Customer Reviews

Some People Can Do What They Like

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

 

 

For those that have bought all the top rated Robert Palmer albums and have not heard this one, what were you thinking? This is in my opinion is thee best album that he had recorded, 'One Last Look' is a true love rock soul song and 'Spanish Moon' is a superb version. 'What Can You Bring Me' alone sells this cd but once you sit down and listen you will listen over and over. I burned out my album when this was issued and I'll probley do the same to this disc, the line up of musicians is great with many members of "Little Feat" complimenting Palmers soulful voice. I think you will find this one of his finest and one of the most under rated. God Bless Robert Palmer..

I don't care what anybody says. THIS is THE place to start. This is THE GREAT unknown/forgotten Robert Palmer Album. don't do the collections. Get the real albums and start HERE. The title track, Gotta Get a Grip and ONE LAST LOOK are absolute CLASSICS!! ((not included on most (any?) of the best-of's.)) Almost worth it FOR THE COVER ALONE!! One of the coolest covers in all of Rock. A must-see up close, facial expression on the guy (it's RP), is priceless. and YES they corrected the cover, however in apparent HASTE as there be no "larger image"...
THIS and Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley are the place to start. (in that order)

Rock On

had it on vinyl when new.
Definitely his best, but not about to pay $50 for used not to mention $90 for new.
Why isnt the record company releasing it again?
Most artists stuff is re-released when they pass for record company to cash in. Why not this one?
A great talent was lost. Got to see him live once.

If you come to "Some People Can Do What They Like" expecting Riptide with its big hit single "Addicted to Love" or Heavy Nova with "Simply Irresitible" you'll be surprised but not disappointed. Early in Robert Palmer's career he was a musical omnivore--devoring a variety of genres as a kid he didn't see barriers when it came to musical styles. So "Some People" like it's two immediate predecessors ("Sneakin Sally Through the Alley and Pressure Drop) features elements of Funk, R&B, Rock, Reagge and other musical genres in a fascinting, potent mix that gives this album a timeless quality.

Working with the members of Little Feat (one of Palmer's favorite bands), The Meters and studio pros, Palmer and producer Steve Smith assembled a strong, cohesive album that varies from older material ("Man Smart, Woman Smarter"), covers of newer material (Lowell George's "Spanish Moon")and originals ("Gotta Get A Grip, Part II")that was largely ignored because of the lack of a major hit single. That's too bad because while the follow up album Double Fun was also very good (and had a major hit single with "Every Kinda People"), it isn't quite as strong as Palmer's third album.

The original CD mastering sounded extremely good and the MP3 appears to use the same mastering. I had the opportunity to compare them when a friend played me the downloaded version. It sounds pretty good for what it is (although it isn't quite as good as the CD lacking the original analog feel of the original album and doesn't quite have the depth of the CD--it is, however, very close). Unfortunately, we don't get any bonus tracks (Palmer's back catalog was remastered and issued on CD a couple of years back in a limited edition Japanese boxed set but that set also lacked bonus tracks and the mastering suffered from some issues with compression for those that care)and I'm at a loss as to why Palmer's back catalog hasn't received the attention it deserves (Particularly given that there is a bit of an 80's craze again and Palmer's biggest hits were during the 80's).

Highly recommended.

Coming off the heals of his Island Records solo debut, 1974's "Sneaking Sally Through The Alley" and 1975's "Pressure Drop", Robert Palmer released his third solo effort 1976's "Some People Can Do What They Like". I must say that this record or CD (if you can find a copy, this is quite rare and is definitely a collectable in the true sense of the word) is grown people's music. I'm not implying that there is foul language, there isn't any, but it's not for your average pop fan. It's a combination of soul,southern blues and r&b with some funk and rock mixed in.

If my memory is correct the record was made in New Orleans during a period where Robert was flexing his autonomy from Vinegar Joe(his former band that featured the lovely and under-rated singer Elke Brooks)using the city as inspiration and backing music provided by the group Little Feat one can easily get caught up in the atmosphere on this recording.

