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The Real Macaw
Studio album by Graham Parker
Released	July 1983
Genre	Rock
Length	39:06
Label	Arista
Producer	David Kershenbaum
Graham Parker chronology
Another Grey Area (1982) The Real Macaw (1983) Steady Nerves (1985)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Robert Christgau	B+
Classic Rock
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide
Rolling Stone
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Spin Alternative Record Guide	5/10

The Real Macaw is an album by Graham Parker, released in 1983.

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." 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."

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

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

References

1. ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 286.
2. ^ "Graham Parker (and the Rumour)". Trouser Press. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
3. Deming, Mark. "Graham Parker The Real Macaw review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
4. "Robert Christgau: Album: Graham Parker: The Real Macaw". www.robertchristgau.com.
5. Gregory, Hugh (February 2005). "Graham Parker 'The Real Macaw'". Classic Rock. Vol. 76. London, UK: Future Publishing Ltd. p. 102.
6. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 420.
7. MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 857.
8. ^ Connelly, Christopher (15 September 1983). "The Real Macaw". Rolling Stone.
9. The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 530.
10. "Graham Parker | Biography & History". AllMusic.
11. "Perfect Sound Forever: Graham Parker interview- GP twists again". www.furious.com.
12. "The Real McCoy of Rock: 'Graham Parker & The Figgs Live at the FTC'". PopMatters. 8 February 2011.
13. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 229. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
14. "Squeezing Out Sparks – Graham Parker > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic.com. Billboard. Retrieved 7 January 2012.

• 1985 albums
• Graham Parker albums
• Arista Records albums
• Albums produced by David Kershenbaum