On September 30, 2023 English soulful garage rocker Graham Parker played at The Brook in Southampton with his band The Goldtops, plus a few guest spots from The Ladybugs on backing vocals. Tapes were rolling with the prospect of releasing an "in concert" album in mind.
Fast forward to 2026 and it is finally here. Quality Footwear: Live At The Brook does not capture the full show - it would have been a double album then - but it will do as a summation of his career, with tracks from his first two records, a highlight from the overlooked Steady Nerves album (Black Lincoln Continental), plus four songs from his latest studio album Last Chance To Learn The Twist, which were received with the same amount of enthousiasm as for his signature hit single Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions (oddly enough listed as "Don't Ask Me Questions").
Quality Footwear, named after an off the cuff remark between his cover of KC and the Sunshine Band's Boogie Shoes and Soul Shoes, before introducing his band mate Brinsley Schwarz from The Rumour to play lead guitar, is brimming with life. At 75 Parker shoes no signs of slowing down. Side note: the album's cover is rather nasty. An artist of his stature should not have to put up with that.
Graham Parker: lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitar
Martin Belmont: electric guitar
Simon Edwards: bass
Geraint Watkins: keyboards
Jim Russell: drums
Brinsley Schwarz: electric guitar (special guest on Soul Shoes)
Paige Stubley: backing vocals
Martha Evans: backing vocals
Quality Footwear: Live At The Brook is released via Big Stir Records (vinyl, digital). Release date: June 26.
Tracks:- Hotel Chambermaid
- Black Lincoln Continental
- Get Started. Start A Fire
- It Mattered To Me
- Lost Track Of Time
- Sun Valley
- Back To Schooldays
- Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions
- Since You Left Me Baby
- Boogie Shoes
- Soul Shoes
- 09/08 Waterside Arts, Sale
- 09/09 The Old Woolen, Leeds
- 09/10 Gosforth Civic Theatre, Gosforth
- 09/16 Basingstoke Haymarket, Basingstoke
- 09/17 The Atkinson, Southport
- 09/18 Settle Victoria Hall, Settle
- 09/25 Bromsgrove Artrix, Bromsgrove\
- 09/26 Shoreham Ropetackle, Shoreham-By-Sea
- 09/27 Bush Hall, London
- 09/29 Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester
- 09/30 Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
- 10/01 The Gate, Cardiff
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