Let's start with the opening track "One Last Look" which is a soul ballad that has held up pretty good over the last 30 years or so. The track could have easily been a top 20 song on the R&B charts but regrettably not to be. One of my favorite tracks. Next is "Keep In Touch" which uses some damned good soulful vocals and is just as good as any soul track released that year. The third track was one that he performed live and was a fan favorite, the J.F. Kuhn penned "Man Smart, Woman Smarter", with its lively piano playing and clever yet simple lyrics. The fourth track is the amazing and incredibly cool "Spanish Moon", penned by Little Feats own George Lowell. This is the stand out on this record. It has a kick ass groove and hellified vocals by Robert, you can't get no more funky than this. In my opinion this has to be the definitive version(sorry Little Feat fans).

"Have Mercy" is a straight up southern song if I ever heard one. "Gotta Get A Grip On You Part II" is workout in soul/rock and has some interesting vocal arrangements.
"What Can You Bring Me" again shows how soulful Robert's voice was. It also had some interesting soul arrangements with guitar in a reggae tempo, its worth a listen, very urban. "Hard Head" reminds me of a juke joint tune from the crossroads with it freight train harmonica.
The one instrumental on the album is "Off The Bone", I really don't know how to describe it unless you want to call it a European version of bluegrass. The album closes with the title track "Some People Can Do What They Like" it is funk/r&b number that is more about syncopation than lyrical content but it's a nice closer.

I can't stress enough how overlooked this album was in Robert Palmer's cannon. Probably called a "lost" album but in my opinion not promoted enough by Island Records. Find a copy. As of this writing it has not been re-issued or re-mastered but hopefully in the near future it will be re-released and people will get aquainted with this record.

It is being remastered and is being rereleased. You don't have to pay 90 dollars. Take the time and shop around. Only 15.75

And Robert Palmer did indeed do that.
This album was released in 1976 after pressure drop.
It rather good lp by robert some tracks I don't like
thats just me. overall I give it and 8.9
Robert did what he wanted without question in the
70' and 80's
How many artists can say that now of these days
and stay with record comapany for 1974 to 1985
thats 11 yrs . Back in those days,
record companies gave out long contracts
to new artists. in the late 80's if the record
if sells you stay,if it don't your out.

The cd is really over priced it's not msfl gold
cd . This cd came out on cd in 1989- 1990
My version is island masters sound is great for back then.
Finding this can be hard? but check ebay international sites
your sure to find one, as i did for just, $10.00

Shame that this album is discontinuid by the recordcompany. I was lucky to find it here at Amazon for a rather steep price. But since i'm a big fan of robert palmer I didn't mind. Just happy to obtain this jewel. And like some other reviews state, don't just get the compilation. Get the original. The compilations are remixed and kinda miss the analogue sound. An good album to start with would be " Secrets " here you'll find a lot of gems and it's affordable too. Then when you're really gettin' in to palmer, collect the other albums. as I'm not trying to force anyone into big expenses I suggest to buy this album at a later moment. Later on you'll hate me for this suggestion as you'll find that this is a very good album. But hey...at least you'll have the other albums aswell. Enjoy...

This is a great album by Robert, yes I call him Robert because I met him several times while he was in So. Calif on tour thru the years, he was such a nice guy to everyone. This is early Robert Palmer friends, my 1st concert, I heard the whole album done live, along with other early classics. From One Last Look to Spanish Moon, Gotta Get A Grip to Some People Can Do What They Like, Robert's singing with such passion here. It's so refreshing to go back and listen to this Gem of Robert's collection. You'll love this CD.

Another quality release from Paper Recordings out of Manchester, England. This album, a solo venture from a member of funk-house heroes Crazy Penis, combines rough 80's-tinged basslines (think of ESG, Big Boys...) with clanky drum machines and deep house production to astounding effect. If you are a fan of Paper, or a quality house fan, this album will astound you. I had read reviews in the usual British dance magazines, and I think that they really missed the boat. Hot Toddy throws out all the worn out House music rules and comes up with a complete album that fits it's title. It truly is Super Magic. Highly original... Highly Recommended!