could not be described as tall. Though I'm not as short as
the Artist Formerly Known As. Some years back, I guess when Prince was somewhat
mega, the British gutter press found out his actual height and realized
that he is, in fact, a dwarf! No, it's true! His minute stature makes him
officially a dwarf, according to the Brit tabloids, and although I would
normally have no truck with these Agents Of The Devil And The Thoroughly
Stupid, I do believe that in this case they are correct.
S'funny how if you puff yourself up a lot you can get away with a lot of
stuff.
From Michael Goldman:
Forgive me but I'm a neophyte. What would you recommend as an introduction
to your work?
Thanks,
Mike
TO MICHAEL GOLDMAN:
"Howlin' Wind" "Squeezing Out Sparks" "The Mona Lisa's Sister" "Struck By
Lightning" or "12 Haunted Episodes." Try any one of those.
From Dave Christian:
Graham,
I've been listening to you since '77 when a friend of mine turned me on
to "Heat Treatment." I think you're at your best when you keep it simple.
I'm also a big Bob Mould fan (in all his incarnations) and to me there are
similaries between your music and his both musically and lyrically. You
both also seem to be somewhat in sync with your places in music. Both came
on like lions and, somewhere in between, had periods of introspection, followed
by a reverence regarding your almost "father figure"-like presence in your
genres (you in the so-called, and overused, pub-rock thing and Bob in thrash/punk,
although I think his music has always had an unappreciated melodical pop
quality about it).
Have you ever worked with Bob Mould at all?
Thanks. I appreciate all the great music.
Dave
TO DAVE CHRISTIAN:
I hope you're not one of those fat ones I'm supposed to want to throw to
the lions! (Joke on a previous question.)
Sorry, I'm none to familiar with Mr. Mould. Is that really his name?
A Short Play Entitled "Mr. Moulds' faux pas. "
"Hello, I'm Mr. Mould. No, don't get up."
(Silence from the thin-nosed lady Mould is addressing.)
"I-I-I I'm so sorry," stammers Mould. "You are already up."
(The thin-nosed lady is a mere 4' 5" tall.)
To be continued..........
From Bryan From Huntsville:
Graham,
I just wanted to say thanks for the concerts in Nashville and Birmingham.
I am the "character" that requested "The Three Martini Lunch". I really
want to thank you for taking the time to talk to me, and sign my record.
You are the best! You made our day, to say the least.
Now to my questions. I figure that your tour will probably be over by the
time you read this. But , I was wondering what you thought of Jeff and Radney?
Did you guys get along well on the tour? And since you asked someone to
ask, here goes.. Who would you like to see do a cover of your songs?
Finally, I would like to make a suggestion to help all of us amatuer guitarist
out here. I wish that you would put out a "Complete Graham Parker" guitar
songbook. The ultimate would be to have you write a paragraph about each
track, to sort of give a little insight to your music. If you do, I'll be
the first one in line to buy one. Then I'll be the first one in line after
your show hounding you to sign it.
Best to you and your family,
Bryan
TO BRYAN:
Regarding the chaps on the "Tellin' Stories" tour, check the last "Chairman Parker" for my warm, gooey feelings.
Who would I like to....? Now you're using my brains!
Let's see now. Okay: Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples.....damn, I've run out
of ideas. Oh, yeah -- anyone who routinely sells a couple of million. You
people got any suggestions?
Regarding the guitar songbook, I really don't know enough about what I'm
doing, so someone else would have to tackle that.
From john goddard:
Dear Graham,
I have been a GP fan and supporter for more years than we both care to remember.
I go back before Blackbush Airfield where most people left after you and
before Dylan came onto stage. I now live in Sydney. Your last tour a couple
of years ago was great, but why only one gig in Sydney, maybe the number
of fans is few, but the few are very keen. It was a great concert at the
Venue.
Anyway as a hack guitarist, but a keen fan, I would love to buy a songbook
with chords, tab or music. Do you have one or know of one? I would love
to know.
