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Burning Questions (Graham Parker album)

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Burning Questions
Studio album by
Graham Parker
Released1992
LabelCapitol
Demon[1]
ProducerGraham Parker, Jon Jacobs
Graham Parker chronology
Struck by Lightning
(1991) 		Burning Questions
(1992) 		Passion Is No Ordinary Word: The Graham Parker Anthology
(1993)

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]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Calgary HeraldC+[19]
Chicago Tribune[20]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[1]
The Indianapolis Star[18]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[21]
Orlando Sentinel[12]
The Philadelphia Inquirer[22]
(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide[23]
Spin Alternative Record Guide4/10[24]
Martin C. Strong5/10[25]

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.TitleLength
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]
  1. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 420.
  2. ^ Hilburn, Robert (19 July 1992). "Graham Parker Sets the Records Straight". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 59.
  3. ^ Sweeting, Adam (23 July 1992). "Stomp of Authority". The Guardian. p. 31.
  4. ^ Shuster, Fred (October 22, 1993). "Parker Has a Novel Idea". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L31.
  5. ^ Snyder, Michael (September 27, 1992). "New Single Rejected – Graham Parker Doesn't Love His MTV". Sunday Datebook. San Francisco Chronicle. p. 51.
  6. ^ Boehm, Mike (24 Sep 1992). "The Many Shades of Graham Parker". LV Desk. Los Angeles Times. p. 4.
  7. ^ Rassenfoss, Joe (July 31, 1992). "New Releases". Weekend. Rocky Mountain News. p. 118.
  8. ^ Morse, Steve (25 Sep 1992). "Parker fights to be heard". Arts & Film. The Boston Globe. p. 42.
  9. ^ Saxberg, Lynn (12 Aug 1992). "Graham Parker Burning Questions". Ottawa Citizen. p. E2.
  10. ^ "Album Reviews — Burning Questions by Graham Parker". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 32. Aug 8, 1992. p. 50.
  11. ^ Pick, Steve (7 Aug 1992). "Parker Again Shines as Rock's Idea Man". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 4F.
  12. ^ a b Gettelman, Parry (4 Sep 1992). "Graham Parker". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 6.
  13. ^ Mackie, John (19 Sep 1992). "Pop/Rock". Vancouver Sun. p. D19.
  14. ^ Johnson, Robert (August 14, 1992). "Records". San Antonio Express-News. p. 13C.
  15. ^ Burliuk, Greg (20 Aug 1992). "Burning Questions Graham Parker". Entertainment. The Kingston Whig-Standard. p. 1.
  16. ^ Harrison, Tom (15 Sep 1992). "Graham Parker has come to terms". The Province. p. C4.
  17. ^ Washburn, Jim (29 Sep 1992). "Lighting a Fuse to 'Burning Questions'". Los Angeles Times. p. F2.
  18. ^ a b Allan, Marc D. (19 Oct 1992). "Why has Graham Parker been ignored?". The Indianapolis Star. p. C4.
  19. ^ a b Muretich, James (9 Aug 1992). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. C2.
  20. ^ a b Kot, Greg (13 Aug 1992). "Rave Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
  21. ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 857.
  22. ^ a b Cristiano, Nick (15 Sep 1992). "This Well-Traveled Troubadour Offers a Mix of Rock, Soul, R&B". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. C1.
  23. ^ (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. 2004. pp. 616–617.
  24. ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 286–287.
  25. ^ Strong, Martin C. (2004). The Great Rock Discography (7th ed.). Canongate U.S. p. 1142.
  26. ^ Joseph, Dave (6 Aug 1992). "Parker Still Fiery". Sun-Sentinel. p. 3E.
  27. ^ "Burning Questions Graham Parker". The Kitchener-Waterloo Record. 20 Aug 1992. p. C7.
  28. ^ Snider, Eric (18 Aug 1992). "Graham Parker Burning Questions". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1D.
  29. ^ Righi, Len (1 Jan 1993). "Fringe Comes Closer to the Mainstream". The Morning Call. p. D1.
  30. ^ "Topspin 1992". Preview. The Virginian-Pilot. December 4, 1992. p. 5.
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