Graham Parker album by album

 

Emerging in early 1976, just before the bands who would later be called punk emerged, and coming out of the pub rock scene, some of Parker's music had similarities with later bands, such as The Clash, who developed out of pub rock into punk, and with New Wave artists like Elvis Costello, who emerged at the same time as punk. If Parker's career had been launched a year later, and with a different manager, he might have been classed as punk.  As it was he was largely mismanaged and misunderstood, and not quite appreciated except by a few critics. He never hit the big time, and barely scraped into the small time. His output has been steady, though he never made a really good album. But I can recall those first releases, and being impressed - he was part of that transition from pub rock into new wave/punk which is connected with Nick Lowe - who was Parker's and Costello's record producer.  Parker was one of the acts who supported Dylan at Blackbush Airport in 1978. 

He had moderate success in the Seventies and Eighties, then faded away while continuing to release decent but modest albums.  

AllMusic: 

Stereotyped early in his career as the quintessential angry young man, Graham Parker was one of the most celebrated singer/songwriters to emerge from England's pub rock scene in the early '70s. Drawing heavily from Van Morrison and the Rolling Stones, Parker developed a sinewy fusion of driving rock & roll and confessional folk-rock, highlighted by his indignant passion, biting sarcasm, and bristling anger. At the outset of his career, his albums crackled with pub rock energy, snide witticisms, and perceptive insights, earning him a devoted following of fans and critics, who lavished praise on his debut, 1976's Howlin' Wind, recorded with the Rumour, his backing band of pub rock all-stars. Despite all the positive word of mouth, Parker was saddled with a record label that wasn't sure what to do with him, and he was soon overshadowed by the emergence of Elvis Costello, a singer/songwriter who shared similar roots while enjoying greater success. After delivering Squeezing Out Sparks in 1979, which was a smash with critics and won him a larger audience in the United States, Parker courted a crossover career with solo projects such as 1982's Another Grey Area and 1985's Steady Nerves before settling into a cult following in the late '80s and continuing to garner critical acclaim as his music mellowed but his lyrical perspective stayed sharp. At the behest of filmmaker Judd Apatow, Parker reunited with the Rumour for his movie This Is 40, which led to concert tours and a pair of albums, 2012's Three Chords Good and 2015's Mystery Glue.

Wikipedia: 

Graham Thomas Parker (born 18 November 1950) is an English singer-songwriter, who is best known as the lead singer of the British band Graham Parker & the Rumour.

Recordings

 

Howlin' Wind (1976)

Funky little pub-rock RnB songs very much in the style of the sadly overlooked Brinsley Schwarz group. The similarities to the Brinsleys is understood when noticing that the album is produced by Nick Lowe who was a member of the Brinsleys (and would produce Elvis Costello), and two members of Parker's backing band, The Rumour,  had been members of The Brinsleys.  
There are similarities to Costello, to Dylan, to the Rolling Stones, and to Nick Lowe. AllMusic notes similarities to Van Morrison and Mick Jagger. Best song is "Don't Ask Me Questions".  
Though he made better albums, this is the key Parker album. 

Released	April 1976
Studio	Eden Studios, London
Genre	Reggae rock[1]
Length	42:02
Label	Vertigo, Mercury
Producer	Nick Lowe

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

• 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

Wikipedia 

AllMusic: 10 

Score: 5

 

Heat Treatment (1976)

A crisper, tighter, tougher, more attractive album than the debut. With a new producer, there's less of the Nick Lowe sound, and the album benefits enormously.  Parker has said that this is his least favourite album, partly due to Lange's production; and AllMusic also have problems with Lange's production.  There is something of the sound of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band about this, and that's a good thing. 

 

Released	October 1976
Recorded	Rockfield Studios, Wales
Genre	Rock
Length	35:41
Label	Vertigo, Mercury
Producer	Robert John "Mutt" Lange, Nick Lowe (track 7 only)

All songs written by Graham Parker except as indicated.

