Rating: 
Summary: Are You A Swinger?
Review: The rat pack's cool image made something of a comeback in 2002 with Stephen Soderbergh's remake of Ocean's Eleven, although it seems that for Mr Robbie Williams, in his 2001 concert Live at the Albert, the rat pack sense of style never went out of fashion. Live At The Albert is primarily a showcase for Robbie's multi million selling Swing When You're Winning, an astonishing album of vintage classics from the '50s swing era, originally sung by Robbie's heroes, namely, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr and of course, the legendary Frank Sinatra. Live At The Albert features several live duets including "Well, Did You Evah?" with Jon Lovitz and thanks to the miracle of modern technology, a duet with the late great Frank Sinatra himself. Live At the Albert is a young man fulfilling a childhood dream; wearing a tux, backed by an old style big band and playing to an adoring (sold out) audience at London's famous Royal Albert Hall, with his mom in the front row. The first time I watched Robbie Williams live concert at London's Royal Albert Hall, on a Saturday evening last November, I was so impressed I went straight online at Amazon to review his debut U.S. release The Ego Has Landed. "The Ego Has Landed" refers to Robbie's often brash public statements about himself, which (if taken at face value) suggest that he is a bit of an ego-maniac. However, despite much of his rhetoric, Robbie Williams has in the past turned to both booze and drugs to conquer his fears and self-doubt. Thankfully he survived both or we would have been deprived of the world's greatest showman. For in a pop world inhabitated by characterless pre-packaged record company girl and boybands and goody two shoes solo-singers (a la Ricky Martin and Britney Spears) Robbie Williams is something of a rarity; the genuine article, a complete showman with a checkered past and a very bright future, having recently signed a British record deal with EMI worth a cool £80 million (approx $110 million), to deliver four more albums. Robbie Williams formerly of Boy band Take That graduated to the forefront of the British music scene with his single "Angels" and has never looked back since. Several number ones and many many hits later he is not only established as a credible singer/songwriter, he is quite simply Britain's biggest and brightest star. Robbie Williams makes fantastic, original and very funny videos (Rock DJ, She's The One, Millenium and A Love Supreme for example) and regularly plays to sold out stadiums around the world and the only two nuts he still has to crack are America and the movies. But why is America still cynical? A lack of airplay in America? A lack of record company publicity? I don't know. All I know is that, in my opinion, he is the greatest showman to have graced a music stage since the late great Freddie Mercury. He is so good live that he has played at several festivals on the same bill as Indie bands such as the Prodigy, and stolen the show from them, in front of what would traditionally be hostile audiences for a pop performer. Live tickets for Robbie Williams shows are like gold dust in every place bar North America, such is his reputation for putting on a great live show. If you don't believe the hype then you need to watch Live at the Albert and be converted. Robbie Williams has got a great sense of humour, a great sense of style and a great deal of class and frankly America, you don't know what you are missing!!
Rating:
Summary: Consumate entertainer
Review: I can't imagine any American pop star at the top of his game taking a risk like Robbie Williams did in recording "Swing When You're Winning" and this accompanying DVD. Fresh off a string of huge chart successes, Mr. Williams has created a tribute to the Rat Pack like nobody else could. Allergic to taking himself too seriously, he threw caution to the wind and released the CD and then, to a packed house of fans and stars like George Michael, Rupert Everett, etc, brought the house down at the Royal Albert Hall last October. This DVD is a great memento of that concert, and, unlike the British version, has lots of extra features such as the making of the album, and the video/making of for "Something Stupid", the UK Christmas #1. Robbie Williams may not be for everyone, and he may not be Sinatra, but he's turned a potentially risky career move into a fine album and video. Don't forget to check out his other great work, including one of my favorite albums ever, "Sing When You're Winning" - you won't be disappointed. Let's hope for a successful bid for stardom here in the states!
Rating:
Summary: You must see this show - don't even hesitate
Review: I did not know who was Robbie until I bought the CD Swing when you're winning. Having eard the songs on the CD, when we found out that a DVD was also available, we decided to buy it not really knowing how much of an entertainer Robbie was. This is the BEST show we ever bought. Robbie is just fantastic, we enjoyed every minute of this DVD. This guy is amazing, funny, he is more than a singer he is an entertainer. You cannot miss this show. Everything about this performance is 5 stars. The orchestra is excellent, the sound is excellent, the way this show has been recorded is perfect. You will see dancers, duets and you will discover an amazing performer. You will be glad this guy exists! On this DVD you have other features one of them being 'the day job'. When looking at this, we discovered how popular Robbie was in Europe and we found out about popular songs that we knew although we did not know who was singing those. The week after we were back in the stores to look for more DVDs by Robbie Williams ... and we bought: Where egos dare. Do not hesitate to buy this DVD!
