Welcome to one of the best CD's released by one of the most famous artists, Swing When You're Winning by the one and only, Robbie Williams! Now I'm an average Robbie fan (although Angels is soooo my favourite :D), but I felt I had to buy swing When You're Winning- a release that is not the ... Read review
Apparently,Swing When You're Winningwas inspired by the praise Robbie Williams received ... more
for his contribution to the soundtrack onBridget Jones's Diary. Recorded with an 18-piece band in Frank Sinatra's old stomping ground, the Capitol Records Studio in...
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Apparently, Swing When You're Winning was inspired by the praise Robbie Williams received ... more
for his contribution to the soundtrack on Bridget Jones's Diary. Recorded with an 18-piece band in Frank Sinatra's old stomping ground, the Capitol Records Studio...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
I Will Talk And Hollywood Will Listen Mack The Knife Somethin' Stupid (with Nicole Kidman) ... more
Do Nothing 'Till You Hear From Me It Was A Very Good Year (with Frank Sinatra) Straighten Up And Fly Right Well Did You Evah? (with Jon Lovitz) Mr. Bojangles One...
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Following his smash hit contribution to the "Bridget Jones' Diary" soundtrack, "Have you ... more
met Miss Jones", the author released this covers album in 2001 as a tribute to his Rat Pack heroes. This accompanying Piano Vocal Guitar Album presents all of his favorites for aspiring crooners to master. It also includes a CD of backing tracks.
Advantages: fantastically refreshing Disadvantages: wrong track to end on
...of the most famous artists, Swing When You're Winning by the one and only, Robbie Williams! Now I'm an average Robbie fan (although Angels is soooo my favourite :D), but I felt I had to buy swing When You're Winning- a release that is not the normal genre he goes for, and I say good for him! I watched a programme when he was recording this, and he mentioned that he thinks this album will be a success because he's bringing a not very well known genre ... ...bit of writing you see, SWING WHEN YOU'RE WINNING. The whole front page gives a really nice classic feel, giving a hint of what you're about to experience. It's not flashy; there's a clever twist on the album title- another of Robbie's albums was Sing When You're Winning. So already you get a hint of mixing Robbie Williams, and swing! Clever eh? I can't remember how much I paid for this, but you can get this new from Amazon.co.uk for £7.99, and second ... more
Welcome to one of the best CD's released by one of the most famous artists, Swing When You're Winning by the one and only, Robbie Williams! Now I'm an average Robbie fan (although Angels is soooo my favourite :D), but I felt I had to buy swing When You're Winning- a release that is not the normal genre he goes for, and I say good for him! I watched a programme when he was recording this, and he mentioned that he thinks this album will be a success because he's bringing a not very well known genre (swing!) to a younger generation. I am someone who plays this style of music a lot, and it was so refreshing to hear a style with a deep rooted position released by a popular artist, putting a fresh twist on it, but still staying true to the style that is swing.
So, let's start with the front cover! The first thing you notice is this rather lovely photo of Robbie wearing a 1940s style outfit, complete with the cute, slicked, side parting! First bit of writing- ROBBIE WILLIAMS, second bit of writing you see, SWING WHEN YOU'RE WINNING. The whole front page gives a really nice classic feel, giving a hint of what you're about to experience. It's not flashy; there's a clever twist on the album title- another of Robbie's albums was Sing When You're Winning. So already you get a hint of mixing Robbie Williams, and swing! Clever eh? I can't remember how much I paid for this, but you can get this new from Amazon.co.uk for £7.99, and second hand for just £2.49!
I don't want to bore everyone with this review, but I think it's important to give a brief bit of info about each track, because I think that's the best way I can do justice to reviewing this magnificent CD.
I WILL TALK AND HOLLYWOOD WILL LISTEN This is a nice start to the album, and it's a pleasant surprise to learn that Robbie co-wrote this with a guy called Guy Chambers. And it's about the plight of making it big and being famous. It's a really powerful piece, and was originally intended for one of Robbie's regular albums, but they definitely did a good move putting it in this album. It uses the London Session Orchestra, and they give a great feel so the song, adding a real sense of passion and personal feeling. A great start to this CD!
