Robert Palmer

Another 1970s Palmer release, another album cover depicting our golden-throated vocalist leading the kind of charmed romantic life the rest of humanity experiences only through pop music and movies. Palmer is still backed by Little Feat and funkiness abounds although some of the early passion is lacking. Contradictorily, the studio-bound "One Last Look" is the standout.

Robert Palmer's career and third album reflect the latter's title. With a seasoned group of
L.A. session players supplementing his band and Steve Smith's slick production, he moves
from rock to reggae-funk with professional agility. And yet while Palmer is undeniably a
tasteful interpreter in the blue-eyed soul school, his music too often lacks the vision, and
his voice the individuality, to transcend his influences. The result is a record tha... More >

My guess is that Palmer dresses classy as a subterfuge, to make people think that subdued quality is deliberate. Instead he's convinced me that I'll get off on a white r&b singer from Savile Row the same day I give up Jack Daniel's for sherry and join the Dartmouth Club. (Grade - C+)