Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley
| Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 1974 | |||
| Studio | ||||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 35:24 | |||
| Label | Island | |||
| Producer | Steve Smith | |||
| Robert Palmer chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley is the debut solo album by Robert Palmer, released in 1974. It was his first effort after three album releases co-fronting the band Vinegar Joe.[4][5]
Palmer is backed by The Meters and Lowell George of Little Feat. Multiple reviewers have commented that Palmer sang confidently on this album, despite being backed by more accomplished musicians such as Lowell George, Art Neville and New Orleans singer-songwriter Allen Toussaint.[6][7][8]
The album peaked at No. 107 in the Billboard 200. "Get Outside", which was released as the B-side to "Which of Us Is the Fool", a single from Palmer's next album Pressure Drop, bubbled under the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 105. Neither the album nor its singles charted in the UK however.[9]
Songs[edit]
While most of the songs on the album were originals, the album also contained a few covers:
- The title track was originally sung by Lee Dorsey, and was included on his 1971 album Yes We Can. Ringo Starr covered it for his 1977 album Ringo the 4th. In 2011 it was used in the video game Driver: San Francisco.
- "Sailin' Shoes" was written by Lowell George, and originally performed by Little Feat. It was initially recorded on their 1972 album of the same title.
- "From a Whisper to a Scream" was written and originally performed by Allen Toussaint on his 1971 album Toussaint.
Track listing[edit]
All tracks are written by Robert Palmer, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sailin' Shoes" | Lowell George | 2:44 |
| 2. | "Hey Julia" | 2:24 | |
| 3. | "Sneakin' Sally Thru the Alley" | Allen Toussaint | 4:21 |
| 4. | "Get Outside" | 4:32 | |
| 5. | "Blackmail" | Palmer, George | 2:32 |
| 6. | "How Much Fun" | 3:02 | |
| 7. | "From a Whisper to a Scream" | Toussaint | 3:32 |
| 8. | "Through It All There's You" | 12:17 |
Personnel[edit]
Per sleeve notes[10]
Musicians
- Robert Palmer – vocals (all tracks), backing vocals (1–3, 8), guitar (8), bass guitar (2), percussion (2), marimba (2)
- Vicki Brown – backing vocals (1, 2, 4)
- Mel Collins – horns (4, 8)
- Mongezi - flageolet (6), horns (8)
- Jack Vance – strings (8)
- Lowell George – guitar (1, 3, 4, 6, 7)
- Jim Mullen – guitar (2)
- Richard Parfitt – guitar (5)
- Chris Stainton – acoustic piano (7)
- Steve Winwood – acoustic piano (8)
- Onaje – electric piano (8)
- Jody Linscott – percussion (2, 3, 6)
- Gasper Lawal – percussion (4, 8)
- Steve York – harmonica (3)
- The Meters (1, 3, 6, 7)
- Art Neville – keyboards
- Leo Nocentelli – guitar
- George Porter Jr. – bass guitar
- Ziggy Modeliste – drums
- New York Rhythm Section (4, 5, 8)
- Richard Tee – keyboards
- Cornell Dupree – guitar
- Gordon Edwards – bass guitar
- Bernard Purdie – drums
Production
- Producer: Steve Smith
- Engineer: Phill Brown, Ken Laxton, Alan Varner, Rhett Davies
- Photography: Graham Hughes
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Deggans, Eric (1 January 1998). "Robert Palmer". In Graff, Gary; du Lac, Josh; McFarlin, Jim (eds.). MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. p. 439.
- ^ Staff writer (28 June 1975). "Singles Reviews: Picks of the Week" (PDF). Cash Box. XXXVII (6): 20 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ Roxon, Lillian (1978). Lillian Roxon's Rock Encyclopedia. Grosset & Dunlap. p. 380. ISBN 9780448145723. Retrieved 20 July 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Beat Instrumental & International Recording: Issues 134-139". Beat Publications. 1974. pp. 29–30. Retrieved 20 July 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley - Robert Palmer - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ "Robert Palmer - Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley CD Album". Cduniverse.com. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ Morris, Chris (11 October 2003). "Robert Palmer Dead at 54". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 41. Nielsen Business Media. p. 10. Retrieved 20 July 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Robert Palmer". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley (vinyl sleeve). Robert Palmer. Island Records. 1974.
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