Finally are there any plans for another tip to Sydney? It would be great
to see you again.
Thanks for all the great music over all the years.
John
TO JOHN GODDARD:
As you saw in Sydney, the turn-out was pretty poor -- probably the worst
on that Aussie tour. You can't do 2 nights in a town if one is a let down
-- promoters aren't doing this for fun. Can't say I am either, although
fun, despite the odds, does usually occur. Or at least a righteous feeling
of having survived another night in the lonesome spotlight.
Read the above answer concerning the dots and staves.
My only plans right now are to release my Spare Tracks And Lost Demos album
on the internet only and see what happens. I'd love to get back to your
fair land some time, but I can't quite imagine I ever will. I just don't
think the offers are gonna pour in. Who knows.....
From Doug "Sneaky Sod" Reed:
Geep - first off, here's to keeping on the pressure from your fans & friends
to bait, encourage, cajole, beg, plead, hell we'd even take up a collection
to finance the production, but PLEASE get thy glute back in the studio and
record "It Takes A Village Idiot" and/or a few goo-inspiring tunes (I'm
sure our 2nd baby, due any moment, was conceived to the strains of "Mr.
Tender," but probably more than you need to know about it or care....) OK,
enough of the kiss-ass plea...why not do a livecast on this here website?
They can do that with technology now, can't they? Q #2 - sounds like you
are an avid runner? In your current list of GP Answers... you allow that
you like to go for a hoof now and then. In any event, I work for a fairly
large apparel company that makes some great stuff to run in. Would it be
too much of a stretch to ask if I could hook you up with some samples to
check out? Have you got a fan club forwarding address to receive such graft?
Hope all is well, still hot and humid in Hong Kong, although I'm pleased
to report there are no more puppies in the fridge out in Tsim Sha Tsui (the
labyrinth where you were lost, dazed and confused so many years ago...).
You can still get snake, a little powdered deer penis, or the odd hundred
year old egg, but I think that barbaric stuff with the dogs doesn't quite
happen much anymore. Last question this session, if I won the Powerball
lottery, could I bribe you to come play my wife's birthday party?
Cheers/best, Doug aka Sneaky Sod in HK
TO DOUG REED:
I seem to remember an internet recording crew turning up in Seattle last
time I played there with the Figgs. Where was that broadcast?
Thanks for the running-gear idea, but I don't really run far enough to warrant
anything other that sweatpants, sweater/t-shirt and sneakers. Actually,
running bores me and I mainly do it to keep the old legs up for soccer.
As far as these sweat-inducing activities go, I like being alone when I
ski, but prefer combat in other sports. I suppose I could get into running
competitively, but what's the point? There's no ball!
I'm a little upset about the lack of dog-eaters in Tsim Sha Tsui, and concerned
that snake is available. Small, yapping dogs should be eaten, or at least
killed, and snakes should inherit the earth.
Win the Powerball and make me an outrageous offer.
From barry ledgister:
I am a thirty eight year old Black British guy born in Jamaica and I have
always been amazed by the soul in your music -especially the first two albums,
like Something You're Goin Thru, as well as your reggae real roots stuff,
man. I know all about the Northern soul and Midlands ska/bluebeat scene,
but what was going on down in the south HOW did you discover such reggae/soul
sounds.
TO BARRY LEDGISTER:
Good question, Barry. I grew up in Surrey, and when I was between the ages
of 15 to 17, Tamla, Stax and ska were the underground music that the cool
cats were into. I was a mod, although we referred to ourselves at that time
as "moddy boys" so as not to be confused with the Who and The Small Faces
etc., and that whole back-combed hair, Carnaby Street idea of mod which
by that time we considered well naff. Basically, our look was a precursor
to the skinhead style: Levis, white shirts with small collars, red braces
(suspenders to the Yanks), Doc Marten's or brogues and viciously "cropped"
hair. We'd also wear smart suits, like those American soul boys and Jamaican
rude boys. I used to go out dancing in clubs that played all the cool sounds
and seemed to cater almost exclusively to our crowd, and sometimes these
large, rectangular cavern-like joints with their black walls and ultra-violet
lights would feature live acts and there, right in my face, with the beat
pounding and the sweating crowd grooving as one, would be some act like
the Skatalites, or Prince Buster and The All Stars. Man, it was heavy.