1. "Heat Treatment" – 3:07
2. "That's What They All Say" – 3:46
3. "Turned Up Too Late" – 3:38
4. "Black Honey" – 3:57
5. "Hotel Chambermaid" – 2:55
6. "Pourin' It All Out" – 3:15
7. "Back Door Love" – 3:01
8. "Something You're Going Through" – 4:10
9. "Help Me Shake It" – 3:37
10. "Fools' Gold" – 4:15

2001 Bonus Tracks (from Pink Parker EP)

1. "Hold Back the Night" (Dennis Harris, Allan Felder, Ronald Baker, Earl Young) – 3:01
2. "(Let Me Get) Sweet on You" – 2:44

• Graham Parker – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
• Bob Andrews – keyboards, backing vocals
• Brinsley Schwarz – guitar, backing vocals
• Steve Goulding – drums, backing vocals
• Andrew Bodnar – Fender bass
• Martin Belmont – guitar, backing vocals

Wikipedia 

AllMusic: 9 

Score: 6 

 

Stick to Me (1977)

Acceptable, much in the style of Heat Treatment, though we are back with Nick Lowe as producer. The cover of "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" is the stand out track.

Released	October 1977
Recorded	Eden Studios, London
Genre	Rock
Length	36:44
Label	Vertigo, Mercury
Producer	Nick Lowe

All songs written by Graham Parker except as indicated.

1. "Stick to Me" – 3:29
2. "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" (Earl Randle) – 3:26
3. "Problem Child" – 3:25
4. "Soul on Ice" – 3:01
5. "Clear Head" – 2:58
6. "The New York Shuffle" – 2:58
7. "Watch the Moon Come Down" – 4:49
8. "Thunder and Rain" – 3:15
9. "The Heat in Harlem" – 7:00
10. "The Raid" – 2:39

• Graham Parker – vocals, guitar
• Brinsley Schwarz – guitar
• Bob Andrews – organ, piano, keyboards, backing vocals
• Martin Belmont – guitar, backing vocals
• Andrew Bodnar – bass guitar
• Steve Goulding – drums, backing vocals

Wikipedia 

AllMusic: 9

Score: 6

 

The Parkerilla (1978)

A double live album to fulfil contractual obligations.  Decent stuff. Likeable. 

Released	May 1978
Recorded	Winter Gardens, Bournemouth Manchester Opera House Apollo Theatre, Oxford The Palladium, NYC
Genre	Pub Rock, Rhythm & Blues
Length	53:18
Label	Mercury
Producer	Mutt Lange

All tracks composed by Graham Parker; except where indicated

1. "Lady Doctor" 2:48
2. "Fool's Gold" 4:23
3. "Tear Your Playhouse Down" (Earl Randle) 3:50
4. "Don't Ask Me Questions" 5:00
5. "The Heat in Harlem" 7:35
6. "Silly Thing" 3:15
7. "Gypsy Blood" 5:15
8. "Back to Schooldays" 2:40
9. "Heat Treatment" 3:06
10. "Watch the Moon Come Down" 5:15
11. "New York Shuffle" 2:57
12. "Soul Shoes" 3:23
13. "Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions" (new studio recording) 3:51

• Graham Parker – vocals, guitar
• Brinsley Schwarz – guitar, slide guitar, backing vocals
• Bob Andrews – organ, piano, keyboards, backing vocals, musical director, horn arrangements
• Martin Belmont – guitar, backing vocals
• Andrew Bodnar – bass guitar
• Steve Goulding – drums, backing vocals

Wikipedia 

AllMusic: 6 

Score: 6 

Squeezing Out Sparks (1979)

Decent album. More consistent and better produced than the previous albums. It is widely considered his best album. 

Pitchfork; 

Released	March 1979
Studio	Lansdowne Studios, London
Genre	New wave
Length	37:18
Label	Arista Vertigo
Producer	Jack Nitzsche

All tracks are written by Graham Parker, except where noted.