MACK THE KNIFE Ahhhh what a classic! It's one of my favourite songs on this album, originally made famous by such greats such as Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. It's a really laid back piece, with lovely interjections from a rather stylish sounding swishy big band, adding a fantastic atmosphere and gives a new feel. It starts off relaxed, and builds and builds with key changes and increasing instrumentation to a fantastic finish.
SOMETHIN' STUPID This is one of the tracks that was actually released and made it I believe into the charts! It's the famous duet with Robbie and Nicole Kidman, released with a rather sexy video! I'm not the biggest fan of this song. It's nice, but I think a bigger emphasis should be made on the fact that it's a duet- Robbie and Nicole sing the whole song together, in unison, just a few notes apart throughout the piece and this gives a slightly dull feel. Having said that, they do make the song work, and these two suit it well- there's no one else I can picture singing this song! And it is a very romantic, pretty piece.
DO NOTHIN' TILL YOU HEAR FROM ME I think this is one of the best pieces, orchestration-wise. Robbie records this with a brass band plus saxes, and features an energetic and firey trumpet solo. The vocal line and melody itself is rather repetitive and there is the potential to lose interest, but this is saved by the fantastic musicianship and the arrangement of the piece (credit here goes to Steve Sidwell for a good job!).
IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR God bless technology for this piece- Robbie sings with the leg end that is Frank Sinatra! It was really lovely to listen to. I'm sure everyone know this song. It's a slightly weary, very laid back song, and sings of times gone by with a fond feel of reminiscing. It starts off with a very rich oboe sound, and grows with a passionate orchestra, especially the strings!!
STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT Now this piece is fun!! It gets off to a great start with a sexy sounding big band that really sets the tone. Again, the music comes into its own with a band soli bit (that means all instruments playing the same tune all together for you non musicy people!) with an amazing tenor sax solo that really lifts the mood, and I think could make anyone feel really happy when listening to this. The lyrics are slightly random but he, it's an upbeat happy song.
WELL DID YOU EVAH I love this piece, it's Robbie dueting with the amazing comic genius, Jon Lovitz. I'm sure people have heard of him, and he has a pretty good singing voice! The easiest way to describe this piece is to quote the CD insert, "this song is two guys having a bitchy conversation at an elegant soiree" and the repeated well did you evah part is like someone going "noooo! Really!?" I also love the musical styles used in this piece, they really illustrate well. For example, there's a section when you can tell they're all at a ball, because the music goes into this lovely waltz. I also love the playful banter between the two greats. :
MR BOJANGLES I think this is the most passionate pieces on the album. It starts and finishes with the same perky whistling, but the climax in between is amazing. Robbie sings this so well spoke, he spoke of how singing a particularly sad line always made the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Actually, this piece makes the hairs on the back of MY neck rise! It's another classic from Ella Fitzgerald, and I think Robbie has succeeded best at doing this piece.
ONE FOR MY BABY Ah yes, another beautiful classic. This is the piece that I think has changed least in being done by Robbie. Features mini solos from the piano and sax, which does help to make this piece what it is. Same as before, it's the instrumentation that helps to make the change and adaptation. It is one of my favourite songs; I love singing it, and the lyrics are moving and deep. It's not one of the most showy pieces on the CD, but it's a nice break from all the heavy going passion!
THINGS This is such a lovely light-hearted song, a duet with Robbie and one of "Britain's finest actresses", Jane Horrocks! In case people don't know, Jane plays the hilarious Bubbles in Absolutely Fabulous! The song's about an ex couple reminiscing in a fun loving, teasing way. Really light-hearted lyrics, and the friendly banter at the end is great! Adds such a great personal feel.
AIN'T THAT A KICK IN THE HEAD This is your classic big band swing piece, launching into an upbeat pace, immediately taking you with the mood. The song is basically singing about the girl he loves and it's amazing, someone pinch me, she loves me back! Again, carries the typical swing feature of making the band as important as the melody line and I love this kind of music. Keeps the track interesting!
THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME This is one of my most favourite songs (I've sung it at a concert hehe, love it with a passion!). This is another duet with Rupert Everett, a guy I don't think I know, but isn't he the voice of Prince Charming in Shrek 2? I'm pretty sure that's him. Anyway, the song's about reminiscing about a breakup in a cheerful way. It again uses the features of making the big band part of the focus- I think it's one of the most well known tracks. Two very smooth voices!!
