Thursday, 21 November 2019

Robbie Williams - The Christmas Present


34 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy The Christmas Present here (Robbie's website)

I classed it as glad tidings of great cheer when Robbie Williams announced that the follow up to his 2016 album, The Heavy Entertainment Show, was to be a Christmas album. As more news leaked (including that rather superb cover art you see above) and the world learned that it was to be called The Christmas Present - and a double album to boot - well, the anticipation had me tingling from head to (mistle)toe. All seasonal albums should feature a selection box of classic standards mixed with new compositions which are strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the evergreens - and across the two discs, Robbie's carefully cultivated tracklisting does just that. He brings his proven ability to provide cheeky charm alongside heartfelt emotion - this works particularly well in the glorious arrangements of the songs because the holidays are a time when everything seems heightened and more pronounced. It also feels like a giant communal singalong as Mr W invites a sack load of celebrities along to join him on songs old and new. The discs are rightly called Christmas Past and Christmas Future because they elicit nostalgic memories whilst providing an indelible soundtrack to be enjoyed year after year as new experiences are created. Now that's some heavy entertainment...

Christmas Past:
  • Winter Wonderland ~ A choir of angels sing "wonderland! wonderland" at the beginning of the song (and therefore the entire album) and the effect is two fold: firstly, you can't help but feel it is a shout out to the Take That album from a few years ago and, secondly (and most importantly), it gives the impression of the curtain going up on a lavish stage musical. Robbie saunters in, making the song sound like it was always meant for him to sing. The swooning backing vocals and Disney-esque sound effects make for one magical treat. It is a delightful way to bring out all your memories from holidays gone by and a stellar opening for this seasonal selection box of musical treats.
  • Merry Xmas Everybody (featuring Jamie Cullum) ~ the Slade standard gets the Robbie swing makeover and it is as dramatic, opulent and full of festive fun as you might have dreamed. The horn laden brass band gives the song a sumptuous sound whilst the finger clicking groove lets the merriment of each word linger with the sheer delight of existing. Of course Jamie's piano riff is exhilarating, adding to the majestic textured score in a way that requires multiple listens to appreciate every nuanced note. Robbie and Jamie's individual vocals intertwine alongside each other with an effervescent energy. They are having the time of their lives and it is utterly contagious.
  • Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow ~ Robbie has already proved many times over that he is a gifted raconteur - the type of singer who knows how to tell a story (even if that story has been told before). On this 40s classic, Robbie makes it a delightful dance between vocal and instrument. The strings gracefully glide around his voice as he playfully embraces the age-old words and still makes them sound like an exciting new proposition. He certainly knows how to paint a vivid picture and the end results are just as vivid as any snow-drenched Christmas movie.
  • The Christmas Song ~ talking of movies, Robbie's take on this evergreen is as if the song has traversed the passages of time from the sound stages of an opulent Hollywood movie musical back in the 50s. There is a sophistication and elegance to it that is an art that is not quite lost in today's times but is certainly more difficult to find. There is a lovely languorous pace to the song that lets it wrap around you like a hug from your favourite person.
  • Coco's Christmas Lullaby ~ the album's first original song has the tough task of being just as memorable and meaningful as the songs which surround it. Job done - Robbie and Guy Chambers have crafted a beautiful piece of music with soothing lyrics and a gently glittering jingle rhythm. Add in a choir of children to reinforce the sincere hope of the titular message and it is ABBA's I Have A Dream put through Robbie's Christmas Cracker Music Machine. I'm smitten.
  • Rudolph ~ Robbie has always had a skill for weaving other songs into his compositions (Supreme Amour is still a triumph) and he does so expertly by mixing in Carol Of The Bells for a celebration of the most famous reindeer of them all (sorry Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dunder and Blitzen). Wry lyrics make this one story that conjures up images right in front of your eyes - it is dramatic and compelling with a middle eight that makes you glad from head to (mistle)toe. I doubt Mrs Claus would be mad at that!
  • Yeah! It's Christmas ~ I like that this little trio of original songs kind of have a cohesive story. First of all, it is putting the kids to bed on Christmas Eve. Then it is the busiest night of the year for Santa and his reindeer before you wake up and Yeah! It's Christmas. Bluesy horns dominate the track as Mr Williams sings all the recognisable elements of the season - whether they be good or bad. In sales they teach you to get people nodding along and this song does just that, delivered with sardonic precision. What's not to love?
  • Its A Wonderful Life (featuring Poppa Pete) ~ Bedford Falls this is ba ba bing brilliant. "Whose Christmas number one? It's Me" riff Poppa Pete and Robbie as they continue their exploration of what makes the holidays so gosh darn euphoric. Andrews Sister-ish harmonies give this a twinkling, timeless feel (as does that intricate piano and sweeping string section). It is a quintessentially British variety show show-stopper that is a masterclass in how duets should be.
  • Let's Not Go Shopping ~ the jingle bells are out in full force as Robbie romantically suggests alternatives to the commercialism of Christmas, urging his paramour to immerse herself into the season in different ways. A slowed down introductory few bars to the songs see Robbie and piano duet in perfect unison before the hip shimmying rhythms of that superlative band kick in. Robbie's smitten nature and understanding of the Rat Pack style making it a seamless entry into the genre. The lyrics are also worth taking to heart - slow down, step back and enjoy the season with the ones you love. And when that message is set to an instrumental and melody as effusive as this, it is an invitation that it is pretty hard to refuse.