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Discovering Japan"	3:32
2.	"Local Girls"	3:44
3.	"Nobody Hurts You"	3:42
4.	"You Can't Be Too Strong"	3:21
5.	"Passion Is No Ordinary Word"	4:26

Side two

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Saturday Nite Is Dead"	3:18
2.	"Love Gets You Twisted"	3:02
3.	"Protection"	3:54
4.	"Waiting for the UFO's"	3:08
5.	"Don't Get Excited"	3:04

• Graham Parker – lead vocals, rhythm guitar

• Brinsley Schwarz – guitar, backing vocals
• Martin Belmont – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Bob Andrews – keyboards, backing vocals
• Steve Goulding – drums, backing vocals
• Andrew Bodnar – bass

Wikipedia 

AllMusic: 10 

Score: 6 

  

The Up Escalator  (1980)

Good album. Different track listing for the UK release (same tracks, slightly different order). Production is somewhat smooth and commercial, which dampens what are otherwise solid songs. This is a sort of blend of Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen. But without the kick and oomph.  It didn't do as well as Squeezing Out Sparks

Released	23 May 1980
Genre	Rock
Label	Stiff Records (UK) Arista (US)
Producer	Jimmy Iovine

All tracks are written by Graham Parker, except where noted.

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"No Holding Back"	3:18
2.	"Devil's Sidewalk"	3:14
3.	"Stupefaction"	3:30
4.	"Empty Lives"	5:06
5.	"The Beating of Another Heart"	4:20

Side two

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Endless Night"	3:35
2.	"Paralyzed"	3:13
3.	"Maneuvers"	3:28
4.	"Jolie Jolie"	2:39
5.	"Love Without Greed"	3:24

Bonus tracks (2003 reissue)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Women In Charge"	3:28
2.	"Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions" (Live 1981)	4:49

• Graham Parker - guitar, vocals
• Nicky Hopkins - acoustic piano
• Jimmy Maelen - percussion
• Martin Belmont - guitar
• Danny Federici - organ
• Steve Goulding - drums
• Brinsley Schwarz - guitar, background vocals
• Peter Wood - synthesizer
• Andrew Bodnar - bass

• Bruce Springsteen - background vocals on "Endless Night"

Wikipedia 

AllMusic: 7

Score: 6 

   

Another Grey Area (1982) 

The full album is not available on Spotify, but is available on YouTube. A nice album. Solid, accomplished.  "Temporary Beauty" is a lovely song. The lack of The Rumour as a backing band seems to have hurt this album critically and commercially, Shame. 

Released	15 March 1982
Recorded	Record Plant, New York City
Genre	Rock
Label	RCA (UK & Europe) Arista (USA & Canada) Vertigo (New Zealand)
Producer	Jack Douglas, Graham Parker

All tracks composed by Graham Parker.

Side 1

1. "Temporary Beauty" - 3:54
2. "Another Grey Area" - 3:01
3. "No More Excuses" - 4:31
4. "Dark Side of the Bright Lights" - 3:38
5. "Can't Waste a Minute" - 3:30
6. "Big Fat Zero" - 2:47

Side 2

1. "You Hit the Spot" - 3:31
2. "It's All Worth Nothing Alone" - 4:05
3. "Crying for Attention" - 4:07
4. "Thankless Task" - 4:13
5. "Fear Not" - 3:30

• Graham Parker – vocals, electric and acoustic guitars
• Nicky Hopkins – acoustic piano
• George Small – keyboards, ondioline
• Hugh McCracken – electric guitars, harmonica
• David Brown – electric guitars
• Doug Stegmeyer – bass
• Michael Braun – drums
• Kurt McGettric – flute, baritone saxophone
• Jim Clouse – saxophones
• Paul Prestopino – banjo
• Jack Douglas – percussion

Wikipedia 

AllMusic: 6 

Score: 5

The Real Macaw (1983)

 Another album that's not on Spotify or YouTube. All I can find is individual tracks: "Glass Jaw" and "Just Like A Man",  "You Can't Take Love For Granted".  "Passive Resistance",  "Sounds Like Chains", "Life Gets Better", "A Miracle A Minute", "Last Couple On The Dance Floor",  "Too Late The Smart Bomb". 