Rating:
Summary: the proof is in the pudding
Review: ROBBIE WILLIAMS LIVE AT THE ALBERT SIMPLY REMINDS US OF WHAT MUSIC USED TO BE LIKE IN THE TIME OF SWING,BUT WAS FORGOTTEN UNTIL ROBBIE ARRIVED TO GIVE A PERRFORMANCE SECOND TO NONE.I COULD NOT IMAGINE THAT A ROCK OR POP STAR COULD EVEN TRY TO SING SONGS THAT MADE FRANK SINATRA,DEAN MARTIN,AND SAMMY DAVISJNR INTO HOUSEHOLD LEGENDS.HIS PERSONALITY AND VOICE SHINE THROUGH AND KEEPS YOU MESMERISED FOR THE WHOLE SHOW,JUST WANTING MORE AND MORE.ANY AMERICAN WHO HAS SEEN THIS SHOW WOULD SURELY TAKE ROBBIE INTO THERE HEARTS AND HOME,FOR NOT ONLY IS ROBBIE GREAT BUT COMPETES ADMIRALY WITH THE BEST ARTISTS IN THE WORLD.HIS RENDITION OF MY WAY AT THE END OF THE SHOW BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN AT THE ALBERT,AND VERY RARELY HAVE I SEEN A SOLO ARTIST AT THIS VENUE HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT ON AN AUDIANCE.THE BAND WAS GREAT,AS WELL AS THE 5.1 MIX.ANY ONE WHO HAS FORGOTTEN WHAT SWING WAS ABOUT SHOULD GO OUT AND BUY THIS OUTSTANDING DVD AND LET ROBBIE INTO YOUR LIVES.
Rating:
Summary: Passport to swing
Review: I don't think I could say more than you've reviewed. But...
I only will say that this work from Robbie Williams is perhaps one of the most beautiful and RESPECTFUL works in adapting music to a new generation, a new cosmovision.
This work from Robbie Williams is, I think, a passport to swing music. He has made all of us know the swing, and he brings to life old songs form far years.
In addition, you'll see an almost "serious" Rob, perfectly compenetrated with his work, and some "guest" that make the show go amazing.
I think if you like this kind of music, or you just want to know about it, or simply you like this cute singer, you should buy this DVD. PD: We want to listen to Robbie in Argentina, Please! Managers, and people related with the tours, take note of this!
Rating: 
Summary: Almost Perfect
Review: Stunningly entertaining, Williams is as good as he wants to be. In this DVD, a one-time-only, SRO concert at London's Royal Albert Hall, he showcases the songs that were to appear on his "Swing When You're Winning" CD (that's right- he did the concert BEFORE the album was released). To say that Williams can sing is an understatement. He has a gifted voice and great range enhanced by instinctively superb timing and phrasing. Those qualities are even more pronounced when he performs live. Not surprisingly, therefore, he demonstrates here that he can as easily apply his skills to songs of his parent's generation as he does to those of his own.
From the moment he slides down a 20-foot fire pole to begin his first number, he is dramatically in command. He then seamlessly glides through a host of selections that would make the "Chairman of the Board" proud. Announcing each title as he goes along, he also uses the segues as opportunities to poke typical fun at himself, invoking the trademark Williams charm while he holds his receptive audience, peppered with celebrities and dignitaries, right in the palm of his hand. Accompanied ably by a 58-piece orchestra, he is joined at times for duets by John Lovitz, his 'flatmate' Jonathan Wilkes, and female singer Jane Horrocks to spice up the evening. The video authentically captures the brilliance of the evening with excellent sound reproduction and a multitude of well-edited camera shots.
