Customer Reviews

Addictions 1

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The thing I liked most about Robert Palmer was his ability to be original and diverse. "Addictions, Vol. 1" encapsulates his unique talent, a talent that was underrated and will be missed by all his fans. One listen to this cd and you can easily tell that you are listening to a one of a kind musical stylist. You have all of his big hits with the exclusion of "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" and "Get It On (Bang A Gong)" (which appeared on "Addictions, Vol. 2" in 1992). Although this cd only has 13 tracks on it, which, in my book would normally be a ripoff by today's standards of overstuffed cds, "Addiction's Vol. 1" is the perfect brief collection. You have Robert Palmer the rock and roller on "Bad Case Of Loving You", "Addicted To Love", "Simply Irresistable" and "Some Like It Hot". You have Robert Palmer the World Music maestro on "Pride", "Woke Up Laughing" and "What's It Take?" You have Robert Palmer the new wave specialist on tracks "Looking For Clues", "Johnny & Mary" and "Style Kills". You have Robert Palmer the crooner on "Sweet Lies", "Some Guys Have All The Luck" and one of his most timeless pieces of work "Every Kinda People". I've had this cd since it was released in 1989 and it, along with its companion piece, "Addictions, Vol. 2" make a complete compilation of Robert Palmer's best work if you do not want to buy his entire catalog (most of which is out of print right now anyway which is criminal!) I'd say both "Addictions" volumes make a better best of than his most recent 2 disc compilation "Best Of Both Worlds: Anthology 1974-2001" with the one exception being that both "Addictions" volumes are not digitally remastered. I suspect with his recent death, the record company will cash in by either possibly digitally remastering his entire catalog of work and/or creating a box set or new comprehensive best of package. For now, both "Addictions" cds are the best way to remember a sophisticated and admirable talent such as Robert Palmer. R.I.P. 1949-2003.

Robert Palmer's career spanned from 1974-1994 for the most part, and yet few people really know his work. Aside from such radio hits as "Bad Case Of Loving You", "Addicted To Love", "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" and "Simply Irresistable" most music listeners are unfamiliar with his other work. This man is one of few who can switch genres at the drop of a hat. While it is debatable how well Palmer does these turns in styles, he nevertheless is endearing in his attempts. Both Addictions Vol. 1 and 2 are all most people need to really get a good picture of his talent. You can buy individual albums, but these two compilations serve very well as career retrospectives. If you haven't really listened to Robert Palmer you should. He is important to rock and roll history and I hope he'll be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame soon. These are must haves for any rock collector.

Addictions Vol 1 - The Best Of Rober Palmer is a 13 song collection of hits picked by Palmer himself in an attempt to represent his career in retrospect between the early days as a solo performer through his string of 80's hard rock hits and popular MTV videos. With Palmer picking the songs himself you get a solid overview of the divergent paths his career has taken over the years. His work with African and Carribean musical influences are represented in numbers such as "Woke Up Laughing" and "Pride". His dabbling in 80's new wave is aptly represented with "Looking For Clues". There are ballads such as the Top 20 hit single "Every Kinda People" and some if not all of the memorable "mega hits" such as "Bad Case Of Loving You", "Addicted To Love", "Simply Irresistible", and his performance with the Power Station on "Some Like It Hot". Some noteable hits of the era are not included in favor of lesser known work Palmer felt better represented the different musical styles present in his long career. The album, released in 1989, also predates some Palmer hits such as "Mercy, Mercy Me/I Want You" so that is obviously not included. Overall, a well done best of collection which suitably represents the varying musical styles and influences that have marked Palmer's recording career.

This Batley,England-born blue-eyed soul man gives his fans 13 memorable songs on this album. BAD CASE OF LOVING YOU(DOCTOR,DOCTOR) begins this album and it's a different version than the one heard on 1979's SECRETS. The calypso-flavored PRIDE from the 1983 album of the same title lacks a verse. Palmer mentions in that self-penned song,Jane Fonda and Olivia Newton-John,thanks to ONJ's 1981 hit PHYSICAL("Please tell Ms. Fonda to reduce her price.""Hey Olivia Newton-John,what you say?"). Another self-penned hit of Palmer's,ADDICTED TO LOVE rocks hard. One of the Top Hits of 1986 inspired "Weird Al" Yankovic to write lyrics for ADDICTED TO SPUDS. This is the edited single version,not the RIPTIDE album version. SWEET LIES is from the 1989 film of the same title. WOKE UP LAUGHING is an alternate version,not the one from 1980's CLUES. The same applies to LOOKING FOR CLUES,from that same album. SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK is a bit similar to Rod Stewart's 1984 hit song. SOME LIKE IT HOT is from 1985's THE POWER STATION,a veteran quartet consisting of Palmer,Duran Duran's John and Andy Taylor,and the late Chic drummer Tony Thompson. WHAT'S IT TAKE? is another SECRETS track. EVERY KINDA PEOPLE from 1978's DOUBLE FUN is another calypso-flavored favorite(Palmer must be a Harry Belafonte fan). JOHNNY & MARY is from CLUES. Another hard-rocker,SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE is from 1988's HEAVY NOVA. STYLE KILLS is pretty cool. SLIH was originally released on Capitol,the same label that Duran Duran recorded on. SI was originally on EMI-Manhattan(Palmer signed with that label in 1987 or '88). At least most of the others were released on Island,like this album. In the liner notes by Palmer,he planned to release the sequel in 1990,a year after this album was released. He postponed the sequel's release in favor of DON'T EXPLAIN. I dedicate this item to the memory of Palmer(January 19,1949-September 26,2003). Thompson passed away nearly two months later.