A rather quiet and small album, lacking in stature and ambition. 

Released	July 1983
Genre	Rock
Length	39:06
Label	Arista
Producer	David Kershenbaum

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"

• 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

Wikipedia 

AllMusic: 6

Score: 4 

Steady Nerves (1985)

 Another rather quiet, unadventurous album. 

Released	1985
Genre	Rock
Label	Elektra
Producer	William Wittman, Graham Parker

All songs written by Graham Parker.

1. "Break Them Down"
2. "Mighty Rivers"
3. "Lunatic Fringe"
4. "Wake Up (Next to You)"
5. "When You Do That to Me"
6. "The Weekend's Too Short"
7. "Take Everything"
8. "Black Lincoln Continental"
9. "Canned Laughter"
10. "Everyone's Hand Is On The Switch"
11. "Locked Into Green"

• Graham Parker – lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar
• Brinsley Schwarz – lead guitar, backing vocals
• George Small – keyboards
• Kevin Jenkins – bass
• Mike Braun – drums

Wikipedia 

AllMusic: 6

Score: 4 

The Mona Lisa's Sister (1988)

Modest. Pleasant. Inoffensive. I'm happy to let it play, but I wouldn't seek it out.  

Released	April 1988
Recorded	1987–1988
Genre	Blues rock, soul, rhythm and blues, reggae fusion
Length	38:48
Label	RCA
Producer	Graham Parker & Brinsley Schwarz

All song by Graham Parker except (11)

1. "Don't Let It Break You Down" – 3:34
2. "Under the Mask of Happiness" – 3:34
3. "Back in Time" – 3:24
4. "I'm Just Your Man" – 3:41
5. "OK Hieronymus" – 4:15
6. "Get Started. Start a Fire" – 5:08
7. "The Girl Isn't Ready" – 3:32
8. "Blue Highways" – 2:35
9. "Success" – 3:48
10. "I Don't Know" – 2:47
11. "Cupid" - (Sam Cooke) – 2:30

Bonus tracks – 2016 Expanded Edition

12. "Ordinary Girl"
13. "Durban Poison"
14. "Burning on a Higher Flame"
15. "There's a Ghost in My House"

• Graham Parker - lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, producer
• Brinsley Schwarz - electric guitar, backing vocals, percussion, producer
• Andrew Bodnar - bass guitar
• James Hallawell - keyboards
• Terry Williams - drums
• Pete Thomas - drums on (4) and (7)
• Andy Duncan - drums on (9)

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 5 

Score:  4 1/2 

Human Soul (1989) 

Solid album. Full of energy and crisp RnB songs. Not available on Spotify, and intermittently available on YouTube. 

Track listing

1. "Little Miss Understanding"
2. "My Love's Strong"
3. "Dancing for Money"
4. "Call Me Your Doctor"
5. "Big Man on Paper"
6. "Soultime"
7. "Everything Goes"
8. "Sugar Gives You Energy"
9. "Daddy's a Postman"
10. "Green Monkeys"
11. "I Was Wrong"
12. "You Got the World (Right Where You Want It)"
13. "Slash and Burn"

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 4 

Score:  6 

Struck by Lightning (1991)

Only one track available on the internet:  "Over The Border" 

Released	1991
Genre	Rock, pop
Label	Demon RCA
Producer	Graham Parker

1. "She Wants So Many Things" 6:08
2. "They Murdered the Clown" 3:54
3. "Strong Winds" 3:52
4. "The Kid with the Butterfly Net" 3:53
5. "And It Shook Me" 3:42
6. "Wrapping Paper" 3:38
7. "That's Where She Ends Up" 3:10
8. "A Brand New Book" 3:28
9. "Weeping Statues" 3:21
10. "Guardian Angel" 3:24
11. "Children and Dogs" 3:50
12. "Over the Border (To America)" 3:08
13. "When I Was King" 4:18
14. "Ten Girls Ago" 3:28
15. "The Sun Is Gonna Shine Again" 3:55

