When I was in high school, I had a personal holy trinity of musicians. I’ll list them in alphabetical order, because it seems gauche to put one ahead of the other two. Elvis Costello. Graham Parker. Bruce Springsteen.
(Richard Thompson entered the scene a little later, pushing aside Bruce during his “Born in the USA” mega-icon stage. You’ll be happy to know Bruce re-entered the picture with “Tunnel of Love” ).
I’m thrilled to still be able to still see and hear these 3 gentlemen continue to tell their stories. The latest installment was provided by Mr. Parker the other night at Daryl’s House in Pawling, NY. (The next is tomorrow night, when I’ll see Richard Thompson for at least the 25th time).
Of the gents named above, for whatever reason I’ve always felt the most personal connection with GP’s music. There’s no more eloquent and elegant songwriter than Elvis, of course. But sometimes his intense wordplay almost seems to hold his audience at arm’s length. There never has been, or will be again, a musician or performer like Bruce. But Graham … from the first notes of his 1976 debut album “Howlin’ Wind” (bought together with Heat Treatment at Harvey Sounds in White Plains, NY at the insistence of critics at Rolling Stone) … I felt this was an artist whose words and voice sliced right through the BS. And what’s most important to an obnoxiously opinionated high schooler than that?
It was that first album that included what to this day remains one of the most compelling songs I’ve ever heard. I understand that opinions vary, and tastes are personal to each one of us, but I simply cannot understand why “Hey Lord, Don’t Ask Me Questions “isn’t played on the so-called classic radio stations alongside “Sympathy for the Devil”, “Baba O’Reilly” or any of the other songs that have been anointed with “anthem” status.
Because, boy, does “Don’t Ask Me Questions” deliver. It’s hard to think of a song more anthemic. The song reaches out and demands your attention with Steve Goulding’s brief drum figure at the top and Brinsley’s Schwarz’s guitar intro that is simultaneously melodic and driving. And then, we just have to talk about the edgy, frantic, almost paranoid guitar of Martin Belmont that jumps in after 8 bars and propels the rest of the song in a fury that’s a little bit ska, a little bit reggae, and all propulsive fury.
Like any anthem worthy of the name, the lyrics of “Don’t Ask Me Questions”remain as relevant as the day they were written. Just one example:
Well, I see the thousands screaming rushing for the cliffs
Just like lemmings into the sea, well well well
Who waves his mighty hand and breaks the precious rules?
Well the same one must understand who wasted all these fools.
The song is so great, I even love the “disco version” that was released in 1978 as part of the contractual-obligation live set “The Parkerilla.”
I’m glad I got a chance to see Graham sing it, along with other long-time favorites like “That’s What “They All Say” and “Discovering Japan”. But as classic as his classic songs are, Graham has never been content to rest on those laurels … or to rest at all, it seems. He puts out what seems like at least an album a year. Even the titles are great. “Acid Bubblegum”. “Deepcut to Nowhere”. “Songs of No Consequence”. “Carp Fishing on Valium”. And the latest, “Last Chance to Learn the Twist.”
Speaking of that album, in a recent interview in Goldmine, Graham said:
I thought it was a fun name to call the album, which came from the song “Last Stretch of the Road” which we all realize in our lives. It could go on for quite a while or it could end suddenly. We lose friends and people we love in music and art. There is not much you can do about it but maybe try to have a little bit of a laugh about it as medicine in life. I lost two friends of mine and when I hit seventy, I thought maybe I’m not so invincible anymore.
None of us are so invincible these days. It’s good to have Graham’s music along for the ride.
Time to queue up some GP! Graham Parker and why not some Graham Parsons for a Grahmfest.