Amazon.co.uk Review
For one night only the Robbie Williams showcase Live At The Albert is a fantastic testament to what was a very special evening. The concert offered tracks from his Rat Pack covers album Swing When You're Winning an album that finally gave him across the board appeal from nostalgic Grannies to hormonally imbalanced teenagers. With the average ticket price well into three figures and the likes of Tara Palmer-Tompkinson, Bob Geldof and Nicole Kidman in the stalls, this was no ordinary Robbie concert. Backed by a full swing band, accompanied by a slew of glamorous dancers, compered by Rupert Everett and featuring duets with John Lovitz, Jane Horrocks, the scene-stealing Jonathan Wilkes and even Old Blue Eyes himself Frank Sinatra (albeit in video form), Robbie takes centre stage and performs like never before. Classic track follows classic track--from "The Lady is a Tramp" (which Robbie dedicates to his last three girlfriends), to "Mr Bojangles" to "My Way", each and every one of them is instantly recognisable, even to most of the younger members of the audience. Directed by Hamish Hamilton (the man behind the spectacular U2 Elevation DVD) this is a great up close and personal view of an intimate gig.
On the DVD: The disc is lovingly put together in glorious 5.1 surround sound. The DVD also features the documentary "Well Swung" which follows Robbie all the way to Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, where he recorded some of the tracks for the album with members of Frank's original band. There is also a gallery of luscious shots of Robbie on location and at the Capitol Studios. At times it does tend towards the schmaltzy, with Robbie fighting back the tears when the video footage of Frank singing booms out across the Albert Hall, but this is scant criticism. All in all this is a fantastic performance from a legend in the making. --Helen Marquis
Customer Reviews:
Poor.......2008-01-29
This dvd lacks originality, creativity and of course talent. At least the U.S. has had the good sense to ignore this chump; sadly to our shame we in the UK have taken him to our collective hearts. I hope you're happy with that because to me this sounds like a 90-minute long version of the birdy song with a drunk singing "My Way" all over it. Truly poor...
However, the band was great, which for the most part (if not 100%) out classes the untalented Mr Williams. The star of this recording is for the band.
A REAL Talent.......2007-01-28
I'm not sure why Robbie Williams hasn't caught on in the States.
I've been stationed in Germany since 2002, and all of Europe is nuts about him, and for good reason. He has an incredible voice, and these challenging tunes seem effortless for him. Only quibble: he leaves some tunes in keys a little too low for him, but he compensates well. He's also a natural enertainer. This is an excellent product--a great introduction to Robbie if you aren't familiar with him. Oh, and the orchestra is screamin'! Fantastic arrangements.
A naturally great performer.......2004-12-08
This is the first Robbie DVD I have purchased, I also have Nobody Someday, The Robbie Williams Show,and Where Ego's Dare. Live At the Albert Hall is, in my opinion the best, if you are wanting to watch a top-class act. For those of you who have only seen Robs live performances, this is something different. This is Rob the smoothie. He carries the whole thing off superbly, and the part where he pays tribute to Frank Sinatra brings tears to your eyes.This is Robbie at his best in lots of ways-the cheekiness, the style,and tremendous quality vocals. The quality of sound in the Albert hall is absolutely top-notch as you'd expect.Watching this, after having the Swing when you're winning cd, now brings the cd to life,being able to imagine this show as you listen to the cd in the future-so superb you will not forget it.
Boyband boy becomes a Man with a man's band.......2004-10-21
I have to admit, like most other people I wasn't originally such a huge fan of Robbie Williams. His seemingly egotistical remarks at awards ceremonies and the like I'm sure, like myself, waved many people off his fan board. However, within the recent few years this character flaw seems to have faded away, and with that a budding star has emerged.
Whilst a lot Robbie's more successful songs are in fact remakes of forgotten hits, his strength comes in being able to make these songs successful again. By propelling his fame and excellent entertaining/singing skills into the mix of each song Robbie has become a success beyond success. I am still able to pick up one of his older CDs and enjoy it thoroughly with hits such as Millenium, Angels and Strong. I very much regret not having seen him live yet. Every one of the hundreds of thousands of people who saw him live at Knebworth left with extremely positive comments.
This particular concert was something of a spectacular occurrence. At the time I never even knew it was going to take place or I would have considered going. Whilst it may be considered in some instances that Robbie is thieving great songs, in my opinion he is actually bringing credit to them. The songs in this concert are of a great and dying era of swing music. With this, Robbie Williams has brought back to the masses the spectacularity of swing music, bringing it into the hearts of the young and and reviving it in the hearts of the older. I personally am a 'young un' and since hearing this particular collection I have been hooked onto swing music.
