sneaking sally

Robert Palmer - 1974 Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley MP3@320/48 

"Before becoming a slick, sharp-dressed pop star in the 1980s, Robert Palmer was a soul singer deeply rooted in R&B and funk. Those influences are on full display on his debut album Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley. With a backing band including members of Little Feat and the Meters, the music has a laid-back groove whether Palmer's covering New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint (the title track) or singing originals ("Hey Julia," " Get Outside"). While the music is tight and solid, it is Robert Palmer's voice that is revelatory -- he sounds supremely confident among these talented musicians, and they seem to feed off his vocal intensity. Fans of the Meters or people who want to discover the funky side of Robert Palmer should check this one out. ~ Vik Iyengar, All Music Guide"

After three releases co-fronting the critically acclaimed but commercially underwhelming Vinegar Joe, Robert Palmer's first solo album is a far cry from the bombastic, mega-produced MTV-friendly fare he's best known for. Instead, it's a quietly soulful effort that finds him backed by stellar musicians from Little Feat and the Meters. 

Here, as you might expect, the groove is everything. Palmer's vocals are thoroughly assured (if he was intimidated by the credentials of his backing musicians you'd never guess it) and his choice of material, including great songs by Alan Toussaint and Lowell George, is impeccable. Undervalued at the time of its release, this is one of those rare artifacts of the early '70s that doesn't sound remotely dated.

Tracks 1, 3, 6, & 7 - The Meters

    * Art Neville - keyboards
    * Leo Nocentelli - guitar
    * George Porter, Jr. - bass
    * Joseph Modeliste - drums

Tracks 4, 5, & 8 is the New York rhythm section

    * Cornell Dupree - guitar
    * Richard Tee - piano
    * Gordon Edwards - bass
    * Bernard Purdie - drums

    * Jim Mullen - guitar on track 2
    * Jody Linscott - percussion on track 2
    * Steve York - harmonica solo on track 3
    * Lowell George - guitar on 1, 3, 4, 6, & 7

Recorded using a Linn Sondek LP12 turntable,
Origin Live power supply,
Linn Ittok LVII tonearm,
Goldring 1042 MM Cartridge,
into Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Special Edition Phono Stage
Chord Cobra 3 Interconnect
to Edirol R-09HR @ 24bit / 96kHz wav
Click Repair wav reverse - Declick 5
wavelab5 for track splitting
Adobe Audition 3.0 for manual click removal > flac