Printable version of thread

Posted by: jay727 9th February 2018, 04:12 AM

Gary’s just tweeted saying that great work has been done on the new TT GH collection, which will include a few surprises!

As much as you could surprise people with a GH collection, maybe this is a reference to Rob or Jason having involvement in a song or two...

Posted by: Sydney11 9th February 2018, 06:35 AM

That's interesting to hear Jay727 , Laura did mention something about it recently ... I wonder if Jason would do it though ...

Posted by: Laura130262 10th February 2018, 12:24 AM

Only that they've all been in LA this past week.

I noticed on Twitter yesterday Mark said they were coming home and RW is due to go to Oz now so it can't be a coincidence.

I guess they're writing/recording a couple of new songs for it?

Unfortunately - I'm guessing it's a four (without Jay) not a five but who knows?

Edit: also guessing again - I think it will just be songs post re-form so lots of TT4 (without RW), a bit of Progress and then a couple of new tracks as TT4 take 2 (with RW minus Jay)

I don't even know what you can call TT4 without JO - it's all very confusing. " TT4 Take Two" is quite good though.

Posted by: jay727 12th February 2018, 12:00 PM

Jason really comes into his own during live performances; not sure how much he’d add vocally, especially as he hasn’t sung in a while!

I think it’s pretty safe to assume Rob will be singing on a couple of these new tracks that are being mentioned

Posted by: elisabeth1974 12th February 2018, 02:34 PM

I am really looking forward what they come up with and if Rob will do the tour with them. I still think that he also might do this Christmas album...or next year :-)

Posted by: jay727 12th February 2018, 04:07 PM

True, I wonder what the tour situation will be like.

Rob might just do select dates or perhaps he will record a video of him singing and they’ll play it during songs like the Flood. Bit like Gary did with Elton during the SISYL tour

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 12th February 2018, 11:51 PM

It would be nice if it was all five but i cant see Jason been involved.

I would think the surprises will be new songs most likely some with Robbie.

I really dont know what i want from this Greatest Hits, part of of me just wants from Patience onwards and another part of me wants a mixture.

Ideally, it will be 2 cd's one with the older material and cd 2 all the stuff since the reform. They have so many songs though that its likely some will be left out.

Posted by: jay727 13th February 2018, 01:40 AM

Yeah, exactly, they’ve got 12 number 1s which is a CD in itself, and that obviously doesn’t include rule the world or the flood!

Posted by: Sydney11 13th February 2018, 06:26 AM

That's a lot of options Laura

Posted by: Laura130262 13th February 2018, 07:17 PM

Enquiring minds need to know.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 13th February 2018, 09:02 PM

I know they have said they are updating the old material on the set. I don't mind the whole career hits collection however I think I'd prefer a 2006 onwards greatest hits with new songs on first.
It would highlight how good both eras have been a GH vol 2 purely of 2006 onwards filled material and it could encourage more purchases of the first GH (96) or Never Forget: Ultimate Collection (05). It would be nice to recognise the reunion work which does feature all five members have it's own set meaning less track compromise.

I think later on afterwards they could do a mixture of both eras on one CD Greatest Hits or a double album like Queen with two discs 90's and 00's onwards and further down the line. Maybe even a greatest hits vol 3!!!

I hope like Laura130262 has said it is post 2006 with a few new tracks with Robbie however they have repeatedly said in interview it'll be an overview release of their career anniversary and with the older songs tweaked.

What does everyone else think? What type of greatest hits would you like to come?

I just hope they stick to their promise of touring North and South America and also some dates in Africa another continent they haven't toured for this World tour after the set comes out.

Posted by: jay727 16th February 2018, 11:35 AM

Well, to be honest, the Ultimatw Collection is constantly selling and has been since the reunion. So I’m not sure they’d need to really release another CD to cannibalise those sales.

I would prefer a 2006-2018 edition, with 4 extra tracks or something at the end.

Posted by: pippa 26th February 2018, 10:15 PM

It would be just great and something to look forward to see the new Greatest Hits get a Q4 release this year. Do we think it will happen?

Posted by: jay727 27th February 2018, 07:32 AM

I think so Pippa. I’ve heard it’s a mid November release

Posted by: pippa 27th February 2018, 05:07 PM

Wonderful news, i will be excited to see the track listing.

Posted by: Tombo 27th March 2018, 03:50 AM

I'm rather looking forward to this, it iwll be a nice way to look back over the band's success and the updated songs do sound interesting

Posted by: nirvanamusic 30th March 2018, 07:15 PM

On their twitter page they have been tweeting lyrics of songs with some believing these are the songs on the greatest hits and the tracklisting the first three have been...

Patience
Rule The World
Never Forget

The twitter feed has also asked what fans favourite UK #1 singles and albums are which I think is great as other bands connect with their fans on twitter with these kind of questions.

I look forward to the next song lyrics to appear. If this is the tracklisting they are following the trend of their other two greatest hits in having the biggest tracks flood the first part of the record.
I think if this is the tracklisting having Patience open is perfect as it was either going to be this or Greatest Day. Greatest Day however was nowhere near as big a global hit as Patience so it makes sense to open with this huge and appropriate track.