• Graham Parker - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmonica
• Andrew Bodnar - bass
• Pete Thomas - drums, percussion

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 7 

Score:  5 

Burning Questions (1992)

 

Slightly less than average. There's all the usual Parker stuff, but it feels tired. 

Released	1992
Label	Capitol Demon
Producer	Graham Parker, Jon Jacobs

1. "Release Me"
2. "Too Many Knots to Untangle"
3. "Just Like Joe Meek's Blues"
4. "Love Is a Burning Question"
5. "Platinum Blonde"
6. "Long Stem Rose"
7. "Short Memories"
8. "Here It Comes Again"
9. "Mr. Tender"
10. "Just Like Herman Hesse"
11. "Yesterday's Cloud"
12. "Oasis"
13. "Worthy of Your Love"

Wikipedia 

AllMusic: 4 
Score: 4 

12 Haunted Episodes (1995)

Lacks life. 

1 Partner For Life 3:35
2 Pollinate 3:24
3 Force Of Nature 3:40
4 Disney's America 4:39
5 Haunted Episodes 2:50
6 Next Phase 3:30
7 Honest Work 3:50
8 Cruel Stage 3:24
9 See Yourself 4:08
10 Loverman 3:35
11 Fly 3:52
12 First Day Of Spring 3:02

Wikipedia (no article) 

AllMusic: 6
Score: 4 

Your Country (2004)

Country influenced songs done in a sub-Dylan style. Listenable, but the comparison with Dylan is never far away, and doesn't help this album stand by itself.

Wikipedia (no article) 

AllMusic: 8

Score: 5 

Three Chords Good (2012)

Same old same old. Listenable and attractive, but nothing special. 

Wikipedia (no article)

AllMusic: 8

Score:  5

Mystery Glue (2015)

The usual stuff. Listenable and attractive. 

Wikipedia (no article) 

AllMusic: 8

Score:  5 

Cloud Symbols (2018)

Same old stuff. Likeable, but not essential. 

Wikipedia (no article)
AllMusic: 8 
Score: 5 

 

Last Chance to Learn the Twist (2023)

This is a very pleasant but ultimately modest and indifferent album. Parker has a nice style, an attractive voice, and delivers good, honest old fashioned pub rock music. But there's something essential missing which makes any of it stand out.  

Wikipedia (no article) 
AllMusic: 8

Score: 5

Selected Singles 

"Silly Thing" 1976 
"Don't Ask Me Questions" 1976 
"Heat Treatment" 1976  

"Hold Back The Night" 1976 Live cover on Pink Parker EP  Reached 24 in UK - Parker's highest spot

"New York Shuffle" 1978 

"Stick To Me" 1978 

"Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions" 1978 live from The Parkerilla  Reached 32 in UK

"Mercury Poisoning" 1979 limited release 

"Protection" 1979 

"Local Girls" 1979  

"I Want You Back (Alive)" 1979 Non-album release 

"Stupefaction" 1980

"Endless Night" 1980 with Springsteen 
"Temporary Beauty" 1982  Reached 50 in the UK 
"Wake Up (Next To You)" 1985 Reached 39 in America - Parker's highest spot 

Discography

Howlin' Wind (1976)
Heat Treatment (1976)
Stick to Me (1977)
The Parkerilla (1978)
Squeezing Out Sparks (1979)
The Up Escalator (1980)

Another Grey Area (1982)
The Real Macaw (1983)
Steady Nerves (1985)
The Mona Lisa's Sister (1988)
Human Soul (1989)
Struck by Lightning (1991) 

Burning Questions (1992)

