Search - The Robbie Williams Show on DVD

Robbie: the natural showman

Thomas Kite | Beaverton, OR United States | 09/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a RW fan since he split from Take That. It wasn't clear back then whether his solo career would take off; ex-boy band members tend to falter when faced with having to carry off an album, or a concert, all by themselves. But Robbie flew out of the starting gate and never looked back - it seemed as though Take That was a training ground for his real career.

Since then, he has become a huge star all over the world (except, inexplicably, here in the US, where he is all but unknown, although most people are probably familiar with 'Let Me Entertain You'), and has branched out into swing with a legendary concert at the Albert Hall and a fabulous album to go with it. Only Robbie has the cheek and the charisma to pull off something like this. He happens to be a fantastic singer and a gifted performer, and his sheer chutzpah does the rest.

'The Robbie Williams Show' was made to promote his 'Escapology' album. Ostensibly a TV show, it uses a gigantic set built at Pinewood Studios to give it a large feel. There is some spectacular scenery, particularly a huge scaffold on which about 100 dancers gyrate in silhouette while Robbie belts it out in front of them. The colours, lighting, and camerawork are clever.

What shines are Robbie's natural demeanour and strong connection with the audience. This would not have been visible (or even possible) in a traditional concert format; the small stage-in-the-round just for Robbie with the musicians off to one side allows him to make close eye contact and (in both senses) touch people. This lets his humour and charm come to the fore. He's cheeky and a bit lewd, but you just can't help loving him.

On top of all that, of course, the music is terrific. The song list is an ideal mix of his older hits, the swing stuff, and the then-new Escapology tracks. Robbie throws everything he has behind each song. His vocal range and power are top notch, and he doesn't have any of those irritating phony-soulful vocal mannerisms so popular among other solo singers these days. From swing ballads to grunge rock anthems, he can do it all.

Highly recommended."

How He Doesn't Do Well in America Amazes Me

Cameron Caine | Nashville, Tennessee | 07/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really dont understand it. I havent even seen it yet and i know it will be wonderful. I do have the CD and have listened to it many times, shoot, i have everything else he has done. Knebworth, and Albert Hall, and Berlin this spring. Plus his CD's are just outstanding. I listen to him or watch his stuff constantly, and I'm here in Tennessee. No one knows him and I just dont get it. I just can hope one day that MTV will grow up and show his much more mature entertainment, even when he was younger. You can tell he really enjoys himself, and really love what he does. He is cocky but humble. Gorgeous yet appreciative of what hes been given. You can see that that is the real him on stage."