In fact, the first riff I ever learned to play on my first electric guitar
was the rhythm groove from Desmond Dekker's "007 Shanty Town." (Did you
know, by the way, that my old band The Rumour, backed Desmond on a whole
album of re-makes of his hits sometime in the late '70's/early '80's? The
record was called "Black And Dekker" and was released on Stiff, as far as
I remember.)
Bluebeat was the cool, laidback Jamaican groove that kids would put on at
quiet parties (good stuff to cop a feel to), and this was all going on in
the white-ass middle class suburbs of the South while Cliff Richard and
Clodagh Rogers were on Top Of The Pops!
Listen, if you want to get that whole period of my life in a song, check
out "Soultime" on 1992's "Human Soul" album, out on Demon in the UK.
Glad you appreciate this aspect of my stuff, and stay tuned for the release
of my internet-only spare tracks album coming early next year which contains
one reggae groove song (an unreleased version of "Live Alone"'s "Durban
Poison" with a band (featuring Brinsley on guitar) and 2 or 3 similar grooves
in solo, demo format.
Make no mistake, beneath the dross being pumped out on Radio 1 and the cobblers
we had to endure on TV, in the sixties there was a fantastic scene going
on in the South, an almost invisible reality created by kids, most of whom,
like me, were still in secondary modern school. And the dancing was beyond
cool.
From robert burns:
on the flip side of the phonogram single of new york shuffle there is a
song called the bleep. any plans for this song and the ones from the limited
edition of struck by lightning album to be on compact disc ?
TO ROBERT BURNS: (if that really is your name)
"The Bleep" is actually a song called "The Raid" from "Stick To Me" with
the druggie words bleeped out. A silly idea that I take full credit for.
In fact, to make it even sillier, I bleeped out some innocent words as well,
just for good measure. I can't imagine this frivolous version ever turning
up anywhere. As for the spare "Lightning" tracks, a little bird told me
that a newly regenerated version of an old record label are going to re-release
this album and seeing as these people are already in touch with me (shoot
the little bird, he is now no longer relevant), I'd reckon that those nuggets
that only came out in Europe on vinyl will indeed make it to compact disc.
Whether they'll make it to stores on that side of the pond I don't know
for sure. This company, who, for whatever legal reason, have asked me to
keep stum for the present, are also re-releasing "Mona Lisa's Sister" early
next year with the spare track "Ordinary Girl" included, plus some different
photos. "Lightning" will therefore follow later. Not sure of a date on these
records yet. Stay tuned.
PS: Since writing this, the label has gotten past the legalities and can
announce themselves to the world. Remember Buddhah? Lots of bubble gum,
I believe. Well they're back, this time spelt correctly (Buddha), and "Mona
Lisa" is one of the first things, if not the first, on their agenda.
From Mark Nakata:
FYI. Radio station 103.1 FM has just reintroduced the "Adult Album Alternative"
format to the greater Los Angeles radio market. It's kind of like the KSCA
FM 101.9 station that you played live in their Music Hall for the Acid Bubblegum
tour during the Fall of 1996. Several months later that station turned into
an all Spanish language format. Hopefully the new station will play your
music. Can your people get you on their playlist?
TO MARK NAKATA:
Thanks for the info on the radio station. Who can say? But they might play
an already released track if people like yourself call 'em up and request
one. Then what you do is call back after it's been played (from a different
number in case they've got one of those phonecall ID devices) and, in a
different, perhaps high-pitched, silly voice, ask what that song was and
who was that unbelievable singer, etc. Go on, give it a go.
