Weekend Supplement: Robbie Swings In The Studio

You may well be old enough (like me) to remember that 12 years ago, Robbie was the absolute king of the pop charts with 3 enormous selling albums behind him and a string of top ten hits. Instead of doing what most artists would do at this stage (a greatest hits album), he put out an album of tunes of the music he loved - a swing album ("Swing When You're Winning"). Buoyed by a number one single Something Stupid (a duet with Nicole Kidman) and a triumphant supporting concert at The Royal Albert Hall, the opus went on to top the charts in the UK for six weeks & sold well over two million copies. It sent Britain on a swing induced frenzy that indirectly was responsible for Westlife's own rat pack inspired abum, Allow Us To Be Frank (peaking at 3, selling over 600,000 copies) & (much worse) Ray Quinn who sang swing numbers almost every week in the 2006 X Factor (AND CAME SECOND TO LEONA LEWIS)! Anyway, he's decided that it's time for a follow up to that album and has treated us to a sumptuous looking sneak peek video that allows us the briefest of insight into the recording sessions. It seems (from the tracklisting on Amazon) that the pithily titled Swings Both Ways will have a few more original numbers than Swing When You're Winning (which only had I Will Talk And Hollywood Will Listen) - presumably Shine My Shoes, No One Likes A Fat Popstar and possibly Soda Pop (unless it's a swing cover of the Britney classic). Anywhere, here's what happens in the preview video...

• It kicks off with a grandiose shot of the orchestra while you hear Robbie's resonant voice singing the title track. An orchestra makes everything classy doesn't it? I'm just imagining Robbie in the studio with his tux on sipping a martini (with olive) in between takes. OH THE GLAMOUR...
• ... or not. Robbie is actually quite casual in a white polo shirt. I'm dressier than that right now :P Still, approaching 40, he's still exuding quite the sex appeal and if he ever does swing both ways, I'd quite like a bit of that, etc. Anyway he's really into the song, all swellegant gesticulating and singing opposite the very lovely indeed Rufus Wainwright. GASP!
• Typical cheeky chappy Robbie charm shines through as he sings "face it Rufus, you're a tad gay" while Rufus responds with "face it Robbie, you're a tad..." & this intricate delicate little instrumental riff dances around to finish off the statement. Glorious :)
• A guttural animalistic vocal announces the arrival of both The Jungle Book song "I Wanna Be Like You" and fellow cheeky chappy Olly Murs! They are just like you and me, if you and me were to sit down in a ridiculously expensive studio and bump knuckles :P I can only imagine that this song is going to be a rollicking good time and so much better than Bruno Mars' Gorillas...
• Putting On The Ritz! Aces! One of my very favourite songs ever. I'm ever so excited that this on the album and Robbie's version seems just blindin (guvnor)! For some reason I do quite like it when he is singing that he has his hand, every so slightly fey, inside his t-shirt :)
• And then Michael Buble comes in! Singing about a Soda Pop that he wants to sell. Times must be hard. It's not the Britney song sadly, but it's still quite the peppy energetic number and both singers are fueled on by their frenetic energy, trying to out jitterbug each other! The horn section is going mad - are those little things they use at the end of the trumpets to alter the sound? Or do they catch all the spit for health and safety reasons, so nobody slips on the floor?!
• Finally, there;s a beautiful version of Dream A Little Dream Of Me with Dame Lily of the Allen. Their harmonies are just exquisite and I am hoping they keep the charming little giggle from Lily at the end of the song. This would make a rather beautiful Christmas single with a beautiful snowy video please...

As if all of this wasn't enough to whet your appetite, you pre-order the album and get instant access to the opening number, Shine My Shoes. It's a vibrant affair steeped in swing influences but with a big ol' pop chorus at the heart of it that's just eminently lush and delicious. Amazes.

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Darin, Give Me Tonight
20 ~ Asher Monroe, Hush Hush
19 ~ Agnetha Faltskog, Dance Your Pain Away
18 ~ Olly Murs, Right Time Right Place
17 ~ The Killers, Shot At The Night (NE)
16 ~ Betty Who, You're In Love
15 ~ MKTO, Classic
14 ~ Scarlett's Roses, King of Hearts
13 ~ Ola, Jackie Kennedy
12 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, Beautiful Life (NE)
11 ~ The Feeling, Rescue
10 ~ Lady Gaga, Applause
09 ~ Robbie Williams, Go Gentle (NE)
08 ~ Neverest, Rewind
07 ~ Celine Dion, Loved Me Back To Life
06 ~ Pet Shop Boys, Love Is A Bourgeois Construct
05 ~ Eric Saade, Boomerang
04 ~ Agnetha Faltskog, Back On Your Radio
03 ~ Cher/Lady Gaga, The Greatest Thing
02 ~ Sara Bareilles, Brave
01 ~ Ed Drewett, Blink (1 week)