| The Real Macaw | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 1983 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 39:06 | |||
| Label | Arista [1] | |||
| Producer | David Kershenbaum [2] | |||
| Graham Parker chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |  
[3] |
| Robert Christgau | B+ [4] |
| Classic Rock |
[5] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |
[6] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide |
[7] |
| Rolling Stone |
[8] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide |
[9] |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 5/10 [1] |
The Real Macaw is an album by Graham Parker, released in 1983. [10] [11]
Critical reception
Rolling Stone called The Real Macaw "a propulsive, brilliantly sung LP." [8] Trouser Press called the album "a disc that is watered down and should have been harder." [2] PopMatters wrote that "even with some dated-sounded keyboard work, it's right up there with the best pop-oriented rock albums of all time." [12]
Track listing
All songs written by Graham Parker
- "Just Like a Man"
- "You Can't Take Love for Granted"
- "Glass Jaw"
- "Passive Resistance"
- "Sounds Like Chains"
- "Life Gets Better"
- "A Miracle a Minute"
- "Beyond a Joke"
- "Last Couple on the Dance Floor"
- "Anniversary"
- "(Too Late) The Smart Bomb"
Charts
| Chart (1983) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia ( Kent Music Report) [13] | 57 |
| United States ( Billboard 200) [14] | 59 |
Personnel
- Graham Parker - lead and backing vocals, "blue and hollow" guitars
- Brinsley Schwarz - "Orange and black" guitars
- George Small - keyboards
- Kevin Jenkins - bass
- Gilson Lavis - drums
Additional musicians
- Sarah Larson - violin
- Mel Collins - saxophone
- Morris Pert - percussion
- Andy Ebsworth - Linn drum programming
Studio Personnel
- Phil Thornalley - Recording and Mixing Engineer
- Recorded at Ramport Studios, Battersea
- Mixed at Eel Pie Island Studio, Twickenham
References
- ^ a b Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 286.
- ^ a b "Graham Parker (and the Rumour)". Trouser Press. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- ^ Deming, Mark. "Graham Parker The Real Macaw review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
- ^ "Robert Christgau: Album: Graham Parker: The Real Macaw". www.robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Gregory, Hugh (February 2005). "Graham Parker 'The Real Macaw'". Classic Rock. Vol. 76. London, UK: Future Publishing Ltd. p. 102.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 420.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 857.
- ^ a b Connelly, Christopher (15 September 1983). "The Real Macaw". Rolling Stone.
- ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 530.
- ^ "Graham Parker | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ "Perfect Sound Forever: Graham Parker interview- GP twists again". www.furious.com.
- ^ "The Real McCoy of Rock: 'Graham Parker & The Figgs Live at the FTC'". PopMatters. 8 February 2011.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 229. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Squeezing Out Sparks – Graham Parker > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic.com. Billboard. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
