.com Whoever decreed that rockers had to sacrifice their edge to attain maturity obviously never met Graham Parker. The Brit-born, New York-based singer-songwriter has been making records since the mid-'70s, yet 2001's Deepcut to Nowhere is every bit as energetic and passionate as was his debut, Howlin' Wind, back in 1976. He is aided immeasurably here by a reunion with drummer Steve Goulding from the Rumour, the group with which Parker partnered for his first few albums. The quartet on these sessions is fronted by the singer's surprisingly adept electric and acoustic guitar work. The band--also including bassist Pete Donnelly of the Figgs and organist Professor Louie--is elastic enough to accommodate the customary GP range of moods and styles, from full-bore folk rock ("I'll Never Play Jacksonville Again") to ballads that can be R&B inflected ("Depend on Me") or more rural in tone ("Blue Horizon"). And should you question whether the razor-sharp attitude that produced bilious classics like "Mercury Poisoning" has survived, the song titles "It Takes a Village Idiot" and "Syphilis & Religion" assure you this Parkerilla remains proudly unmellowed. --Ben Edmonds
D**D
another GP gem!
There's not much I can add to the already thorough and glowing reviews of this album except to agree: it truly is one of Graham Parker's finest solo efforts. Song after song pulses with energy, warmth, and melody. And the songs are all stamped with Parker's trademark lyrics, ranging from caustic and biting to witty and tender. If you have enjoyed GP's work in the past, or were impressed with his recent "comeback album with The Rumour, do yourself a favor and go back and discover the many high quality albums he's been making for the past two decades. This one is another gem!
I**F
GREAT SONGS, GREAT PERFORMANCE
What a shock I had in discovering just how good this record really is. No need to just play the old stuff anymore. This records packs all the punch of his early stuff with the additional benefit of some thoughtful "adult" songwriting. The "rockers" have a lot of bite (Jacksonville, Dark Days). The ballads ring true without any sappiness. The closing song stands stark and naked as one of Parker's most daring statements, totally original, sung in an understated voice we have not heard before. The performances are all first rate. Graham's guitar playing has never sounded better. Hard to believe where he's come from since that day in the mid-1980's when I saw him on his solo tour. Great songwriting never dies!Too bad there is not more of it in today's music world.
D**7
Not the Rumour, But Mr. Parker's Still Got It
After some pretty shakey periods over the past several years that only saw the release of a few strong showings from Mr. Parker, such as the hugely underrated "Mona Lisa'a Sister" [1988] and the at times spotty but ultimately satisfying "Acid Bubblegum" [1996], "Deepcut" represents the closest thing to a return to the salad days of the Rumour since their demise.Particularly notable are the opener "Dark Days," the typically bitter "I'll Never Play Jackonsonville Again," and the strongest of the bunch, "Blue Horizon."
P**E
Something Amazing!
When you think of all the "stars" of Parker's age who are just marking time, or whose careers have gone down the drain ... and all the angry young men, now turned old conservatives, who can't find anything to kick against ... it's just amazing to put on this CD and hear someone who is still plugged in, still writes great songs, and can sing just like he used to. Of course, this release will count for nothing in today's world of plastic, processed music, but one can only hope enough people will hear it and buy it to keep GP going. This is probably one of the best records of his career. Just listen to "Jacksonville" to be completely convinced.
T**G
Good as Always, but...
Like everyone else posting here, I'm a Geep fan from a long way back (in my case, the station where I was DJing added "Wake Up Next To You", and screw all of you people who found it too slick and overproduced ;) ). Deepcut To Nowhere, in my opinion, is a fine collection of GP songs, but somewhere the bite is missing for me.True, "I'll Never Play Jacksonville Again" more than meets standard, as does "Syphilis and Religion," but something is just a bit off-key for me. Maybe it's my mood. Maybe I was expecting more after the triumph of Acid Bubblegum. Or maybe I'm just a wanker who enjoys ripping on someone I respect, someone who has accomplished more than I ever will musically, someone who got out there and did, while I sit in my basement making tapes that I never play to anybody....
I**R
Five Stars
One of my all time faves
P**T
Graham's most complete CD
I gave up on GP in the 90s. ALthough I still purchased his CDs and saw his shows, he just sounded dated (hey, he got old!) and his material start to run together. The solo acoustic thing just didn't cut it for me. I wanted the Rumour, or a band of equal quality. A lot of songs sounded alike. Well we finally got what GP fans were looking for.This is his best CD! Lyrics, vocals, music, sarcasm and band. From song 2 through song 12 his most complete and consistant recording ever. Jacksonville, Raining, High Horse, Black Nails, Socks and Sandals, Syphilis are all great songs, and remind why I listened to GP in the first place.And the live show is great too.
B**Y
Graham Parker
Love this CD. It has several word songs on it. I do not like songs for Goody Two Shoes people so beware. The CD is called "Deepcut to Nowhere" so you should know that you won't here any Goody Two Shoes songs.
M**E
Rediscovering an old friend!
I've had in my CD vinyl collection (recently updated to CD) all the good old Graham Parker and the Rumour classics. My favourite band when I was an art student many moons ago but.....like a lot of artists Graham Parker slipped from my mind and only got occasional reminiscent plays. It was a BBC4 documentary on the Rumour getting back together to record 'Three Chords Good' that made me investigate the missing years.I downloaded 'Deepcut to Nowhere' for no other reason than I liked the cover and felt I could risk the £7.49 and recover from any potential disappointment.Far from it - this album is really good! And whilst it's easy to hear the old Graham Parker in this recording it's also worth pointing out that this is a new Graham Parker for me. The songs are great, witty, cutting and above all catchy and every bit as worthwhile as the old Rumour days.I'm now searching for another download and do not begrudge Graham the few pennies he might make from my contribution. It's actually made me add a trip to states to see him to my bucket list!Here's to the next download - Fantastic!
M**Y
Brilliant
This is a brilliant album
寿**寿
ほぼボブ・ディランだが、渋い佳曲が満載
０１年発表。前作より５年振りとなった久々のスタジオ録音の新作。前作との間には未発表曲集などが数作発表されており不足感はなかったが、引退なのでは？という憶測も出そうな活動状況でもあったため一安心の一作だった。プロデュース兼エンジニアとしてデイヴ・クックが迎えられ、彼はマンドリン、ジェウス・ハープで演奏に加わる他、スティーヴ・ゴウルディング(dr、per、vo)、ピート・ドネリー(b)、プロフェッサー"ルーイ" (k、accord) が参加している。もちろん全曲がパーカーのオリジナルである。１．はハードなギターと抜けのよいドラムスが印象的だが、パーカーの声が完全にディラン化していて苦しく歌っているように聞こえるのがちょっと辛い。ただし官能的とでも表現したくなるギターは出色の演奏で円熟味を超えた味がある。２．は渋めのＲ＆Ｂ風味のロック曲で、パーカーの典型的なスタイルとは言えかなりの佳曲に仕上がっている。ギターリフも凄まじくカッコ良くライヴで聞いたら鳥肌が立ちそうな一曲である。３．もディラン・スタイルのフォーク・ロックでこちらも定番のスタイルながら味という意味ではディランを超えているかも？そう思わせる佳曲である。トータル的にはほぼボブ・ディランといった感じだが、充電期間は曲に更なる輝きを加えたようだ。年齢相応の渋い曲が中心で、同様に年齢を重ねたおっさん位上なら本作は身体に染み渡る一杯目の酒のようなものだろう。一部の曲で声の荒れが感じられるが、それも加味しても聞き応えのある作品である。鋼のような一本の筋の通った名盤である。
