- Audio CD (26 Nov 2001)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Dbn Records
- ASIN: B0000DEO9F
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (128 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 87,013 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Product details |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Apparently, Swing When You're Winning was inspired by the praise Robbie Williams received 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 in LA, this collection of finger-clickin', Rat Pack standards and new material features plenty of guest collaborations, such as the much-hyped Nicole Kidman effort on Sinatra's "Something Stupid". Swing... is billed by Williams as a tribute to "The Rat Pack", a gang of entertainers including Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr, as well as Ol' Blue-Eyes himself, that dominated the Las Vegas dinner-club scene of the early 1960s. The selection of tracks reflect the karaoke sessions of Robbie's childhood in Stoke, and have been given the full "tribute" treatment, with no funny business going on in the production to take away from their classic appeal. There's never been any doubt that Williams sees himself as an entertainer in the most traditional sense of the word (not to mention a bit of a swinger), and his old-time-crooner fantasies are certainly given free rein to charm the pants off us all on this classy album. --Ruby Tuesday
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
81 of 84 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Released here in New Zealand to coincide with Robbie's tour which opens in my home city of Christchurch tonight 13th November, "Swing When You're Winning" is a collection of tracks that take you back to an era of the Big Bands, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington and the like. Described as a tribute to Frank, Dean and Sammy, Williams is in his element here. For anyone who might think of him as a teen pop idol, take a listen to this album and marvel at the quality of the vocals. Williams has a superb voice which is captured to great effect by a high quality recording. Ably supported by the likes of Nicole Kidman and the London Session orchestra, this album oozes class.
I think the most intriguing aspect to this CD release is to consider who Williams is targetting this album towards. A poll of my family suggests that it may leave his younger audience cold. However, the more mature members of Robbie's fan club (dare I put an age on this - say those the wrong side of 30) - thank Williams for producing something quite above the ordinary hum-drum fodder that comprises about 95% of the music industry today. Go buy this album!
70 of 73 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is fantastic!
I am not a huge Robbie fan but liked his version of 'Have You Met Miss Jones?' on the Bridget Jones Soundtrack, and brought this album on the strength of it. If you liked that you will love this.
All but the opening track are Standards from the 50's and 60's, and each is both faithful to the original and at the same time unmistakably Robbie Williams.
He may not have the world's greatest voice, as is made plain when he 'duets' with Sinatra himself on 'It was a Very Good Year', but what he lacks in range he more than makes up for in delivery.
Many of the tracks are duets, and it on these particularly that you get the sense that this was great fun to make, and that he is not taking himself too seriously. Highlights are the comical version of 'Things' with Jane Horricks and the playful 'Something Stupid' with Nicole Kidman.
Added to all of this, the orchestral arrangement on every track is to die for. Whether a Robbie Williams fan or not this ought to be part of your record collection. It's guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face and a swing in your step.
I am not a huge Robbie fan but liked his version of 'Have You Met Miss Jones?' on the Bridget Jones Soundtrack, and brought this album on the strength of it. If you liked that you will love this.
All but the opening track are Standards from the 50's and 60's, and each is both faithful to the original and at the same time unmistakably Robbie Williams.
He may not have the world's greatest voice, as is made plain when he 'duets' with Sinatra himself on 'It was a Very Good Year', but what he lacks in range he more than makes up for in delivery.
Many of the tracks are duets, and it on these particularly that you get the sense that this was great fun to make, and that he is not taking himself too seriously. Highlights are the comical version of 'Things' with Jane Horricks and the playful 'Something Stupid' with Nicole Kidman.
Added to all of this, the orchestral arrangement on every track is to die for. Whether a Robbie Williams fan or not this ought to be part of your record collection. It's guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face and a swing in your step.
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Being a huge Sinatra & Rat Pack fan I have to admit when I first found out about this ambitious project I was cynical. Had Robbie (& his ego, which to be fair is backed up with a lot of natural talent) gone too far this time?
Well the answer is a clear NO! Having been blown away by the Live Show the album was a must.