The execution of the songs is absolutely fantastic, I even dare to (at the risk of being shouted at by old swing fans) say that Robbie has managed to perform these songs even better than their creators. Mr. Bojangles in particular is played with such conviction and such style that your eyes might even start to well up with tears after hearing the sad story of the tap dancer. Coupled with this, the performances of Jon Lovitz, Jane Horrocks and even Robbie's flatmate Jonathan Wilkes! Respectables from the original Rat Pack's accompanying bands and composers also make appearance on the stage.
This is without a doubt the quintessential gem of Robbie Williams' performances. If you're young and think swing music is a golden oldie, watch this and you will be turned. Not only does this performance have that quality, but also as the realisation of a young superstar's life dream, this concert becomes an emotionally charged musical dream. Try it, if you have a friend who has this DVD borrow it and I promise you'll be opening your wallet soon after.
***** THE EGO HAS LANDED *****.......2002-12-20
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!!
Customer Reviews:
Love It.......2006-01-16
Michael Buble first DVD made me want to go see him live! His voice is amazing his personality fab! He is very humble and thanked Michael Parkinson for showing him to the world on TV I for one am so pleased he did! I love sinatra style songs and anything Michael does he seems to make his own. Buy it and see.
Michael Buble!.......2006-01-16
This first DVD is brilliant! It gave me the urge to go see him in concert and I must say he is wonderful live. I love Sinatra style stuff but whatever Michael does he makes his own. You get snips of his personality in there and the band who are also great musicians. He is very humble and thanks Michael Parkinson who introduced Michael to the world on TV and boy am I glad he did he is like a breath of fresh air. I love the songs he sings and his amazing voice The way you look tonight was just one song that managed to move me! and a favourite of mine.
Nice and simple!.......2005-04-25
The star rating is for the music. Michael sings many popular songs and must face the possibility of being compared to the people that made tem popular. Many people in that position do funny things with the music, thinking that they have to make it unique; Michael does not have to do this (with little exception). He is just being his self and it is great just the way he is.
On the other hand this package also contains a DVD which can make great jewelry or maybe hung from a tree to scare birds. It is like one big sound bite; there is no constancy or course to his rattling. On the technical side the soundtrack is out of sing with the video. The video itself looks like the Blair Witch Project; it can not hold steady or focus.
What can I say but - FANTASTIC!.......2005-04-21
Have just reviewed Michaels other albums, 'Michael Buble' and his new album 'It's Time' and I will say the same about this fantastic package - brilliant! Not only do you have a CD covering some real classics but also a DVD of a performance filmed a couple of years ago just as Michaels career was taking off worldwide. Not only does it give you him performing these ace songs but also some footage of him talking about his 'rise to fame' and thoughts about his life and career etc. All in all again all I can say is its a MUST for all you Michael Buble fans - or swing and jazz fans! I wouldn't be without my copies - helps me chill out when I get stressed!!!!! BRILL BRILL BRILL!!!!
Great sounding but dodgy looking!.......2004-04-09
I bought this set as soon as it came because I think Michael Buble is an excellent singer. What you get is a DVD of a concert plus 3 additional bonus tracks from a web broadcast. You also get an audio CD of the concert.
The audio CD is excellent and whilst I cannot fault Michael's performance at all or his band the presentation of the DVD is the biggest disappointment for me. I find it difficult to watch because instead of a few stationery cameras focusing on Michael and the band etc, the picture jumps from one angle to another too much in a very haphazard manner. The use of colour and black and white mixed together is also very off putting for me. This aspect is the only thing preventing me from giving this package 5 stars.
The performance by Michael and his band is nothing short of outstanding. His love of the music he sings shows clearly and it is obvious that his band feels the same way when they are playing. Michael is doing a great job of introducing this music to a new younger generation (like Tony Bennett did it the late 80s and early 90s).
As well as singing classic oldies like My funny valentine he also does some great interpretations of more contempary songs like Van Morrison's Moondance.
In short this is an excellent DVD/CD set let down slightly by the strange presentation of the DVD.
His second album is due out soon and should be worth looking out for!!!
Customer Reviews:
Reminded me of Laurel and Hardy!.......2008-01-16
I was looking forward to watching this as it has recently been voted into the top 100 Best American films of all time. I was sadly disappointed. Yes the songs were great, as were the dances(although not enough dancing for sure).I could see why they were famous for their dancing and not their acting! The other problem was that I kept having visions of Laurel and Hardy. I expected Astaire to scatch the top of his head from time to time with that cheesy grin and his friend to moan "Now there's another fine mess you've gotten me into".