Posted by: pippa 2nd July 2018, 11:31 AM

News of the new Greatest Hits should soon start circulating if its still going ahead.

Posted by: jay727 2nd July 2018, 07:23 PM

Yes, we should start hearing this gathering pace now. Especially as Gary has finished his tour and usually we’d hear a single around September time.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 2nd July 2018, 10:33 PM

Ya.surely we will get some official news soon.

Posted by: pippa 3rd July 2018, 01:49 PM

It is likely a new single would be getting its first radio play in September to start building up the promotion for the album.

Posted by: jay727 16th July 2018, 10:58 PM

Some new news on the GH and tour everyone!

Gary wrote: 'There are some exciting announcements coming from TTIII soon. We’ve an extremely important release coming this Winter in the form of a Greatest Hits with a twist.

'Then in 2019 we will turn our recordings into a live show featuring all the hits from the last 3 decades.’

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-5958421/amp/Take-tour-UK-drop-new-album-30th-anniversary-year.html

Word is it’ll be a TTIII tour, with Robbie joining the U.K. and select European dates. No Jason...

Posted by: pippa 19th July 2018, 09:58 AM

I don't like the sound of a Greatest Hits with a twist.
This is likely a Greatest Hits of the songs reworked in an acoustic style or Abbey Road version style.
If my speculation is correct in relation to the album i will be extremely disappointed.
Worse still, i wouldnt go to a tour if that was what was on offer.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 20th July 2018, 12:05 AM

I'm worried now about the twist. If it's gonna be like Bon jovis this left feels right which was a greatest hits of new version I won't have much interest. Pippa u have me worried with your take as if they go that route il be gutted,please don't take that route take that!PLEASE!

Posted by: jay727 20th July 2018, 10:59 PM

I think it’ll be ok - perhaps they’ll just re-record some of the original songs? I imagine if Sure is included, it could be the big band version?

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 21st July 2018, 07:39 PM

Orchestral versions could be ok and it's popular right now too

Posted by: pippa 23rd July 2018, 03:12 PM

That would most likely work the best if they are doing new versions of the songs and it could actually sound wonderful.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 24th July 2018, 12:40 AM

Hopefully something will be confirmed soon.

Posted by: pippa 24th July 2018, 02:03 PM

September is likely when announcements will be made.

Posted by: jay727 29th July 2018, 09:24 PM

With robbie on XF, I would say it’s fair to assume TT4 could reunite and perform a song on the show? And perhaps a medley...

Ideally we could get a TT week!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 1st August 2018, 02:42 AM

A take that week would be great and they did do it years ago.

Posted by: jay727 1st August 2018, 01:17 PM

Yes, back in 2008! Definitely overdue I feel!

Posted by: jay727 1st August 2018, 01:53 PM

Exciting news!!

Take That will be on "Chris Evans Breakfast Show" on BBC Radio 2 on Friday 28th September.

Sounds like announcements are incoming!

Posted by: pippa 1st August 2018, 01:56 PM

I had always thought September is when we would start getting news in relation to the upcoming release.
This ties in with that.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 1st August 2018, 05:26 PM

I'm looking forward to that!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 1st August 2018, 10:50 PM

Hopefully to debut a new single.

Posted by: pippa 2nd August 2018, 01:53 PM

If the Greatest Hits is an orchestral style version, i would assume a new single would be a ballad.
Anyone else thinking the same logic?

Posted by: jay727 4th August 2018, 01:31 PM

It’s been moved forward a week apparently!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 7th August 2018, 08:10 PM

I'm excited/ nervous to know what's coming.

Posted by: pippa 8th August 2018, 03:23 PM

I would be lying if i said i wasn't feeling the same about the release.

Posted by: ThePensmith 9th August 2018, 08:32 PM

If the reworked Greatest Hits is along the lines of say, Kylie's Abbey Road Sessions album I think it could work. Especially an orchestral 'Greatest Day' or 'Back For Good'!

Posted by: pippa 9th August 2018, 08:52 PM

It could work, could the main word here.
It would work for sure on the songs you mentioned, it also could potentially make Sure sound like a good song.
With that said, i remain unsure how it may work on songs such as These Days and Kidz for example.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 9th August 2018, 10:38 PM

Imagine if it's a DJ remix album...

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 11th August 2018, 01:56 PM

It really could be anything, cry would tie into that sound but I would be shocked if they do unless it's a double album with orchestral versions and dance versions, that could be interesting.

Posted by: slowdown73 12th August 2018, 11:11 AM

Surely it will be a double album unless they just do a single album of reworked stuff? A single album wouldn’t do their back catalogue justice though!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 12th August 2018, 06:00 PM

It may just be a greatest hits of their comeback material only.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 12th August 2018, 06:30 PM

I'm not sure, Never Forget is easily one of their biggest hits.

Posted by: jay727 12th August 2018, 07:47 PM

There’s so many questions that I’ve got - but I’m optimistic!

They need to re-connect again with the fans. Maybe this release will bring us back to the 2million+ sales again

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 13th August 2018, 01:55 AM

I dont think we will be seeing the 2 million sales again but double platinum i would take for this, a million seller would be just ace.

