Club Review Cover Story: Parker Blows Away Copa Crowd A Hot Start for Randy Vanwarmer By LOU SEAL Randy Vanwarmer has had material - back by heart. The that extremely, hole -in -one start House Favorite, prior to the in- to his career-a mighty hit with troduction of "Just When the first single he ever recorded. Needed You Most," was "Deeper is also on "Just When I Needed You Most" And Deeper," which is a classic-the kind of song his debut album "Warmer." that sounds simultaneously fresh It's always easy to say, with and obvious, that can stand on hindsight, that Randy was a cinch its lyric and melodic merits to make it. The songs are abso- with no more than unamplified lute naturals. But there is some- acoustic guitar accompaniment. thing less tangible at work here, from utter That's how I first heard it more when an artist comes than 18 months ago, in another left field like this, and that is country (England), in the most sheer will. A year ago Randy took remote county (Cornwall), in a himself (he never had a manager) room accessible only by fire from the middle of very beauti- ful nowhere (East Looe, Cornwall) Graham Parker live escape, above and behind a pub called the Monmouth, where to the doorstep of his record nary talents for his particular task, NEW YORK-The last time this Randy first sang it publicly to the company, Bearsville, assuming this oc- reporter attended a show at The and the result, at least on handful of people who paid 60¢ (correctly) that they would have casion, was a stunning evening of Copacabana it was to review Jerry for the privilege. Such are the to do something about him once is of the Vale, and at the time (prom sea- live music. This unit one conditions under which modern he got there. Never was a Laker the best son, of course) the room seemed handful of groups making popular ballads are traditionally airfare better spent. Conspicu- today. It a perfect venue for the Italian bal- pop music we have smelted-that is, in tiny, obscure ously American (a Colorado boy ladeer's soaring tenor. Well, the should be only a matter of time venues awash with beer and Real from birth to 15), he was im- Copa is back, but now it's playing before the tour, the record and People (people not in the music mediately happy to be back, host to the likes of Graham Parker Arista's efforts fully come to- business). It is to Randy's credit after eight years, in the U.S.A. and the Rumour (Arista), who gether to put them at or near the that his devotees could sing his The transition from the Cornish practically blew the roof off the top of the heap. In the meantime, repertoire - exclusively original seaside was eased by the re- place in a special appearance catch them if you can. laxed atmosphere and physical there last Monday (14). Mike Sigman RCA Ups Charney gloriousness of Bearsville, and Parker has hardened his rock particularly by the presence there NEW YORK-The appointment Ian Kim - edge since his last appearances of Scottish expatriate Alligator Ups Giles, of Leonard Charney to the posi- met, who originally signed Randy in New York, but there are still so tion of senior counsel, talent af- to Bearsville in London. many irresistible hooks in his Taps Ira Selkowitz fairs, has been announced by Nothing in the songs gives songs that the result is as delight- staff vice presi- CHICAGO-Alligator Records Jonathan Walton, them away as either British or ful to melody lovers as to hard has promoted Mindy Giles to the dent and senior counsel, RCA American. They are nearly all rock and rollers. For those of line post of national marketing direc- Records. love songs, of one stripe or an- like to feel that we us who still tor. Giles was previously midwest Since 1975, Charney has been other, universal in their appeal at least partly are in this business marketing director. Before coming a counsel in the law department, and eminently coverable. (In music, Parker out of a love for to Alligator in August, 1978, she RCA Records. Before joining RCA fact, Randy's label -mates Paul rec- and the Rumour's music, on was the advertising coordinator Records, he was assistant general Butterfield and Tony Wilson were ord and especially live, is one of for the Chicago branch of Poly- counsel for Metromedia Produc- quick to discover this.) What those rare treats that makes us gram Dist., Inc. ers Corp. for two and a half you've got here is someone who feel that it's all worthwhile. The position of radio promo- years. For three years prior to could make a career out of song - Playing a combination of new tion director has been filled by that, he was associated with Na- writing alone but he's also a songs from his "Squeezing Out Ira Selkowitz. He comes to Alliga- tional Educational Television as born performer with an interest- Sparks" album (most notably tor with experience in radio pro- counsel, previous to which he ing voice. That voice is maybe "Discovering Japan" and "No- gramming and production from spent a year as an attorney at Co- the best reason why the album is body Hurts You") and classics WNUR-FM in Evanston, Illinois. lumbia Pictures Corp. called "Warmer." Apart from from earlier albums (most notably the fact that it's a hot start. "Between You and Me," which Mills Makes Gold (Reprinted from Waxpaper) has to be a hit single for some- body), the group kept up a con- sistently high level of musician- Adam and Wren ship and energy. Parker was alter- Bow Promo Firm nately snarling ("I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down"), ex- LOS ANGELES - Lynn Adam and Robin Wren uberant ("I Want You Back"), and have announced the formation of a new west tender ("You Can't Be Too coast independent the Rumour could promotion Strong"), and company. hardly have been a more perfect The company, called Pacific complement to his every musical Blue Promotions, is designed to emotional move. This band, and promote album oriented artists has its own solo album which to rock radio in the eleven coming out on Arista soon, is a western states. powerful unit that never loses Pacific Blue's first project will sight of the fact that they are be the upcoming debut album playing rock and roll music. Polydor Recording artist Frank Mills recently topped the singles charts with "Music by Frannie Golde on Portrait Graham Parker and the Rumour Box Dancer," which is certified gold. Now, the album from which the single came Records. purvey no glitter, no punk chic, has also turned gold and Mills was in town to collect an RIAA plaque commemorating Pacific Blue is located at 7225 no frills, no overt political mes- the achievement. The "Music Box Dancer" Ip has now sold over 500,000 units to Pacific View Dr., Hollywood, earn the award. On hand to present Mills with his gold album were, from left: Harry But is com- sage. their simplicity Anger, senior vice president of marketing, Polydor Records; Fred Haayen, president, Calif. 90068; phone: (213) 876- bined with each man's extraordi- Polydor Records; Mills; and Dick Kline, executive vice president, Polydor. 7462. 20 RECORD WORLD MAY 26, 1979 www.americanradiohistory.com.