Bobby Parker
Bobby Parker was an influential American blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his 1961 hit "Watch Your Step." Born Robert Lee Parker on August 31, 1937, in Lafayette, Louisiana, he was raised in Los Angeles, California, where he developed an early passion for music inspired by artists like T-Bone Walker and Lowell Fulson.
Parker began performing in the 1950s, winning a talent contest that led to gigs with Otis Williams and the Charms, followed by stints backing Bo Diddley—appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show—and Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams' big band. His debut solo single, "Blues Get Off My Shoulder" (1958), showcased his songwriting, though its B-side "You Got What It Takes" later became a Motown hit for Marv Johnson without crediting Parker.
"Watch Your Step" reached the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts, with its iconic guitar riff inspiring the Beatles' "I Feel Fine" and "Day Tripper," as noted by John Lennon; it was also covered by groups like the Spencer Davis Group. Parker toured the UK in 1968, recording "It's Hard But It's Fair" for Blue Horizon, and drew admiration from Jimmy Page, who later sought to sign him.
Settling in the Washington, D.C. area, Parker gigged locally for decades, notably at Madam's Organ Blues Bar, and revived his recording career in the 1990s with albums Bent Out of Shape (1993) and Shine Me Up (1995) on Black Top Records. He headlined events like the 1993 Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festival before passing away on October 31, 2013.
Shine Me Up
Written-By – Bobby Parker
5:23
2 Kick It Around With You
Written-By – Bobby Parker
5:43
3 It's Unfair
Written-By – Bobby Parker
5:05
4 Stamps On Your Letter
Written-By – Bobby Parker
5:33
5 Shine Me Up
Written-By – Bobby Parker
5:48
6 Wild Thing
Written-By – Bobby Parker
4:56
7 Skeezer
Written-By – Bobby Parker
4:21
8 Somebody's Comin' In My Back Door
Written-By – Bobby Parker
6:32
9 Splib's Groove
Written-By – Bobby Parker
5:35
10 Drive Me Home
Written-By – Henry Glover
6:28
11 Get Hip
Written-By – Bobby Parker
5:30
Label: Black Top Records – CD BT-1119
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1995
Genre: R&B Blues
Style: Rhythm & Blues, Modern Electric Blues
Bobby Parker's Shine Me Up, released in 1995 via Black Top Records, is a contemporary blues-rock album that highlights his technical mastery of the guitar while maintaining an upbeat, brass-heavy sound.
Critics and listeners generally view the album as a solid showcase of blues guitar, though some find the vocal and lyrical content less impactful than Parker's instrumentation:
Parker's guitar work is frequently cited as the album's highlight, described as "great" and "powerful". His ability to blend soulful blues with energetic riffs is a core appeal.
Some reviews suggest the album lacks variety, noting that almost every track features brass arrangements and follows an upbeat tempo, leaving a gap for those seeking "slow, dark" blues. Lyrics on specific tracks, such as "Stamps on Your Letter," have been criticized as subpar.
It is described as a "barn burner" of an album that captures a legendary blues figure in "mega form," though it may lean toward "average" for those looking for deep emotional or lyrical complexity.
Key Tracks and Highlights:- "Kick It Around With You": Often called a standout "tube" or hit from the record; "Wild Thing": Noted for its strong rhythm and blues influence; "Somebody's Comin' In My Back Door": Identified as one of the few tracks that approaches a slower, darker blues style; "It's Unfair" and "Skeezer": Cited as enjoyable, high-energy tracks.
Long-time listeners frequently compare it to his debut, Bent Out of Shape, noting that while the first album summarized his past, Shine Me Up felt like a forward-looking progression that remains a "permanent fixture" on their playlists.
Listener reviews reflect a high level of appreciation for his technical skill, often characterizing him as a "master" and a "legend" of the genre. As of 2026, the album maintains strong community ratings across several platforms. The album holds a 4.2/5 average on Discogs based on community feedback. Primarily available on CD (catalog BT-1119).