HAVE YOU MET MISS JONES? This song is responsible for this whole album! Robbie recorded this for Bridget Jones' Diary (as I'm sure everyone knows) and this got him obsessed with swing, hence wanting to record an entire album. Every time I hear it, I see the famous film, and it just works as a really nice background to a hilarious film I think pretty much everyone has seen. A great soundtrack!
ME AND MY SHADOW This a swing classic I hadn't heard before until now. Robbie recorded this with his best friend, Jonathan Wilkes, and is a cheeky chappy kind of song- two best mates who really enjoy being around each other. The ending of this is so so funny, with live adlibbing, again giving a really personal touch, and I think will make everyone smile first time they hear it.
BEYOND THE SEA Last track! This is where my only criticism comes in- I think this is a bad choice for a final album piece. There's something about it which doesn't quite finish the album off then. But on the other hand, it leaves the ending open, letting you wonder what will come next? It's my least favourite piece of the album, it's slightly to monotonous for me, it's very calm and slightly too laid back for me. What was odd was that on my CD, the song lasted about half an hour- the sone finished and there was about 25 minutes of silence!
Ok, so thanks for reading all of that. I think more popular artist should follow by Robbie's example- bringing a new style of music to more people- allowing them to broaden their horizons and hear all the sounds music has to offer.
Advantages: Classic songs given great exposure by a gifted performer. Disadvantages: Don't be silly!
I think of Robbie Williams as a marvellous performer, but this is the only one of his albums I've ever asked for, and the only one I own. I think it's also the only Number 1 album I've ever owned, either. It is, as my opinion title suggests, sublime.
My musical passion is the musical theatre, and many of the songs on this album come from that source, but this is the music of the big bands, the music of Frank Sinatra, the music, in short, of a class ... ...greatest classics, and he performs them all brilliantly. Ignore the sniping in the critical columns, this is one great album. Right, enough of the hyperbole, on to the opinion.
The album begins with 'I Will Talk and Hollywood Will Listen', the only new track here, and one which sits quite comfortably alongside the others. As the track begins, Robbie demonstrates a great command of his falsetto voice, managing not to screech and wail as some singers ...
DavidBedford 29.12.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Swing When You're Winning - Robbie Williams
...up the challenge !
Swing history stood above him and from there several generations of crooners were wathcing at him ! *
So the packaging is perfect : the colours are warm and sweet, dark, brown, black, the air seems a little bit smocky, somewhat dangerous, and our guy stands proudly in a perfect white shirt, with an untied tie, behind an old mike of the fifties. He smiles. He’s so cute. The disk in himself is black, sober and elegant. There are ... ...heritage of jazz, blues and swing floating within it : sensibility, emotion, sincerity and perfect control of his voice by the singer.
>> One for my baby.
Blues. Piano. Good vibes.
>>Things.
Second duet with a woman, Jane Horrocks. Another delighting title : fresh, light, energic. That song contrasts with the serious of the rest of the album, and it allows us to breathe some fresh air, to relax a little.
>>Ain’t That a Kick in the Head.
>> ...
salombo33 06.01.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Swing When You're Winning - Robbie Williams
Advantages: Two or Three good offerings. Disadvantages: The rest is pants.
Swing When You're Winning - Robbie Williams
Okay, my last two reviews have been smooth jazz and hard jazz, time for a bit of swing. I have to say I feel pretty qualified to comment on this album for I have it in 3 different ways:
1. Downloaded from iTunes
2. I have the sheet music for Alto saxophone
3. I have the backing tracks to play along too
Now clearly Mr Williams is a popster, having sung and danced with one of, if not the most successful ... ...successful solo career. Swing when You're winning was the next album to be released after 'Sing when you're winning', clever so and so and is a homage to some of the big band swing numbers that Robbie purports to enjoy. Released in 2001.
