Customer Reviews

Don't Explain

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

1990's Don't Explain lp finds Robert Palmer in an ambitious mood, attempting to highlight both his love of world music and jazz standards on an album featuring trademark hard rock. Essentially, this 18 song collection comes across like three separate mini albums, lacking a sense of cohesiveness when played as a whole, a jarring juxtoposition of divergent musical styles instead of one record. However, there are plenty of gems among the 18 tracks featured. Palmer showcases his love for African influenced melodies with the uptempo "Housework", complete with clever humorous lyrics, and does a credible reggae version of Bob Dylan's "I'll Be Your Babt Tonight" with help from UB40 believe it or not. Actually, that song was a major hit single in the UK!! The first third of the album is dominated by the rock material, especially on the fast paced guitar driven metal songs "You're Mother Should Have Told You" and "Can't Get Enough Of A Good Thing". The highlight is a rock power ballad version of Otis Redding's "Dreams To Remember" where Palmer has to flex some vocal muscle and invoke some soul not present in the faster paced rock songs. "You're Amazing" is a pleasant rocker (and a Top 40 US Hit Single), milder than the previous mentioned songs and similair to the singer's 1988 hit "Simply Irresistible", although not as good.
The last third of this set sees the singer in full romance mode, alternating between inspired original compositions such as "Aeroplane" and "Not A Word" and Palmer's own take of classic bits such as "You're So Desirable". The first two feature excellent string arrangements and show Palmer capable of conveying emotion vocally without being over the top while the latter plays to his vocal strengths with a more happy lyric and upbeat tempo. The title track is a Bille Holiday standard where Palmer's subtle, understated vocals strongly convey the emotions of longing and pain expressed in the lyrics. In between it all is a unique medley of 2 Marvin Gaye hits, "Mercy Mercy Me" and "I Want You", where the singer literally creates a whole new song, using the pain and anguish over a world going bad from Gaye's powerful environmental ode as the bridge into a lyrical pleading for a chance at romance from Gaye's second number. Sticking with an arrangement culled largely from the first song, the lyrics provide near perfect segue and Palmer raises the bar with some of his most powerful vocalizing in the song's second half. It's little wonder this song was a major hit single in both the US and UK, arguably the best known song in this collection. Overall, there are a good 12-14 songs in this set that would make a really good Robert Palmer record, the problem here isn't that there isn't enough, it's that there is a bit too much. Still a good buy, with a lot of interesting material alongside some enjoyable guitar driven rock songs. In fact, Palmer recruits Steve Stevens from Billy Idol's band to assist on some of the more edgy material, an excellent choice. Robert Palmer fans will definately enjoy.

There are hard rock scorchers like "You're Amazing," "Light Years" and You Can't Get Enough" as well as the lovely rock ballad "Dreams To Remember" while the rest charms in a lighter vein with the funky Prince-like "Mess Around," the clever "History" with its chugging chorus and the UB40-backed "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight." The glittering prize however, is the stunning "Housework," an infectious calypso shaker that makes you wanna jump for joy. Cover version include Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me" leading into "I Want You", Billie Holiday's smoky "Don't Explain" with mellifluous phrasing by Mr Smooth, and the jazzy "Top 40," and this impressive album bows out with two archaic ballads.

Don't Explain encompasses an impressive variety of styles, all pulled off with aplomb by the great blue-eyed soul artist. There are hard rock numbers like You're Amazing, Light Years and You Can't Get Enough plus a lovely, melodious rock ballad: Dreams To Remember.

The rest of the songs charm the listener in a lighter vein, like the funky Prince-like Mess Around, the clever and catchy History with its chugging chorus and the lilting UB40-backed I'll Be Your Baby Tonight. The glittering prize however, is the stunning Housework, an infectious calypso shaker that makes you want to dance for joy; very rhythmic and uplifting ditty.

The cover versions include Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me leading into I Want You, Billie Holiday's smoky Don't Explain with mellifluous phrasing by Mr Smooth, and Top 40, a jazzy excursion. This impressive album bows out with two archaic ballads from a bygone era. Don't Explain showcases the versatility and the talent of this unique British singer who is no longer with us.

I've always loved the three major hit's of Robert Palmer. When I found this CD for 3 measly bucks, second hand I thought, "what the hell, i got nothing to lose"

I havent heard a good ALBUM (not song, a WHOLE album) that i've enjoyed from start to finish without feeling a happy trigger finger heading towards the skip button. In this case, i'm addicted to the album. I havent skipped a track yet... it's so good!

Kicking off with great hard rock, 80's metal, groove's, rockin' tunes you can either dance to or head bang to! then the other half of the album is love songs, cabret and a Frank Sinatra kind of feel. Rock and Romance... defnitly an odd combination, but if anyone could pull it off it's Robbie Palmer.

Robert Palmer is truely one of the all time great rock n roll performers and I think i will be missing him more with each album I hear of his from now on. A true rock n roll legend he was, is and always will be.

R.I.P, Mr Palmer. Forever we will remember you through the great music you left us with.

This is one of my favorite Palmer cd's. I needed to come to it's defense, some peoples mixed bags are other peoples diversity's. I can understand why someone would be dissappointed with this but you will warm up to it. I love the Steve Stevens guitar work and the ending songs are simply great. If you are into artists who can touch all bases and are willing to open your mind you will love this cd.

