Album Information:
Album ID: 9502
About Robert Palmer:
Robert Palmer (1949-2003) was an English singer, songwriter, and musician known for his genre-blending style that combined elements of rock, pop, R&B, funk, and soul. He achieved commercial success in the 1980s with hit songs such as 'Addicted to Love,' 'Simply Irresistible,' and 'I Didn't Mean to Turn You On.'
Palmer was born in Batley, West Yorkshire, England, and grew up in Malta and Scarborough, where he learned to play the guitar, drums, and saxophone. He began his career in the late 1960s as a member of various bands, including the Alan Bown Set and Vinegar Joe. In 1974, he released his debut solo album, 'Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley,' which featured contributions from members of the Meters and Little Feat.
Palmer continued to release albums throughout the 1970s, but it wasn't until the 1980s that he achieved mainstream success with his album 'Riptide' (1985), which included the hit single 'Addicted to Love.' The song's music video, featuring a group of identically dressed and heavily made-up female models, became an iconic and frequently parodied image of the era.
Palmer's success continued with his follow-up album, 'Heavy Nova' (1988), which included the hit singles 'Simply Irresistible' and 'She Makes My Day.' He also contributed to the soundtrack of the James Bond film 'The Living Daylights' (1987) with the song 'A View to a Kill.'
Despite his success, Palmer was known for his reluctance to engage in traditional celebrity culture and the music industry's expectations of image and promotion. He was more interested in exploring his artistic vision and experimenting with different musical styles, which led to critical acclaim but sometimes limited commercial success.
Throughout his career, Palmer collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including members of Duran Duran, the Power Station, and UB40. He was also influenced by artists such as Little Richard, Otis Redding, and Marvin Gaye.
Palmer passed away in Paris, France, in 2003, at the age of 54, from a heart attack. He left behind a rich legacy of music that continues to influence and inspire artists today.
About the album Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley:
Sure, I can describe the album Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley by Robert Palmer in great detail!
Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley was Robert Palmer's debut solo album released in 1974. It was produced by New Orleans legend, Allen Toussaint, and recorded with a group of musicians from The Meters, a popular funk band from the city.
The album's title track, 'Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley,' is a soulful, groove-filled song that sets the tone for the rest of the album. It features a prominent bass line, funky horns, and Palmer's soulful vocals. The song was originally written by Toussaint and made famous by the funk band, The Meters.
The album also features a cover of 'Hey Julia,' originally written by Toussaint. Palmer's version of the song is upbeat and funky, highlighting the strength of his vocals and the skill of the musicians backing him.
One of the standout tracks on the album is 'Get Outside,' a funky and energetic song that showcases Palmer's range as a vocalist, moving seamlessly from high falsetto to deep and gritty vocals. The song also features a memorable guitar solo from the talented Lowell George of the band Little Feat.
Another standout track is 'From A Whisper to A Scream,' a soulful ballad that builds to a powerful crescendo. It features a beautiful horn arrangement and Palmer's impassioned vocals.
Overall, Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley is a highly acclaimed album that blends funk, soul, and rock influences to create a unique sound that still feels fresh and innovative today. Robert Palmer's soulful vocals, combined with the incredible musicianship of The Meters, makes for a powerful and engaging listening experience.
Members:
Robert Palmer was a solo artist, and did not have a consistent band lineup throughout his career. However, here are some of his most important collaborators:
1. Alan Mansfield - Alan Mansfield was a keyboardist, guitarist, and producer who worked extensively with Robert Palmer throughout the 1980s. He played on many of Palmer's albums, including 'Clues,' 'Pride,' and 'Riptide.' Mansfield also co-wrote several of Palmer's most popular songs, including 'Addicted to Love,' 'Simply Irresistible,' and 'I Didn't Mean to Turn You On.'
2. Andy Taylor - Andy Taylor is best known as the guitarist for the band Duran Duran, but he also played with Robert Palmer for several years. He played guitar on Palmer's hit song 'Addicted to Love' and performed with him on several tours.