Posted by: pippa 20th August 2018, 09:05 PM

After the sales of their last 2 studio sets a million selling album would be more than a fantastic result.
However, based on the sales of Three and Wonderland, 500,000 would be a good outcome.
In large, if they managed double platinum i would be delighted.
I assume they can at the least outsell Wonderland with this album.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 2nd September 2018, 04:52 PM

The Greatest Hits sounds amazing to me. Gary has tweeted.

'Our Greatest hits album is now finished and mastered. Every track has had a face lift. Some have been completely re recorded. 3 brand new songs. There’s guests and lots of interesting links between songs. What a journey #TT30'

Who are the guests? Backstreet Boys maybe. Interesting links between songs - spoken word or instrumentals?

If it's all their singles wouldn't it be a three disc minimum?

I can't wait for the WORLD tour, though I hope it is just that. All continents and countries never visited but more than due. This will also help the new Greatest Hits and build some kind of momentum and ripple effect for it and their music.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 2nd September 2018, 05:12 PM

So i wonder does that mean they have turned some of the songs into duets?

Posted by: jay727 3rd September 2018, 09:07 PM

Hmmm...maybe something like Barry Manilow on Could it be Magic? Or perhaps one of the 3 new songs is a duet?

Wonder if Robbie will be on one of those songs, or if he’s involved at all? Would be surprised if he wasn’t...

Could well be 3 discs, for 30 years! A disc a decade!

Posted by: pippa 5th September 2018, 08:43 PM

If it is duets, has anyone any ideas who it could be?

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 8th September 2018, 06:38 PM

I dont have a clue but i would love a Kylie and Take That duet.

Posted by: jay727 8th September 2018, 10:34 PM

I feel like that could be a possibility with a future Gary solo release! Would be really cool to hear!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 9th September 2018, 08:13 PM

Id love it but i wont get my hopes up. If the new greatest hits is duets i have a feeling Katherine Jenkins and Elton John could be 2 of the duets.

Posted by: pippa 10th September 2018, 04:30 PM

I for some reason cant see the duets having big names simply because i think it may have possibly leaked into the press by now if it was Elton John for example.
Maybe the twist isnt duets, maybe it is a vocal switch, for example Mark is lead on Back for Good, Howard is lead on Rule the World, Gary is lead on Never Forget etc.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 12th September 2018, 04:31 PM

The band have put out a tweet asking for flag emojis of where this world tour should go. Now being a tad sad I gathered up the information up to this point and wrote down the countries mentioned by fans.

This world tour is the most exciting aspect of the 30 year celebration for me as it's LONG overdue!

The absolute clear favourite is Spain by far in terms of responses followed by the USA and then Israel. So at moment it looks like this from response ....

The most prominent responses are the countries from North/South America as expected and they are listed below.

Highlighted are the countries never toured before. Brackets last year toured in that country.

AFRICA

South Africa

ASIA

China
Indonesia (1995)
Israel (2017)
Japan (1995)
Thailand (2016)
UAE (2017)

AUSTRALASIA

Australia (2017)

EUROPE

Belgium (1995)
France
Germany (2015)
Ireland (2017)
Italy (2015)
Netherlands (2015)
Poland
Portugal
Spain (2007)
Sweden (2006)
UK (2017)

NORTH AMERICA

Canada
USA

SOUTH AMERICA

Argentina
Brazil
Chile


If they want to tread old ground as well these are remaining nations they're previously toured and year.

Austria (2015)
Denmark (2015)
Finland (1994)
New Zealand (2017)
Singapore (2016)
Switzerland (2015)
Taiwan (2007)

IFPI Top 20 music markets in the world - Bold if TT never toured there and in brackets the last time if they have.

1. USA
2. Japan (1995)
3. Germany (2015)
4. UK (2017)
5. France
6. South Korea
7. Canada
8. Australia (2017)
9. Brazil
10. China
11. Netherlands (2015)
12. Italy (2015)
13. Spain (2007)
14. Sweden (2006)
15. Norway
16. Denmark (2015)
17. Switzerland (2015)
18. Mexico
19. India
20. Argentina

So out of the current Top 20 music markets in the world. TT have during career played in half (10) and half they haven't (other 10). Within the top ten markets there are 6 nations they have never toured, hopefully this will be addressed on the world tour 2019.

When they are out on tour they should go on national TV in these countries and promote the album. It's a greatest hits after all so could have publicity for these TV shows. Touring is effective but TV is still the best platform for promotion.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 15th September 2018, 10:23 PM

I am hoping we will start to get more official news now in the next week or two.
A new single surely will be soon announced.

Posted by: elisabeth1974 16th September 2018, 08:05 AM

I think the tour will be long. What I wonder is what kind of venues they will use outside the UK. Many people went to Progress tour all over Europe. That was huge. But TTIII outside the UK? And even TTIV makes me wonder, as Robbie is also not that popular anymore (despite me being still a fan I see that). Do you think they sell good enough?

Posted by: nirvanamusic 16th September 2018, 08:52 AM

I hope the tour is long as they should have gone to a lot of these places back when. Better late than never and with a full Greatest Hits album with them they have good reason.

