My Greatest 100 (or so) Albums...

Squeezing Out Sparks (Arista, 1979). 1979 was my favorite year for new music, and Graham Parker's Squeezing Out Sparks is one of the reasons why. Back in the `70's "singer/songwriters" became a cliche, but really, five of the greatest album artists of the `70's: Elvis Costello, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, Al Green, Bruce Springsteen and Graham Parker were just that. Sparks was Parker's poppiest record to that point. His earlier classics, which we will also look at feature much more of a soul feel. This was his first album for Arista, and I don't know whether or not they pressured him to become more commercial, but he sure loaded this one up with what might have been hits: "Local Girls", "Discovering Japan", "Temporary Beauty" and lots more. It's just a must have, so if you don't have it, go get it! Discover Japan and whole lot more.