The Only Time I Ever Wished I Lived In L.A.

Last night in LA, Robbie Williams made a surprise appearance at Mark Ronson's solo concert debut. He joined Ronson on stage to perform the Charlatans' cover 'The Only One I Know.' Mark Ronson and Robbie Williams on stage performing TOGETHER. I am barely holding it together over here. I recently saw Ronson in person, hanging out at the bar downstairs at Bowery Ballroom before Jamie T and could barely bring myself to look him in the face. I can only imagine the girls going completely ape-shit at this show when Robbie took the stage.

I saw Ronson perform myself at Highline Ballroom in July. It was one of those rare occasions where I just wanted to see a show "because". It was a really fantastic performance and highlighted the absolute fun, brilliance of his new album Versions. He was joined by SantoGold, Daniel Merriweather and Alex Greenwald of Phantom Planet. Despite me being grossly hit on by an older magazine editor (name withheld), it was one of the more fun shows I've been to recently. Pics below.



Ronson will be back in NYC tonight at Webster Hall. Put your dancing shoes on and go.

Tour Dates:
Oct 5 2007 7:00P
Webster Hall - Live in Concert New York, New York
Oct 12 2007 8:00P
Academy - Live in Concert Liverpool
Oct 13 2007 8:00P
Academy 1 - Live in Concert Manchester
Oct 14 2007 8:00P
Academy - Live in Concert Newcastle
Oct 16 2007 8:00P
ABC - Live in Concert Glasgow
Oct 18 2007 8:00P
Academy - Live in Concert Birmingham
Oct 19 2007 8:00P
University - Live in Concert Leeds
Oct 20 2007 8:00P
Opera House - Live in Concert Bournemouth
Oct 25 2007 8:00P
Shepherd’s Bush Empire - Live in Concert London
Oct 26 2007 8:00P
Shepherd’s Bush Empire - Live in Concert London
Oct 28 2007 8:00P
UEA - Live in Concert Norwich
Oct 29 2007 8:00P
Pyramid - Live in Concert Portsmouth
Oct 30 2007 8:00P
Academy - Live in Concert Bristol

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The World Of B-Sides & Rarities, #65

Robbie Williams - Covers

Every once in a while, Robbie Williams throws a cover onto one of his singles. Some are good some, not so good. Though the b-sides he writes himself are where one can see how good a sing writer the pop star actually is, the covers are a glimpse into the influences he grew up with.

As a kid growing up with a lounge act dad, 'Every time' was Robbie's chance to get up on stage and show off. It is a lovely rendition. The other covers are a hit or miss. While 'Kooks' has its charm, 'Ant music' wears thin.

MP3s:
'There are bad times just around the corner' - Noel Coward cover.
'Ant music' Adam Ant cover.
'Every time' Cole Porter cover.
'Kooks' David Bowie cover.

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Robbie's Mum Says Take That Reunion 'Will Happen'

Jan Williams, Robbie's mom, tells Stoke Sentinal newspaper the following when asked about Robbie's possible reunion with the pop band: "On the question of him doing something with them, I feel that will happen...

It would be something he wanted to do."

Furthermore, she adds: "He's okay, he's fine, he's on a good recovery... He's doing a lot of writing, he spends a lot of time in his studio. He's in a very good place."

MP3: Robbie Williams - Feel

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"I dont want to claim that I'm special, but I'm a bit special"

Robbie Williams makes one ugly woman, but he is one fine looking man.

The new (full) video for the new single, 'She Madonna.'

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Robbie Gets His Rocks Off: The Continuing Saga of a Popstar in Rehab

He's out of rehab and ready to dance.

After his escape release, Williams went shopping at Barneys in Beverly Hills before meeting up with friends at Winston's nightclub.

His sister Sally says, "He felt uncomfortable staying in there (rehab) so he had to come out and is going to use another facility. There is a process that they go through and he hasn't completed all of the steps that they like you to do, so he is going to finish the work elsewhere.

"I think he is a lot better than he was but obviously he has not completed his course so he needs to continue. He is very serious about it."

His mum Jan is looking after him in LA. Believe it or not, she is a drugs and alcohol counselor. I wonder how many clients she has. Sorry mum.

