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."

The Real Macaw

Track listing

All songs written by Graham Parker

"Just Like a Man" "You Can't Take Love for Granted" "Glass Jaw" "Passive Resistance" "Sounds Like Chains" "Life Gets Better" "A Miracle a Minute" "Beyond a Joke" "Last Couple on the Dance Floor" "Anniversary" "(Too Late) The Smart Bomb"

The Real Macaw

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 Studio, Battersea

Mixed at Eel Pie Island Studio, Twickenham

References

1985 albums

Graham Parker albums

Arista Records albums

Albums produced by David Kershenbaum

The Real Macaw