Burning Questions (Graham Parker album)
| Burning Questions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1992 | |||
| Label | Capitol Demon[1] | |||
| Producer | Graham Parker, Jon Jacobs | |||
| Graham Parker chronology | ||||
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Burning Questions is an album by the English musician Graham Parker, released in 1992.[2][3] It was his only album for Capitol Records.[4] Backed by his band, the Small Clubs, Parker supported the album with a North American tour.[5][6] The album cover contained a sticker with the message "Caution: Contains Worthwhile Lyrics".[7] A video was shot for "Release Me".[8]
Production
[edit]Recorded in 22 days, the album was produced by Parker and Jon Jacobs.[9][10] Pete Thomas played drums on the album.[11] Andrew Bodnar played bass; Mick Talbot played organ.[12][13] "Long Stem Rose" employs a string section.[14] "Short Memories" is about sending young people to war.[15] "Just Like Joe Meek's Blues" references the troubled music producer.[16] "Here It Comes Again" criticizes the rescinding of rights by political conservatives.[17] Many songs address the problems with romantic love.[18]
Critical reception
[edit]
The Sun-Sentinel noted that "there is a warmness to the roots music on Burning Questions, and intelligence in the lyrics."[26] The Calgary Herald opined that the music "just lays there and feigns passion when it's only going through the motions."[19] The Kitchener-Waterloo Record wrote that "Parker has become more willing than ever to expose his hard-edged romanticism, as the superb 'Oasis' and the moving 'Worthy of Your Love' attest."[27]
The Chicago Tribune concluded that "Parker still may be ticked off at the world, but it sounds like everybody else in the studio is just punching the clock."[20] The St. Petersburg Times determined that "Parker's grainy vocals—alternately full of yearning, anger and irony—gain intensity."[28] The Philadelphia Inquirer considered Burning Questions to be one of the best albums of 1992, writing that the music "is his punchiest and most soulful accompaniment in years."[22] The Morning Call and The Virginian-Pilot also listed the album among the best of the year.[29][30]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Release Me" | |
| 2. | "Too Many Knots to Untangle" | |
| 3. | "Just Like Joe Meek's Blues" | |
| 4. | "Love Is a Burning Question" | |
| 5. | "Platinum Blonde" | |
| 6. | "Long Stem Rose" | |
| 7. | "Short Memories" | |
| 8. | "Here It Comes Again" | |
| 9. | "Mr. Tender" | |
| 10. | "Just Like Herman Hesse" | |
| 11. | "Yesterday's Cloud" | |
| 12. | "Oasis" | |
| 13. | "Worthy of Your Love" |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 420.
- ^ Hilburn, Robert (19 July 1992). "Graham Parker Sets the Records Straight". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 59.
- ^ Sweeting, Adam (23 July 1992). "Stomp of Authority". The Guardian. p. 31.
- ^ Shuster, Fred (October 22, 1993). "Parker Has a Novel Idea". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L31.
- ^ Snyder, Michael (September 27, 1992). "New Single Rejected – Graham Parker Doesn't Love His MTV". Sunday Datebook. San Francisco Chronicle. p. 51.
- ^ Boehm, Mike (24 Sep 1992). "The Many Shades of Graham Parker". LV Desk. Los Angeles Times. p. 4.
- ^ Rassenfoss, Joe (July 31, 1992). "New Releases". Weekend. Rocky Mountain News. p. 118.
- ^ Morse, Steve (25 Sep 1992). "Parker fights to be heard". Arts & Film. The Boston Globe. p. 42.
- ^ Saxberg, Lynn (12 Aug 1992). "Graham Parker Burning Questions". Ottawa Citizen. p. E2.
- ^ "Album Reviews — Burning Questions by Graham Parker". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 32. Aug 8, 1992. p. 50.
- ^ Pick, Steve (7 Aug 1992). "Parker Again Shines as Rock's Idea Man". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 4F.
- ^ a b Gettelman, Parry (4 Sep 1992). "Graham Parker". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 6.
- ^ Mackie, John (19 Sep 1992). "Pop/Rock". Vancouver Sun. p. D19.
- ^ Johnson, Robert (August 14, 1992). "Records". San Antonio Express-News. p. 13C.
- ^ Burliuk, Greg (20 Aug 1992). "Burning Questions Graham Parker". Entertainment. The Kingston Whig-Standard. p. 1.
- ^ Harrison, Tom (15 Sep 1992). "Graham Parker has come to terms". The Province. p. C4.
- ^ Washburn, Jim (29 Sep 1992). "Lighting a Fuse to 'Burning Questions'". Los Angeles Times. p. F2.
- ^ a b Allan, Marc D. (19 Oct 1992). "Why has Graham Parker been ignored?". The Indianapolis Star. p. C4.
- ^ a b Muretich, James (9 Aug 1992). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. C2.
- ^ a b Kot, Greg (13 Aug 1992). "Rave Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 857.
- ^ a b Cristiano, Nick (15 Sep 1992). "This Well-Traveled Troubadour Offers a Mix of Rock, Soul, R&B". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. C1.
- ^ (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. 2004. pp. 616–617.
- ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 286–287.
- ^ Strong, Martin C. (2004). The Great Rock Discography (7th ed.). Canongate U.S. p. 1142.
- ^ Joseph, Dave (6 Aug 1992). "Parker Still Fiery". Sun-Sentinel. p. 3E.
- ^ "Burning Questions Graham Parker". The Kitchener-Waterloo Record. 20 Aug 1992. p. C7.
- ^ Snider, Eric (18 Aug 1992). "Graham Parker Burning Questions". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1D.
- ^ Righi, Len (1 Jan 1993). "Fringe Comes Closer to the Mainstream". The Morning Call. p. D1.
- ^ "Topspin 1992". Preview. The Virginian-Pilot. December 4, 1992. p. 5.