Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame, Vol.1

Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame, Vol.1
Studio album by Steve Arrington
Released	February 7, 1983
Recorded	1982–1983 Atlantic Studios, Boogie Hotel & Port Jefferson, New York City, New York
Genre	R&B, funk
Label	Atlantic Records
Producer	Steve Arrington Jimmy Douglass Charles Carter
Steve Arrington chronology
Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame, Vol.1 (1983) Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame: Positive Power (1984)

Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame, Vol.1 is the debut album by Steve Arrington and his band. By 1982, Arrington had been in Slave for almost five years and was ready to go solo. He formed his band simply called "Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame" and went to work on their debut album. Released in 1983, the album reached number 12 on the Top Soul Albums charts in 1983.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Christgau's Record Guide	B+[2]

Reviewing the album in Record, Vince Aletti called Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame, Vol. 1 "not just the best funk debut of the year so far, but an album appealing and original enough that even veterans will find it hard to beat." He picked "Nobody Can Be You" as the highlight for its unexpectedly introspective lyrics and tight instrumental production, but said that the entire album is full of fresh songs which eschew funk cliches and benefit from Arrington's unpredictable vocals, commenting that, "Arrington's singing keeps you on edge, alert to its changing coloration, its swift kicks and cool caresses, often delivered when you least expect them."[3]

Track listing

1. "Nobody Can Be You" - (Steve Arrington, Charles Carter) 5:16
2. "You Meet My Approval" - (Arrington, C. Carter) 5:30
3. "Last Nite/Nite Before" - (Arrington, Sam Carter) 4:45
4. "Strange (Soft & Hard)" - (Arrington) 4:27
5. "Speak With Your Body" - (Arrington, C. Carter) 5:22
6. "Weak At The Knees" - (Arrington, Buddy Hankerson, C. Carter, Roger Parker) 5:21
7. "Beddie-Biey" - (Arrington, Hankerson, Victor Godsey) 4:04
8. "Way Out" - (Arrington, S. Carter) 4:22

Personnel

• Steve Arrington - lead and backing vocals, bass, drums, rhythm guitar, keyboards
• Charles Carter - keyboards, saxophone, backing vocals
• Bruce Victor Godsey - flute, keyboards, backing vocals
• Buddy Hankerson - bass, backing vocals
• Roger Parker - drums, backing vocals
• Kevin Eubanks - bass, guitar
• Gary Jackson - percussion, backing vocals
• Arthur Rhames - guitar
• Sam Carter - keyboards, African calls

Charts

Chart (1983)	Peak position
Billboard Pop Albums[4]	101
Billboard Top Soul Albums[4]	12

Singles

Year	Single	Chart positions[5]
		US R&B	US Dance
1982	"Way Out"	68	49
1983	"Nobody Can Be You"	18	23
	"Weak At The Knees"	33	—

Samples & covers

• N.W.A sampled "Weak At The Knees" on their song "Gangsta Gangsta" on their album Straight Outta Compton in 1988.
• Ice Cube sampled "Weak At The Knees" on his song "The Nigga You Love to Hate" on his album AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted in 1990.
• A Tribe Called Quest sampled "Beddie-Biey" on their song "The Chase, Part II" on their album Midnight Marauders in 1993.
• Shaquille O'Neal sampled "Nobody Can Be You" on his song "Nobody" on his album Shaq Fu: Da Return in 1994.
• Jermaine Dupri & Jay-Z sampled "Weak At The Knees" on their song "Money Ain't a Thang" on their album Life in 1472 & Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life in 1998.
• 3 X Dope sampled "Weak At the Knees" on the song Weak At The Knees on their album Live from Acknickulous Land in 1990.

References

1. Ripol, Vince. Steve Arrington: Steve Arrington's Hall Of Fame, Vol.1 > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
2. Christgau, Robert (1990). "A". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. ISBN 0-679-73015-X. Retrieved August 16, 2020 – via robertchristgau.com.
3. Aletti, Vince (June 1983). "Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame: I review". Record. 2 (8): 22.
4. "Steve Arrington US albums chart history". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
5. "Steve Arrington US singles chart history". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-08-30.

External links

• Steve Arrington-Steve Arrington's Hall Of Fame at Discogs