Description
Graham Parker – Human Soul – Cassette
Graham Parker’s Human Soul (1989) is a reflective and soulful album from the British singer-songwriter, showcasing his mastery of blending rock, soul, and R&B influences. Known for his biting wit and sharp songwriting, Parker delivers a more introspective and emotionally nuanced collection of songs on this album, balancing his signature energetic rock sound with deeper, more reflective themes. Released during a period of Parker’s career where he had moved away from the commercial spotlight of his early work with The Rumour, Human Soul captures a mature artist grappling with both personal and societal issues.
Human Soul combines roots rock with strong influences from soul and R&B music. Parker’s use of a full band, including horn sections, gives many of the tracks a warm, soulful feel reminiscent of his earlier work with The Rumour, but with a more polished, 80s-style production.
While some songs maintain Parker’s trademark upbeat, aggressive energy, others lean more into introspective, mid-tempo territory, allowing him to explore a more emotional and personal side. This balance between rock energy and soul-infused reflection gives the album its title’s dual meaning—focusing both on human connection and introspection.
Key Tracks
“Big Man on Paper”: One of the standout tracks, “Big Man on Paper,” is a satirical critique of self-important figures, likely taking aim at the superficial aspects of success and fame. The track has a punchy, upbeat rock feel, with Parker’s wit and biting commentary at the forefront.
“Everything Goes”: This track is more introspective, with a mid-tempo rhythm and lyrics that explore the uncertainty of life and relationships. It showcases Parker’s ability to balance emotional depth with strong melodic hooks.
“Call Me Your Doctor”: A soulful, blues-inflected track, “Call Me Your Doctor” highlights Parker’s vocal versatility. The horn sections and groove give the song a playful, R&B-driven energy, harkening back to classic Motown influences.
“Soultime”: Another highlight is “Soultime,” a song that exemplifies Parker’s deep love for soul music. With rich, warm horns and a funky groove, the song showcases his ability to blend rock with soul seamlessly.
As the album title suggests, many of the songs on Human Soul explore themes of human connection, relationships, and the emotional ups and downs of life. Parker delves into both personal reflections and societal observations, often using his signature wit and sharp lyrical style to critique human behavior, love, and social dynamics.
Several tracks, like “Everything Goes,” are more introspective, reflecting on personal growth and the inevitable changes that come with life. Parker’s lyrics often balance cynicism with a sense of vulnerability, offering a more complex emotional landscape than some of his earlier, more aggressive work.
Known for his social commentary, Parker doesn’t shy away from addressing broader societal issues on Human Soul. His lyrics often carry a critical edge, addressing themes like superficiality, self-importance, and the absurdities of fame or power structures.
One of the defining characteristics of Human Soul is its use of horn sections, which add a layer of richness to the album’s sound. These arrangements give the songs a soulful depth, drawing from classic R&B and Motown traditions, while still keeping Parker’s rock edge.
The album features solid guitar work, blending rock riffs with bluesy, soul-infused rhythms. Parker’s band provides a tight, dynamic backdrop that allows his lyrics and vocals to take center stage, while still creating a full, engaging sound.
Parker’s vocal performance is another highlight of the album, showcasing his ability to shift between biting, aggressive delivery and more soulful, emotional singing. His voice carries a gritty, raw quality that works well with the mixture of rock and soul influences on the album.
Human Soul came at a time when Graham Parker had settled into a less commercially driven phase of his career, focusing more on crafting albums that reflected his personal artistic vision. The album’s reflective themes and soul-infused sound set it apart from his earlier, more rebellious work with The Rumour, offering a glimpse into Parker’s evolution as an artist.
While Parker had always incorporated elements of soul and R&B into his music, Human Soul leans more heavily into these genres, further cementing his reputation as an artist unafraid to blend genres. The album’s fusion of soulful horns and rock rhythms showcases Parker’s versatility and musical depth.
Graham Parker’s Human Soul is a mature, soulful album that reflects his evolution as a songwriter and musician. Balancing elements of rock, soul, and R&B, the album showcases Parker’s ability to blend biting social commentary with personal introspection. With its rich horn arrangements, catchy melodies, and emotionally nuanced lyrics, Human Soul offers a reflective and engaging listen, showing Parker’s versatility and growth as an artist. While not as commercially successful as his earlier work, the album remains a testament to Parker’s enduring ability to craft meaningful, genre-blending music.
Demon Records
Song List
You Got The World (Right Where)
Dancing For Money
My Love’s Strong
Daddy’s A Postman
Sugar Gives You Energy
Everything Goes
Little Miss Understanding
Slash And Burn
Call Me Your Doctor
I Was Wrong
Big Man On Paper
Green Monkeys
Soultime
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