Elly Roberts reviews
Robbie Williams:
Greatest Hits
Distributed by
Chrysalis (EMI)
CD: 
Live DVD:
- Year: 2004
- Rating: 9/10
- Cat. No: 8668192
Track listing:
1. Old Before I Die
2. Lazy Days
3. Angels
4. Let me Entertain You
5. Millennium
6. No Regrets
7. Strong
8. She’s The One
9. Rock DJ
10. Kids
11. Supreme
12. Let Love Be Your Energy
13. Eternity
14. The Road To Mandalay
15. Feel
16. Come Undone
17. Sexed Up
18. Radio
19. Misunderstood
Love him or hate him, he’s Britain’s biggest pop star.
Who would have ever thought that the chubby faced backing singer in Take That
would become one of the highest paid entertainers in British recording history?
With a reputed record deal worth £60m, EMI have invested heavily. This
collection not only demonstrates Williams’ popularity from Boy Bander, to the
unbelievable heights of cult status, but his ‘ invisible ‘ former partner.
It must not be overlooked that behind this string of hits, was his collaboration
with craftsman Guy Chambers: the real hit machine. That ‘ marriage ‘ ended two
years ago, leaving Robbie seeking a new partnership, which has not been tested
as yet. Stephen Duffy, is the guinea pig, at the moment, contributing to the
new songs.
In reality, anybody could be singing these, very often, infectious songs. But,
his boyish and sometimes yobbish charm seems to be a winning formula with both
sexes. You’ve only got to hear the live Knebworth concert to confirm his
adulation. Being taken ’ seriously ‘ is a whole different ball game. His ‘Ego
Has Landed‘ tactic seriously backfired as he tried to crack America – which
is his long term agenda. I genuinely believe he lives 24/7 to win them over.
Huge billboards covered with those words barely registered with American music
industry or psyche.
The closest he’s come to any kind of credibility in my
eyes, was his magnificent Swing When You’re Winning, recorded live at
the Royal Albert Hall. For Williams, it was quite formidable as he did his song
and dance, Brat Pack routine. This was a deliberate attempt to woo Hollywood –
again they weren’t interested.
Attempts to canoodle with Nicole Kidman in the video of Something Stupid,
a Christmas number one in 2001, and a reported romance, failed a third time.
Frustration must surely be setting in with the man himself, and presumably EMI
questioning their decision to back him. The big question is: when will their
patience run out?
Williams registers highly in the entertainment department: he is a pop star
without question. On that basis alone, you’d have thought the Yanks would have
lapped him up. Not so, as there’s only so much they’ll accept. Many great
British acts have failed miserably with the ‘ Pond Crossover ‘. An attempt to
change things might just be around the corner with film cameo role.
As a compilation, this really works. Thrown together, the songs flow easily.
They are great pop songs, sung by a mediocre singer. But there again, the
charts have seen plenty of those. Most worrying point for Williams, is his
co-dependency on good writers to deliver the goods. Others needed them ; Sinatra,
Dean Martin – the list goes on and on.
In this instance, forget the cheeky chappie’s image and antics: just enjoy
the ride – it really is quite good. Apparently, pop princess Sophie Ellis
Bextor called him a Redcoat – yes he is, but a damned good one and able to
push 32 million albums around the world.
Star tracks – Angels, Millennium, Let Me Entertain You, No Regrets, Rock DJ and She’s The One.
Misunderstood is featured in the new Bridget Jones: Edge Of Reason
flick, and is released on 6 December, obviously for the Christmas market.
Other Robbie Williams albums:
And check out
Robbie Williams.com
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.