Best of Both Worlds: Anthology 1974-2001

Robert Palmer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 30, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Hip-O Records
• ASIN: B000065UNE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,622 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Most pop stars are lucky if they can create one enduring piece of cultural iconography for themselves. Unfortunately for Robert Palmer, his MTV-forged persona as impeccably tailored ‘80s crooner backed by a band of leggy fashion models largely overshadowed a career that was as eclectic as it was accomplished. Those who know the singer only by his video for "Addicted to Love" arguably don't know Palmer at all. Indeed, during the previous decade his ostensibly blue-eyed soul sensibilities had actually encompassed funk, New Orleans R&B, reggae, rock, and pop both Euro ("Give Me an Inch") and synth Gary Numan's "I Dream of Wires"). But that creative restlessness also seems to be the reason his commercially promising stint in the all-star Power Station (represented here by "Some Like It Hot" and an infectious cover of T. Rex's "Bang A Gong") was so short-lived. And it's perhaps why, after "Simply Irresistible" and the surge of alternative rock essentially marked the end of his MTV prime, his ‘90s work variously retrenched Palmer in soul (including a rewarding medley of Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me"/"I Want You"), torch songs, Caribbean influences, and even Delta blues. This collection ably completes the musical circle Palmer began in the mid ‘70s, astutely chronicling pop's ongoing battle between style and substance along the way. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could have been perfect......., August 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Best of Both Worlds: Anthology 1974-2001 (Audio CD)

This would have been almost 100% perfect if they had used the original versions, instead of using remixes of alot of his biggest & best songs. As it is, it's only rates a 6 on a scale of 10. What a wasted oppurtunity!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some Like It Warm: a missed opportunity, July 21, 2005

By 

James Simon (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best of Both Worlds: Anthology 1974-2001 (Audio CD)

There's a a lot of good to said for this collection. While there have been several in the past like "Addictions" Vol. 1 & 2 where he went back and remixed tracks or added new vocals, or "The Very Best Of" album, there had not been a good comprehensive collection of Palmer until this one. Perhaps that's why it's sold as a two disc set. All the hits are here. This includes a few remixed tracks from "Addictions" which may annoy purests, although I think his updated versions of "You Are In My System" is improved over the original. You can understand why he felt he could give a better performance. The new versions of "Give Me An Inch" is beautiful and soulful, and "Every Kinda People" has moving, sweet colors of Marvin Gaye. It includes Power Station tracks and soundtrack songs ("Sweet Lies"). Also the album's 24 bit remastering is top-notch. Everything here is crisp and balanced with very little analog hiss from the originals.

"Anthology" goes from "Sneaking Sally" all the way through the "R & B" albums covering three labels, so you have to tip your hat to Island Records for putting it all together. Yet the collection has some strange quirks. For example, they use the single version of "Get It On (Bang A Gong)", yet they have the album version of "Some Like It Hot". The album ends with a wimper with awful live versions of "Johhny & Mary" and "Looking For Clues" from "Live From The Apollo". His performance was weak and the recording quality is flat and thin. Just a waste where there should have had the originals. Just because it's an anthology does mean every album has to represented especially when the Apollo album is so bad.Some tracks are just lame like "Want You More". On the other hand, it would be a shame to just have "The Very Best Of" album becuase there's so much good stuff that's not on that one that is on "Anthology" like "Man Smart, Woman Smarter", "Pride", "Some Guys Have All The Luck", and more. It's a quality anthology but also misses its potential.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Singles Collection For Palmer Fans, June 12, 2003

By 

Tom (Pgh PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of Both Worlds: Anthology 1974-2001 (Audio CD)

This 2 CD collection is comprised almost soley of Robert Palmer singles dating from the early days of his solo career through the late 90's. There is bonus material from a recently released live album (originally recorded during the 1988 Heavy Nova Tour) and an upcoming blues album due released in 2003. Many of the older tracks are featured in "remixed" versions ala Palmer's 1992 Addictions Vol 2 album (where he "remixed, remastered, and remade" several older songs he felt had been inadequately performed when first recorded). The album as a whole has a definate US market appeal as singles released and successful in the UK are not included in favor of US only releases (like 1988's "Early In The Morning"). The album does present the edited single forms of songs like "Mercy, Mercy Me/I Want You" and "You're Amazing" available for the first time on CD. The liner notes have extensive US chart history information for many of the songs. The album doesn't pay enough attention to Palmer's critically acclaimed output from the mid to late 90's and many die hard fans will be dissapointed about the remixes on some of the older tunes. Overall, this is a solid collection representing his work, the best on the market aside from the two separately released Addictions Best Of albums. All the big hits are here too like "Addicted To Love", "Bad Case Of Loving You", "Some Like It Hot", etc.