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Robbie Buggers Off: The Continuing Saga of a Popstar in Rehab

Oh Robbie.

British rag, The Sun, is reporting that the pop star has left his 700 pound ($1,353) a night rehab center in Tuscon Arizona to go back home to Los Angeles a week early.

Rob's spokesperson only had this to say: "Robbie Williams has completed his stay in Arizona and is continuing with an after-care program in Los Angeles."

Here's hoping he is alright.

The Sun's Victoria Newton started a campaign last week to have readers send in get well cards to Robbie and evidently she's been receiving "sackloads" which she's forwarded on to him in Arizona. Chances that this is what catapulted Rob out of rehab anyone? Yeah, thought not.

By the way, I found this story in the Washington Post of all places, picked up from Reuters. The Post hearts Robbie Williams.

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What the F*ck is Your Problem?

Seems like everybody has something to say about Robbie heading into rehab. I think rehab might be this month's cause celeb.

After the Brits, Liam Gallagher obnoxiously put his two pence in: "What's his fuckin' problem, man? We all know what it is - he's a fucking drama fucking queen. If you've got a fucking problem why do you want the whole world knowing about it?"

He went on: "He has to be in the front fucking pages doesn't he? Just sort your fucking self out."

He was then handed the award for personal achievement for using the word Fuck as many times as possible.

Damon Gough aka Badly Drawn Boy: "I empathise with what Robbie is going through. I've met him a few times and he seemed to be dealing with his level of fame. Everyone looks at someone like him and says, 'He's just a show-off and loves attention.'

He goes on: "Talking about yourself incessantly in interviews, being onstage where you are the centre of attention, writing songs that are going to be scrutinised, being famous and being spotted in the street - it all makes you feel really strange." Thanks.

From camp David Beckham: “David is ready to do anything he can to help Robbie. As a top athlete, he firmly believes exercise can go a long way to helping him overcome his addictions and depression. Keeping active will help take Robbie’s mind off his ­problems and stop him sitting around dwelling on things.”

Posh Spice supposedly also sent him a “get well soon” message as soon as she heard he had been admitted. "Fame - it's just a weird thing and it does psychologically affect you."

The other potty mouthed Oasis brother Noel also commented on Robbie's stint in rehab, saying: "We've all been there, but if you can't stand the heat..."

And finally Mark Owen, a man certainly not commenting on Robbie just to gain media attention- oh no never, revealed to Reveal magazine: "I felt bad at the Brits because there were some jokes said about Robbie that made it look like he was being mocked. When I heard about him checking into rehab I felt really sad - I just want him to get happy again. I'll do anything I can to help him. If he wants me to see him, I'll be straight on that plane. Rob was always my mate and I always felt very close to him. I'm so worried about him. I'm gutted and devastated things have ended up like this. I think he should come back to the UK." At which point he whispered "And join the Take That tour."

Well, Robbie's latest album Rudebox might not have done as well as expected but I still love it. And Mark Ronson is claiming that so does Mos Def: "I ran into Mos Def at an Amy Winehouse show in America and he said, 'that Robbie Williams shit is amazing.'"

mp3: 'My culture' by 1 Giant Leap featuring Robbie Williams and Maxi Jazz

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Robbie in Rehab

Today Robbie Williams celebrates his 33rd birthday as news hits the AP wire that the international superstar is currently in an unknown American rehab facility for a dependency on prescription drugs.

His press rep Bryony Watts would only say, "Robbie Williams has today been admitted into a treatment center in America for his dependency on prescription drugs. There will be no further comment on this matter."

Robbie's latest album Rudebox features the song 'Good Doctor' which includes the lyrics:

I went to the doctor to get a prescription
I told him little fact and lots of fiction
About a bad back that I ain´t got
He tried to sell me faith healing
But I think not
I want Xanax, Vicadin and Oxycotton
Funky fill the form out
So I can drop em´
I´ve got all these demons
And I can´t stop em´
To tell you the truth Doc
I might have a problem

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It's Been 8 Long Years...

Robbie Williams has reportedly stated that he plans to put on a swing show in Vegas (baby) this August. He is quoted in The Sun as saying:

“Now is the time for Robbie to go away in people's minds. I think it's time to not be in Britain for a bit. "I've enjoyed tremendous success for over ten years now - far more than I should have or I ever would have dreamed I'd have.”

