The Real Macaw Explained

The Real Macaw
Type:	studio
Artist:	Graham Parker
Cover:	Therealmacaw.jpg
Released:	July 1983
Genre:	Rock
Length:	39:06
Label:	Arista
Producer:	David Kershenbaum^[1]
Prev Title:	Another Grey Area
Prev Year:	1982
Year:	1983
Next Title:	Steady Nerves
Next Year:	1985

The Real Macaw is an album by Graham Parker, released in 1983.^{[2] [3]}

Critical reception

Rolling Stone called The Real Macaw "a propulsive, brilliantly sung LP." Trouser Press called the album "a disc that is watered down and should have been harder."^[1] PopMatters wrote that "even with some dated-sounded keyboard work, it's right up there with the best pop-oriented rock albums of all time."^[4]

Track listing

All songs written by Graham Parker

1. "Just Like a Man"
2. "You Can't Take Love for Granted"
3. "Glass Jaw"
4. "Passive Resistance"
5. "Sounds Like Chains"
6. "Life Gets Better"
7. "A Miracle a Minute"
8. "Beyond a Joke"
9. "Last Couple on the Dance Floor"
10. "Anniversary"
11. "(Too Late) The Smart Bomb"

Charts

Chart (1983)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[5]	57
United States (Billboard 200)^[6]	59

Personnel

• Graham Parker - lead and backing vocals, "blue and hollow" guitars
• Brinsley Schwarz - "Orange and black" guitars
• George Small - keyboards
• Kevin Jenkins - bass
• Gilson Lavis - drums

Additional musicians

• Sarah Larson - violin
• Mel Collins - saxophone
• Morris Pert - percussion
• Andy Ebsworth - Linn drum programming

Studio Personnel

• • Phil Thornalley - Recording and Mixing Engineer Recorded at Ramport Studios, Battersea
• Mixed at Eel Pie Island Studio, Twickenham

Notes and References

1. Web site: Graham Parker (and the Rumour) . Trouser Press . 13 December 2020.
2. Web site: Graham Parker | Biography & History. AllMusic.
3. Web site: Perfect Sound Forever: Graham Parker interview- GP twists again. www.furious.com.
4. Web site: The Real McCoy of Rock: 'Graham Parker & The Figgs Live at the FTC'. February 8, 2011. PopMatters.
5. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 229.
6. Web site: allmusic.com . Billboard . [{{AllMusic|class=album|tab=charts-awards/billboard-album|id=r14846|pure_url=yes}} ''Squeezing Out Sparks'' – Graham Parker > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums ]. 7 January 2012 .