  • Santa Baby (w/ Helene Fischer) ~ The art of seduction is on full display on this dripping-with-lascivious-flirtation take on the naughty seasonal standard. Both Robbie and Helene give maximum allure as they list everything they want to find in their gift pile on the big day (Santa's birthday). It becomes a siren's song and you just know Santa is as helpless as those sailors as he, ahem, unloads his sack for the duo. Good lord!
  • Best Christmas Ever ~ there is an almost a cappella opening that gradually adds different instruments in and infuses the whispering harmonies. It is all about that potential loss of innocence when you are told the lie that Santa is not real and how you can still embrace the wonderment of the most wonderful time of the year. There is a sweet nature to the words as Robbie shares his inner most thoughts (and, because why the heck not, brings back that glorious children's choir). Play whenever you need an endorphin boost of happy and hope.
  • One Last Christmas ~ I must admit it does make me go a little weak in the knees when Robbie taps into the lower register of his voice. He does so here as a confessional; declaring the wrongs in his life and setting out to make them right. It is an earnest and honest modern day classic which just shines as bright as the lightest star in the skies during that pleading chorus. Despite the character of the song's naughty ways, this song is a big Elvis style anthem that should put him back on the nice list.
Christmas Future:
  • Time For Change ~ Lets face it. Robbie could have saved the second disc of songs for Christmas 2020 and still ruled the holiday roost. But Christmas is all about excess and, quite honestly, it would have been a tragedy to miss out on songs like Time For Change. This guitar driven gem is a plea for us all to let the pettiness go and focus on the kindness and generosity of spirit that you will find if you look hard enough. The sing-along refrain boosts your soul and makes you believe in hope.
  • Idlewild ~ if, like me, you seek out Christmas songs that you could legitimately play all year round, then this is the song for you. It is actually a deeply insightful relationship ballad, the story of the ups and downs of a love affair. Smart move to make it feel like Robbie is paying tribute to the band Idlewild with the tinge of Scottish folk influences permeating the song. Utterly glorious.
  • Darkest Night ~ an autobiographical tale which while is pure Robbie Williams wouldn't sound out of place in a The Darkness concert. It is the second song in a row that could carry the album into the charts well into the spring of 2020; this rabble-rousing anthem will take the roof off his Christmas party concert this year (and, hopefully, for many years to come). So detailed is the score that you will need multiple listens to appreciate every facet of it.
  • Fairytales (featuring Rod Stewart) ~ Rod knows a thing or two about Christmas thanks to his own seasonal album, Merry Christmas Baby. This lilting festive jig is perhaps the most convivial song thus far on the album - the type you can sing along loudly with your friends, savouring every word and crafting new memories set to this sprightly, engaging romp. Now that is a fairytale I can believe in.
  • Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (ft Bryan Adams) ~ Jesus (Joe and Mary)! This is so superbly faithful to the Spector original that you can't help but get tingles of ecstasy as you listen to two great vocalist just let themselves be totally immersed into the wonder of the melancholy narrative. Bryan has his own Christmas EP out this year (see review here) so this is a fine addition to that. He and Robbie sing their plea with aching longing and fervent desire as deliciously edible as a gingerbread cookie.
  • Bad Sharon (ft Tyson Fury) ~ as soon as I heard this I knew it must've been love. This Madness-meets-Chas&Dave inspired brilliance is tipped to be the Christmas number one this year and it is easy to see why. It is instantly ingratiating, a chant til your voice is sore slice of genius that throws everything into the mix. Jingling bells, vivid horns, encouragement to get drunk and let your hair down, witty lyrics - it may well be the song that gets me to say "I stan". Santa's on his way - and he's probably singing along and ho-ho-ho-ing at what a treat this is. EPIC.
  • Happy Birthday Jesus Christ ~ I love that Robbie isn't afraid to use a rich tapestry of influences across the two discs of this album, all filtered through a Robbie Williams kaleidoscope. Here he channels Elton John in a way that would make Reg quite jealous. This may get some folk bristling but it is a sacrilicious take on the big day that left me grinning from ear to ear. These are the real tidings of great joy for you (and your King obviously). The message is love and my heart is bursting.
  • New Year's Day ~ If Bad Sharon is destined to be the Christmas number one, can we please start the campaign for this song to be the New Year's number one (which isn't really a thing but hey, lets start a new tradition). If Christmas should bring out the best in us, New Year's Day is a chance for fresh starts. Robbie conveys that with personal wisdom that he bestows through a blissful melody and his never ending knack for a canny hook (and ebullient bridge).
  • Snowflakes ~ give it some deep shoulder shimmy as Robbie gets some deep bass going on as he eloquently describes what his Christmas Day is like (using the term for how fragile this generation allegedly is in a winking new way). The song gets more textured and crescendos as the merriment and madness kicks in. For some reason it makes you want to grab the one you love and party like a Russian.
  • Home ~ When Robbie lets out his sensitive side it really is quite a joy to behold. And this swaying ballad is one of his most delightful. It is a power ballad for the ages all about finding your own home in life with the people who love you for who you are. It features a genuinely moving vocal from Mr Williams and deserves to be as indelible and timeless as Angels. The man knows how to create flawless pop music and this is an absolute moment for him.
  • Soul Transmission ~ the final song brings down the curtain on this exhilarating journey in great style. It has been quite the ride, a rollercoaster of emotions that has embraced all the different aspects of the season. And of course the man who entertains us endlessly is going to leave us with an absolute corker. A final little food for the soul before you hit repeat and start this new perennial fave all over again.
**Ghosts of Christmas Past**
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