This song takes me back to the winter of 1982... when I knew I had to get the hell out of depressing England. I haven't lived there since 1983, thanks to GP and thanks to the grace of God. Still love this man's music, though. He inspired me.
Just come across this. Simply magnificent. Brinsley Schwarz is matching every vocal phrase with a riff, and that solo...Martin Belmont holding things together with that incessant riff (what an underestimated rythm guitarist). Andrew Bodnar holding the whole thing together and pushing the song forward on bass. If there was one band I'd always wanted to play in it was this. Thanks Graham and thanks to the Rumour.
I remember Friday's, but not this performance. Funny thing, though, 29 years later and I can tell you exactly where I was when I first heard this song. It blew me away that much. My friend beat me to the punch and bought the album the day after it came out. Called me up and said "come over for some beers, I have something you have to hear"
@brucec43 I saw him play in the "Hope & Anchor" in Islington.................................. He was certainly amongst the Kursaal Flyers,Kilburn and the High Roads, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Be Bop Deluxe pack. They were certainly different to the Punk/ New wave crowd, but the Springsteeen direction, as evidenced by the Empty Lives album, didnt work for him.A great songwriter - but his strength was live.
Most underrated band ever. Period. From 1979 to 1986 my favorite. Fits into the group with Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson. Very talented but not picturesgue which unfortunately plays a roll in success
FamilyFunClub I read that the air date for this episode was on June 27, 1980, but was is replayed in the Fall? The reason I think it was was because that I got heavily hooked on GP after the summer. The summer was about Star Wars (2) and The Rocky Horror Show (Roxy Cast soundtrack). I remember hunting for the single (imported) in the chilly air.
I saw GP&R in the late 70's, they were a classic live band whose studio albums never captured the magic. Sadly, firstly his brand of superior pub rock was blasted out of the water by Punk, and then Elvis Costello stole the "angry young man" mantle from GP and Joe Jackson.
If any album ever got caught in political shit storm, this was it. Sparks was supposed to put GP over the top commercially. It didn't. That caused the record company, this time Arista, to screw him again. It didn't put much into promoting Up Escalator, resulting in lackluster sales (although it did place higher than any other GP album in the US). It was a dumb move, as this record had potential, and GP still had some momentum from Sparks. But they basically wrote him off. Would have happened to Springsteen too if BTR didn't smash the commercial barrier. You NEED hit songs to get big. GP and hit songs do not go together, esp with no help from the record companies. The critics didn't help. When the agenda setters did not all go gaga over the album, it caused the rank and file to get scared off, lest they be looked upon as wrong (critics had an inclination to follow each other for reasons of supposed cred, and job prospects. Would YOU want to be the guy who took on Lester Bangs?) In addition, it appeared GP was no longer the next big thing after Sparks failed to really sell, so critics had less desire to attach themselves to him. YOU wouldn't want to be the guy who panned the next big thing, would you? And think of what it could mean for you career wise- Springsteen made Marsh, Dylan made Marcus, etc. That's my take on what happened. This is one of the best obscure albums ever made, and it's not obscure because it is commercially inaccessible.
Rick Danko every word true. I’d add that his songwriting is not anthemic or accessible as Springsteen’s. Graham in a way is the anti Springsteen. His songs force introspection and deal with uncomfortable truths. So really you wouldn’t expect GP to be as big a seller as Bruce. That said, GP was pretty popular in NYC back then
2 of the greatest albums ever made are-The Up Escalator and Beat Crazy By JoeJackson. Nobody other than Costello, or Bruce, through the mid eighties has since come close to these albums-Lyrically and Musically.
One of the greatest performers of our time!
Thank you! Graham has been my No.1 hero since 1978 when I saw his live in Japan. This made my day too.
Great song. Up Escalator was a great follow-up to the classic Squeezing Out Sparks. He's been filling up my empty life for a long time now.
This song takes me back to the winter of 1982... when I knew I had to get the hell out of depressing England. I haven't lived there since 1983, thanks to GP and thanks to the grace of God. Still love this man's music, though. He inspired me.
I think this sounds as good live as it does on the album.One of my all time favourite songs!!!
Amazing live band. Incorporated the anger of the age with a class unsurpassed. Thanks for posting!!
best live band ever
the best rock n roll singer ever!!!!!!!
Just come across this. Simply magnificent. Brinsley Schwarz is matching every vocal phrase with a riff, and that solo...Martin Belmont holding things together with that incessant riff (what an underestimated rythm guitarist). Andrew Bodnar holding the whole thing together and pushing the song forward on bass. If there was one band I'd always wanted to play in it was this. Thanks Graham and thanks to the Rumour.
The Rumor is one of the best backing bands in rock history. Period.
this song rocks and Graham Parker is my hero.