From Foard Jones:
OK G.P. who would you like to hear covering particular songs of yours?
P.S. Really enjoy reading your replies. Now get back to the barn and record
a few more masterpieces.
TO FOARD JONES:
See answer above to Bryan. Been to the barn where the paint still sticks.
Wrote 2 in 2 days, but I don't record there -- have no recording equipment.
My head is exploding.
From DAVID JAWOR:
Hi Graham!! As I sit here listening to "Up Escalator," I am thanking God
that your commercial suck-ess is not of "Toke Padre's"("Puff Daddy") or
Michael Bolton's (could these names really be on your website? sorry.) level.
Your songwriting is very special and personal to me. I couldn't imagine
the ignorant and trendy commercial masses embracing your music in THIS day
and age. Of course I would love to see you back on top commercially, but
the MTV followers do not deserve to hear your music. Yes, I'm a selfish,
angry young man. It's just very difficult for me to see people my age and
older(29, a fan for 10+yrs) conceding to the plastic crap out today. I'm
not saying there aren't good bands, I love many new bands but I do my research.
I guess what I'm saying is that you don't belong in that company so take
it as a compliment that you're not. Anyways, a couple of questions: Is "Stick
to Me" your most punk record? Did you like any of the bands from back in
the day('76-'77)? I have 7 live cds + "Marble Arch" on vinyl. All are very
different. What is your fave live release? (I'll bet "Live w/ Episodes").
You are to Dylan what Andy Partridge is to Ray Davies. Do you like that
sort of quirky/artsy/very English style of songwriting? Are you a fan of
Anthony Burgess (...Itsa real horror show boy!!) and have you read his epic
"Earthly Powers?" And finally, how can Costello sleep at night? Thank you
Graham for the internet time and the wit, tunes and shows. Take care and
hurry up with your next studio record! ("Bubblegum" was excellent, nice
touch using Blondie's tinkler!)
Waiting for the UFOs, DJ
TO DAVID JAWOR:
"Stick To Me" is a Speed-Core Grunge record. I think in '76-'77, I was more
into the Staples Singers, Gladys Knight and The Pips and Little Feat's earlier
stuff featuring America's greatest white singer of all time, Lowell George,
than anything current. Steely Dan's "Royal Scam" was quite an influence
as well.
I've dug a few XTC songs but those "art school" singing styles aren't usually
my cup of tea. (Would you consider Roxy Music art school? Ferry's certainly
got the overly affected voice of the medium, but those early records were
beyond reproach. "Avalon" was pretty amazing, too. How about Sparks? {the
band, not an abbreviation of a GP record title.} "Woofer In Tweeters Clothing"
is one of the greatest records ever made. Perhaps I don't know the difference
between art school and glam?)
Regarding Burgess, I read Clockwork Orange but preferred the movie. Someone I know mentioned Earthly Powers the other day. I should check it out. Right now, although you didn't ask,
I'm reading The Flight Instructor Murders by George Redder (1977) which is a hard-boiled detective type novel with
lots of graphic sex and violence.
How does Abbot sleep?
From mike moreau:
Hello Graham, my question is: why was your appearance in Burlington Vt.
on Oct. 23 booked for 5:00 p.m.? I drove over 4 hours to get to the venue
only to find you were done. I was so disappointed. I really wanted to meet
you and had been looking forward to it for some time. The bar was very small
and must have been quite a treat for all. Hope to catch you soon, Mike
TO MIKE MOREAU:
4 hours? You unlucky sod. Reminds me of the time me and my pal Tommy trained
it up to London to see The Four Tops at The Royal Albert Hall only to find
they weren't on till next week. Bored after walking around the mighty building
a number of times hoping to see Levi Stubbs who, we reasoned, must surely
be in the vicinity preparing for the show, Tommy and I went into one of
those booths and made a recording. You remember those things? You actually
came out with a scratchy 45rpm disc. That was my first recording and I believe
it was a spoken word effort whereby I described in some detail how young
Tommy had "lost his dinner" on the way up to London.
