Howlin' Wind

Howlin' Wind
Studio album by Graham Parker and The Rumour
Released	July, 1976
Recorded	Eden Studios, London
Genre	Rock
Length	42:02
Label	Vertigo Records Mercury Records
Producer	Nick Lowe
Graham Parker and The Rumour chronology
Howlin' Wind (1976) Heat Treatment (1976)Heat Treatment1976

Howlin' Wind is the debut album by Graham Parker and The Rumour, released in 1976 to critical acclaim. The Rumour are mainly former pub rock scene musicians, including guitarist Brinsley Schwarz and keyboardist Bob Andrews of the band Brinsley Schwarz; Parker's recent jobs included pumping gas at a filling station. The music is blend of rock and roll, R&B, reggae, and folk music, behind Parker's searingly intelligent lyrics and passionate vocals. Critics likened Parker's spirit to British punk rock, then in its early stage, and retrospectively to that of singer-songwriters Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson, who would release their debut records within a few years of Howlin' Wind

Many of the album's songs became live staples for the group, especially the reggae-tinged "Don't Ask Me Questions," which dismisses a malevolent God. "Back To Schooldays" demonstrates why Parker was categorized as "angry young man" by journalists throughout his career: Parker plans retribution against an education system that promised him that "it was like a film out here" when "it's a real horror show, boys". The title track "Howlin' Wind" bracingly announces Graham Parker's career aim: "I'm gonna howl". "Between You and Me" dates from 1975, when Parker, before meeting the Rumour, recorded demo versions of a few of his songs for Dave Robinson, future founder of Stiff Records. These tracks were shopped to labels and played on radio. The album's liner notes explain that "A subsequent recording of the song did not match the feel of the original ... here it is!"

Howlin' Wind was reissued in the UK in 2001 on Vertigo/Mercury, with one bonus track.

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Robert Christgau	A
Rolling Stone	(positive)
Rolling Stone Album Guide
Trouser Press	(Very favorable)

The album finished fourth in the 1976 Village Voice critics poll of the year's best albums following his later released Heat Treatment in the second spot.

Track listing

All songs written by Graham Parker.

1. "White Honey" – 3:33
2. "Nothin's Gonna Pull Us Apart" – 3:21
3. "Silly Thing" – 2:51
4. "Gypsy Blood" – 4:37
5. "Between You and Me" – 2:25
6. "Back to Schooldays" – 2:54
7. "Soul Shoes" – 3:13
8. "Lady Doctor" – 2:50
9. "You've Got to Be Kidding" – 3:30
10. "Howlin' Wind" – 3:58
11. "Not If It Pleases Me" – 3:12
12. "Don't Ask Me Questions" – 5:38

Bonus Track (2001 Reissue)

1. "I'm Gonna Use It Now" – 3:11

Personnel

• Graham Parker – vocals, acoustic guitar, Fender rhythm guitar
• Brinsley Schwarz – guitar, Hammond organ, backing vocals
• Bob Andrews – Lowrey organ, Hammond organ, piano, backing vocals
• Martin Belmont – guitar, backing vocals
• Steve Goulding – drums, backing vocals
• Andrew Bodnar – Fender bass

Brass

• Stewart Lynas – brass arrangement
• Herschel Holder – trumpet
• Dave Conners – first tenor saxophone
• Brinsley Schwarz – second tenor saxophone
• Danny Ellis – trombone
• John "Viscount" Earle – saxophone

Additional personnel

• Paul Bailey – guitar on 5
• Dave Otway – drums on 5
• Paul Riley – bass guitar on 5
• Noel Brown – slide guitar on 6, dobro on 11
• Dave Edmunds – guitar on 6
• Ed Deane – slide guitar on 7
• Stewart Lynas – alto sax on 7