12 Haunted Episodes (1995) 

Your Country (2004)
Three Chords Good (2012)
Mystery Glue (2015)

Cloud Symbols (2018)

Last Chance to Learn the Twist (2023)

Year	Artist credit	Album title	Peak chart positions
			AUS [16]	UK [17]	CAN	US [18]
1976	Graham Parker & the Rumour	Howlin' Wind	–	–	–	–
1976		Heat Treatment	–	52	–	169
1977		Stick to Me	35	19	–	125
1979		Squeezing Out Sparks	22	18	79	40
1980		The Up Escalator	36	11	27	40
1982	Graham Parker	Another Grey Area	98	40	–	52
1983		The Real Macaw	57	–	–	59
1985	Graham Parker & the Shot	Steady Nerves	–	–	82	57
1988	Graham Parker	The Mona Lisa's Sister	81	–	46	77
1989		Human Soul	–	–	–	165
1991		Struck by Lightning	–	–	–	131
1992		Burning Questions	–	–	–	–
1995		12 Haunted Episodes	–	–	–	–
1996		Acid Bubblegum	–	–	–	–
2001		Deepcut to Nowhere	–	–	–	–
2004		Your Country	–	–	–	–
2005	Graham Parker & the Figgs	Songs of No Consequence	–	–	–	–
2007	Graham Parker	Don't Tell Columbus	–	–	–	–
2009		Carp Fishing On Valium	–	–	–	–
2010		Imaginary Television	–	–	–	–
2012	Graham Parker & the Rumour	Three Chords Good	–	–	–	–
2015		Mystery Glue	–	–	–	–
2018	Graham Parker & the Goldtops	Cloud Symbols	–	–	–	–
2019	Graham Parker	Squeezing Out Sparks Solo Acoustic 40th Anniversary	–	–	–	–
2023	Graham Parker & the Goldtops	Last Chance to Learn the Twist	–	–	–	–
"–" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Top Songs

* ClassicRockHistory 

* Diffuser 

* PennyBlackMusic 

* Top50Songs 

Set lists

Don't Ask Me Questions
White Honey

Watch The Moon Come Down 

Discovering Japan 
Fools Gold

Stick To Me
Soul Shoes 
You Can't Be Too Strong 

Get Started, Start A Fire 

Howlin Wind 
Heat Treatment 

Passion Is No Ordinary Word 

* Graham Parker 
* & The Rumour 

Summary 

[Note: Aspects which go toward final score are given a rough percentage figure of how much that aspect may have influenced the overall score. However, some bands may well exceed that percentage, particularly if their main focus is in that area.]

Voice/Musicianship (15%)

Decent without being arresting. 

Image/Star quality (5%)

Nope.

Lyrics/Music (20%)

Decent without being arresting. 

Impact/Influence (10%)

Nope.

Popularity (5%)

Modest, and that faded. 

Emotional appeal (5%)

Modest. 

Authenticity (15%)

Feels quite rootsy and authentic in a modest pub rock stylie.  

Art (5%)

Not really. Basic down to earth stuff. 

Classic albums/songs (5%)

No. 

Originality/Innovation (5%)

Nope. 

Legacy (10%)

Nope. 

Total: 25/100

Conclusion

A decent artist who writes and sings solid songs that unfortunately don't quite have the weight to resonate. Launched with some mild promise, and first few albums had energy and verve and indicated talent, though even then he didn't quite get critical or public attention. His image was never cool. Difficult to know how things might have gone if he'd got some critical support behind him to give him the confidence to write and perform bolder songs. As it is, he remained soft and indistinct, and though he had some modest success in the Seventies which continued into the Eighties, by the early Eighties he'd lost the interest of UK audiences, and by the Nineties the interest of all audiences worldwide.  He has continued to release an album every two years or so, and while none gained attention, and some have gone out of print, they are all of the same decent albeit modest quality of his early work, though lacking the energy and promise of that early work. 

***

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