Back to your travails: It was a strange tour in some respects and for whatever
reasons, some of the shows went on very early, Burlington being one of the
earliest. Also, we did 13 gigs straight without a day off. Even the tour
manager, who was having trouble reaching contacts in advance of some shows,
said that this kind of cruel and unusual punishment was practically unheard
of. I think BMG were putting this thing together and the tour manager should
have been hired earlier on to get a grip on things.
From Traci Smith:
GP,
Just discovered your website and read through your answers to others questions.
Thanks for the insight. Included in one answer was the term, "Cocaine Decisions."
Sounds like a great title for a GP song!!! Send me the lyrics when you have
it finished. (or better yet, a demo)
TO TRACI SMITH:
I think, Traci, that Frank Zappa might have beaten me to the punch on that
one. How about "Soundscan Decisions"? As I pointed out, these are even more
egregious than Cocaine Decisions. Nah.....I'll let one of Frank's kids use
the idea, I'm over it already.
From Mark Flanick:
Graham:
Any thoughts re scheduling a studio visit on WFUV in NYC? Their format is
ideal for you, Meg Griffin is a fan, and she plays your stuff occasionally
(tho nothing newer than Wake Up from Steady Nerves - at least that's all
that I've heard recently). Might be worth a shot.
Also, despite repeated attempts, I cannot warm up to 12HE. Sorry. My most
recent favorite is still Burning Questions - great stuff.
We've met several times at shows. I also saw you relatively recently at
the microbrewery on Long Island. I was the obnoxious one asking for your
cover of the James and Bobby Purify classic I'm Your Puppet.
I'll look forward to doing so again.
Regards, Mark
TO MARK FLANICK:
I have visited WFUV before, as a matter of fact. Unfortunately, it is so
obscurely located, it takes about 3 days to get there and is almost impossible
to get to on the day of a gig. Then, after you've made the effort, you realize
that for the general listener with his/her average radio receiver, you can't
actually pick the station up until you're on the wrong side of the George
Washington Bridge. Now that ain't gonna help much. Such is the unbelievably
dire state of New York radio. Meg is indeed one of the best, but it is absurd
that someone of her ability is not playing the coolest stuff available on
a powerful station that people in the great city of New York can pick up
with ease. Shame on WNEW FM, is what it comes down to. And all the rest
of them.
"I'm Your Puppet"? You rotter. I've forgotten how the bastard goes.
From RD:
Hello again GP - We are in agreeance around these parts that Episodes was
absolutely brilliant! I hate to state this, but Acid Bubblegum needed Brinsley.
We hope to see you soon again here in the spoiled coastal regions of North
San Diego County. My Question- How can I get a copy of "Habit Worth Forming?"
I've always felt that it represents one of your best vocal performances.
I also love the drive of that recording (Brinsley's twisted guitar is the
only thing missing from that song). My friends find my appreciation for
that tune amusing, especially when there are so many great GP songs out
there. Hope to see you soon.
P.S. Did you know San diego is the youth Soccer capital of the world?
TO RD:
"Habit Worth Forming" just seems to have slipped through the net. I believe
it was on the cassette version of "Another Grey Area," but has not popped
up anywhere since. Funny, cos Razor & Tie picked up that album but added,
if memory serves, "Mercury poisoning" (or was it "I want you back"?) instead.
They must not have known about "Habit" or they would surely have stuck it
on there. Can't help you.
