Graham Parker & The Goldtops: Last Chance To Learn The Twist

During his long and storied career, English melodic garage rocker Graham Parker has been fronting quite a few of ace bands and his current one, The Goldtops, are among the best ones. The new album Last Chance To Learn The Twist is a true collaboration, with Simon Edwards (bass, Moog), Jim Russell (drums), Geraint Watkins (keyboards) and Martin Belmont (guitar) providing a swinging yet rock solid foundation for Parker to hurl abuse, soothe, comfort and rage. Marietta Smith and Paige Stubley a.k.a. The Lady Bugs provide an extra layer of soulful backing vocals.

Parker's knack to insert rhythmic shifts without missing a beat had made him a songwriter's songwriter. Add his deceptively less is more lyrical abilities as part of the equation and you have a fail safe recipe for an album that will appeal to both lovers and the disenchanted. He is the uncle who can offer advice, encouragement and a shoulder to cry on. He has been there, more than once. Who can argue that he is wrong when he states that "wicked is wicked, and not cricket."

Graham Parker & The Goldtops: Them Bugs b/w The Ologist Song

English melodic garage rocker Graham Parker is still going strong. He was a forerunner of what become known as New Wave with his debut album Howlin' Wind and he never stopped. The only thing that changed were the names and the musicians of his backing bands. Right now he can rely on The Goldtops. Simon Edwards (bass), Jim Russell (drums) and Martin Belmont (guitar) proof that they can swing with the double whammy Them Bugs, a hilarious ditty about being stung in highly uncomfortable places, and The Ologist Song. On the latter The Lady Bugs provide an extra layer of soulful vocals. Oddly enough that one did not make the cut for his new album Last Chance To Learn The Twist, which will be released in September.