Heavy Nova [Import]

Robert Palmer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 27, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Import
• ASIN: B00000DQW5
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,826 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The blue-eyed soul singer's 1988 album includes the hits, 'Simply Irresistible' & 'She Makes My Day'. EMI.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A RIP review for a musician with simply irresistible songs, September 26, 2003

By 

Daniel J. Hamlow (Narita, Japan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heavy Nova (Audio CD)

I write this with a heavy heart, as I've just heard of Robert Palmer's death in Paris, aged 54. I wonder if the angels up there are mannequins in black miniskirts who can actually play the instruments instead of miming as they did in his videos. That being said, Heavy Nova was original meant as a confluence of heavy metal and bossa nova. Well, there are songs that resemble those genres but nothing that's a hybrid of those two.

"Simply Irresistible" is just that, an infectious danceable mixture of snarling and chugging rock guitar accompanied by synths and a high-pitched sound resembling metal whiplash.

The funky "More Than Ever" could've been something left over from The Power Station what with the power guitar licks.

Things get amusing and a bit silly with "Change His Ways" and the African/reggae rhythms, with accordion, violin, African harmony singers contributing to the exotic sound. Oh, and he even yodels to boot. A gigolo type keeps trying to regain the favour of a woman he's chasing, and the title reflects what she wants to do.

"Disturbing Behavior" is more in the mold of the heavier style and tells of a woman who doesn't tolerate carefree behaviour, but also maybe the mindset of straight-laced people rattled by those who live it up. He sings "Outrageous behaviour concerns everyone/We want perfect behaviour out of everyone."

With synths resembling a harpsichord providing a dominant rhythm throughout, "Early In The Morning" was the second single, and quite a change for those expecting another "Simply Irresistible"-like single. It's a mid-paced affair that bubbles up and down. There is a bridge instrumental that includes a funky guitar solo, weird sounds, before cutting back to the song.

The languid dreamscape of "It Could Happen To You" has a lush strings and piano in the same manner as "Riptide" or "Get It Through Your Heart."

"She Makes My Day" was the third single from here and it's the closest to bossa nova as his album gets. The strings and trumpet are more pronounced than anything by Stan Getz's mellowed style. There's parallel verses here. While his main vocal's singing "I'll never be lonely, now I know her", a background vocal sings "She trust her intuition" at the same time. Interesting technique there.

The swinging piano, percussion, and guitar of "Between Us" leans again to the bossa nova direction, and it would snugly fit on a various artists bossa nova album.

A voodoo motif begins "Casting A Spell" including a chant likened to that of a witch doctor. It then goes into a number as lively as "Simply Irresistible" only with a host of R&B backup singers. It shows that women don't have the monopoly on the art of bewitching.

The funk of "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming" rounds out the album. He shares vocals with an unnamed female R&B singer here.

Palmer's styles varied greatly from songs such as "Looking For Clues", "You Are In My System", "Johnny And Mary", "Addicted To Love", "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)", and even "She Makes My Day". Though much of his output arose from the 1970's, his second big album of the 80's carved him as a vital force in pop history. Now that he's gone, maybe the rest of his catalogue will be just as examined.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars R.I.P., R.P., September 26, 2003

By 

William Smith (Fontana, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heavy Nova (Audio CD)

I'm shocked at the lack of reviews for this cd. I chose to write this because folks, this is the first celeb "passing" that actually has affected me, and deeply. A lot of celebs that have passed recently have either not been my cup of tea, or frankly, they were older and it wasn't a BIG shock. Not so here, Robert Palmer I consider a friend, a dear friend. I got Heavy Nova in an odd way, it was the final selection of one of those wacky record clubs, I just couldn't think of anything else I wanted... what I ended up with was more than expected. Funny to think, probably 90% of the cd's I thought I wanted are probably long forgotten, while Heavy Nova still has more hooks than Ali.

Robert Palmer simply put is an individual. No one will ever be him, and no one will even come close to it. His lyrics contain so much wit and clever hooks it is almost inconcievable he doesn't seem more highly regarded. Heavy Nova carries just about every type of music Robert attempted in his pre-empted life. But the one thing it contains that makes it the most memorable to me is the obvious attempt by Robert to be whatever he wanted to be. And to him I am eternally grateful for the great memories. Thank-you Robert, now get up on that heavenly stage, you deserve it.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUPER NOVA, August 16, 2000

By 

Reginald D. Garrard "the G-man" (Camilla, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heavy Nova (Audio CD)

Robert Palmer has class and soul. His selections on this disc are excitingly varied from pure pop to rock to R & B. His respective covers of Jermaine Jackson's "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming" and The Gap Band's "Early in the Morning" are magnificent. "Simply Irresistable," like its predecessor "Addicted to Love" shows the artist can rock with the best of them. Palmer even demonstrates his interpretive skills on standards with the mesmerizing "It Could Happen to You."

Great talent, great album!