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SWING WHEN YOU'RE WINNING
Robbie Williams
(Chrysalis-EMI)
British pop star Williams follows his inferior 2000 release Sing When You're Winning with this homage to the Rat Pack.
Maybe as he continues in his quest to conquer the U.S. -- something that should have happened with 1999's The Ego Has Landed -- it's become a matter of "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em."
Swing When You're Winning, in stores Tuesday, is said to be inspired by Have You Met Miss Jones?, Williams' contribution to the Bridget Jones's Diary soundtrack. Recorded with the London Session Orchestra, he calls this collection of standards his "Big Band album."
Some songs work, other don't, but overall it's safe to say that Williams is no threat to Harry Connick Jr.
The album opens with the only Williams original on the album -- I Will Talk And Hollywood Will Listen -- which segues nicely into his duet with actress Nicole Kidman on Somethin' Stupid. The latter is one of the better tunes, along with the swagger-filled Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me, the poignant Mr. Bojangles and the breezy Beyond The Sea.
Not so good are Mack The Knife, on which Williams just plain tries too hard, and It Was A Very Good Year, featuring Williams and Sinatra trading verses. Bet you can guess who comes out on top there. Also misguided are duets with Jon Lovitz on Did You Evah? and Rupert Everett on They Can't Take That Away From Me. (More on: Robbie Williams).
Track Listing
1. I Will Talk, Hollywood Will Listen
2. Mack The Knife
3. Something Stupid - w/ Nicole Kidman
4. Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me
5. It Was A Very Good Year - w/ Frank Sinatra
6. Straighten Up And Fly Right
7. Well Did You Evah - w/ Jon Lovitz
8. Mr. Bojangles
9. One For My Baby
10. Things - w/ Jane Horrocks
11. Ain't That A Kick In The Head
12. They Can't Take That Away From Me - w/ Rupert Everett
13. Have You Met Miss Jones?
14. Me And My Shadow - w/ Jonathan Wilkes
15. Beyond The Sea