Sailin’ Shoes

The Zoo Crew is spinning the funky grooves of Sailin’ Shoes by Robert Palmer from his 1974 debut album Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley, and the Zoo Freaks are vibing to this soulful classic. This track, a cover of Little Feat’s original written by Lowell George, kicks off the album with a seamless, high-energy medley alongside Hey Julia and the title track. Recorded with The Meters and Lowell George himself on guitar, Palmer’s version is funkier and faster than the bluesy 1972 original, with a danceable edge that Phish later emulated in their performances. Palmer recalled the studio sessions as intimidating yet exhilarating, saying in a 1988 interview, “The studio was full of these big black men from a heavy R&B church tradition, and I walked in and thought Yoiks! I was paying the bill but it felt like an audition.” The opening trilogy, clocking in at over nine minutes, was a college radio staple, praised by critics like Chris Coe in The Rough Guide to Rock as “fifteen minutes of some of the most joyous white funk ever recorded.”

Behind the scenes, the song’s production was a cross-continental effort, recorded in New York, New Orleans, and Nassau. Palmer leaned into improvisation, encouraging the rhythm section to jam while he layered percussive vocals, a process he later abandoned but described in 1996 as chasing a “funk-jam feel.” The album’s iconic cover, shot by Graham Hughes, drew inspiration from Jean-Luc Godard’s 1965 film Alphaville, showing a stylish Palmer fleeing a tunnel with a model in a lacy slip, setting a playboy aesthetic for his early career. Fans on Reddit’s ClassicRock community rave about the track’s bassline and vocal interplay, with one user calling it “a more polished version of Little Feat.” Another fun tidbit: producer Steve Smith claimed Hey Julia, which flows into Sailin’ Shoes, featured the first-ever use of a drum machine on a record, adding a subtle electronic pulse to the organic funk.

Robert Palmer’s journey to Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley began in Batley, Yorkshire, where he was born on January 19, 1949. Growing up, he was drawn to American soul, R&B, and jazz, influences that shaped his versatile voice. His career kicked off in 1969 when he joined the Alan Bown Set, a British soul and jazz-rock band, before moving to DaDa, a jazz-rock fusion outfit, in 1970. Palmer’s big break came with Vinegar Joe, a gritty R&B and rock band he co-fronted with Elkie Brooks, releasing three albums in the early 1970s. Though critically praised, Vinegar Joe didn’t achieve commercial success, leading Palmer to go solo. Signed to Island Records in 1974, he traveled to New York and New Orleans to work with top-tier musicians, resulting in the soulful triumph of his debut album.

Though Palmer passed away in 2003, his legacy lives on through his official website, which offers discography details and vintage videos. His Facebook page remains active, sharing throwback photos and fan memories, while his Instagram account posts album art and clips, keeping his music alive for new generations. On X, the official account engages with fans, often highlighting tracks like Sailin’ Shoes. Fans gather at sites like Discogs for vinyl collectors’ discussions, and the Robert Palmer Appreciation Society on Facebook is a hub for devotees sharing rare live recordings and stories. The Zoo Crew and Zoo Freaks can keep the groove going by exploring these corners of Palmer’s enduring fandom.