Graham Parker has been releasing albums since 1976 (3 of which went Top 20 in the UK) and one of which ('Squeezing Out The Sparks') Rolling Stone Magazine claims is amongst the greatest records ever made. Special guest musicians to appear on albums by Parker over the years include Rolling Stones keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, Steve Nieve and Pete Thomas from The Attractions, Gilson Lavis from Squeeze, Roy Dodds and Simon Edwards from Fairground Attraction, John Sebastian from The Lovin’ Spoonful, Garth Hudson from The Band and Bruce Springsteen. Graham Parker has written songs that have been covered by Ricky Nelson, Rod Stewart, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmonds, and Bob Geldof. And in 2012 Parker collaborated with the comedy writer/director/producer Judd Apatow in the hit movie 'This Is 40'. For more info visit: www.grahamparker.net
This video for Urban Spaceman features portraits of Graham Parker from 35 esteemed artists. In order of appearance the artists are... 1)Edward Ward, 2)Julian Wakeling, 3)Vanessa Winch, 4) Harry Pye, 5)Stuart Ridley, 6) Francis Macdonald, 7) Georgia Hayes, 8)Ben Dickson, 9) Rowland Smith, 10) Suzanne Spiro, 11) Marguerite Horner, 12) Tinsel Edwards, 13) Sandra Turnbull, 14) Charlotte Bracegirdle, 15) Lady Lucy, 16) Alberto Kunnapu, 17)August Kunnapu, 18) Otiz Cannelloni, 19) John Moseley, 20) Pete Mountford, 21) Bob London, 22) Daisy de Villeneuve, 23)Chris Webster, 24) Martin Bramnah, 25)Louise Colbourne, 26) Tine Frellesen, 27) Reece Higham, 28) John Heywood-Waddington, 29) Russell Herron, 30) Paul Burgess, 31) Gordon Beswick, 32)Yildiz Kavak, 33) Tansy McNally, 34) Sarah Doyle, 35) Michael Hughes. The video also features blink and you'll miss them cameos from the comedians Harry Hill, Robin Ince, John Pape, and Nick Revell.
The song "I'm The Urban Spaceman" was written by Neil Innes. It was a top 5 hit in 1968 (the producer of the track was Paul McCartney). Songs of Inspiration is a project that Gordon Beswick and Harry Pye do just for fun. Previoulsy they made a video for Nigel Planer singing 'Let's Be Natural'. More covers from fans and friends of Neil are just around the corner. If you are a fan of Neil Innes make a date in your diary for the 24th of Oct when 'Dip My Brain In Joy: a life with neil Innes - the official biography' by Yvonne Innes is published by Nine Eight Books And the 28th o November when there will be a special tribute night held at London Indigo at the O2 in Greenwich.
