70s Robert Palmer...Who knew?

[Jack Butler]

Guy Pratt talks about playing bass for him in his book, some cool stories.

 

[two fingers]

IMHO, the hidden Robert Palmer gem is not the stuff that is better known, but his 1979 album SECRETS. The most well-known song from that album is "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)," and there was also a cover of Todd Rundgren's "Can We Still Be Friends?" — but for me, the best songs are "Jealous," "What's It Take?", and "Remember To Remember." I'm not familiar with any of the players in the band that recorded this album with him, but I love the feel: loose, but not sloppy; funky rock with occasionally an almost Jamaican groove.

Screen shot from wiki...if it's accurate.

 

[PWRL]

I like the first album because it has a heavy Little Feat kinda vibe to it. Not like anyone could out-feat Little Feat. They were a truly underrated band that didn't get nearly their due.

It kind of really does out-feat, for sure.

 

[juancaminos]

 

[SDC1-ClickClack]

Screen shot from wiki...if it's accurate.
View attachment 4290495

Thanks, although my previous comment failed to make my meaning clear: I have the "SECRETS" album and know the names of the personnel, but I am not familiar with those musicians and their other recordings, if any.

 

[69'Vette]

I stumbled across the Secrets album as a teenager in the late 70s and was a lifelong fan after that. Still am. I loved that he wasn't limited by genre or trends, and was disappointed when hid first two albums after Power Station were kind of in the same vein, but he redeemed himself with his later work that got a little quirky again. A true artist. RIP.

 

[electracoyote]

I always thought it was kind of a shame that when he finally got mainstream traction it was with the "Addicted To Love" video known more for supermodels in tight dresses and too much make-up miming their instruments and looking like a Patrick Nagel fantasy than for Palmer's considerable talents. His back catalog before that is most impressive. And he was suave, a great dresser who appealed to my own sense of entertainment.

 

[LBS-bass]

I always thought it was kind of a shame that when he finally got mainstream traction it was with the "Addicted To Love" video known more for supermodels in tight dresses and too much make-up miming their instruments and looking like a Patrick Nagel fantasy than for Palmer's considerable talents. His back catalog before that is most impressive. And he was suave, a great dresser who appealed to my own sense of entertainment.

100%

 

[jerry]

Big fan of anything featuring George Porter Jr. Dude’s funky. I particularly like Meters backing work with Dr. John. Good ol’ NOLA funk.

Robert Palmer had the chops to impress Toussaint to take him under his wing at such a young age...in fact I think he produced most of those albums in the 70s. This cover always makes me smile. Love the piano solo:

That's Billy Payne on that album. That album is like a Little Feat album with Palmer on vocals. Kenny Gradney and Jameson shared bass duties.
I'm glad there is a thread on Palmer, some of the best overlooked 70's albums were his and always with great musicians.

 

[ATLbassist]

"Clues" is a really great and overlooked New Wave album. It has some cross-pollination with Talking Heads' "Remain in Light" - they were recorded at Compass Point at the same time, so Robert Palmer plays percussion on the Heads' record and Chris Frantz returns the favor on Palmer's.

Also, there's this.

 

[sonojono]

Some like it hot and some sweat when the heat is on

 

[honeydorick]

Bob Babbitt did "Every Kinda People."

My favorite early track of his is his version of "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)."

Every Kind Of People.WE need this song now.What a beautiful bass line,and lyrics.My top of the list fav by Robert Palmer.I love playing this one.Someone said he passed away,I haddnt heard that .thanks for the info.

 

[tbz]

Bad Case of Loving You is just a less heroin addled take of The Doctor by West, Bruce and Laing.

Prove me wrong.

 

[honeydorick]

Bob Babbit was bass,on Every Kind Of People?Thanks for the info I love bobs playing as much as I do James Jamerson.The bass line is so beautifull.I love to play that.

 

[Stranger Danger]

OK, so I'm late to the game.

Somehow I went down a Robert Palmer worm hole. First off, the dude was ridiculously talented. He played everything. He wrote. He sang. He collaborated. If you're into that kind of thing, he was even a fashion icon in the 80s.

But his 70s stuff is stupid good. Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley album has The Meters, Lowell George, Steve Winwood, Gordon Edwards, Bernard Purdie.... a who's who from that era.

Double Fun has Every Kind Of People written by Andy Fraser (sure sounds like him on bass too). Secrets has Bad Case Of Loving You. All of the 70s Palmer albums have ridiculously good players. Even Clues from 1980 has some cool playing on it, albeit a little more "synthy" by then.

Any of you guys into his earlier stuff? What's your hidden gem? I didn't listen to every track on every album.

Sally and Sailin SHoes are bangers

 

[JimmyM]

Every Kind Of People.WE need this song now.What a beautiful bass line,and lyrics.My top of the list fav by Robert Palmer.I love playing this one.Someone said he passed away,I haddnt heard that .thanks for the info.

Oh yeah, years ago. Heavy smoker. Used to chug 5 cigarettes and cough his brains out before sessions because he wanted that "smoky sound." A shame, but he sure as heck had it going on while he was here.

 

[Killing Floor]

I've always found him simply irresistible.

 

[Pirate Captain]

really gone go through three pages and NOBODY mentions Jamerson on "Give Me An Inch?"

 

[Pirate Captain]

Don't forget his collaboration in Power Station on the 80s. The Taylor boys from Duran Duran as well as others.
I remember a rockin version of " Bang A Gong".

Only Andy and John (who aren't related), Roger (also not related) was playing with Arcadia...Tony Thompson was the drummer for Power Station

 

[fretlessbass]

Vinegar Joe with Elkie Brooks

I thought I was the only person who owned that album: damn... “Gettin’ To The Point” was my jam back in the day; last I checked, Elkie Brooks was still singing, though I kinda remember it was something a lot different...maybe jazz standards....