Island Sounds Dominate Unique Best Of Set
Thomas Leonard | Pittsburgh PA | 11/09/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Woke Up Laughing is a Robert Palmer "best of" set that zeroes in on his long standing love of world music, African, Latin, and Carribean influenced arrangements and (in many cases) lyrics. Although best known alternately as a blue eyed soul singer frollicking with Little Feat and Lowell George or as the suave pop sophisticate whose unique blend of driving guitar powered hard rock with R&B flavored dance beats dominated Top 40 radio in the 80's and early 90's, Robert Palmer often composed and arranged music in very diverse styles not present in his radio hits. Starting with his early solo work in the 70's and runing through into the mid 90's, Palmer routinely recorded songs with strong world music backgrounds, even on some of most successful rock albums. This set captures most of them, nearly 20 years worth, and includes several "standards" of the singer's live act as well as a few more recent gems like "Charanga" (performed with The Power Station) and "Honey A/HoneyB" (based upon African JuJu music). Long time fans will remember minor hits like "Pride" and "Woke Up Laughing", also included. A few songs are represneted in alternative versions or with slightly different arrangements than when first released on past albums. Excellent liner notes where Robert Palmer discusses the background of each song. Truly a showcase of the multi faceted nature of the musician, this album is a must for any Robert Palmer fan. If it's radio hits and hard rock you're looking for, check out other collections"
Perfect summer day music Booty's will shake
Brian D. Coke (cokeland@gateway.net | Fort Pierce Florida | 10/16/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I loved this disc.....a wonderful collection of Palmer's Island sounding music. For the musicaly inclined Lots of polyrythms This disc always makes me smile. Quite possibly the most eloquently produced album I have ever listened to. Over and over....Don't miss this !!! bc"
Outstanding Example of Robert Palmers Best Work !
Brian D. Coke (cokeland@gateway.net | 11/16/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was never a big fan of Robert Palmer's rock and roll stuff. However, I am the BIGGEST fan of his "tropical music" and his older stuff. In my opinion, "Some People Can Do What They Like" is one of the best recordings I've heard. "Woke up Laughing", (the song), is a masterpiece, and the rest of the CD is as well. I've always appreciated unusual percussion and a tropical flair (without the hokiness that you sometimes get). This C-D arrived on a Friday night and I sat down and listened to it .... then I listened to it again. Incredible."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1