Honey (Robert Palmer Album)

''Honey'' is the twelfth studio album by British singer Robert Palmer. It was released in September 1994 and reached number 25 in the UK Albums Chart. The album featured the minor hits "Girl U Want", "Know by Now" and "You Blow Me Away".

Track listing

Critical reception

Upon release, pan-European magazine ''Music & Media'' noted: "Right when you've written off the eternal nobleman as a lost crooner, he returns with a vengeance. Surrounded by ambitious musicians, Palmer has provided his most inspired album in years."Music & Media magazine - New Releases: Albums - 15 October 1994 - page 16 ''People'' described the album as a "stunning follow-up to 1992's ''Ridin' High''" and commented: "Through it all, ''Honey'' goes down smoothly—and Palmer proves once again that he's simply irresistible." ''Cash Box'' commented: "Robert Palmer has been making music for over two decades. His new album reflects his experience like a well-aged bottle of wine, graceful and dignified. The most impressive aspect of the record is the versatility he displays."Cash Box newspaper - 1 October 1994 - Album Reviews: Honey - page 9

David Hiltbrand of ''Entertainment Weekly'' stated: "The British singer mostly plays to his strong suits: suave, double-breasted vocals, unconventional but funky rhythms, and exotic Afro-Carib musical flourishes. It all fuses on "Know by Now," the sort of bittersweet up-tempo ballad at which Palmer excels. Later on he indulges in some empty hard-rock posturing abetted by Extreme's Nuno Bettencourt. But at least Palmer steers clear of the stuffy piano-lounge standards that have marred so many of his recent releases."

In a retrospective review, Leslie Mathew of AllMusic said: "...Palmer himself sounds as inhumanly suave as ever, though much of the material is a prescription for déjà vu. Ironically, given its title, this album is much more hard-edged than ''Heavy Nova'' and ''Riptide''. Highlights include "Know By Now," a tasty mid-paced rocker, and "Nobody But You," a twitchy, coiled funk ditty. ''Honey'' has its moments, and plenty to spare, but it also occasionally gives the impression of a man who's trying too hard."

Paul Sinclair of ''Super Deluxe Edition'' said: "''Honey'' returns to contemporary rock/pop with a typically varied selection of songs. It doesn't really match the standards of the previous records. Singles "Know By Now" and especially "You Blow Me Away" are both strong but feel slightly let down by the production, which for the time comes across as a little cheesy and bombastic in places. Overall, rather inessential." ''Get Ready to Rock!'' wrote: "''Honey'' saw him back exploring an eclectic mix of World music, funk, jazz, rock/pop and dance. But once again the constant switching of styles is somewhat unsettling."

Chart performance

Personnel

* Robert Palmer – vocals, arrangements
* Alan Mansfield – keyboards, soprano saxophone
* Nuno Bettencourt – guitars
* Gary Butcher – guitars
* Saverio Porciello – guitars
* Frank Blair – bass
* Andy Duncan – drums, percussion
* Mauro Spina – drums, percussion
* Dony Wynn – drums
* Jose Rossy – percussion
* Demo Morselli – trumpet, flugelhorn
* Sharon O'Neill – additional vocals

Production

* Robert Palmer – producer
* Stephen Hague – producer, remix (tracks 4, 6, 8)
* Teo Macero – additional production
* David Harper – executive producer
* Richard Coble – production coordinator
* Pino "Pinaxa" Pischetola – recording, mixing
* Chris Lord-Alge – remix (track 3)
* Mike "Spike" Drake – remix (tracks 4, 6, 8)
* Antonio Baglio – mastering

;Additional Credits
* Bill Smith Studio – design, artwork
* Robert Palmer – design concept, handwriting
* Nigel Perry – photography
* Alan Hydes – original oil painting

;Studios
* Recorded and Mixed at Logic Studios (Milan, Italy).
* Mastered at Profile Studio (Milan, Italy).

References

{{Authority control

1994 albums
Robert Palmer (singer) albums
Albums produced by Teo Macero
Albums produced by Robert Palmer (singer)
Albums produced by Stephen Hague
EMI Records albums