Robert Palmer:
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spinwit — 19 years ago(July 16, 2006 01:24 AM)
I agree with what you have said (I must admit though that I was disapointed with "Rhythm & Blues" despite the brilliant last track "20 Million Things").
It's a shame how Palmers achievements have been so overshadowed by the "Addicted To Love" imagery and pathetically snide "rock critics" who missed the forest for the trees. He had a wickedly sharp sense of humor and an acute sense of juxtoposition. Not to mention an endlessly curious interest in all forms of music, lyrics and singing styles.
I saw him live once at the Beacon in NY; he was friendly and basically took the audience on a tour of music from all over the world. The standout was "Johnny and Mary", I always loved that song but live it completely shocked me. The understated yet powerful vocals, the sad lyrics, all backed by a complex
thundering
syncopation Best concert I've ever been to.
Anyone who might think Robert Palmer was some sort of shallow dilettant (a common claim aimed at him by "rock critics" for years ironically) hasn't heard his duet with James Brown singing "I Feel Good" (Wow, he holds his own next to James Brown!) or him singing "Eat The Rich" (my god, he nails that song with fury!) or basically anything aside from the most popular "hits" well I could go on but these links say everything much better than I ever could (no, I am not affiliated with this blog in ANY way I just found it to be a great starting point for anyone interested in Robert Palmers overlooked and misunderstood work)-
http://jefitoblog.com/blog/?p=623
http://jefitoblog.com/blog/?p=624
http://jefitoblog.com/blog/?p=625
Every now and then I wake up and think
when is the next Palmer record coming out?
. After that I listen to "Stella" or "Pride" and feel a bit better. -
buzznzipp1995 — 17 years ago(June 19, 2008 09:39 PM)
My friend, you said in your reply that you would end it because everyone else could basic5b4ally say it better than you ever couldwhat a bunch of tripe!!!
You just took me on a concert blast from the past at the 'Beacon' from years ago in New York and I enjoyed ever bit of information, because I feel I have immense respect for his mastery of music, lyrics and style,the man was style.
He didn't try or pretend he has more 'Natural Cool' than even Gene Simmons or some of the other rockers from way back. Even though I like the Van Halen guys, they are not an Icon of class and style like Palmer was. No way.
You are right you discribed everything about him that I feel would be or rather 'I "know" would be the man.
Thanks for the continuing inspiration. I miss the man and his music resonates in my mind.
There was only one and I wish I could play him in a "Behind the Music" Rock-Doc on his life and times.
Have a great year.
God bless us, the Robert Palmer Loyalists. -
buzznzipp1995 — 16 years ago(July 01, 2009 11:14 PM)
I finally got a chance and remembered to check that youtube video, whoa.
That one says, rather sings it all. Belting it out, in pheonominal style.
I was very impressed and proud of my brother Robert there, he showed power enthusiasm, his ability to stand with a legend like Brown and be the Legand that he (Palmer)is and was ment to be. He was a sharp dressed man, that played his way with impeckable style.
Thanks for recommending, a great viewing of two Icons in music.BGW
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buzznzipp1995 — 19 years ago(July 03, 2006 11:28 AM)
Robert Palmer:
In my teenage years, I had no idea who Robert Palmer was,(even with the invention of 'music television' just kicking off my junior high years) until The Power Staion came into being. Man, I was hooked! Then shortly after that, his 1985 work on 'Island' "Riptide". Wow!! The single 'Flesh wound'- Ouch!! and 'Discipline of Love' ups and downs and no album filler it was all delicious!! Plus 'Addicted to love'(of course) the huge P.R. seller for the record. What a truly great album. It took some years of following him along, and delving into past albums of his to realize that, radio stations and MTV etc, over played just two of his singles. Geez! I found out that not only was he a major talented singer, with a smokey-honey like tone to his voice, but that he had songs from Jamaican-styled music, to forties big band, to love songs and pop-essential favorites to good ol' solid rock. He was a writer and player with an ear for different beats and Rhythyms. I was able to see him Live in 1988' and man could this guy perform. He was all over the place and yet some what restrained. In 1999 he produced and played about every instrument on his Rhythym & Blues album. Some new songs and some outstanding to this day remakes!! His final studio album, I believe his son was with him on it and it is still as solid as steel for me. There ought to be alot of his music still played but a much,much wider variety of songs instead of just the heavy image-laden pop fair of 1986-1988 in which 'They' told him what it would look like, not him. In fact in an interview he stated "That wasn't even really me at all." since he was married with children then too. At any rate I feel blessed to have seen him live, I highly recommend all his albums, they haven't disappointed me ever.