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Graham Parker - The Mona Lisa's Sister Audio CD

A fair review of the Graham Parker "The Mona Lisa's Sister" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Graham Parker reviews here, or go back to the Graham Parker tabs.

Graham Parker Band: Graham Parker
Title: The Mona Lisa's Sister
Rating:
Release Date: 1999-05-18
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Don't Let It Break You Down 2: Under the Mask of Happiness 3: Back in Time 4: I'm Just Your Man 5: Ok Hieronynus 6: Get Started, Start a Fire 7: Girl Isn't Ready 8: Blue Highways 9: Success 10: I Don't Know 11: Cupid

Starting Over on a New Label
I only learned recently that following Steady Nerves he signed to Atlantic, but no album was released. I happen to think the album that preceded this, Steady Nerves, was one of his all-time best. Thus, this RCA debut arrived three years later. It's a lot more acoustic than earlier efforts, certainly a more mature, lower-key performance that is almost Dylanesque. While this new direction was no doubt a welcome facet in Parker's artistic maturation, it may have made RCA label heads wonder if they got what they had signed -- after all, this was a different sound. It set the pace for the albums that followed, which were increasingly well-produced and very folksy-acoustic, none achieving the commercial success of his earlier efforts with the Rumour and the Shot. Still, the grandeur of such songs as "Success," "Get Started (Start a Fire)," "Don't Let it Break You Down" and "Girl Isn't Ready" makes this a keeper. One wonders if including "Ordinary Girl" on the original release might have resulted in a more commercially successful hit that could have helped propel the album up the charts.


The Maturation of an Artist
While his loyal fans enjoyed his work of the early-mid 80's, it did seem as his sense of direction and earlier commitment to his music was somewhat lacking. Long considered by MOST GP fans as one of the three best albums done by him (along with "Squeezing Out Sparks", 1979's Rolling Stone Critic's pick for album of the year and 1996's "Acid Bubblegum", his last studio effort), "The Mona Lisa's Sister" signalled the arrival of GP as a truly independant artist as well as the resurgence (in quality at least) of a somewhat moribound career. "Mona Lisa" was GP's first TOTALLY personal record and established the pattern he was to follow for the rest of his career, making records that make HIM happy and all of his fans have benefitted from that artistic genesis. "Mona Lisa" includes some of his absolute greatest songs, and every song is an heartfelt and riveting performance. Some reviewers have quibbled with Buddha's remastering here, but I thank it really does a lot for the lower end which was somewhat subdued on the earlier production. A matter of taste, but a truly wonderful record regardless of which mix you prefer. As readers of GP's website (found at punkhart. com) know, it is a mystery when or if GP is going to release a new studio album. Myriad label changes and a refusal to subvert his musical philosophy have led to diminished sales and recognition over the years. I consider GP to be in the same league as Van Morrison and Bob Dylan as a song writer/performer. Unbelievers only need to peruse his work of the past 20 plus years and they MIGHT be converted, or at least acknowledge that GP is one of the most underrated and underappreciated artists of his time.


Probably GP's best of the '80's

This is almost as good as GP's golden era (1976-79) - not quite, but almost. After Squeezing Out Sparks, GP released his last album with the Rumour "The Up Escalator" (now out of print) in 1980 and spent most of the 80's putting out very uneven albums, hitting rock bottom with "Steady Nerves"

But in 1988, he turned things around and released this brilliant album. "Back In Time" may be the most poetic song he has ever written, though. It epitomizes the music of GP - cynical but beautiful.


Hightlight of his career
The songs come out easily with wit and grace. This disc is the highlight of his career, because it was here that he took charge of production and made the record he wanted to make. Back In Time and I'm Just Your Man are probably my favorite GP compositions. And the re-make of Cupid is done convincingly.


Great Cd remastered with incredible depth
I couldn't believe the depth that has been added, particularly in the bass and acoustic guitars. A classic CD that didn't really sound bad has been remastered really well. It sounds as good as a MFSL production. GP's new liner notes are pretty insightful and occasionally hilarious. The bonus track is good to have, but nothing essential. One of the more pleasant surprises in a while.


You can see a complete list of all Graham Parker discography, or go back to the Graham Parker tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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