Clues (Robert Palmer album)

Clues is Robert Palmer's sixth solo album, released in 1980. It has a rockier, new wave edge compared to his previous releases.^[2] The album peaked at number 59 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart and #31 in the UK in 1980.^[3] The album also peaked at #1 in Sweden, #3 in France, #15 in Netherland and #42 in Italy. The album remains the most successful in Palmer's career worldwide.^[4] Donald Guarisco of Allmusic described Clues as "one of Robert Palmer's strongest and most consistent albums," despite being somewhat short at 31 minutes.^[2]

This album was first pressed on CD in the late 80's early 1990 By Wea Manufacturing. It was not pressed for long before Polygram acquired the rights to Island records. And original WEA first pressings of the CD demand prices in the thousands range. Since the title is out of print in the USA, the WEA pressings have a different mastering scheme and were pressed in extremely low quantities, which is why collectors value the original Early Palmer Island titles.

The video to the first track on the album, "Looking for Clues," aired on MTV's first day of broadcasting, Aug. 1, 1981.

The album was certified Germany Gold by BMieV in 1992.

Track listing

All songs by Robert Palmer except where noted.

1. "Looking for Clues" – 4:52, described by Allmusic as a clever slice of new wave pop that surprises the listener with an unexpected xylophone solo^[5]
2. "Sulky Girl" – 4:07
3. "Johnny and Mary" – 3:59, the album's best-known single. In 1984 Melissa Manchester recorded it with added lyric by Bernie Taupin.
4. "What Do You Care" – 2:44
5. "I Dream of Wires" (Gary Numan) – 4:34, a cover of a song from Gary Numan's 1980 album Telekon
6. "Woke up Laughing" – 3:36
7. "Not a Second Time" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) – 2:48
8. "Found You Now" (Gary Numan, Robert Palmer) – 4:37

Cover Photograph taken by Susan Palmer in Nassau, the Bahamas

Personnel

• Robert Palmer – vocals, Guitar, Bass, drums (track 6), percussion, Production
• Dony Wynn – drums
• Jack Waldman – Keyboards
• Kenny Mazur – Guitar (tracks 1, 2, 7)
• Chris Frantz – Bass Drum (track 1)
• Andy Fraser – Bass (tracks 2, 7)
• Alan Mansfield – Guitar (track 3)
• Paul Gardiner – Bass (track 5)
• Gary Numan – Keyboards (track 5)

References

1. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/r14794
2. ^ ^{a b} Donald A. Guarisco. "Review of Clues". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r14794/review. Retrieved 2007-03-06. 
3. ^ "Billboard Albums Chart for Robert Palmer". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p5096/charts-awards. Retrieved 2007-03-06. 
4. ^ http://tsort.info/music/sheq68.htm
5. ^ Allmusic Review