Take That have always put things into perspective so the venues will be fitting of their status in that region. It depends on promotion done in those countries before hand as well.

I think they'll sell the venues they pick.

A fan years ago did research based on local social media figures for North/South America and found the biggest TT hot spots so to speak and who daily mentions TT. He worked out a tour and venues based on this data and it was decent venues.

South America

http://www.radiocremebrulee.com/take-that/is-there-demand-for-a-take-that-concert-tour-in-south-america

USA

http://www.radiocremebrulee.com/take-that/is-there-true-demand-for-a-take-that-or-ronan-keating-concert-tour-in-the-us


Israel, UAE and Aus/NZ they played venues other top artists play aka arenas and this will be the same I imagine.

Posted by: jay727 16th September 2018, 09:40 AM

I wonder if they’ll do an arena tour, with potentially a date or two at Wembley with Robbie

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 16th September 2018, 01:41 PM

I'd say they Def will.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 16th September 2018, 04:56 PM

Mark said at the Cologne show that the German part of tour would be May/June 2019.

Posted by: jay727 16th September 2018, 11:55 PM

And Gary tweeted that today marked the start of TT30! News this week??

Posted by: jay727 17th September 2018, 11:42 AM

I’m hearing there’s an announcement at 6pm tonight!!

Posted by: pippa 17th September 2018, 01:47 PM

At last, it seems forever in coming.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 17th September 2018, 03:46 PM

Looking forward to this!

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 17th September 2018, 05:11 PM

So where's the announcement?

Posted by: jay727 17th September 2018, 05:22 PM

Urgh. So they played a 7 min video on their Facebook page, and finished with a silhouette of 3 of them against a gold sky.

Single released on 21 Sept according to the Twitter image on their official account.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 17th September 2018, 05:35 PM

I'm a bit annoyed for the single not releasing today, but it will chart higher if released on a Friday.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 17th September 2018, 07:52 PM

A Friday release is much better they need every sale and stream to count in the one week. I am excited and nervous as it's hard to know what to expect.

Posted by: jay727 17th September 2018, 10:09 PM

There’s talk they’re on Radio 2 breakfast on Fri.

Just watched a live stream from Robbie who says he doesn’t have any tour dates planned with TT...

Posted by: jay727 19th September 2018, 09:03 AM

Chris Evans confirmed this morning that Take That are going to talk about the new album and tour on friday and they will perform 4 songs.

Posted by: darrens94 19th September 2018, 12:08 PM

Didn’t Take That start in 1990,so really it’s not there 30th anniversary so why do they keep saying that it is?

Posted by: pippa 19th September 2018, 02:15 PM

I assume its the creation of the band was before 1990 but they only starting making waves in 1990.

Posted by: jay727 19th September 2018, 05:35 PM

They formed in 1989 and gigged until they broke through with in 91

Posted by: pippa 19th September 2018, 05:59 PM

That makes sense, as the Greatest Hits is labelled the 30th anniversary and they will tour it in 2019 which is their 30th year.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 19th September 2018, 11:31 PM

I really hope the new single is good and that they have some good promo coming.

Posted by: elisabeth1974 20th September 2018, 03:53 AM

I think it will be great, they know what their fans like. I do not worry for the album and single. When I saw the three walking into the golden sky I thought I would have ;oved them to be 5 or at least 4. But this is memory

Posted by: ThePensmith 20th September 2018, 03:00 PM

That teaser video on Twitter is giving me all the 'Beautiful World' era teas!

They are performing on Chris Evans' breakfast show on Radio 2 tomorrow so I have a feeling we're gonna get a new single tomorrow.

Posted by: jay727 20th September 2018, 06:21 PM

Yes! Very Beautiful World-esc! They’ve teased the title ‘Odyssey’...I wonder if that’s the single name, or maybe the album?

Posted by: pippa 20th September 2018, 06:40 PM

Beautiful World-esc would be a fantastic direction for them.
In marge, it is what the fans want from them.

Posted by: jay727 21st September 2018, 07:22 AM

Here we go!

The Greatest Hits album is called Odyssey. A 27 track album over two discs, with three brand new tracks and featuring special guests.

Tour dates shortly.

Posted by: Jay ☆ 21st September 2018, 08:34 AM

The Odyssey version of Pray is available now, so it appears that this Greatest Hits is an album of re-recordings? I'm not keen on the new version.

Tour dates here: https://media.planetradio.co.uk/one/media/5ba3/c2db/f66f/976b/9eb5/4452/take-that-2019-dates.jpg

Posted by: gooddelta 21st September 2018, 11:08 AM

It picks up from the middle-eight, and it's interesting to hear Pray as a string-laden big ballad, but I'm not sure about the first half of the song at the moment.

Nevertheless, very interested to see what the other reworkings will sound like.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 21st September 2018, 11:45 AM

Take That World Tour:

European Leg Dates Released

29x UK
4x Germany
2x Belgium
2x Ireland
2x Italy
1x Austria
1x Denmark
1x France * First ever tour date in country
1x Netherlands
1x Switzerland

I hope The other legs are announced at some point so those fans don't feel left out.

