Four hours' worth of songs that Robert covered have been compiled into four "jukeboxes", each of them about an hour in length. (The math checks out.)
Southern soul and funk (from the likes of Lee Dorsey, Allen Toussaint, and Don Covay) and the music of Little Feat were primary influences on Robert Palmer's earliest solo albums, and the originals can be heard on Robert Palmer's Soul Jukebox. The Rockin' Jukebox includes more funk and soul, as well as rock (from Elvis and the British Invasion to Robert's hit covers of Moon Martin and T. Rex). Koen clued me in that Robert sang Purple Haze on an album by violinist Hugh Marsh.
Robert's albums Don't Explain (1990) and Ridin' High (1992) include most of the jazz and pop songs on the Oldies Jukebox. Billie, Bing, and Frank dominate the tracklist. (I tried to choose great versions of these standards, which weren't always the first recordings.) The Blues Jukebox is mostly sourced from Robert's final album, Drive (2003).
But wait, there's one more! Before starting his solo career, Robert was one of two singers in the band Vinegar Joe. Elkie Brooks was the other vocalist; she and Robert both went on to greater success as solo artists. I've compiled the Vinegar Joe songs where Robert sang lead. Many of them are his own compositions. Little Feat fans will find something to enjoy here, and it's easy to understand why Robert wanted to work with Feat members (and cover Feat songs) on his first three solo albums.
As Koen demonstrated with his Songbook, Robert was an accomplished songwriter. His versions of the songs on these "jukeboxes" also show his creativity as an arranger. For example, Robert's funky take on "You Really Got Me" is closer to the version by the Buddy Miles Express than the Kinks' original.
ELSEWHERE ON THE BLOG: Stinky's Homemade Live Version of Clues, Koen's Deluxe Edition of Robert Palmer's 1999 Rhythm & Blues album, and Koen's debut on this blog -- an expanded edition of Woke Up Laughing (Robert Palmer's own compilation of his "adventures in tropical music"). There are many more Jukeboxes here as well (featuring Alex Chilton, Barrence Whitfield, Dr. Feelgood, Flamin' Groovies, Joan Jett, NRBQ, Tav Falco and more).
Robert's Soul Jukebox: https://pixeldrain.com/u/zDr8g9yk
ReplyDeleteRobert's Rockin' Jukebox: https://pixeldrain.com/u/xGmo9oij
Robert's Oldies Jukebox: https://pixeldrain.com/u/p9rWheaX
Robert's Blues Jukebox: https://pixeldrain.com/u/R2jse7iE
Robert Palmer with Vinegar Joe: https://pixeldrain.com/u/P4JFz5QJ
Thanks to Koen for creating the Jukebox cover art!
Next week I will post the Robert Quine/Richard Hell compilation. In the meantime, please enjoy these "Songs That Robert Palmer Taught Us". "Songs That Robert Palmer Covered" is probably a better title, since you've likely heard "You Really Got Me", "Bang A Gong" and "Purple Haze" before he covered them ....
Delete"Talkin Bout My Baby" by Vinegar Joe should have been on our Talk Box compilation!
Great idea and excellent compilations! That Blues one in particular sits as a great mix/stand-alone album. Well done for pulling these together, and the sleeves look great too. I wasn't aware of the Purple Haze cover and I've just searched it out. A bit 80's in production, but very much in an Addicted To Love style. I'm looking forward to giving the Vinegar Joe tunes a listen too. Thanks very much for your efforts.
DeleteThank you, Sixtyacres! I agree, that "Purple Haze" sounded a bit like the Power Station. Hope you like Vinegar Joe! I have nothing against Elkie Brooks as a singer (and the title track of her "Circles" album is the same song that Robert wrote for Vinegar Joe).
DeleteVinegar Joe evolved from a band called Dada. Both groups included Elkie and her husband, guitarist Pete Gage. If you want to hear a REALLY strange arrangement, check out their version of the Stones song "The Last Time":
https://youtu.be/quepToMM754?si=8HaEYVLwkA5Ar0VS
Thanks for the tip Jonder. Not just strange, but INSANE! I wasn't keen at first, but loved it by the end. And Elkie - in my opinion - can sing just about anything in any style. I'm enjoying the Vinegar Joe stuff too - thanks!
DeleteThis deep dive into Robert Palmer's "jukeboxes" is super cool! It is awesome how you've highlighted his broad musical tastes and how he put his own spin on covers. It is especially neat to learn about his early work with Vinegar Joe and how Little Feat influenced him.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment! Vinegar Joe and Little Feat were contemporaries with similar influences. Both bands released their debut albums in 1971. 1973 (the year of Vinegar Joe's last album) was the year that Little Feat released Sailin' Shoes. Robert's version of the title track appeared on his solo debut in 1974. Lowell and Robert wrote "Blackmail" together, and all Feat members played on Robert's second album.
DeleteListening to the Soul Jukebox now, Jonder, sounds great! This was a wonderful idea!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your help with it, Koen! I would have missed out completely on "Dr. Zhivago's Train" (a Nicolai Dunger song from 2001, which shows that Robert Palmer kept his ears open to new music from young artists).
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