From Mark Vandewarker:
Graham: We thoroughly enjoyed having an opportunity to chat with you at
the Rochester show on 10/24, it quelled our disappointment at being a bit
late. It was gracious of you to entertain the obsessive half-drunken ramblings
of Mark and Mike on your music, but it was just as interesting to talk to
you about other subjects such as your writing. Julie refused to divulge
to us the working title of your new book which you confided in her (or were
you having some fun with us?), but after you left she did agree to a quick
game of charades to disclose the info (sorry you missed this, it was as
amusing as the title). Please keep us posted on it. It is disappointing
that opportunities to see you perform may become rarer, but in light of
the "Telling Stories" arrangement do you think that there are any future
similar situations that could be developed to allow you to get out on the
road so your fans in the USA might have the opportunity to see you, without
the financial/attendance blight you have lamented on recently? As always,
we will look forward to your new recordings (the Demo stuff sounds interesting)
and visits to our neck of the woods!
Mark Julie Mike Tammy
Rochester/Syracuse, NY
TO MARK VANDERWARKER AND PALS:
Keep your eyes open, cos I'm sure I'll be touring solo behind the spare
tracks thing which with luck, could be available as early as January. Now,
I've got to have some Caribbean time soon but I reckon I'll be doing shows
by April/May. Hope I get around that way. Please, anybody reading this don't
ask me if I "have any plans to be in..." blah blah because as I've said
too many times, I don't have any plans to be anywhere in particular (apart
from in and around a fine stand of elk horn coral with a school of parrot
fish in tow) and it is very much up to the interest of promoters in various
markets. I coughed a title to Julie? (And it's not a book. It's just words
in a computer right now.) Whoa! Must have been on my second bottle by then.
Cheers.
From Cissy:
Geep: Just a thought. I've been listening to "Hey Lord" for years now and
agree with Dylan, It is the best song ever written! Last night, however,
when I listened to it for the millionth time, it occurred to me-that the
Lord isn't asking us those questions so we can answer them for him. Perhaps
he just wants us to figure out that that is his job and ours is just to
make that leap of faith that he is out there somewhere (everywhere). I know
this sounds like a very strange letter, but years ago you gave me something
really special with all your craziness, statements and music. I went to
college and studied philosophy for four years and decided I was an existentialist.
Well, I became a Catholic this year, and even though this might sound like
a wierd way to get there, the long strange trip just brought me home to
Christianity. Years ago, you sang, "Jump and save you're skin". I loved
that line and took your advise and jumped myself right out of a life of
nowhere into something worthwhile. You know what kept me away from Christ
for so long? Pride. I just thought too much of myself to make that leap
and believe in him, because I couldn't "prove" he existed. What I found
out, after many years, is I wanted that beauty you sing about so wonderfully
to be true so much, that I was willing to give up my pride and just take
that leap, and see if I could save my skin, in a new way this time. I don't
know if I'm "saved" that's not up to me (in a way), but I know I've found
some of the beauty that inspired those stained glass windows, and yes, I'll
even believe in weeping statues, for some. You may just think this is a
letter from some looney, but your music gave me something special and perhaps
in some way this can give a little of that back to you as my thank you.
Anyway, even if not, just keep looking for that fool's gold. God bless you,
and keep you well.
TO CISSY:
I'm at a loss for a response.
From Mike Koepke:
Dear GP,
It was 1979, a year spent in London, that I stumbled into a show at the
Hammersmith Odeon(?) to see Graham Parker and the Rumour. Nearly twenty
years later and the music and the memory of you literally vibrating on that
stage remain my most profound musical experience. I had to smile the other
day when listening to a local radio station (99x in Atlanta) and a young
girl called in a request for a great "new" song that she knew neither the
title or the artist. She only remembered the refrain that went something
like "don't bother with local girls." To my surprise the DJ knew and played
the song. Unfortunately, he prefaced the cut with a comment that the song
was not actually new, but rather from back in the 80's. Tsk tsk. Anyway,
a couple of questions:
Were the Rumour ever a cohesive part of your early music, or just the background?
When you wrote SOS, did you have a sense at that time for what you had written?
In other words, did you feel then how "right" or perfect the music was?
(recording quality notwithstanding)
Do you actually drink Bud, or just sing its praises?
TO MIKE KOEPKE:
1) I think that's up to the listener.
