Swing When You're Winning - Robbie Williams > Reviews > Sublime

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	Classic songs given great exposure by a gifted performer .
Disadvantages:	Don't be silly !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

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 act. On this album, Robbie sings some of swing's 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 (myself included, sadly) often manage to do. This is a melancholy song, which dreams of glory but reveals that the singer realises it will probably will not work out that way.

After this, we are treated to wonderful interpretations of some great standards, for which we owe as much to the arranger (take a bow, Steve Sidwell) as to the singers. Robbie Williams takes to these songs like a duck to water and you can hear him enjoying himself with such classics as 'Mack the Knife' and 'Ain't That A Kick In The Head?'. Believe it or not, I prefer his interpretation of Mack to that of Sinatra, as Robbie seems to respect the song more, just singing the original lyrics rather than messing (rather pointlessly) around. Don't get me wrong, Sinatra had a great voice, too!

In fact, that is seen on the track 'It Was A Very Good Year' in which Robbie duets with Ol' Bue Eyes himself, with permission from the Sinatra estate. A very strange thing to think of, but it doesn't actually sound weird at all. Robbie's vocal is perfectly suited to the song. Not a slavish copy of Sinatra's interpretation, but just as full of emotion.

For some of the tracks, there are other special guest vocalists, most famously Nicole Kidman on the sublime 'Somethin' Stupid'. The most fun is Jane Horrocks on a new song to me, 'Things' - Jane is a very funny lady and brings out the best of Robbie's humour too, particularly in the out-tro.
The weakest link is Rupert Everett on 'They Can't Take That Away From Me', but then Robbie isn't so great on this track either. One of my favourite Gershwin songs, it doesn't quite have that special magic here, and it sounds rather bizarre sung by two guys. Though they do harmonise nicely.
Much more effective is 'Me and My Shadow' where Robbie sings with his flat-mate (!) and obviously has great fun. I like fun. The counterpoint of the two tunes works well, too. They build to a great musical climax and a false ending (just like some of the greatest songs of the shows) which makes you long for an encore. Or at least to repeat the track.

'Have You Met Miss Jones' was featured in the soundtrack of Bridget Jones' Diary, so there's no need to tell you how good that track is, and if I wrote of each track, I'd just wear you out. Suffice to say that none of the tracks is a let-down, the only slight disappointment being 'You Can't Take That Away From Me' as mentioned above. Look out for the lyrics of 'Straighten Up and Fly Right', but otherwise just sit back and enjoy music like they don't tend to make any more. Great for Robbie fans, even better for lovers of great music. No, he's not Frank Sinatra, but he's not trying to be. Shed your doubts and enjoy!