Posted by: pippa 21st September 2018, 12:34 PM

I havnt heard the new version of Pray yet, is this a fully fledged single as its top 40 on iTunes now.
I am just going to have a listen of it now.

Posted by: jay727 21st September 2018, 12:58 PM

Not sure what’s happening on the single front...I thought they would have released that, rather than a re-recording.

I like the new Pray, but prefer the older one. It’s a little too slow I think!

Clever in a way to rework these songs, so it doesn’t cannibalise the Ultimate Collection.

Posted by: lewistgreen 21st September 2018, 01:00 PM

Posted by: pippa 21st September 2018, 02:26 PM

I much prefer the original.
This version loses everything i liked about Pray.
This in a way is killing my vibe for the new Greatest Hits.
If all the songs are slowed down like this i may give purchasing the album a miss until it is reduced in price.

One of the new tracks, (if they are good) would have been better to release as single to promote the collection.
The new versions wont take away sales from the Ultimate Collection but it could likely help it sell if people just want the original versions.

This re-working also allows a move in the future to release a new Ultimate Collection including original versions of the songs since they reformed.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 21st September 2018, 04:27 PM

It wouldn't hit #1 for 4 weeks put it that way .... however it's a different style, not full on pop, so has served it's purpose in that way. I think the originals are so familiar at this point it will take a few spins to get used to not listening out for certain parts in newer versions.

I agree with above doing the hits this way has opened up opportunity for studio versions of the newer tracks to be a potential future possibility and so they have been clever in that respect.

I wish they took a gamble on the European leg and gone to nations like Poland and Portugal where they have never toured. Though France is a big market and at least they will have finally done a proper tour date there in Paris next year.

Posted by: slowdown73 21st September 2018, 05:51 PM

I’m interested to see what tracks they have selected for the album. 27 tracks is an odd number for a 2cd set. I’ve heard the new version of pray, it’s different but think that kinda appeals as I already have all their old songs so nice to get different versions instead of the same tracks.

Posted by: jay727 21st September 2018, 06:22 PM

So 24 tracks plus the 3 new tracks. Will be interested to see the track list!

Wasn’t too keen on this version of Pray, but after a couple of listens it’s grown on me! Pippa, give it a couple of listens back to back

Posted by: pippa 21st September 2018, 06:37 PM

I am going to invest some time in listening to it back to back over the weekend and my opinion may change.

Posted by: jay727 21st September 2018, 08:47 PM

Let me know!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 22nd September 2018, 03:24 AM

Oh I'm 50 50 on this just now, I see where they are going with the album but I'm not sure if this will be an album il listen to or will it be for the collection only.

Posted by: jay727 22nd September 2018, 11:43 AM

I’ll reserve judgement for now, but after a few listens I really like Pray. A new take on one of my favourite songs.

I imagine Sure will be rearranged into the Swing version, but trying to think how they’ll do others. Wonder if Rob re-recorded Could it Be Magic and Everything Changes

Posted by: Sydney11 22nd September 2018, 12:18 PM

I like the Odyssey version of Pray very much indeed ..

Posted by: Laura130262 22nd September 2018, 04:46 PM

Purely from the Robbie side I did catch a tiny bit of one of his live insta's. He gave a bit of a convoluted answer where I thought he meant that he was on the existing old 90s songs but not the new. That disappointed me as an RW fan because selfishly I wanted a new version of say Shine or RTW with him singing with them. I don't think that is going to happen though.

Good for TT for doing something different with the songs though. I like it when sounds get jiggled about. It can produce a whole different interpretation of the song which is great.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 22nd September 2018, 05:28 PM

I'm hoping to get tickets for the St Mary's show!

Any predictions for the setlist?

Posted by: nirvanamusic 22nd September 2018, 07:01 PM

27 tracks, 3 of which are new meaning 24 older. I'm guessing 12 and 12 1st phase and reunion. It'll be interesting the 12 picked for the second half.

disc 1: probably all 8 #1's plus Love Ain't Here, Takes A Minute, Could It be Magic and A Million Love Songs. Why Can't I Wake Up With You dropped?

disc 2: the 4 UK #1's plus Rule, Said It All and the Flood, the 4 other top 20 singles plus 1 other? Unless I'd Wait For Life is dropped also favour of another top 40 track, of which they have had two Kidz and Cry.

I feel bad for the foreign TT fans as they were hyped up with flag emojis and promises of a tour finally on their continent only for the announcement of ..... the UK and ....... Europe. If they are still working it out should have told the fans as much. I mean can you imagine how devastating the announcement must have been?

No wonder so many aren't happy.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 22nd September 2018, 08:17 PM

They may go for some of the singles of three and progress that flopped to try and see if people will take interest in the songs in this style.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 22nd September 2018, 08:35 PM

Apparently they're doing a song for the M&S Christmas ad this year, I think that could be included (like how Elbow had Golden Slumbers on their Greatest Hits album last year).

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 23rd September 2018, 05:18 PM

Its so hard to call how this Greatest Hits will sell. Im hoping it will do well over Christmas and if they do promotion on tv shows etc it could manage double platinum.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 23rd September 2018, 09:35 PM

Releasing pre-sale tickets if you buy the album is a good idea as well - I know a lot of people who have done to get the tickets.

