CD Player - Week of October 17th

So every once in a while I empty the driver side door panel of CDs that have been there for a bit and bring into the car some discs that I haven't been played in a blue moon. This week "Addictions" Volume 1 by the late Robert Palmer made its' way onto the disc player. He left us back in 2003 at the young age of 54 years old after suffering a heart attack in Paris. Way, way too young to go!

Every time I hear one of his songs I think of an amazing soul singer that would not have been out of place on the Motown roster of the 60s. He had a classy and smooth way of delivering a song. I also think of the ladies in his videos that became MTV staples. I think most of us young guys back then barely even noticed the singer in the tie suit jacket that he often wore in his videos. Our eyes were glued to the band. The red lips. The bouncing and swaying that was going on. We didn't even notice that the instruments weren't even plugged in. The songs weren't acoustic. LOL. We didn't care! I also think of the Caribbean island feel from some of his songs. My son H said earlier this week that some of his songs reminded him of The Talking Heads in some ways. It's true when you compare the island rhythms that can be quite prevalent in the material of both of these artists.

The disc has 13 tracks. Starts off with the rollicking "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor Doctor) from 1979. This is one of those songs that everyone knows the chorus once the song gets going. It's one of those drunken bonfire songs. "Doctor, doctor give me the news, I've got a bad case of loving you" being shouted at the top of one's lungs. Gets the vibe going that's for dang sure.

That's then followed by "Pride". A song with an African or Third World feel. Throw in some Jamaica, Bahamas, Trinidad steel drums and then sway. Then sway some more.

Track 3 is the one that opened the doors to his MTV fanbase and the young male fantasy life. It's "Addicted To Love". This song for many is the prototypical Robert Palmer song. It's pretty darn cool and still very listenable twenty-five years after its' original release.

Track 4 is "Sweet Lies" which was written for a soundtrack of a movie of the same name with Julianne Philipps, Joanna Pacula and Treat Williams. I've never heard of the movie. Lots of Treat Williams' movies went straight to the video store bypassing theatres. This may be one of them. This song is okay. It does feature his vocal stylings but it doesn't really stick out much.

Track 5 is another one of those islands fused type songs named "Woke Up Laughing". I know mentioned ealier H said Talking Heads; I think it sounds more like Johnny Clegg and Savuka. This is one of those songs that reminds me of that band.

Track 6 is "Looking For Clues". I think of this as one of those songs that I identify as being a key Robert Palmer track. It was released in 1980 just as new wave was breaking big stateside. I love the beat. I love the words. The phrasing. The synth sound. It even has a xylophone solo for gawd's sake. How many songs can claim that? Not too many I'm sure. This is a butt moving in the chair song. You can't help but tap your toes as you listen to it. If you don't perhaps meds are needed in the your very near future!

Track 7 is "Some Guys Have All The Luck". Turns out this was a hit back in 1973 by a band called The Persuaders. I heard it for the first time today. Hmmmm. I'm not sold on it. Rod Stewart also covered this song in 1984. I didn't like that version either. Robert Palmer's version is from 1982. Still not a fan of this song. Stewart's version isn't much different than Palmer's version which begs the question. Why Rod Why? Maxi Priest did a reggaefied version also. Not buying that one also. In conclusion it is quite accurate to say that I don't like this song at all. Doesn't make a diff the version; it isn't for me.

Track 8 is from the group Power Station which was called a supergroup at the time of their album release. The group was made up of Palmer on vocals, Tony Thompson from Chic ("Good Times" and "Le Freak") as well as John Taylor on bass and Andy Taylor (not related) on lead guitar. Both from Duran Duran. The track is "Some Like It Hot". The song has a great drum beat. A hard drum beat. One of those songs that you play the imaginary drums to when listening to it. Personally I would have loved them to include "Get It On (Bang on Gong) from the same album on this compilation. But alas we have to settle for this track which is pretty darn good anyways.

Track 9 is from the same album as "Bad Case .." and is called "What's It Take". It's another one of those new world, reggae feel songs sung and played at a faster clip. Once again you are tapping your toes even if you don't know the song. It just has that infectious beat.

Track 10 was Robert's first hit in the States from way back in 1978. The song is "Every Day People". It is one of those smooth songs. Great beat. Nice sax break. Great vocals. It has an upbeat Marvin Gaye feel to me. Another one of those swaying songs. Bravo.

Track 11 is so cool. "Johnny and Mary". Man oh man he did some great story songs. It sounds like "Looking For Clues". Same feel to the song. Not surprising as it came from the same album. Another toe-tapper. He did have that gift.

Track 12 to me is the second part or the continuation of "Addicted To Love". It's "Simply Irresistible". The video brought back the ladies from "Addicted" and the song has a similar structure in styling and structure. It has that same catchy feel to it. The video is brighter. More color. Lots more ladies and Robert Palmer is "oh so cool" in it.

The last track is "Style Kills". It makes me think of techno Simple Minds song but sung by Robert Palmer. It has a very funky feel. A wah-wah sound to it. I believe that this song was added to the compilation as one of those new songs that bands often add to induce people to buy to complete their collection. Okay that's a bit cynical. Sorry. LOL.

All in all I was glad to have "Addictions" volume one in the car this week. It's an excellent compilation!