ëƵ

close

Graham Parker and the Rumour – ëƵThree Chords GoodëƵ

By Clint Rhodes weekend Magazine Music 2 min read
article image -

Over the holidays, I had the opportunity to catch the new Judd Apatow movie ëƵThis Is 40.ëƵ

I was pleasantly surprised to find that British rocker Graham Parker sported a role by playing himself. I was shocked to also see his longtime band joining him in the film since they parted ways after ëƵThe Up Escalator.ëƵ

ëƵThree Chords GoodëƵ is the first album featuring both Parker and the Rumour in 31 years. ItëƵs the bandëƵs sixth effort.

Immediately after watching the movie, I grabbed ParkerëƵs latest release, curious to hear the musical fruit of the reunion. I first saw the band back in 1979 as the opening act for Journey.

It was my 14th birthday and a buddy of mine decided to treat me to the show at the Stanley Theater.

Parker was touring in support of the ëƵSqueezing Out SparksëƵ album and played his angry young man persona to the letter. I was a huge fan of Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson at the time, so Parker proved to be a logical fit for my musical taste.

On ëƵThree Chords Good,ëƵ Parker is still in fine voice while keyboardist Bob Andrews, guitarists Brinsley Schwarz and Martin Belmont, bassist Andrew Brodner and drummer Steve Goulding show no signs of rust as they crank out a collection of songs that sound as fresh and relevant as the ones I heard as a teenager.

While Parker is no longer as angry and irritated as he was in his younger days, he still writes timely and emotional arrangements like ëƵArlingtonëƵs Busy,ëƵ ëƵCoathangersëƵ and ëƵLast Bookstore in Town.ëƵ

Highlights include the title track, ëƵStop CryinëƵ About the RainëƵ and the rousing ëƵA Lie Gets Halfway ëƵRound the WorldëƵëƵ

Along with the new album, Parker also features two songs on the soundtrack of ëƵThis Is 40.ëƵ

Other artists such as Lindsey Buckingham, Norah Jones, Fiona Apple and Loudon Wainwright III also contribute new songs for the movie.

Rumor has it that a reunion tour is in the works. When Parker hits Pittsburgh this time around, IëƵll be in attendance just like 34 years earlier. Only difference being that I can now drive myself as opposed to having to take the bus. This is 48.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at /week.