2) In the liner notes to the reissued version of "Sparks" I outline the
hellish experience of playing new songs to the Rumour members. With their
attitude, I could have been playing "Sergeant Peppers" and they still would
have sat around huffing and puffing like they were hearing something a retard
might have composed. And when I wrote the songs, I did my usual internal
vacillations, unsure of the materials' worth. So, I was full of trepidation
as to what I had there. But this is not unusual, either before I unveil
new material to people, or after they've heard it and they still act blasé.
3) I drink anything.
From Melanie:
What influence (if any), do you think Bob Dylan had on the Rolling Stones?
Particularly in their first few albums- "Beggars Banquet" and "Between the
Buttons".If you could give me a response within the next day or two, that
would be appreciated.Thank-you.
TO MELANIE:
The Stones' first album was hardcore R&B/blues and owed much of its style,
attitude and delivery to American blues acts. The titles you mention came
way later.
From D Young:
Graham you are a undeniable talent. You have a tremendous gift with lyrics.
I have to laugh though when you attempt to diminish an artist like Springsteen.
He has forgotten more about true songwriting than you'll ever know. There's
more to writing than trying to be as wordy as possible, at the expense of
emotion and passion. (passion is no ordinary word!) Lighten up and stop
the whining!
TO D. YOUNG:
Being a fan of someone is one thing, being a mindless fan is another. And
don't call me an "undeniable talent," pal.
(NOTE: The above D. Young is only about the 2nd person to hit the Q&A who
cannot differentiate between intelligent commentary and "whining and complaining."
A "filterer," as I might say. Pretty good-going, seeing as the Net is supposedly
crawling with losers.
From Dave Sharlip:
You shook my american hand and gave me the GP Tour Bus virus but I immediately
held my paw up to the speaker as Redding's live Monterey version of "Tenderness"
innoculated my disgusting soul. The only side-effect was my obviously uncontrollable
impulse to dash off this inane internet correspondance in hopes that you
will respond with a typically caustic and humbling exercise in my unlucky
13th haunted episode.
Thanks for the opportunity to "connect"...goodbye and I do know that Gram
Parsons will be happy to also hook-up with you once you tire of morons like
this aging pubber who is sipping his ale through a straw.
TO DAVE SHARLIP:
Caustic? See above.
From Cap'n Anger:
Hello GP, thanks for Human Soul, Mona Lisa's Sister, Sparks and just about
every other cloud of vitriol you've sent our way. I really enjoyed the Surreal
Side as an observer and as an observable American consumer. I really do
fit the cracking mold. Was it your desire to use the settings in those songs
("Everything Goes...Slash and Burn") as a questioning device, of sorts?
I come away feeling "Yes, I do contribute to making the world a crappy,
place, but there is something I can do about it." I find you incredibly
optomistic in that way (i.e. - "Don't Let It Break You Down" is the perfect
song for me respond to depression / opression). Do you consider yourself
an optomistic person? I do, and I think that most people who "review" your
music do not get that. Many thanks for feeding the anger...The Cap'n.
TO CAP'N ANGER:
My desire on the "Surreal Side" of "Human Soul" was to use up all the patently
silly songs I had cluttering up my writing books.
I am a bi-polar pessimist/optimist -- a poptimist, if you will.
From Joe Kaju:
Thanks for coming back to Minneapolis... Any news on the release of your
demo and unreleased material. Can we expect it 1999 ? Hope one day you get
to a album of your favorite cover songs..or at least a top ten list of ones
you like to play occasionally...
TO JOE KAJU:
Somewhere above is news of the spare tracks stuff. I'm looking at a January
release. Stay tuned. Someone else inquired about the cover version album
thing and I can't for the life of me remember if I answered them. Most writers
fantasize about their covers album, me included. But I think I've blown
the timing on it somehow. I can't quite elucidate......this damn no nicotine/alcohol
jag is fuddling my brain intermittently and things are amorphous, wraithlike.....Where
were we?
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