Sprinkled with Stardust.......2007-12-04
My favourite Astaire-Rogers outing. The dance sequences are just stupendous, through the sparkle of 'Pick Yourself Up', the stunning virtuosity of Astaire's solo Bojangles to the emotive 'Never Gonna Dance'. While Astaire has been recognised as one of the greatest dancers of the 20th century, what makes the partnership so potent is that Ginger won't play second fiddle to anyone, and it's this equality between the two that's so seductive. Add in some superb Art Deco sets, musical numbers like 'The Way You Look Tonight' and a supporting cast including Victor Moore, Helen Broderick and Eric Blore, and how can you give it less than 5 stars?
Complaining about the plot in A&R films is a bit like moaning about the queues at Alton Towers - you just have to put up with them if you want to experience the thrill of the rides. But the charm of the leads, and their enthusiastic supports carries you along.
Almost faultless.......2007-10-31
The music and songs are of a quality unheard today and the dancing is matchless - they are both at their peak and Ginger Rogers never looked more stunning. Why not 5 stars? Simply the ending, which is too forced (and rather cruel?)but it doesn't detract from a film about which it can really be said that they don't, and probably couldn't, make them like that anymore - buy it and escape to a better world.
Pure entertainment.......2007-03-07
One of my favourites - the quintessential Astaire-Rodgers movie. If you don't "get" what is so great about Fred and Ginger, watch this. Astaire plays a professional dancer who turns up late for his wedding. The bride's father declares he can't marry his daughter until he earns $[...] Astaire heads for the city where he encounters Ginger Rodgers, they team up and become a successful dance partnership. Astaire inevitably falls in love with her and has to try to keep his earnings down to prevent his other marriage as well as keep his distance from Ginger! You can imagine the plot situations this creates. Songs premiered include such standards as "The way you look tonight" (given an ironic twist- watch and see) and "A fine romance" set in snowy wonderland, Ginger wondering why Fred is so cold. Their set piece at the end, "Never gonna dance" is so full of yearning and unfulfilled desire it's breathtaking. Ginger Rodgers is absolutely radiant throughout - there's no doubt she would be a star today as well. And Astaire just oozes charm. The film is very funny, with a very witty script and great comic support from Victor Moore and Helen Broderick who have their own off-beat romance. Top Comedy, top songs, top dance, top romance - top class!
Customer Reviews:
Excellent insructional Dvd.......2006-08-22
My partner and I already dance Modern jive/Ceroc/Ballroom and a little swing so we brought this dvd in the hope of finding some new routines to learn.We were very impressed in the way the dvd took you from basic to intermediate moves so whether your just starting out our want to polish up or learn a few new routines there will be something for everyone.We were particularly impressed by the detail shown to the ladies steps as sometimes on other instructional dvd,s these are are overlooked in favour of the male steps being the lead.If you buy this dvd you wont be dissapointed.
Customer Reviews:
The Piano Titan.......2007-03-14
This is the first DVD, in colour, you can buy of an Oscar Peterson Trio with bass and drums. It is magnificent in every way. Neils Pederson is on Bass and Martin Drew is on drums.
Filmed in 1985, Oscar's playing was still as near his best ever as makes no difference and this means that you are in for a treat. The set list is:
A Salute to Bach (as it was 300 years since his birth in 1985)
Who can I turn To
Blues Etude
Yours is my heart alone
Falling In Love with La Belle Province
Nigerian Marketplace
Cakewalk
Skylark-My Foolish Heart
Perdido
Caravan
Fans will know that some of these are virtuoso showstoppers. Blues Etude, Yours is my Heart Alone and Caravan perhaps being the most obvious. However Oscar was always more than just a great technician and there is some superb thoughtful playing on this disc as well.
I bought my DVD from the US where it came out a few weeks earlier (and it is region 0). The picture is 4:3 ratio and the sound has 5.1 DD as well as DTS. The running time is 80mins. I saw Oscar Peterson live in 1987 and he didn't play much longer than that then, so you are probably getting his entire show here. I can't recommend it highly enough!
Customer Reviews:
A TENDER LOVE STORY, that is in the ranks of the HOLLYWOOD GREATS........2007-09-16
Half a century ago: I saw this Bio-graphic movie, which I thought then was terriffic: the Stars Tyrone Power & Kim Novac where so charismatic.
There screen personna took the cinema audiences on a journey down lifes highway, that many of us in life have taken.
The story concentrated on a period spanning 20 years in the life of Eddy Duchin.
A real person who was blessed with Talent as a Pianist entertainer, the plot focused on his mid twenties years of his life, and the romance and devotion to his Girl friend, whom he eventually marries.
The way we as viewers see this portrayed on the silver screens of our neighborhood cinemas: was pure magic for me.
It was heart warming and pure escapism in all its content.