Always was a big fan of GP.. nice to see this
Brilliant!!! Classic '80s vid effects at the end. Like this hard-ass performance needed it.
Just brilliant. GP & The Rumour is a perfect match.
BADASS!!!! Lyrical genius....
Somebody bottle this to teach future generations of drones what kickass tastes like
I remember Friday's, but not this performance. Funny thing, though, 29 years later and I can tell you exactly where I was when I first heard this song. It blew me away that much. My friend beat me to the punch and bought the album the day after it came out. Called me up and said "come over for some beers, I have something you have to hear"
GP is timeless. This stuff still rocks!
Parker is the greatest rocker of all time
Oh man -- I actually saw this in high school when it originally aired. Fantastic.
Superb! This brings back many memories for me!
I saw this concert in Oslo october 79-80..
Just an unbelievable performance by the great Graham Parker and the Rumour.
Superb! This brings back many memories for me! And I agree with BluegooseCT!
Cracking version & video - can't wait for the reunion tour...:)
was sad he didn't play this in Philly last month..BUT what a great show!!!!
Great, takes me back. :-) Still so relevant too!
Cheers!
sublime then, even better now.
@brucec43
I saw him play in the "Hope & Anchor" in Islington..................................
He was certainly amongst the Kursaal Flyers,Kilburn and the High Roads, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Be Bop Deluxe pack. They were certainly different to the Punk/ New wave crowd, but the Springsteeen direction, as evidenced by the Empty Lives album, didnt work for him.A great songwriter - but his strength was live.
great stuff.
great !!!
Most underrated band ever. Period. From 1979 to 1986 my favorite. Fits into the group with Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson. Very talented but not picturesgue which unfortunately plays a roll in success
I agree wholeheartedly!!!
This show is where I found out (and got hooked on) Graham Parker. Any one know the exact date of the show?
This is from an episode of "Fridays" (TV series) which aired June 27, 1980.
FamilyFunClub I read that the air date for this episode was on June 27, 1980, but was is replayed in the Fall? The reason I think it was was because that I got heavily hooked on GP after the summer. The summer was about Star Wars (2) and The Rocky Horror Show (Roxy Cast soundtrack). I remember hunting for the single (imported) in the chilly air.
Was lady doctor on the performance?
UW2
You can really hear Bodner’s bass
red hot.
Holy Shit!! Even the tacky camera effects don't detract.
Yeah... Costello doesn't even hold a candle to this guy.
This song should have been bigger. Too bad it never gets played anywhere. Hopefully it winds up on someone's movie soundtrack one day.
I saw GP&R in the late 70's, they were a classic live band whose studio albums never captured the magic. Sadly, firstly his brand of superior pub rock was blasted out of the water by Punk, and then Elvis Costello stole the "angry young man" mantle from GP and Joe Jackson.
If any album ever got caught in political shit storm, this was it. Sparks was supposed to put GP over the top commercially. It didn't. That caused the record company, this time Arista, to screw him again. It didn't put much into promoting Up Escalator, resulting in lackluster sales (although it did place higher than any other GP album in the US). It was a dumb move, as this record had potential, and GP still had some momentum from Sparks. But they basically wrote him off. Would have happened to Springsteen too if BTR didn't smash the commercial barrier. You NEED hit songs to get big. GP and hit songs do not go together, esp with no help from the record companies.
The critics didn't help. When the agenda setters did not all go gaga over the album, it caused the rank and file to get scared off, lest they be looked upon as wrong (critics had an inclination to follow each other for reasons of supposed cred, and job prospects. Would YOU want to be the guy who took on Lester Bangs?) In addition, it appeared GP was no longer the next big thing after Sparks failed to really sell, so critics had less desire to attach themselves to him. YOU wouldn't want to be the guy who panned the next big thing, would you? And think of what it could mean for you career wise- Springsteen made Marsh, Dylan made Marcus, etc. That's my take on what happened. This is one of the best obscure albums ever made, and it's not obscure because it is commercially inaccessible.
Rick Danko every word true. I’d add that his songwriting is not anthemic or accessible as Springsteen’s. Graham in a way is the anti Springsteen. His songs force introspection and deal with uncomfortable truths. So really you wouldn’t expect GP to be as big a seller as Bruce. That said, GP was pretty popular in NYC back then
2 of the greatest albums ever made are-The Up Escalator and Beat Crazy By JoeJackson. Nobody other than Costello, or Bruce, through the mid eighties has since come close to these albums-Lyrically and Musically.
@@outtathyme5679 The anti-Springsteen, I like it!
“On the up escalator...
"goin' down all the cracks, yeah..."
Naulleau si tu nous entends
How in god’s name are those people sitting down??.