I got into Graham Parker around 1978. I remember a Rolling Stone magazine advertisement that quoted Bruce Springsteen as saying that GP was the only guy he'd pay money to see. I subsequently got Graham's first two albums, Howlin' Wind and Heat Treatment. This was tough, smart, rock and roll. And his backing band, The Rumour, was equally impressive. The critics will say that Squeezing Out Sparks was his masterpiece (and it's damn fine indeed), but for me, those first two albums have stood the test of time. I've pretty much collected the dozen or so albums that have since come out. Graham still impresses on occasion but I think his best days are behind him. My apologies to any GP fanatics on the board. For the unacquainted, I highly recommend Graham's two CD compilation, "Passion Is No Ordinary Word". It contains 39 songs that deserve to be in everyone's collection! And Kathryn, the GP CD you have, The Mona Lisa's Sister, is one of GP's better efforts from the 80's.

Peter T.