Robbie Robertson (album)

Robbie Robertson
Studio album by Robbie Robertson
Released	October 27, 1987 (1987-10-27)
Recorded	1987
Genre	Rock
Length	44:19
Label	Geffen
Producer	Daniel Lanois and Robbie Robertson
Robbie Robertson chronology
Robbie Robertson (1987) Storyville (1991)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

Robbie Robertson is the solo debut album by Robbie Robertson. It was released in 1987. The album won the Juno Award for "Album of the Year". Robertson and Daniel Lanois also won the "Producer of the Year" award.

U2 and Peter Gabriel contributed to the album. U2's contribution is heard in the song "Sweet Fire of Love" which is a duet between Robertson and Bono. The other track featuring U2 is "Testimony", which also has singing from Bono. Gabriel's contributions are heard on the song "Fallen Angel". This song was dedicated to Robertson's former bandmate from The Band, Richard Manuel.

The lyrics of "American Roulette" deal with the theme of Elvis Presley's rise to popularity. The song is notable for its guitar solo throughout as well as the instrumental outro. Elvis Presley is talked about in the second verse.

Track listing

All songs written by Robbie Robertson except where noted.^[2]

1. "Fallen Angel" (Robertson, Martin Page) – 5:52
2. "Showdown at Big Sky" – 4:43
3. "Broken Arrow" – 5:17
4. "Sweet Fire of Love" (Robertson, U2) – 5:08
5. "American Roulette" – 4:46
6. "Somewhere Down the Crazy River" (Robertson, Martin Page) – 4:44
7. "Hell's Half Acre" – 3:45
8. "Sonny Got Caught in the Moonlight" – 3:45
9. "Testimony" – 4:45

Bonus tracks on the expanded edition (2005):

10. "Christmas Must Be Tonight" – 4:51
11. "Testimony (Edited 12" Remix)" – 6:34

Personnel

• Robbie Robertson – vocals, backing vocals, guitar, keyboards
• Manu Katché – drums, percussion
• Bill Dillon – guitars, backing vocals
• Tony Levin – Chapman Stick, bass
• Daniel Lanois – percussion, backing vocals, omnichord, guitar

Charts

Album

Year	Chart	Peak Position
1987	Billboard 200	38 [3]
1987	UK Album Charts	38 [4]

Single

Year	Single	Chart	Peak Position
1987	"Showdown at Big Sky"	Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	2 [5]
1987	"Sweet Fire of Love"	Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	7 [5]
1988	"Showdown at Big Sky"	Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	21 [5]
1988	"Somewhere Down the Crazy River"	Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	24 [5]
1988	"Somewhere Down the Crazy River"	UK Singles Charts	15 [4]

Sales certifications

Organization	Level	Date
BPI – UK	Gold	September 14, 1988 (1988-09-14) [6]
RIAA – U.S.	Gold	October 21, 1988 (1988-10-21) [7]
CRIA – Canada	Gold	February 28, 1989 (1989-02-28) [8]
CRIA – Canada	Platinum	February 28, 1989 (1989-02-28) [8]
CRIA – Canada	2× Platinum	February 28, 1989 (1989-02-28) [8]

References

1. AllMusic review
2. Robbie Robertson. Robbie Robertson (Geffen Records, 1987).
3. "allmusic (((Robbie Robertson > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums)))". Retrieved 2008-05-21.
4. "UK Top 40 Hit Database". Retrieved 2008-05-21.
5. "allmusic (((Robbie Robertson > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles)))". Retrieved 2008-05-21.
6. "BPI Certified Awards". Retrieved 2008-05-21.
7. "RIAA Gold and Platinum". Archived from the original on 2007-06-26. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
8. "CRIA Certifications". Archived from the original on 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2008-05-21.

Other websites

• Review^{[permanent dead link]} from Rolling Stone