Is Robbie Williams known/rated much outside the UK?
#26
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Originally posted by Fok
Just because they both came from bands doesn't mean they're similar in performance and music. RW is different in to JT in all ways - check.
Just because they both came from bands doesn't mean they're similar in performance and music. RW is different in to JT in all ways - check.
#28
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I happened to see the Robbie Williams/ Maxi Jazz video: "My Culture" (from the 1 Giant Leap album) on MHZ2 yesterday afternoon and was actually impressed - very different from Robbie's traditional poppiness.
#29
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Robbie rocks. He isn't anything CLOSE to Timberlake, or boy bands. If anything, he's pure rock n' roll with a little Tom Jones in him. Get The Ego has Landed as a taste.
Having said that, he will never make it in the States. His type of music isn't what's "in" here.
Having said that, he will never make it in the States. His type of music isn't what's "in" here.
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Originally posted by dek
I really could care less, but they came from BOY BANDS. Different? Hell no. Maybe his path now, but where they came from, 100 % the same. If RW was from the US, he'd be doing the same shows as Justin Timberlake.
I really could care less, but they came from BOY BANDS. Different? Hell no. Maybe his path now, but where they came from, 100 % the same. If RW was from the US, he'd be doing the same shows as Justin Timberlake.
#32
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Originally posted by dek
I really could care less, but they came from BOY BANDS. Different? Hell no. Maybe his path now, but where they came from, 100 % the same. If RW was from the US, he'd be doing the same shows as Justin Timberlake.
I really could care less, but they came from BOY BANDS. Different? Hell no. Maybe his path now, but where they came from, 100 % the same. If RW was from the US, he'd be doing the same shows as Justin Timberlake.
First of he is an excellent songwriter (I don't kid for a second that JT writes most of his music). Second he is an excellent performer who has a hilariously egotistic on-stage persona... JT has nada except jumping around. Thirdly, pick up his "Sing While Your Winning" (sort of a Sinatra Tribute) CD (import) or "Robbie Williams Live at the Albert" DVD (see DVDFile review), and you will probably be quite surprised at what the man can do.
The new album is great (the import is better than the rearranged US release but the best songs remain on both). I want another chance at seeing him live. I missed him for "The Ego Has Landed", and he seems to have bypassed America for "Sing When You're Winning". So I definitely want to catch him if he tours this time as EMI may give up on making him popular in America altogether.
Last edited by rfduncan; 04-16-03 at 08:22 AM.
#34
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Shouldn't the name of this thread be "Robbie Williams attempts to take on America"? The much publicized deal with RW apparently didn't pay off. Yet anyway. His album debuted around #40 on Billboard. Expect it to drop 20 or more notches next week. And more the following. That's just the way the charts work. For most recording acts. The chart life of any album, as you know, depends on strong singles (and much touring, TV appearances, etc.). Is Robbie doing any of this in America? Personally, I just don't think he will making any major waves in the U.S. I've heard certain critics say he's "too British". And I kind of agree. I mean, isn't most of his appeal at home his personality? Also, a friend of mine had an extra ticket to a show he did in a club here in D.C. a few years ago (hell, the tickets were only $10.00), so I went. It was packed. And almost everyone there were British. I finally stopped one girl and asked if she lived in the area and she said "No, I flew from London to see this gig. You can't get tickets to see him over there". Wow, now that's a loyal fanbase. So I'm guessing a lot if not most of those people did the same. Flew over (?) Anyway, I have to admit, the guy does put on quite a show. He's very entertaining. I probably wouldn't see him again. But I enjoyed the performance.
#35
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He is doing a lot of small promo stuff right now, mainly radio performances, which is the right way to go about it.
He is just out there trying to get his face about. I don't know if he will conquer america, but it seems like he is trying really hard.
he appeared on good morning america on April 4th.
He is just out there trying to get his face about. I don't know if he will conquer america, but it seems like he is trying really hard.
he appeared on good morning america on April 4th.
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Wednesday, 2 October, 2002, 16:29 GMT 17:29 UK
Robbie signs '£80m' deal
Robbie Williams has signed what is believed to be an £80m contract with EMI Records in what could be the UK's biggest record deal.
The deal for four albums, second only to Michael Jackson's in music history, was announced on Wednesday afternoon.
It is believed the deal includes a commitment to try to make him a star in the United States, where he has only had limited success so far.
It is understood the deal includes £10m up front, £15m on completion of the first record and £55m for the remaining three records.
The deal means EMI will take an unusually high share of profit from touring, publishing profits and merchandise - areas where the artists themselves usually make more money.
His representatives called the new deal a "multi-platform" approach to the "respective elements of recording, live work, film and television".
In a statement his management company and EMI said: "There are only a handful of artists in the world that could achieve this level of ownership and control of their own careers and record companies that could make it work."
Williams' manager David Enthoven added: "This watershed deal will undoubtedly make a positive change to the workings of the music industry."
The previous biggest UK record deal was the £42m paid to Sir Elton John in 1996.
But EMI has been keen to retain Williams, who has been one of the label's most successful acts of recent years with a string of hits.
He is due to release his new album Escapology next month after his fourth solo album - the big band tribute album Swing When You're Winning - sold more than 5.5m copies.
Robbie signs '£80m' deal
Robbie Williams has signed what is believed to be an £80m contract with EMI Records in what could be the UK's biggest record deal.
