Old and new friends

Graham Parker, Ultimate Collection, Hip-O Records

In 1976, a musical storm began to brew that would overthrow the dreaded disco menace within a few months. That storm was the legendary “new wave” of rock performers that included all manner of punks, rockers, poseurs and singer/songwriter types. One of the best of them was England’s Graham Parker, a fiercely uncompromising artist. I’m proud to say I was one of the first Americans to discover Parker’s music. When he played the Bottom Line in NYC on his first tour, it seemed like my friend Kenny Margolis and I were the only ones who knew who he was. With his great band, The Rumour, Parker’s music encompassed influences like Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, The Band and The Rolling Stones, mixed with Motown soul, reggae, ska and rockabilly. Ultimate Collection is the best of this underrated artist, who now lives with his family in Woodstock, NY, and is still musically active on a lesser scale. Tracks like “White Honey,” “Heat Treatment,” “Soul Shoes,” “Mercury Poisoning,” “Fool’s Gold” and his recent masterpiece “Disney’s America,” are masterful examples of mature songwriting. Highly recommended. Available wherever CD’s are sold.

The Faults, Electric Wholesalers, Lynn Point Records

Once upon a time there was a critically acclaimed roots country/rock band called The V-Roys, who tried hard to make it, but didn’t, and broke up too quickly, like just about every other good band these days. From the flotsam and jetsam of The V-Roys rose The Faults, from Knoxville Tennessee, comprised of three V-Roys and a friend... OK, enough of this pretentious nursery rhyme. The Faults music relies less on country and more on power pop, reminiscent of The Smithereens, Kinks, Cheap Trick, and of course, The Beatles. This is pure, adrenaline-rush guitar rock. The songs work nicely, the vocal and instrumental work is cohesive, and leader Mic Harrison emerges from second fiddle status with his former band as a songwriter of note. Electric Wholesalers can be ordered from www.lynnpoint.com.

Los Straightjackets, Sing Along With..., Cavalcade/Yep Roc Records

Among fans of modern surf instrumental music, there are few names as respected as Los Straightjackets, four guys who disguise their identities in Mexican wrestler’s masks. Because no one in the band sings, guest vocalists were brought in for this, Los Straightjackets’ first “vocal” disc, and a stellar lineup it is; Paul Revere and The Raiders’ Mark Lindsay, The Mavericks’ Raul Malo, The Reverend Horton Heat, Dave Alvin, Nick Lowe, The Heartbreakers’ Mike Campbell, Exene Cervenka and El Vez, the “Mexican Elvis.” The results? Entertaining and interesting, especially in their choice of material, which includes surf originals and 60’s classics like “Black Is Black,” “California Sun,” “King Creole,” “Mother In Law,” and Roy Head’s big hit “Treat Her Right.” These Straightjackets really dish out those boss surf sounds. Order from Redeye Distribution, www.redeyeusa.com.

Jeffrey Halford and The Healers, Hunkpapa, Shoeless Records

Back after his well-received Kerosene disc of 1999, west coast singer/songwriter/guitarist Jeffrey Halford has released his latest disc, brimming with rootsy, Americana rock ‘n roll. Halford has matured as a songwriter, and his band is up to the task of interpreting his talented  musings. The music is muscular, yet sensitive and ironic, and loaded with soul. Jeffrey Halford and The Healers are one of the best, unheralded rock bands out there, and Hunkpapa may give them the hit they deserve. Buy this one. Shoeless Records, 74 Agua Way, San Francisco, CA 94127, shoelessrecords@yahoo.com.