Don't Explain is an eclectic mix of rock, traditional pop, R&B and jazz that works most of the time. Unfortunately, the rock selections are it weakest link. Songs like "Your ma should've told ya" and "Your amazing" might prove that he doesn't have the fire for rock that he had in the 1980's. However, "Light years" with its sinister groove is the best of the bunch. The Marvin Gaye tribute medley is great as is his interpertation of Billie Holiday's "Don't explain" and "Your my trill" are fantastic. As a whole, this album isn't for the casual Palmer fan, but if you love his mixed bag approach, you'll like this album.

Robert Palmer had a pretty diversified career behind him at the beginning of his third decade as a recording artist. His interest in the beginning of his career was in jazz,rock and R&B styled bands such as Dada and Vinegar Joe and later graduated to his 70's R&B/funk works to the beginning of his recording at the Compass Point studios later in the decade,which continued into the 80's Than after 1985 he released the album Riptide,followed by Heavy Nova in 1988. These albums,especially the last ones were both as diverse as his earlier works but placed heavier emphasis on the hit singles,which were either guitar heavy rock songs or contemporary dance/funk interpretations. There was a formula developing. And Robert Palmer was never an artist given to being formulaic. If you read the liner notes to either of Palmer's greatest hits packages he talks of each song. And interviews of the period also reveal Palmer to be someone who actually takes great measure and dignity in presenting his art. He likes to have fun with his music,for sure. But especially when it comes to his soul/funk side,he treats them with great dignity and appreciation. And that's key to understanding this particular album.

When you hear the first five numbers,one is almost instantly convinced their hearing a pretty straight follow up to Heavy Nova. And if the hard rocking "Your Mother Should Have Told You",the oddball monster ballad redoing of Otis Redding's "Dreams To Remember" and the rather cute "You're Amazing" (actually the stronger of the rockier tunes here) don't do it for you,it is all too tempting to switch it off. But these five songs have about as much to do with the other songs here as a person would have to do with say...an amoeba. "Mess Around" finds Palmer taking on a stripped down late 80's style Minneapolis type funk. A good part of the cuts after this are produced by Teo Macero and again the results are very compelling. "Happiness" takes a very contemporary variant on Marvin Gaye styled 70's Motown which is revisited later in the album with a medley of "Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You",which of course Palmer just works to death. On the acappella "History" and "Housework" Palmer is dealing with South African style sounds,chants and vocal lines. He brings in UB40 for a modern funk/reggae take on Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" with some Zydeco references mixed in. The last nine tracks on the album from the title track,the bossa nova of "Aeroplane","People Will Say We're In Love","Not A Word","You're So Desirable" and "You're My Thrill" find Palmer and Macero working around luch,orchestral jazz type settings for a series of romantic midtempo balldads. The best of these (and of the album actually) is the almost career defining "Top 40",a swinging big band type number where Palmer wittily illustrated the different ways he can stay afloat in the business part of the pop music world.

Although I don't know if anyone paid this album the sort of attention it deserved,Robert Palmer was actually presenting himself here as being on the cutting age of at least three different musical subgenres that would define the 90's musical decade all the way up to the present day. The latter Teo Macero produced numbers anticipated the the whole pop standard/jazz type sound that would become something of the rage a decade or so later. Especially on places such as public radio. Also the big band influence greatly anticipates the swing revival that would come to full flower with the Brian Setzer Orchestra,Sugar Poppin' Daddies,etc. So while this could by and large be described as a transitional album for Robert Palmer,it also represents a transitional point in pop music too that would not go fully realized for a rather long time as it turned out. A year or so after this album came out,there wasn't much someone like Robert Palmer could do but remain creatively eclectic. Unless one had or developed a sound that imitated either the shrill,abrasive tone of alternative rock or any number of adult contemporary or hip-hop based R&B style you just weren't going to generate radio hits or album sales. Yet another "musical freeze out",somewhat similar to that which occured following the disco era,was about to begin. And this time it was just about anything musically indicative of 1980's pop sounds that were the key target. So it was a whole culture,not just a music. So Robert Palmer definitely had the right idea to make this the type of record it was. Because it allowed him to be himself and not really lose anything either.

"You're So Desirabel?" Really? But this is a great record. A must have for anyone who is just getting into Robert Palmer, any established fan already has it.

Don't Explain being Palmer's 1990 release and his second EMI realease is an eclectic release and it covered many diverse musical styles including rock, R&B to mention a few. Palmer had a very good voice and his vocal skills were some of the best in the business. Tracks that standout on this album are two cover tracks. Theese being the Dylan Cover with UB40 "I'll be your baby tonight" and the cover of the Marvin Gaye track "Mercy Mercy me". The booklet is quite nice with Palmer looking dapper in a nice suit. The font for the lyrics is really small and it is a bit hard to read. 4/5.

I was 13 when this CD came out and I have loved it ever since. For me the best song on here is "Aeroplane." It's got this very soothing and romantic tone to it. What really makes this album shine is how it demonstrates Robert Palmer's genius and talent. He does a good variety of music styles in this album. From Hard rock to a classic jazzy style. Robert Palmer is one of a few who was willing to experiment with music styles but never left behind what people loved. Instead of forgetting why people loved his music he would do a great deal of what he was known for but would add in some new things. This album is a great example of that and is done in a particular order. It heats up with some hard rock, slows a little to some more classic and pop sounds, and by the end cools everything down with some very mellow tunes. Hey this would be great for a good long work out or great for in the bedroom (wink, wink; if you know what I mean) I'm just saying!