~~~~~The Tracks~~~~~
1. I Will Talk and Hollywood Will Listen
2. Mack the Knife 3. Somethin' Stupid" (with Nicole Kidman) 4. Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me 5. It Was a Very Good Year (with Frank Sinatra) 6. ...
paulhanton 30.06.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Swing When You're Winning - Robbie Williams
Advantages: Good tracks Disadvantages: Like the originals
...of the past. Swing when you're winning is classified as a jazz album. It was released in 2001. Apparently Robbie has been a life long Sinatra fan so I can see why recording an album like this would definitely be something he would be interested in. The song "It Was a Very Good Year", is actually a duet with Frank Sinatra himself which was achieved by Williams singing the first two verses, and a recording of Sinatra's vocals on the third and fourth ... ...Kidman, Somethin' Stupid. I did like this album and you can definitely hear the uniqueness of Robbie's voice on all the tracks as I think he has quite a distinctive voice however if I wanted to listen to these classic songs such as Mack the Knife etc I think I probably prefer the originals. HAving said that though it does have a nice mix of songs and is well done. The album was certified as 7x Platinum in the UK. The rest of the track listings are ...
Spottydog11 02.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Swing When You're Winning - Robbie Williams
Advantages: Bringing real music back to the masses Disadvantages: Could be viewed as a novelty by some
...the music perfectly. Like most swing it is how you swing and sing' it, rather than the quality of the voice. What great saloon singers lost in voice quality was always compensated by style.
But as much as I admire the bravery of Robbie for departing from his normal sound to something so different I cant help but feel, alas, that we wont see a renaisance of swing music as a result of his efforts. This has appeared on the horizon on a number of occasions ... ...album by doing a similar compilation and perhaps including new songs in a swing fashion. This would encourage other artists to follow suit and not view the 'swing' album as nothing more than a novelty turn. Swing is back? I hope so, but some how I doubt it. ...
caledonia 30.07.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Swing When You're Winning - Robbie Williams
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Quality and consistency...
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Advantages: A superb mix of tracks on an accomplished debut album Disadvantages: One or two weaker links.
a market in this day and age for re-interpretations of big band classics, but the repertoire of the original Rat Pack has been fair game for some time and is enjoyed equally by those hankering after the halcyon days of yesteryear and new fans discovering these classics for the first time. It?s ageless music, but the question remains, can the modern mimics do those original tunes justice or should the stellar work of the legendary likes of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams and Bobby Darin be left well enough alone? There have been many great pretenders hoping to fill the void left by the King of Cool and Old Blue Eyes when they shuffled off to that great big lounge in the sky, including in recent times, the talented Harry Connick Jr., Jamie Cullum and even RobbieWilliams - whose ?SwingWhenYou?reWinning? album did much to bring ...
Advantages: Fantastic songs and a great orchestra Disadvantages: Some of the 'Idols' ae obviously unused to this sort of music
Who'd have thought a year ago that I could have in my possession two Number 1 albums of big band music? Maybe the world is at last discovering how great these songs are, but I have to say I was a lot more sceptical about buying a CD which said 'Pop Idol' than 'RobbieWilliams.' And no, this isn't as good as SwingWhenYou'reWinning, but it's still a great album.
I don't think Pop Idol needs any introduction, even if, like me, you were one of the three people who didn't actually watch it. This is the first album spun out of the project - I'm told the big band round was one of the most popular. It features ten bright young things singing thirteen bright old songs, some of (in my opinion, of course, though I'm not alone) the best songs ever written:
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Advantages: some great songs Disadvantages: some not so great songs
Will Young is THE Pop Idol. We all know that. He won fair and square and quite rightly too. But if you are a fan of Gareth or one of the other ten finalists, here’s your chance to own a CD of theirs. Buy Will - get Gareth, Darius, Aaron, Korben, Jessica, Rosie, Hayley and Zoë free. Oh, and Laura, but you can’t have everything ;-)
If you enjoyed the Big Band week of the TV show or saw the concert and enjoyed the second half, this album is for you. If swing ain’t your thing, don’t bother.
Comparisons with RobbieWilliams’ SwingWhenYou’reWinning album are bound to come up. I own both that album and this one, they’re both great. Robbie sings Mack The Knife better than Gareth, Will beats Robbie hands down on Beyond The Sea.
The album cover is quite moody, the Pop Idol logo in the middle ...
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