As good as Williams sounds singing this era, however, he regrettably is not OF the era, and it is in that reality that the only flaw to this performance lies. He appears comfortable, indeed enthusiastic, doing the material, but his approach at times is more as a mimic than as a singer in his own right. While this purposeful, deferential gesture is respectful and even admirable, it suggests feigning. Had he consistently, as he does on some, simply employed his own rendition of these classics, however Post-Millennium, it would have played much better. For example, on a song such as 'Make It One For My Baby,' during which he tries to ape the Sinatra persona, including open collar, lit cigarette in hand, and dimmed bar room-like lighting, his voice and body language lack the appropriate edge. He is too eager, too anxious. The mood is too contrived. In short, he simply isn't Frank! Witness by comparison his moving delivery on 'I Will Talk and Hollywood Will Listen,' an original song he composed with his writing partner, Guy Chambers. On this, his composure is genuine, and the contrast is as telling as it is unmistakable.
Criticism aside, the "Robbie Williams Live At the Albert" DVD is nonetheless a wonderful treasure. Beyond the music, it provides us further glimpses into this enigmatic but compelling figure. In addition to the concert performance, the disc includes back stage footage, clips from the record session for "Swing When You're Winning," the video of his duet with Nicole Kidman on "Something Stupid" which was spawned by one of the tracks from that album, and a section of random concert and video shots from previous Robbie Williams' endeavors, cleverly entitled "The Day Job."
Finally, this whole Swing project(the Albert Hall Concert and the Swing CD) speaks (sings) volumes about the enormous and, we now know, diverse talent that this entertainment genius possesses and is a solid testament to his resolve. Indeed, it is of no little consequence that he chose, against the advice of his handlers, to go completely away from the material that his audience had come to expect, nay demand. For those critics who argue, inaccurately I would submit, that this departure is yet again more evidence of Robbie's inability to find his musical niche, they should remember that this move was, at best, a gamble and one that had the potential to damage his career. In truth, it reveals that this reputedly "paranoid" artist not only can do it all but has more musical confidence than even he would admit.
Rating:
Summary: NOT LIKE FRANK OR DINO BUT NOT TOO BAD AS WELL
Review: If I had to write one sentence to sum up my thoughts on Robbie Williams and this DVD, still it wouldn't be about Robbie Williams. All I can say would be "This DVD and Robbie Williams are living proofs of Frank and Dean are unique". But in anyway, I liked Robbie Williams. I liked him because I can feel that this man respects Dino and Frank indeed ! In spite of exagerated (or forced) crying scene at the end when he sings "My Way". But there is always a disadvantage for singers who sing Dean or Frank songs: Comparison. No need to tell Robbie Williams lacks the good looks of Dean and charisma of Frank. Just close your eyes when he sings their songs and think about original ones, you'll understand what I mean. Albert Hall is a magnificent place ! And Williams fits well on this Hall. Overall he is good. He can entertain. One word of warning, he speaks dirty. So be careful when you watch this DVD with your children.
Rating: 
Summary: Robbie concert review
Review: I have to say that I agree with the critics on this one. His vocals are just simply not good enough. This is evident from the first song Mrs. Jones to the final song My Way. Even the biggest Robbie fan must admit that he cannot handle this genre of music as it is out of his range (and ability). Can anyone truly say that he is a very talented singer? Buy his other albums instead. They suit his singing ability a lot more and give him the chance to show that he is a decent pop star. He is not a superstar though as some people have made out.
Rating:
Summary: America needs to discover ROBBIE WILLIAMS!
Review: Earlier I saw on this page where someone asked why America has not fallin' in love with the Sassie-Brit like the UK has....I'll tell you why. It's becasue he is a Sassie-Brit! If you are a music lover, you will love this DVD/CD. Big band entertainment at its best! It even includes a special "The Day Job" short featurette showcasing Robbie's "other" job singing rock-coliseum Pop tunes to a sea of people across the U.K. I know he'll never do a concert in the US...but I hope to one day step foot in the UK for no other reason but a chance to see him LIVE. the Jazz standards are awesome - and the humor is plentiful. another reason I can see why the US has not embraced him is the occasional "F" word and comments about behavior that main stream Americans aren't quite ready for.....but it's a shame. I've fallin in love with Robbie's passion for music and his performance. INCREDIBLE!
Rating:
Summary: I knew Robbie from take that
Review: i knew Robbie when he sang with Take that and i thought another boygroup with no talent. In november i went to germany and listend to the Songs Feel and Sexed Up. When i returned i pulled up the Website, listend to the some songs and watched the Videos. He gave me chills.I had to have the DVD. I got it today and watch it over and over again.
This is a must have for all swing lovers. His preformance and Voice is great. Sending Chills through my whole body.
I hope the Amreican market will open for him.
The DVD is just great, great, great
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