The deal for four albums, second only to Michael Jackson's in music history, was announced on Wednesday afternoon.
It is believed the deal includes a commitment to try to make him a star in the United States, where he has only had limited success so far.
It is understood the deal includes £10m up front, £15m on completion of the first record and £55m for the remaining three records.
The deal means EMI will take an unusually high share of profit from touring, publishing profits and merchandise - areas where the artists themselves usually make more money.
His representatives called the new deal a "multi-platform" approach to the "respective elements of recording, live work, film and television".
In a statement his management company and EMI said: "There are only a handful of artists in the world that could achieve this level of ownership and control of their own careers and record companies that could make it work."
Williams' manager David Enthoven added: "This watershed deal will undoubtedly make a positive change to the workings of the music industry."
The previous biggest UK record deal was the £42m paid to Sir Elton John in 1996.
But EMI has been keen to retain Williams, who has been one of the label's most successful acts of recent years with a string of hits.
He is due to release his new album Escapology next month after his fourth solo album - the big band tribute album Swing When You're Winning - sold more than 5.5m copies.
#37
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Originally posted by Daytripper
Shouldn't the name of this thread be "Robbie Williams attempts to take on America"?
Shouldn't the name of this thread be "Robbie Williams attempts to take on America"?
#39
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Can't say I've really cared for any of his music that I've heard, but that video ("Rock DJ?") where he strips, peels off his skin, and starts throwind chunks of his own flesh and muscle at the dancing girls was just... awesome.
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<small>
</small>I think it was a compilation for the US market culled from his first two UK/Europeans releases: this weekend I read that, since its original release, over half a million copies were sold in the US.
Originally posted by RoyalTea
But, I think "The Ego Has Landed" is one of the greatest albums I own.
But, I think "The Ego Has Landed" is one of the greatest albums I own.
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You're better off buying his first two European albums, in which some tracks from each were compiled into "The Ego Has Landed". His album "Sing When You're Winning" is the same here as in Europe. But, "Escapology" is totally different here. Anyone have a comparison?
#43
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Originally posted by Wormwood
But, "Escapology" is totally different here. Anyone have a comparison?
But, "Escapology" is totally different here. Anyone have a comparison?
Original release:
1-How Peculiar
2-Feel
3-Something Beautiful
4-Monsoon
5-Sexed Up
6-Love Somebody
7-Revolution
8-Handsome Man
9-Come Undone
10-Me & My Monkey
11-Song 3
12-Hot Fudge
13-Cursed
14-Nan's Song
American release:
1-Feel
2-Monsoon
3-Sexed Up
4-Get a Little High
5-Come Undone
6-Something Beautiful
7-Love Somebody
8-Revolution
9-How Peculiar
10-One Fine Day
11-Me & My Monkey
12-Handsome Man
13-Nan's Song
14-How Peculiar (reprise)
So they added two songs (which seem like they could be left-over tracks from "Swing While You're Winning") and a reprise, rearranged the song order and dropped "Song 3", "Hot Fudge" and "Cursed". Also the American release does not seem to carry the "Explicit Lyrics" warning as the import does. I believe Entertainment Weekly reviewed the American release recently and said the retooling weakened the album overall but probably made it more palatable for the American pop listener. Whatever....
Last edited by rfduncan; 04-22-03 at 08:52 AM.
#44
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the more I think about it, I hope he remains low-key on this side of the pond.
you know if he makes it big in America, our entertainment industry will totally screw things over.
you know if he makes it big in America, our entertainment industry will totally screw things over.
#45
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The American release does contain explicit lyrics and the edited version is out there. Btw, it looks like I'll just be sticking with his UK releases.
#46
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One thing I can't figure out, is that he complains/laments about this huge succsess in Europe, yet is fustrated by this lack of succsess in America.
You would think he would want it that way so he could have the best of both worlds.
You would think he would want it that way so he could have the best of both worlds.
#47
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Seems like he's just released a Greatest Hits compilation.
Chances are that this'll be of little interest to those Stateside given his lack of hits there but....
.... about a year ago his successful songwriting partnership with Guy Chambers ended and he has been seeking a muse. Inevitably there are a couple of new tracks on his compilation and it transpires that he is now working with Stephen Duffy.
Duffy is the guy who left Duran Duran before they got big. A few years back he unearthed some pre-Le Bon Duran material and re-recorded it with Nick Rhodes ending up with an album called Dark Circles they released under the band name the Devils. Samples can be heard here.
The latest RW release, Radio, is touted as having a very 80s sound. In places I'd agree that it is reminiscent of the Human League, Depeche Mode and OMD.
Chances are that this'll be of little interest to those Stateside given his lack of hits there but....
.... about a year ago his successful songwriting partnership with Guy Chambers ended and he has been seeking a muse. Inevitably there are a couple of new tracks on his compilation and it transpires that he is now working with Stephen Duffy.
Duffy is the guy who left Duran Duran before they got big. A few years back he unearthed some pre-Le Bon Duran material and re-recorded it with Nick Rhodes ending up with an album called Dark Circles they released under the band name the Devils. Samples can be heard here.
The latest RW release, Radio, is touted as having a very 80s sound. In places I'd agree that it is reminiscent of the Human League, Depeche Mode and OMD.
#48
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Heard of him...but don't care about him.