Swing, Vegas, Robbie Williams. Now there is a winning combo. If this is true, I might just be the happiest girl in America right now.

MP3: Robbie Williams - Sexed Up

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Robbie To Strip For Elton!

Can you imagine a better 60th birthday gift?

Yes, so can I.

Via Digital Spy: Robbie Williams has agreed to perform the Full Monty at Elton John's 60th birthday party. Sir Elton has been arranging a huge bash at Madison Square Garden in New York to celebrate his big day in March and was thrilled when Robbie came up with the stripping idea.....

Elton and Robbie have had their disagreements over the years. But they are best pals again now. And they always try to outdo each other when it comes to presents. Robbie knows this is one gift Elton will have difficulty living up to. But the pair love to shock each other so Elton will already be cooking up something bizarre for Robbie's birthday next month."

MP3: Robbie Williams - Tripping

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Robbie Williams Goes Drag For Madge

Check out this minute and a half mockumentary promoting Robbie's new single 'She's Madonna'. It's indeed bizarre, but quite chuckle-worthy. He really makes for a TERRIBLE WOMAN; notice the chest hair peaking out of the dress. Love it.

Posted on 11:53 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Review: Rudebox- Cause You're So Nasty

We might be music sluts here, but we are not music snobs. You are just as likely to find me listening to the new Joanna Newsom as you are to see me driving along, singing at the top of my lungs to S Club 7 . That being said, prepare yourselves for my review of Robbie Williams's new(ish) album- Rudebox.

I have been a Robbie Williams fan since 1999, ever since his video for 'Millennium' first hit America's shores. His music had that perfect cheeky, Brit pop flavour that I loved- and I still do. Now-a-days, Robbie's sound might have changed somewhat but his sometimes silly, sometimes clever, musical rantings still ring with a pop perfection that screams "I know what I am doing!"

No matter if you love him, or you hate him, I think you'll find yourself hardpressed to deny the dance power of 'Rock DJ' or 'Kids.' This same rule applies to not only the title single from Rudebox, but also to about a half a dozen of the other tracks. Robbie wanted to make a dance album and with the help of The Pet Shop Boys, Mark Ronson, Soul Mekanik, William Orbit and Steven Duffy, accomplished just that...for the most part.

Unlike Robbie's other albums, with the the sole exception of Swing When Your Winning, Rudebox consists of an overwhelming amount of songs Williams did not actually write himself. 'Kiss me' is by Steven Duffy, We're the Pet Shop Boys' by My Robot Friend, 'Louise' by Human League, 'Never touch that switch' by Andrews and Spencer, 'King of the bongo' by Manu Chau and 'Lovelight' by Lewis Taylor. This is surprising. Robbie dropped Guy Chambers as his writing partner after the album Escapology and with the relatively unsuccessful Intensive Care, written on his own with Steven Duffy, perhaps the Prince of pop is a bit gun shy. That or a spoiled pop star just wanted to make a danceable Streets album and simply employed the best in the biz to help him accomplish that. Irregardless, Rudebox is an album filled with some perfect, nonesenseical, pop gems- even if he does rhym "Five star" with "PropAR."

The first single, first heard back in July on British radio, is 'Rudebox.' If there was a song to define "booty shaking", this might be it. It is an 80's hip-hop, soul, dance track that includes the brilliant lines "Are we gonna have sex? Yes! Will you wear your knee socks? ohh!" The video is certainly nothing to write home about though, and features a rather bloating looking Robbie but search YouTube for 'Rudebox' and you'll find some pretty damn funny home movies with some real winners interpretive dancing to the song.

The second single is 'Lovelight' and is another dark dance track which features some very beautiful vocals. The third single, the soon to be released 'She's Madonna', is a dark moody piece as well, with deep drum beats juxtaposed against its silly subject matter: Madonna. It features the honestly humourous lyric, "I love you baby, but face it she's Madonna." Of the song Robbie says, "In case anyone asks…There is nothing tongue in cheek about this song at all, I have always fancied Madonna. I'd have hoped for it to be this good, but you can never tell before venturing into the studio. It is just a bonus that it worked out so well." Well, it turned out alright mate. The song is a bit of a slower burner. Eventually it gets there but with the line "you're frozen now I've done the freezing," it is a bit of a tough hurdle.