The music accompanying this film: was dynamic in every sense of the word
and its music today 50 years on is still as fresh in a class of its own. It is in a catergory know as ALL TIME GREATEST HITS Songs
All though some may not agree with my observations of musical choices !!!
Sadley this Romantic yarn, is torn apart from us, with personal tradgedy
becoming the subject matter, but it shows us another facet of what lifes all about..... and how to handle it with dignity.
This movie re-assured me that we all have crosses to bear in life, and it was played out in front of me very sensitively, with great emmotion from its cast of players.
A first class movie that will have you in tears if your a sentimental
romantic with a love for true romances Hollywood style: thats me all over !! " Pass me the Tissues please someone "
Customer Reviews:
True story, fake dramatics.......2007-11-09
Swing Kids isn't as bad as its reputation implies by a long shot, but it's too riddled with compromise to really work. The Nazis' vicious repression of jazz and swing music is a great story crying out to be told, but Disney really wasn't the studio to tell it. Hints of a better film abound and it does edge into some dark corners, but the need for an upbeat ending to a downbeat story does the film few favors, and nor does the fact that the period jive and dancing tend to sound and look very silly indeed far too often - certainly Robert Sean Leonard's angst-ridden solo dance of rebellion at the end is an unintentional comic highlight.
No extras but a decent 1.85:1 widescreen transfer.
Well acted very moving and not at all what you'd expect.......2006-07-13
Seeing as this was a disney movie I figured when I bought it it would be a light hearted drama about friends who were swing kids during World war II. Obviously I realise that any tale of the war and Nazi germany would have to be slightly dramatic but I though it would focus on the music and the swing dancing.
Oh how wrong could I be!!This film is a very moving and very well acted piece about Nazi supresion and their vile teaching and hatred about all things Jewish. The swing is mearly a subplot ,put in to make the trailer look like children could watch it, and serves to offer the only light hearted 10 mins in the film! The story revolves around Peter (a character that could have been way to sappy and disney to handle himself in reality and baked in self pity if it wasn't for the stunning acting by Robert Sean Leonard)who faces a battle between joing the HJ like everyone else and dying for the cause of what he believes in. For a disney movie there is alot of death and mysery but don't let that stop you watching it!
Although this film is nothing like I expected I loved it because of the brilliant acting and sometime quite gritty portrayl of Nazi Germany,its not the kind of film it says on the box but what emerges is an altogether more interesting piece on the struggle through the war and through history of human hatred and love, the changes in friendship and family and the ultimate betryal that is caused by the madness of war.
Special mention has to go to RSL and Christian Bale for not only acting so well as to turn a mussy script into a moving one but for being able to sing and dance so perfectly too. The acting all round (apart from a terrible performance by a young noah wyle!!!) makes this a emotional and believable film I would definitly recommend if you want to explore History and the human mind some more but not if you thought this was Disney, about dancing and like happy endings!!
Opposition in Nazi Germany.......2004-03-11
Swing Kinds provides an insightful portrayal to some of the brave few who were willing to stand up against the terror of Nazi Germany. Amidst the sterile uniformed mass of Nazis the movie is bought to light by a paraphernalia of style and a welcome mix of black Jazz and white dance band music that makes up swing. The movie is well acted and provides an understanding of many of the cruel aspects of life in Nazi Germany. Overall, a good movie and a handy resource for History teachers and students studying the period.
Customer Reviews:
A great Pianist - an average DVD.......2007-06-22
I love all the great Jazz Pianists and, for technique, Peterson is the master. His playing here is exemplarary and with Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen completing the trio it doesn't get any better. However I always find that Peterson's speed on the keyboard tends to get in the way of his Jazz 'feel' and I end up, as an ex semi-Pro Jazz Pianist myself, admiring him for the wrong reasons. Nevertheless I have more of his albums than most because he simply excites me.
Because this is in Black & White and Mono I think the DVD is over-priced -I have bought better jazz DVD's in my local High Street at Half the price.
If you are an avid Peterson fan though, buy it!!
Peter Smith
Torquay
UK
Oscar at the top.......2007-01-04
This is amazing B&W film of the Oscar Peterson Trio in 1964. Ray Brown is on bass and Ed Thigpen is on drums.
The choice of material is great:
Waltz for Debby
Cubano Chant
You are my Hearts Delight
to name but a few.
This last track in particular is absolutely mind blowing. Peterson at his virtuoso best. Where lesser pianists would have stopped after the first two choruses Peterson takes the tempo up and up until Thigpen is struggling to keep up on drums!
The picture quality of the tracks up to this point is reasonable. After this track the quality is lot worse. However, the sound remains decent and the playing from all thre musicians is so good it can only get 5 stars.
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