Let's get a few things straight to start with. Williams does not think he's Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin or Sammy Davis Jnr and he doesn't sound like them either. There is no one on the planet who could fill the loss of the greatest singer of the 20th Century, Sinatra or hope to replace the talent of the late great Sammy Davis Jnr. He is just singing great songs he loves from the heart and he sings them with integrity and respect for the artists who sang them. He does a great job as well! If this means a whole new generation will be switched on to Sinatra & Swing .. then we can only thank the man & his talent for this great album.
My personal highlights are 'Mr Bojangles', which Robbie almost claims as his own with a stunning performance of power & emotional depth. The music from a first class Orchestra is hauntingly tragic. 'It was A Good Year' the duet with Sinatra is also very tastefully done (half of the song each) and Robbie does not disgrace himself even in the presence of the great man himself! 'One For My baby' (a personal Sinatra favourite of mine) is given justice with Mr Williams getting the mood & feel of the piece spot on.
Make no mistake Robbie Williams is a massive talent that this country should be proud of. He has more in common with those late great Rat Pack entertainers than most people give him credit for. Yes he's been described as an entertainer, a song & dance man .... but hey ... so were Frank, Sammy & Dean! Long live the spirit of the Rat Pack & It's new leader Mr Williams!
Well the answer is a clear NO! Having been blown away by the Live Show the album was a must.
Let's get a few things straight to start with. Williams does not think he's Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin or Sammy Davis Jnr and he doesn't sound like them either. There is no one on the planet who could fill the loss of the greatest singer of the 20th Century, Sinatra or hope to replace the talent of the late great Sammy Davis Jnr. He is just singing great songs he loves from the heart and he sings them with integrity and respect for the artists who sang them. He does a great job as well! If this means a whole new generation will be switched on to Sinatra & Swing .. then we can only thank the man & his talent for this great album.
My personal highlights are 'Mr Bojangles', which Robbie almost claims as his own with a stunning performance of power & emotional depth. The music from a first class Orchestra is hauntingly tragic. 'It was A Good Year' the duet with Sinatra is also very tastefully done (half of the song each) and Robbie does not disgrace himself even in the presence of the great man himself! 'One For My baby' (a personal Sinatra favourite of mine) is given justice with Mr Williams getting the mood & feel of the piece spot on.
Make no mistake Robbie Williams is a massive talent that this country should be proud of. He has more in common with those late great Rat Pack entertainers than most people give him credit for. Yes he's been described as an entertainer, a song & dance man .... but hey ... so were Frank, Sammy & Dean! Long live the spirit of the Rat Pack & It's new leader Mr Williams!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Robbie at his very best...and no swearing!
This LP is easily Robbie Williams' best singing achievement. His own track (first track) I Will Talk, Hollywood will listen... is creative and excellent. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ian Gamble
Robbie at his best
If I ever had the chance to talk to Robbie Williams, I would tell him to stop messing about and do more stuff like this. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. P. F. Field
Class Album From a True Class Act
Haveing bought this on cd and found it to be a superb recording decided to buy it on vinyl as well.
I have to say although the presentation is not not so clinical or hard... Read more
I have to say although the presentation is not not so clinical or hard... Read more
Published 14 months ago by scooby265
What a winner
This is a must if you like Robbie and swing. Just a pleasure to listen too
Published 19 months ago by Pol
swingingly good
I absolutely love this album, the product came in good condition and I couldn't have been happier if it was new - I play it all the time!
Published 21 months ago by Sorceress
Very Coooooool............................
Whether you like Robbie of not (and i am not his biggest fan), if you like swing then you will love this CD. He puts his own style to a number of classic songs.
Published on 24 May 2010 by Andy
Robbie with a difference
This is a brilliant album, this is not your typical Robbie Williams. He changes his genre here and does a great job of it. Read more
Published on 1 May 2010 by Ben Nicholson
Till Death Us Do Part
Robbie was the star of Take That and this album shows why. It is a combination of Frank Sinatra and Elvis.
And the likeness is not restricted to singing. Read more
And the likeness is not restricted to singing. Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2008 by Fred Bookie
Robbie Williams: he used to be good...
... and in many ways, this is him at his finest, paying homage to his idols with a collection of expertly crafted, beautifully orchestrated covers (and one new song), all liberally... Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2007 by Jolene
Reaching The Peak
To show this album anything other than deep respect and appreciation would be a insult to the great artists from whom these songs have drawn inspiration. Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2006 by Santos for President
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