3. Bernard Edwards - Bernard Edwards was the bassist for the band Chic and a renowned producer. He worked with Robert Palmer on his 1985 album 'Riptide,' serving as both a producer and a bass player. Edwards co-wrote several songs on the album, including 'Addicted to Love.'
4. Tony Thompson - Tony Thompson was the drummer for the band Chic and also played with the Power Station, a side project of Robert Palmer's. Thompson played drums on Palmer's albums 'Riptide' and 'Heavy Nova,' and he also toured with Palmer in the late 1980s.
5. The Meters - The Meters were a legendary funk band from New Orleans who collaborated with Robert Palmer on his 1974 album 'Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley.' The Meters played on the entire album, which was produced by Allen Toussaint.
Unfortunately, due to the complexity of writing full bios for all of these individuals, I can only provide brief summaries of their contributions to Robert Palmer's work.
Track List for Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley:
Sure, here are the tracks in order with their playtime in parentheses, along with a brief description of each:
1. 'Sailing Shoes' (3:42) - A cover of the Little Feat song, this track features a funky, upbeat rhythm section and soulful vocals from Palmer.
2. 'Hey Julia' (2:32) - A short, breezy tune with a catchy chorus and playful, jazzy instrumentation.
3. 'Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley' (4:23) - The title track is a funky, groove-driven number featuring a horn section and Palmer's smooth, soulful vocals.
4. 'Get Outside' (3:12) - A high-energy rock song with a driving beat and gritty guitar riffs.
5. 'Blackmail' (2:25) - A stripped-down, bluesy track with Palmer's vocals front and center, showcasing his emotive range.
6. 'How Much Fun' (3:06) - A playful, upbeat tune with a swinging rhythm section and catchy, sing-along chorus.
7. 'From a Whisper to a Scream' (3:31) - Another soulful, funky track with a memorable hook and powerful vocals from Palmer.
8. 'Through It All There's You' (2:47) - A tender ballad with gentle instrumentation and Palmer's heartfelt vocals.
9. 'Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley' (Live) (4:47) - A live version of the title track, featuring an extended instrumental section and energetic audience participation.
Overall, Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley showcases Palmer's versatility as a vocalist and his ability to seamlessly blend elements of rock, funk, soul, and blues into a cohesive and infectious album.
Discography for Robert Palmer:
Sure, here is the complete discography for Robert Palmer:
Albums:
1. Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley - 1974
2. Pressure Drop - 1975
3. Some People Can Do What They Like - 1976
4. Double Fun - 1978
5. Secrets - 1979
6. Clues - 1980
7. Maybe It's Live - 1982
8. Pride - 1983
9. Riptide - 1985
10. Heavy Nova - 1988
11. Don't Explain - 1990
12. Ridin' High - 1992
13. Honey - 1994
14. Rhythm & Blues - 1999
Singles (US chart positions):
1. 'Best of Both Worlds' - 1978 (#69)
2. 'Every Kinda People' - 1978 (#16)
3. 'Bad Case of Loving You' - 1979 (#14)
4. 'Can We Still Be Friends?' - 1980 (#52)
5. 'Johnny and Mary' - 1980 (#77)
6. 'Looking for Clues' - 1980 (#33)
7. 'Some Guys Have All the Luck' - 1982 (#15)
8. 'You Are in My System' - 1983 (#40)
9. 'Some Like It Hot' (with The Power Station) - 1985 (#6)
10. 'Get It On (Bang a Gong)' (with Power Station) - 1985 (#9)
11. 'Addicted to Love' - 1986 (#1)
12. 'I Didn't Mean to Turn You On' - 1986 (#2)
13. 'Hyperactive!' - 1986 (#33)
14. 'Simply Irresistible' - 1988 (#2)
15. 'She Makes My Day' - 1988 (#9)
16. 'Early in the Morning' - 1988 (#19)
17. 'I'll Be Your Baby Tonight' - 1990 (#70)
18. 'Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You' - 1991 (#45)
19. 'Know by Now' - 1994 (#4)
Other releases:
1. 'You Really Got Me' (with The Meters) - 1977
2. 'Sailin' Shoes' (with Little Feat) - 1978
3. 'Every Kinda People' (re-release) - 1992
I hope this helps!