[.ca] Ultimate Collection

all his best material in one place:
To these ears, Graham Parker was always one of those artists with (Maybe) one or two decent songs per album. Now, thanks to the folks at Hip-O, all of those songs are together on one CD--aptly titled, Ultimate Collection. All of the hits are here (like "Don't Ask Me Questions," "Hold Back the Night" and "Get Started, Start a Fire"), plus an ample selection of album tracks and rarities. Listening to these songs now, most of them have held up quite well over time. Hip-O has taken flack for some of their Ultimate Collection titles, but I'm happy to report that they did this one right. All 20 songs included here have been remastered in 24-bit for the best possible sound. Billboard's Jim Bessman contributed informative liner notes for the compilation, with excerpts from a recent Parker interview. Whether you're a long time fan, or a newbie who's just discovering Parker's music, or someone (like me) who just wants Parker's best tunes all on one CD, you can't go wrong with this disc.

The last thing GP needs ... another "best of" ...:
How many compilation CD's of Graham Parker's work does the world need? This has to be at least the fifteenth, and his fans have every track in every format they could ever want. Why doesn't somebody actually call him up and offer to finance a CD of NEW studio recordings? His genius burns as brightly as ever (judging by the 'out-takes' he released semi-privately on Up Yours Records a couple of years back). In the meantime, GP keeps himself amused responding to fans who write to his website, and tossing off prose ('Carp Fishing on Valium') which, while occasionally amusing, proves beyond doubt that he should be doing what he does best - recording the most incisive and soulful music left on the planet. Thanks, but I'll give this one a miss.

GP - The Best Kept Secret!:
I've been fan of Graham Parkers since I saw him with the Rumour at the Roundhouse in 1976 when they were the support act to a chap called Andy Fairweather Low - from the English band Amen Corner. His nervous energy never left me, soul mixed with English sacastic wit and Van's romantic dreaming of gypies and caravans. He was overcome by punk in 1997 and too many people thought he was a copy of Elvis Costello - who released his first album a year later. This is collection that would better suit a new comer to GP and discover his underated talent and brilliance. If you dont know Graham Parker - this is the place to start, otherwise you will have these tracks already. Buy it if you like an original talent and tell your friends what you have found.

Buy this!! Deserves the title "Ultimate Collection":
GP beginners buy this. This CD contains many of GP's best songs (not all. impossible to cover them all in one CD anyway). They range from "White Honey" ---A-1 of his debut album--- to the unforgettable "Disney's America" from his '95 Album, all arranged in chronological order. Deep fans buy this too. I have been a GP fan for 25 years, and I can tell you that this CD has the best sound quality of all. Many of his classic songs sound much better than in the 25th anniversary re-issues released in 2001. Do not complain about the number of GP compilations, it's not this CD's fault. This collection deserves its title.

• White Honey
• Back to Schooldays
• Soul Shoes
• Don't Ask Me Questions
• Heat Treatment
• Fool's Gold
• Hold Back the Night
• Stick to Me
• Thunder and Rain
• Mercury Poisoning
• I Want You Back (Alive)
• Discovering Japan
• Local Girls
• You Can't Be Too Strong
• Passion Is No Ordinary Word
• Stupefaction
• Temporary Beauty
• Wake up (Next to You)
• Get Started, Start a Fire
• Disney's America