Graham Parker ~ 2009 August 30 ~ Middle East, Cambridge, MA
Graham Parker solo, accompanying himself on Gibson acoustic, harmonica and kazoo
Set List
Hard Side of the Rain - Ambiguous - Problem Child - Guillotine of Guadaloupe - Anything for a Laugh - You're Not Where You Think You Are - Head on Straight - Black Lincoln Continental - Saturday Night is Dead - Love Gets You Twisted - Don't Ask Me Questions - Heat Treatment
Review
Graham Parker played a short set at the Bloodshot Records anniversary party at the Middle East in Central Square, Cambridge, MA on Sunday, Aug. 30. The performance venue is a big dark square box down a flight of stairs from the side entrance, with plenty of space to stand and a big stage held together with duct tape. Graham last played here a few years back with the Figgs while promoting Songs of No Consequence.
At long last, a standing venue for a GP solo show. My Concert Going Partner and I got there a few minutes after 7:00 and drifted toward the stage, earplugs firmly in place against the loudness of the 6:30 performer, a Bloodshotter called Charlie Pickett, playing rather ordinary bar-band music. When he finished up we finished our drift toward the stage and planted ourselves just to the left of the microphone.
Promptly at 7:30 as scheduled Graham came on stage and took his acoustic Gibson guitar from one of the club employees -- Graham gets a roadie! He played only the Gibson, having left his Fender electric at home. He was wearing a new short-sleeved shirt adorned with colorful pictures of many different varieties of beer bottles. He said he had bought it from a homeless person just that day for $5.00. It received a hearty thumbs up from the fashion police.
Geep played just twelve songs. He began with "Hard Side of the Rain," featured the extremely obscure "Problem Child" from Stick To Me, and ended with "Heat Treatment." Along the way he treated the audience to two new songs. At least, he treated those who were listening to two new songs; there was a lot of crowd chatter in the room. The two new songs both dealt with the theme of successfully coming to terms with loss and changes. The new songs are "You're Not Where You Think You Are" and "Head on Straight" (this title is a guess since GP did not say the title). He played the kazoo during the latter song. "You're Not Where You Think You Are" had a wonderful soul/Motown vibe with a nice melody, and "Head on Straight" had an upbeat feel to it.
Because of the short amount of time allotted to him, GP didn't have much time for banter. He did talk about what a great label Bloodshot is and praised the other bands working for the label. But then he said it was all sponsored by Rolling Rock, and said that after the show he was going to have a Rolling Rock and then he was going to have a beer. I think this is called biting the hand that feeds you.
It was short but it was good. Spotted in attendance was Mike Gent of the abovementioned Figgs. I didn't stick around for any of the other acts so I can't report on whether any of them were any good.
Click for 2009 Concert Page with links to all 2009 concerts ... Click for Main Concert Page with links to all years