Robbie Robertson (album)

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.Robbie Robertson. Robbie Robertson (Geffen Records, 1987).
 "Fallen Angel" (Robertson, Martin Page) – 5:52
 "Showdown at Big Sky" – 4:43
 "Broken Arrow" – 5:17
 "Sweet Fire of Love" (Robertson, U2) – 5:08
 "American Roulette" – 4:46
 "Somewhere Down the Crazy River" (Robertson, Martin Page) – 4:44
 "Hell's Half Acre" – 3:45
 "Sonny Got Caught in the Moonlight" – 3:45
 "Testimony" – 4:45
Bonus tracks on the expanded edition (2005):
"Christmas Must Be Tonight" – 4:51
"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
YearChartPeakPosition1987Billboard 20038 1987UK Album Charts38 

Single
YearSingleChartPeakPosition1987"Showdown at Big Sky"Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks2 1987"Sweet Fire of Love"Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks7 1988"Showdown at Big Sky"Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks21 1988"Somewhere Down the Crazy River"Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks24 1988"Somewhere Down the Crazy River"UK Singles Charts15 

Sales certifications
OrganizationLevelDateBPI – UKGold RIAA – U.S.Gold CRIA – CanadaGold CRIA – CanadaPlatinum CRIA – Canada2× Platinum 

 References 

 Other websites 
 Review from Rolling Stone

Category:1987 albums