Posted by: jay727 23rd September 2018, 10:42 PM

Would have liked to have a single release, but I guess they’ll just be doing medleys to promote the record

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 24th September 2018, 12:26 AM

I'm really hoping they can get another number 1 album bringin the tally to 9.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 24th September 2018, 07:50 AM

Are greatest hits albums on the regular album chart, or just the compilation album chart like the Now series?

Posted by: jay727 24th September 2018, 09:53 AM

Greatest Hits chart in the normal way.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 24th September 2018, 03:18 PM

I'm not 100% sure if TT will go to #1, as Mumford & Sons album is out the same day. I hope so though, but Mumford's sales albums are usually huge.

Posted by: pippa 24th September 2018, 06:35 PM

If Take That promote strongly they would at the least be in with a shot of making Number 1.

Posted by: milly 24th September 2018, 07:13 PM

I may be amongst the few that actually love the new version of Pray and prefer it to the original. The beat is so catchy and modern and the lyrics are really highlighted by the new arrangement. I never really got into Pray until this new version, cause I found it a bit shallow and boyband-ish. Now, I am in love with it. I am really looking forward to the whole album, contrary to what I was expecting to feel.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 24th September 2018, 07:21 PM

I completely agree with you Milly, I've never been a fan of the very 90s sounding production on the old songs, and I love the new version.

Posted by: pippa 24th September 2018, 09:01 PM

The new version is growing on me after many listens.
I am confused, is this a new single, or just released to radio for promotion purposes?

Posted by: milly 25th September 2018, 04:20 AM

That's what I was wondering too, Pipa.


I love this version so much I went to buy it on iTunes Romania - suffice to say NO ONE ever buys music here, especially on iTunes
I find that beat so sultry and sexy.....it gives me feelings the original never did. And my sister loves it too and she never liked Pray.

Posted by: pippa 25th September 2018, 01:26 PM

Nothing is confirmed whether it is a single or not which is why i am also confused.
That said, nothing about any single has yet to be confirmed.

Posted by: pippa 25th September 2018, 01:26 PM

Nothing is confirmed whether it is a single or not which is why i am also confused.
That said, nothing about any single has yet to be confirmed.

Posted by: slowdown73 25th September 2018, 09:16 PM

Tracklist on Amazon Germany

Disc 1
Greatest Day (Odyssey Mix)
It Only Takes A Minute (Odyssey Mix)
These Days (Odyssey Mix)
Could It Be Magic (Odyssey Version)
Everything Changes (Odyssey Version)
Out Of Our Heads (new song)
A Million Love Songs (Odyssey Mix)
Sure (Odyssey Mix)
Love Aint Here Any More (featuring Boyz II Men)
Spin (new song)
Cry (Odyssey Mix)
Said It All (Odyssey Mix)
How Deep Is Your Love (featuring Barry Gibb) (Odyssey vsn)
Disc 2
Patience (Odyssey Mix)
The Flood (Odyssey Mix)
Back For Good (Odyssey Mix)
Get Ready For It
Everlasting
Giants (Odyssey Mix)
Shine
Never Forget (Odyssey Version)
Relight My Fire (Odyssey Version)
Babe (Odyssey Version)
Pray (Odyssey Version)
Rule The World (featuring Imogen Heap) (Odyssey Vsn)

Posted by: nirvanamusic 25th September 2018, 09:21 PM

I like the features they are really good artists. So Get Ready For It and Shine are the only two songs untouched as it were, interesting.

Posted by: slowdown73 25th September 2018, 10:01 PM

Shine as well but there are only 25 tracks on the German edition. Get ready for it may not make the U.K. version - I’m sure it was a single in Germany.

Posted by: jay727 25th September 2018, 10:21 PM

It would be very interesting if there were different regional listings! Surprised they didn’t include The Garden, Hold up a Light or Kidz...

Interesting too that they’ve sprinkled the new songs in amongst the hits, rather than at the end of the record.

Wonder what’s behind the order of the tracks too? Perhaps it’s the set list for the tour!

Just noticed there’s only 25 listed. There should be 27...

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 25th September 2018, 11:01 PM

It's strange where the new songs are places and also that only 2 of the singles stay as the originals. The duets could be good but I'd say the uk track listing might be different.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 25th September 2018, 11:09 PM

Based on pray I'm not excited for this release at all and if the new versions are kinda in the same style I won't be going to the greatest hits tour as it wouldn't be something I would enjoy. This potentially could be the first album from them that I could be saying I don't like.

Posted by: jay727 26th September 2018, 07:38 AM

Gary said on Twitter that they’ll be performing the likes of Pray in its original form, so we’ll still get the dance!

Posted by: jay727 26th September 2018, 07:43 AM

Presale tickets for the tour available at 9.30 this morning!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 26th September 2018, 12:18 PM

If the tour has mainly the originals I'd go to it but not as I said if all the new versions are performed and they are like pray.This release reminds me of bon Jovi this left feels right updated versions of a greatest hits and I hated it overall and never listen to it now.

