The greatest for the longest

I learned yesterday that there's a new Graham Parker CD out. It's called Don't Tell Columbus. As is usually the case with GP, I had to have it. If you feel about music the way I do, you've probably developed a short list of artists who when they release something new, you automatically go buy it. Don't need to hear it first. Just buy it. Parker is on that list for me, along with the likes of U2, Eels, Fiction 8 and Don Dixon.

That people are saying such outlandish things about the record only increased the anticipation:

• "Columbus offers the best of Parker, and considering his body of work includes Squeezing Out Sparks, Howlin' Wind and The Up Escalator, that is saying something." -- Dave Ruden, The Advocate
• "The best thing Graham Parker's done since his 1970s heyday." -- Roger Holland, PopMatters
• "The feisty Don't Tell Columbus will probably end up ranking as one of the finest records of his career...Parker's voice is as expressive and soulful as ever throughout." -- John Borack, Amplifier
• "Parker is in full smartass mode on these songs, the band is having a rambunctious good time, and Don’t Tell Columbus is a very early contender for Album of the Year." Andy Whitman, Paste
• "Don't Tell Columbus is his best disc ever." -- Rod Lockwood, Toledo Blade

Wow.

So yeah, I went and picked it up today. Andy at Albums on the Hill had it in. Life is good. Brought it home and have spun it three times so far. Probably three or four more times tomorrow. And the conclusion so far is that while I'm not quite sure I buy what Rod Lockwood has to say above (come on, better than Squeezing Out Sparks and Howlin' Wind and The Mona Lisa's Sister and Struck By Lightning?), I can say that he's not too deep in the hyperbole, either. This disc is at least 4.5 stars. Few artists, if any, have ever managed to make the transition from angry young punk into mature guru so well. It's insightful, biting, and by the way, hooky as hell. And "Stick to the Plan" is just about as mean as anything he's ever done.

But I have not come to present a record review. I don't really do that anymore. No, instead, I'm here to pose a poser, as it were. To suggest something about Parker's place in the pantheon. To wit:

Has there ever been a rock artist who was greater longer?

There have been artists who were greater - although not by much - and there have been artists who had very long careers.

But has a band or solo artist ever posted a legit 5-star monster and then, over 30 years later, come back with something in the 4.5 to 5.0 range? And by the way, most everything in between was pretty damned great, too?

Maybe this will come down to how much credit people give latter-day work by people like Van Morrison (who's had some arguably 4-star work 35 years on) and Dylan (whose most recent was either genius or overrated, depending on who you listen to).

I'll be interested to see who gets nominated fot the Longevity Hall of Fame here. For the moment, I'm declaring GP the reigning champ.

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