Howlin' Wind

Infobox Album
Name = Howlin' Wind
Type = Studio album
Artist = Graham Parker


Released = July, 1976
Recorded = Eden Studios, London
Genre = Rock
Length = 42:02
Label =
Producer = Nick Lowe
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:q09us38qa3xg link]
*Robert Christgau (A) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist2.php?id=2369 link]
*"Rolling Stone" (not rated) [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/grahamparker/albums/album/203515/rid/5945596/ link]
*"Trouser Press" (Very favorable) [http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=graham_parker link]
Last album =
This album = "Howlin' Wind" (1976)
Next album = "Heat Treatment" (1976)

"Howlin' Wind" was the debut album by Graham Parker and The Rumour, released in 1976 to critical acclaim. The Rumour were mainly former pub rock scene musicians, including guitarist Brinsley Schwarz and keyboardist Bob Andrews of the band Brinsley Schwarz; Parker's recent jobs included pumping gas at a filling station. The music is blend of rock and roll, R&B, reggae, and folk music, behind Parker's searingly intelligent lyrics and passionate vocals. Critics likened Parker's spirit to British punk rock, then in its early stage, and retrospectively to that of singer-songwriters Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson, who would release their debut records within a few years of Howlin' Wind

Many of the album's songs became live staples for the group, especially the reggae-tinged "Don't Ask Me Questions," which dismisses a malevolent God. "Back To Schooldays" demonstrates why Parker was categorized as "angry young man" by journalists throughout his career: Parker plans retribution against an education system that promised him that "it was like a film out here" when "it's a real horror show, boys". The title track "Howlin' Wind" bracingly announces Graham Parker's career aim: "I'm gonna howl". "Between You and Me" dates from 1975, when Parker, before meeting the Rumour, recorded demo versions of a few of his songs for Dave Robinson, future founder of Stiff Records. These tracks were shopped to labels and played on radio. The album's liner notes explain that "A subsequent recording of the song did not match the feel of the original ... here it is!"

"Howlin' Wind" was reissued in the UK in 2001 on Vertigo/Mercury, with one bonus track.

Track listing

All songs written by Graham Parker.
# "White Honey" – 3:33
# "Nothin's Gonna Pull Us Apart" – 3:21
# "Silly Thing" – 2:51
# "Gypsy Blood" – 4:37
# "Between You and Me" – 2:25
# "Back to Schooldays" – 2:54
# "Soul Shoes" – 3:13
# "Lady Doctor" – 2:50
# "You've Got to Be Kidding" – 3:30
# "Howlin' Wind" – 3:58
# "Not If It Pleases Me" – 3:12
# "Don't Ask Me Questions" – 5:38

Bonus Track (2001 Reissue)

# "I'm Gonna Use It Now" – 3:11

Personnel

*Graham Parker – vocals, acoustic guitar, Fender rhythm guitar
*Brinsley Schwarz – guitar, Hammond organ, backing vocals
*Bob Andrews – Lowrey organ, Hammond organ, piano, backing vocals
*Martin Belmont – guitar, backing vocals
*Steve Goulding – drums, backing vocals
*Andrew Bodnar – Fender bass

Brass

*Stewart Lynas – brass arrangement
*Herschel Holder – trumpet
*Dave Conners – first tenor sax
*Brinsley Schwarz – second tenor sax
*Danny Ellis – trombone
*John (Viscount) Earle – saxophone

Additional personnel

*Paul Bailey – guitar on 5
*Dave Otway – drums on 5
*Paul Riley – bass guitar on 5
*Noel Brown – slide guitar on 6, dobro on 11
*Dave Edmunds – guitar on 6
*Ed Dean – slide guitar on 7
*Stewart Lynas – alto sax on 7