Junk Box Jury

Taken from the LP ‘Squeezing Out Sparks’ | (Vertigo 9102 030) March 1979

Jack Nitzsche was a name I recalled from the odd reference on early Stones EP’s and Neil Young’s “Harvest,” and there he was again popping up in the guise of producer of a Mink de Ville record I’d recently heard a few times on radio called “Spanish Stroll.”

Apparently, this track was deemed a new wave record by people who knew what the term meant, so with no other thought than that, my manager got hold of Nitzsche and he agreed to the job. 

Once I got to know him I found out that he’d played tambourine on “Satisfaction” and arranged classic hits for Phil Spector. 

The rest of what followed I’ve documented in the past in various outlets, but seeing as it took about 11 days to record, not much happened at all I suppose. 

But still, Nitzsche made a strong impression on “Squeezing Out Sparks” without doubt.  He knew, for instance, that although I had written “Can’t Be Too Strong” (the actual title: someone added the word “You” in post) in a jaunty country rhythm that to record it in that way would be a total cop out and got me to slow it to a crawl and sing it like it meant something. 

Graham Parker & the Rumour | “You Can’t Be Too Strong” | (Vertigo) 1979

He also knew that the band were playing to their own skills, but not playing the songs.  He was not impressed with this attitude.  Once he’d clarified his position (that the songs were the important part of this, not the musicianship) things happened quickly, as they often do when the excess is swept aside, and the album made itself.

As far as promoting the record on the road, I can only recall playing the entire album once live, at New York’s Copa Cabana, which was recorded and released as “Live Sparks.” (Graham Parker)

Line-up:
Graham Parker — Lead vocals / rhythm guitar
Brinsley Schwart — Guitar
Martin Belmont — Rhythm guitar
Bob Andrews — Keyboards
Steve Goulding — Drums
Andrew Bodnar — Bass

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cost of record: £4
from: British Heart Foundation