Graham Parker & The Goldtops: Quality Footwear - Live At The Brook

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 & The Goldtops: Black Lincoln Continental (live)

English soulful garage rocker Graham Parker leads his band The Goldtops through a rollicking version of Black Lincoln Continental, recorded at The Brook in Southampton on 30th September 2023. Originally released on his Steady Nerves album in 1985, it soon became a fan favourite. It is a taste from his forthcoming new live album.

Graham Parker & The Goldtops: Soul Shoes (live)

English soulful garage rocker Graham Parker released his first album 50 years ago, which will be celebrated with a live LP recorded at the Brook in Southampton later this year. He leads his current band The Goldtops through on point rendition of Soul Shoes, with his long time collaborator Brinsley Schwarz acing the lead guitar part.

Box Of Records: The Best Of Big Stir Records 2024

As per usual the folks at power pop label Big Stir Records have put together a sampler with highlights from their roster. Among others Box Of Records features songs from The Armoires, Blake Jones & The Trike Shop, Graham Parker & The Goldtops, Librarians With Hickeys, and The Speed Of Sound. It is available as a pay-what-you-want download in a wealth of digital formats from their website.

Graham Parker & The Goldtops: We Did Nothing

English melodic garage rocker Graham Parker is not ageing gracefully. On his new single We Did Nothing he points a finger at the inaction and general not giving a fuck attitude amidst a crisis. Brandishing an acoustic guitar as his weapon of choice he sings about "a pandemic of stupidity". The members of his current backing band The Goldtops pitch in as well, but Simon Edwards (bass), Jim Russell (drums) and Martin Belmont (guitar) keep a low profile on this one, not wanting to get in the way of the message and Parker's barely contained anger.