Posted by: pippa 26th September 2018, 01:36 PM

I am in two minds about this upcoming release.
I dont like the updated version of Pray at all, it could easily be a Gary Barlow solo single.
Howard and Mark are almost totally left out on the vocals.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 26th September 2018, 03:00 PM

Took 2 hours, but I finally managed to get tickets this morning!

Posted by: milly 26th September 2018, 08:46 PM

Got tickets too Can't wait.
I'm actually disappointed I won't get to hear the new version of Pray live on tour, but hopefully there are other goodies in store for us.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 27th September 2018, 12:38 PM

Interesting article with more details.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/music/music-interview-take-that-the-band-that-came-back-for-good-1-9367946

I'm so pleased they mentioned South America and the US for later in the year as the fans were so disappointed when they were left off the tour announcement. Plus it's about time too, I hope Canada is included also.

If a single comes with music video and whatnot, I'm guessing it would be a new song. However, if they did one new and one old using the duets, I think the Boyz II Men duet would work as the original LAHA is so under-rated and overlooked. HDIYL and RTW already had/have a big impact.

Posted by: jay727 27th September 2018, 07:53 PM

B2M on LAHA could be a single...who knows!

I couldn’t get tickets on Wednesday, but I’ll try again tomorrow! A shame that there’s no standing at the O2 Arena. Is that the same for other venues? Appears there’s no B Stage...

Posted by: jay727 28th September 2018, 08:37 AM

Good luck today if you’re trying to get tickets!

Posted by: pippa 28th September 2018, 02:32 PM

It will be tough as demand will be high.
That said, extra dates are sure to be added.

Posted by: jay727 28th September 2018, 10:07 PM

Tickets booked (eventually) for the O2!

Posted by: jay727 29th September 2018, 11:42 PM

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/7379890/barry-gibb-joins-take-that/

COULD IT BEE GEE MAGIC? Bee Gees star Barry Gibb will join Take That for TV special marking the band’s 30th anniversary
The supergroup will record a version of the Bee Gees' original hit How Deep Is Your Love, which was covered by Take That in 1996, and one new track.

An hour-long programme on the group has been commissioned by BBC One and will show the unlikely five-piece in the studio.

Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald are all confirmed and Robbie Williams also hopes to appear in the one-off TV special to be broadcast later this year.

It is understood they will record a version of the Bee Gees’ original hit How Deep Is Your Love, ­covered by Take That in 1996, and one new track.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 30th September 2018, 01:17 PM

This should be good and I'm looking forward to it already and it's also great promo to get sales.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 30th September 2018, 01:34 PM

Really looking forward to that!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 30th September 2018, 08:54 PM

Promo like this and hopefully more slot sin q4 and help the album sell in big numbers. Its still disappointing wonderland is their first album not to make platinum and likely never will so im hoping this release will see a big turn around in sales.

Posted by: elisabeth1974 1st October 2018, 03:43 AM

I think it will sell very well in the UK. christmas, the book of Gary, a TV special. They will do good.

Posted by: pippa 1st October 2018, 03:00 PM

This is what is needed for the album and i greatly look forward to the show and the book.

Posted by: Jay ☆ 1st October 2018, 08:57 PM

Does anyone else find it odd that they're celebrating their 30th anniversary quite a bit in advance of it truly being the case? They formed in 1990, yet are starting the 30th celebration in 2018 with that BBC show / release of a Greatest Hits album.

http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/take-that-documentary-featuring-fan-stories-about-the-band-to-air-of-bbc-one-this-year__24208/

... nope.

Posted by: jay727 3rd October 2018, 10:30 PM

It’s a funny one! I remember they had this debate about how to celebrate 25 years. Was it 25 years since they met; or their first single; or first album...

I guess there’s probably more label pressure than anything else, to get this GH out the door and see what’s next. This will be the first GH under Polydor, so I’m sure they’re expecting similar sales to the UC over the next few years

Posted by: milly 4th October 2018, 05:38 PM

Actually, they formed in 1989, so, by 2019, when they tour, there will be 30 years since they started.

Posted by: slowdown73 4th October 2018, 11:08 PM

I’m not sure how this album will sell. I’m sure it will do better than wonderland but I really can’t see it selling anything near the amounts achieved from their previous big sellers.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 5th October 2018, 01:57 AM

The days of huge sales are well over,based on the last 2 studio albums if this goes double platinum it would be a great result.

Posted by: pippa 6th October 2018, 12:05 PM

Double platinum i would be happy with too, that said, if they really push on promotion it has potential to perform very well for them.
I am confident it will achieve higher sales than both their previous studio albums.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 6th October 2018, 01:17 PM

https://twitter.com/takethat/status/1048558998281015298

Seems like we will get to hear one of the new tracks soon!

Posted by: milly 6th October 2018, 03:52 PM

I like your optimism Fingers crossed it happens this way.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 6th October 2018, 04:43 PM

Outselling wonderland will happen but three is on around 550,000 so it's hard to call,it needs to be selling solid in the Christmas peak weeks to build sales otherwise it may struggle to beat three.

