Live Summer: Live at Knebworth 2003

by

Robbie Williams

Edit

Having been a devout fan of Robbie's since take that, let me say that this album is fully enjoyable. I would have to say that it is my favorite, as it reveals some of his personality, and gives you a sense of how brilliant his concerts must be. I am writing this review for people who are trying to choose between the cds on this site - if you are looking for your first listen to Robbie, I would recommend Escapology (new, chic, fun, and slightly more modern than earlier recordings). If you already are a fan, you need this cd! As a qualifier, I think that all of his cds are fabulous in their own right... a comparison between the quality of each is hard for me, as the songs were all written at different times in his life, for different audiences. Listen to them with that in mind, and you will not be disapointed! Enjoy :)

Like most of the US fans of Robbie, I bought this CD as an import (luckily at a good price), and was expecting a really great album...especially after learning that this album was taking the place of a supposed greatest hits that would fill Robbie's annual Christmas gift to fans. Lately he is the undisputed king of Christmas. So hopes were high for this live CD...I even squealed when my little package arrived!

Well, he could've at least made this a live greatest hits. As it is, there are too many songs on this CD that I could care less about....such as a dreadful version of "We Will Rock You" and a rousing, but interesting take on "Hot Fudge" (a song that most American fans will only know if they bought the import version of "Escapology") just to name a few. Heck, even the audience doesn't know "Hot Fudge" well enough to sing along when Robbie tries to goad them on!

I also could've done without "Me and My Monkey," one of the dopiest songs Robbie's EVER done. It's seven minutes I would rather spend listening to two of Robbie's other, better songs.

Where is "Millenium"? "Rock DJ"? "Strong?" I know this tour was to promote "Escapology," but I know he performed more of his hits than what is represented on this disc. The set lists were printed in all the papers afterward and many of the missing songs were performed, so why not included on teh disc? This should easily have been a 2-CD set!

And above all else...WHERE IS THE DUET WITH MARK OWENS ON "BACK FOR GOOD" that the two did on the last night of this tour>!?! That alone would've made this worth the purchase. It again proves that the record company has no idea how to market Robbie and have gotten lucky that the fans have embraced him despite it (the record company's lack of promotional ability is much of the blame in RW's failure to crack the US market despite being one of the greatest performers around right now).

I have better live versions of the good songs on this disc ("Angels", "Better Man," "Let Me Entertain You," Etc.) from b-sides I've collected rather than the ones on this disc.

I agree with the statement made by a poster here that the album is too produced. That will be very obvious once the DVD comes out. I have seen Robbie live many times and he is much more verbal than the occaisional "COME ON" that he shouts throughout this CD. I know this was culled from three performances, but to paraphrase this disc, COME ON...Robbie and his label can do better.

This could've been a great album, but instead smacks of EMI trying to make a quick buck off Robbie's loyal fans. A move that is obviously backfiring considering it's one of Robbie's poorest selling discs to date.