Other songs to watch out for is the riduculously fun 'Good Doctor' featuring the "star, propAR" rhym, the silly, yet brilliant, 'Bongo Bong,' on which The Guardian says, "There are certainly moments when you wonder what on earth Williams thinks he's up to - not least a cover of world music star Manu Chao's novelty track Bongo Bong/Je Ne T'aime Plus that concludes with Williams doing a terrible impersonation of the French legend he recently namechecked in an interview as Serge Gainsborough - yet, for the most part, it turns out not to be bizarre, baffling or downright strange, but somehow inevitable."- ouch.

The track 'The Actor' I find nearly impossible to listen to while the final tune, 'Summertime' is a stunningly beautiful song with soaring, inspiring music. It is one of the first songs Williams wrote after leaving Take That and I think stands as testament that Robbie truly can be a great song writer. It harkens back to his 'Angels' days and perhaps a time when depression and drugs really inspired some great music, unfortunately.

Though the days of 'Win some, lose some' and 'No regrets' may be long gone, Robbie is still trying to find his musical niche and even though his new affected London, Mike Skinner accent might wear you thin, Rudebox is certainly not an album to be tossed aside with a snarky remark. Have a listen and groove a little- I know you want to.

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Robbie Williams: Art Star

It's a mad house, this modern life.. ain't it? Well, Karen O might think so, but here's a news feature from ContactMusic declaring that Robbie Wiliams sure doesn't; he has decided to sell some artwork he's done of... yes, you guessed it, HIMSELF.

British pop hunk ROBBIE WILLIAMS has created a series of artworks featuring his own likeness for a new exhibition. The ROCK DJ hitmaker's head and shoulders star in a series of black and white images, dotted with blocks of colour. The 32-year-old's four artworks will go on display at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff from Monday (27NOV06), with an asking price of $5,310 (GBP2,950). An exhibition spokesman says, "Robbie's a real artist - both in his music and his pictures. We wanted to bring art into the 21st century and make it interesting for younger people. Robbie's perfect for that."

The quote from the spokesperson is truly fantastic, if I don't say so myself.

Would you buy one of these pieces? (Jen, we know you would but anyone else out there?)

As a side note, a few years back when Interpol was pushing Antics they opened a mini art gallery of sorts in SoHo (anyone remember that?) and were selling posters & original pieces which consisted of their likenesses (created by someone outside of the band) and I still treasure a Daniel Kessler 18X24 I bought that day 2 years ago.

MP3: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Art Star

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After All These Years...

Robbie Williams STILL won't come out.

Latest quote from Contact Music:

British pop star ROBBIE WILLIAMS has confessed he may end up dating a man after a series of unsuccessful relationships with women. The ex-TAKE THAT boy band member, who has been linked to model RACHEL HUNTER and actress NICOLE KIDMAN, is notorious for his womanising past. But the ANGELS star, who strongly believes his perfect partner is out there, may give up on women altogether to find his soulmate. Williams says, "Living in Los Angeles, I've been on so many dates. I've developed relationships that have been short-lived, for whatever reason. The press have never found out. "But I believe there's one person out there for everybody. I hope that she - whoever I choose - is a good 'un. "Or he... you never know, you never know."

Robbie Williams - Better Man

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After All These Years...

Robbie Williams STILL won't come out.

Latest quote from Contact Music:

British pop star ROBBIE WILLIAMS has confessed he may end up dating a man after a series of unsuccessful relationships with women. The ex-TAKE THAT boy band member, who has been linked to model RACHEL HUNTER and actress NICOLE KIDMAN, is notorious for his womanising past. But the ANGELS star, who strongly believes his perfect partner is out there, may give up on women altogether to find his soulmate. Williams says, "Living in Los Angeles, I've been on so many dates. I've developed relationships that have been short-lived, for whatever reason. The press have never found out. "But I believe there's one person out there for everybody. I hope that she - whoever I choose - is a good 'un. "Or he... you never know, you never know."

Robbie Williams - Better Man

Posted on 8:32 AM / 0 comments / Read More