When Robert Palmer sang, "Doctor, Doctor, give me the news/ I got a bad case of lovin' you," did that mean that he was in love with the DOCTOR? Well, nothing wrong with that regardless of the gender of the physician in question, but I suspect that it was more likely your traditional "second person switcheroo in mid-lyric" (to use the technical rhetorical term for it). And, yes, even if Palmer didn't pen it himself, it's still a darn good song.

Robert Palmer, he of the suave and sophisticated image, consistently wrote sophisticated lyrics as well. Those who have only heard the singles, in fact, with their, for the most part, straight ahead rock'n'roll sound may be quite surprised at not only the worldly wise lyrics of his oeuvre overall, but also of the stylistic variety. He had long had the reputation of being a World Music disciple, but you wouldn't necessarily guess that from the singles.

Palmer was a very versatile artist. While I might tend to lump all the various "World Music" sounds on this collection as being Caribbean, Palmer's own liner notes (which are very interesting indeed) suggest that the former Bahamas resident was actually tracing that music's origin to its African roots.

Lyrically, however, Palmer seems possessed very much of a European sensibility, and that only adds to the richness of the mix. The lyrics to "Pride" and "Woke Up Laughing," for instance, are witty and ironic, which while not solely Anglo-American traits, seem to be reflective of his Western European roots. Like Paul Simon, he does not attempt to craft "Native" sounding lyrics, for the most part, but grafts his own sensibility onto the ethnic music he's embracing. Which is a smart--and much more authentic--move.

The rockier numbers are the ones that people are more likely to know. Even there, though, there are surprises. The album's closer is the somewhat heavier than usual (and certainly more sinister sounding) "Style Kills." It's a doubly ironic statement coming from a man who seemed the very embodiment of style.

Not all the Caribbean sounding stuff is instantly accessible and much could only be "radio friendly" with a little editing ("Pride" would probably need to lose its loosey-goosey intro to get a little airplay, for instance). But I wouldn't be suprised if many listeners who come to this album for the hits wind up sticking around for the World beats.

ADDICTIONS VOL. 1 would seem to be as good an intro to works of Robert Palmer as one could hope for at what is still something of a bargain price. There is the second volume and a compilation of volumens 1 & 2 available as imports. Completists may want to check out those as well, either as supplements or alternatives to this one. The fact that many of these tracks have been re-mixed may also make it attractive to fans who may already have the original albums, but might be interested in what Palmer later considered to be the authorative takes.

There are stars and there are stars. Palmer had any number of hit records, but it's apparent from this collection that he never got the full recognition he deserved. Certainly not a "one hit wonder," he nonetheless suffered from a lack of public recognition that he had more than one dimension.

Think how many albums you have where you have to skip 2, 3, even 4 tracks because they just wear thin quickly. I have listened to this album dozens of times over the years and (IMO) there are no throw-aways. Palmer's style menu is eclectic, but it all hangs together well on this CD. The production values still hold up and are varied as well (and refreshing). Go for it.

Any Robert Palmer is good but this is not as good as Addictions 2. Addictions 2 is very hard to come by so I bought them together as a package deal. I miss him.

This is a good collection of Palmer's work showing how he can adapt to a variety of styles such as the Caribbean sound of "Pride" and the bouncy, funky "Clues", and the raucous "Some Like it Hot" with the help of Power Station. There are a few exceptions though that detract from this disc. On "Some Guys Have All the Luck", Palmer talks through the verses which makes the song a throwaway. Also on "Style Kills", his voice is so far back in the mix, you can barely make out the lyrics. Other than that, this is an enjoyable disc.

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When I first purchased this album, I listened to it solely for weeks on end. Falling in love w/ the severely-underplayed (in the States, anyway) "Johnny & Mary" & "Looking for Clues", I still love listening to it. There are a couple of tunes I really don't personally like, but most of the CD is chock-full of interesting (if not downright fantastic) tracks.

These days, Palmer is remembered not so much for his unique musical style & intellectual bend, but for his iconic 1980's music videos. However, a lot more was beyond the models, colorblock sets & suit-and-tied Robert Palmer of said videos. Not every piece here on this album will appeal to an average American listener. Some songs take several listenings to understand their message & appreciate their depth. This has the biggest hits on the American side of the pond, though, as well as in England. That said, it is far from definitive, considering the length of time Palmer's career lasted. Missing is his very good cover of The Gap Band's "Early in the Morning", some album work done with Andy Taylor & record-only tracks a true RP fan will want.

But if you are just looking for the biggest hits on one compilation, or to introduce someone new to this gentleman's work, a great starter CD. The sound quality is great, the liner notes EXCELLENT (and written by Robert himself- a delight) & terrific to listen to while driving in the car.