On His Own - Part 3

Due affiliate disclosure  

In this final post in the On His Own series, I am featuring Robert Palmer.

Robert Palmer is best known for The Power Station, including Andy Taylor, John Taylor, and Tony Thompson (former Chic drummer).

The Power Station's "Some Like It Hot" ranked No. 6 in the U.S.

Robert Palmer performed once with the band on Saturday Night Live, but opted out of touring to focus on his solo career...

...and that is my cue to focus on Robert Palmer alone.

I am only familiar with Robert Palmer's solo work - mainly through his Best Of album.

Of the 10 songs on the album, my most favorite song is "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On."  Another favorite is "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley."  "Addicted to Love" and "Simply Irresistible are  of course iconic to Robert Palmer's career...

Iconic career -

Top 10 singles in the U.S. and UK
2 Grammy Awards for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance
MTV Video Music Award
2 Brit Award nominations for Best British Male Solo Artist

(Source - Wikipedia)

In honor of Robert Palmer's immense talent, if I may be so bold...

 

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On His Own - Part 2

Due affiliate disclosure

Dear readers and passersby,

In On His Own - Part 1, I posed a question - when a globally recognized band breaks up and the lead singer is on his own, what is his chance at success equal to when the band was together. 

In this On His Own - Part 2, I have a revised question.  When a globally recognized duo breaks up, what are the chances of either or both at success equal to when they performed together?

In the case of a musical duo, I am referring to Simon & Garfunkel.  And of the two, I am referring to Paul Simon.

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel had a rich history as musical partners dating to a very early age and lasting to 1970 when their difficult on and off relationship officially dissolved.  Although there were numerous reunions, a solidified duo was not meant to be.

As a duo, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel produced such classics as "Mrs. Robinson" and "Bridge over Troubled Waters."  In 1981, "The Concert in Central Park" drew in an audience of 500,000 - 7th largest concert attendance in history.  The duo received 10 Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.  To date, 100 million records by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel have been sold - making them one of the best selling musicians.  Bridge over Troubled Waters is listed at no. 51 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.  (Source - Wikipedia)

Okay.  When I think of Paul Simon, I think of his iconic solo album, Graceland.  (Grammy Award for Album of the Year - 1987 … National Recording Registry - 2007)  And being released in 1986, I am most familiar with "You Can Call Me Al." In conclusion, if I may be so bold...

 

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On His Own - Part 1

Dear readers and passersby,

I have a question for your consideration.  When an established and globally recognized band breaks up and the lead singer is on his own, what is his chance at success equal to when the band was together?  Feel free to leave a comment to share your thoughts!

Okay, so one of the most iconic examples of a lead singer on his own is Sting.  My most favorite album by Sting himself is Brand New Day.  Although I love every song on the album, there are two that stand out the most - "A Thousand Years" and "Ghost Story."  Where The Police emphasized political messages, Brand New Day tells a more gentle and romantic story with each song. 

 

The concluding song on Brand New Day is "Brand New Day," which I personally find to be a profound statement to Sting's musical independence and success as defined by him alone.

 



All American

In the world of music, "All American" recalls Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.  Born and raised American musicians formed in Gainesville, Florida.  Examples of the band's most famous songs include -

"Learning to Fly"
"Mary Jane's Last Dance"
"Refugee"
"Into the Great Wide Open"
"Here Comes My Girl"

...and many more when Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers formed in 1976.

In this post, though, I am traveling to the west coast for another All American band - Journey.  Born and raised American musicians formed in San Francisco, California.  Examples of the band's most famous songs include -

Don't Stop Believin'
Faithfully
Wheel in the Sky
Who's Crying Now
Lights

...and many more when Journey formed n 1973.

"Lights"

By far my most favorite Journey song discovered on Journey's Greatest Hits album.

 

1988

 

Reception -

 

- Journey's best selling career disc

- 546 weeks on the Billboard 200 album chart

- 6th highest certified "greatest hits" in the U.S.

- Gold in Canada and the UK … Platinum in Ireland … 15x Platinum in the U.S.

 

(Source - Wikipedia)





 

Set List Sunday Favorite

In this edition of Sunday Favorite, All You Need Is Now ranked well at the top of viewer reception.

In short, All You Need Is Now took a look back at the debut of the album, fan reaction, reception, and the album's namesake song, "All You Need Is Now."

Follow the link above to read more.

Set List - Blast from the Past

In this post, I thought I would take a break from album-themed posts and reminisce about a blast from the past post that has recently caught current attention.

In the launch year of Set List, I was exploring all genres of music and all sources of music.  In 2010, my genre and source intrigue came together in the most unusual of ways.

Enter Catchy Jingles.

Quote -

"Have you ever been glued to the television set in the hopes of seeing a particular commercial that plays a catchy jingle?  Have you become so addicted to that jingle that you hit the Internet and iTunes to find the name and musician?  If you answered yes to both, then you truly are a music enthusiast."

2010 examples -

"Days Go By" - Dirty Vegas
Advertisement - Mitsubishi Eclipse

"Fort Knox" - Goldfish
Advertisement - Kia Motors Soul

"How You Like Me Now?" - The Heavy
Advertisement - Kia Motors Sorento

I  have since discovered new musicians and songs via television commercials.

The Catchy Jingles post itself is from long ago, but the blast from the past reminiscing holds true today.

Paper Gods

 

2015

 

And then there is Paper Gods, from the album cover to the track list.

 

The Paper Gods album cover - "icons that represent the band's history."

 

Rio - Lips and Eye … Chauffeur's cap ("The Chauffeur") … Pink telephone, Champagne glass, and Saxophone ("Rio")

 

Sumo wrestler from the "Girls On Film" video

 

Teeth defining "Wild Boys"

 

The Eiffel Tower is in reference to the film, A View To a Kill.

 

The rocket reflects the greatest hits album, Decade.

 

Female silhouette from "Skin Trade"

 

Tiger and snake from Seven and the Ragged Tiger

 

White shoe from the "Come Undone" video

 

Ice cream cone from "Perfect Day"

 

Paper Gods Reception -

 

- No., 5 on UK Albums chart

- 9th Top 5

- One of a few bands to land Top 5 albums in four consecutive decades

- No. 10 in U.S. Billboard 200

- First Top 10 album since The Wedding Album

(Cover and Reception source - Wikipedia)

 

Of the 12 songs on the original list and the 3 bonus tracks featured on the deluxe edition, only one really stood out to me - "Pressure Off." 

 

 

And there you have it - from January 14th to today, I have shared my clear passion for Duran Duran.  Favorite songs.  Favorite albums.  Reflections of albums I may not own but nonetheless find intrigue in.  History.  Reception.  The original lineup no longer.  Dom Brown as the official guitarist listed under Duran Duran personnel. 

 

In three concluding words to the Duran Duran post series -

 

So much fun