Posted by: jay727 6th October 2018, 10:22 PM

I feel this could definitely break 1 million sales in the UK. Don’t forget, Wonderland was released outside of the high volume Xmas market, so difficult to compare

Posted by: elisabeth1974 7th October 2018, 07:20 AM

how is the overall reaction in the UK to the promo and tour? Not a lot in German and Dutch speaking countries, but that was likely also not the target countries and touring there is for the fans which is nice.
But I assume in the UK the hype is huge? Are there other big Christmas releases? Is Westlife releasing their album at the same time? Sorry if the questions had been discussed before.

Posted by: Better Man 7th October 2018, 08:38 AM

Nov 9
Imagine Dragons - Origins
Olly Murs – You Know I Know

Nov 16
Chris Cornell – Chris Cornell
Mark Knopfler – Down The Road Wherever
Michael Bublé - Love
Mumford & Sons – Delta
Chris Cornell – Chris Cornell

Nov 23
Alfie Boe – As Time Goes By
Paloma Faith – The Architect [Special Edition]
Rita Ora – Phoenix

Nov 30
The 1975 - A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships
Clean Bandit – What Is Love?

I will surprise if TT catch #1 for the compilation - too many competitors tbh.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 7th October 2018, 08:44 AM

Muse are also November 9, who I imagine will get the #1 that week.

Posted by: jay727 7th October 2018, 11:34 AM

They’ll also have already racked up thousands of sales for those who preordered to get your sale access...a head start as it were. It’ll all come down to the promotion strategy.

Posted by: slowdown73 9th October 2018, 01:03 AM

I’m surprised this release still isn’t available to preorder!

Posted by: Mullo 10th October 2018, 02:13 PM

Take That are to release a new single this week.

Out Of Our Heads is one of three new songs to feature on their new greatest hits collection Odyssey. The song will get its first radio play tomorrow morning at 8am on The Hits Radio.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 10th October 2018, 02:57 PM

https://store.universalmusic.com/takethat/*/*/Odyssey/5Y7L0000000

It is!

Posted by: pippa 10th October 2018, 03:15 PM

I am nervously looking forward to hearing the new song.

Posted by: jay727 10th October 2018, 03:48 PM

Excited to hear it!! I wonder if the promo plan will revolve around the new single, a medley of classics, or performing the likes of Pray remastered.

They’ve just confirmed to be performing on the Royal Variety!

Posted by: pippa 10th October 2018, 05:54 PM

With the style of the album based on Pray, the new single is sure to be a ballad.
I hope, it has a classic ballad Take That sound to it.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 10th October 2018, 06:25 PM

They're posting previews on their Instagram story, the new version of Everything Change is sounding amazing!

Posted by: pippa 10th October 2018, 06:42 PM

Is the new version of Everything Changes slow?

Posted by: milly 10th October 2018, 06:45 PM

So far, Everything Changes is the only one I dislike.

Love Ain't Here sounds really good.

Posted by: slowdown73 10th October 2018, 07:22 PM

It’s now available to preorder on Amazon for £10.99.

Posted by: jay727 10th October 2018, 09:13 PM

All of them sound great!

And the track listing has been announced!

CD1:

Greatest Day
It Only Takes a Minute
These Days
Could It Be Magic
Everything Changes
Travel interlude
Out Of Our Heads
A Million Love Songs
Sure
Love Ain’t Here Anymore feat. Boyz II Men
Spin
Cry
Said It All
How Deep Is Your Love feat. Barry Gibb

CD2:

Let’s Do It Again interlude
Patience
The Flood
Back For Good
Get Ready For It
Everlasting
Giants
Shine
Never Forget
Relight My Fire feat. Lulu
Babe
Pray
Rule The World

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 10th October 2018, 09:40 PM

I have a strong feeling that for me this will be a collection only purpose as I'm not liking what I've heard of the new versions, I hope I like the new songs if nothing else.

Posted by: jay727 11th October 2018, 07:30 AM

Thoughts on the first play of Out of Our Heads?

Very different style and sound from them. Very 30s esc

Posted by: gooddelta 11th October 2018, 08:42 AM

Unexpected sound, wouldn't have ever expected them to go down the swing/big band route. Super catchy track though, sounds like it should be the theme tune to a TV show or something.

Posted by: milly 11th October 2018, 11:20 AM

Out of our heads is....exactly as advertised I was expecting a ballad, but this is sooooooo much fun and it's so catchy and retro and modern at the same time. If this does nothing on the charts, then people have no taste at all.

Posted by: jay727 11th October 2018, 11:41 AM

I quite like it! Definitely a Strictly performance incoming.

Why would they release this on a Thursday though? First day sales will be completely wiped off after today.

Posted by: milly 11th October 2018, 04:12 PM

That's what I'm wondering too. So many sales wasted The song is no 9 on iTunes - these sales would have been more useful tomorrow.

Posted by: jay727 13th October 2018, 12:30 PM

I guess it’s probably unlikely that it’ll make top 40 now?

Posted by: Jay ☆ 15th October 2018, 11:53 PM

Hmm, I can't find any evidence for formation in 1989? Everything I've come across points to 1990:


From what I've read, it was New Kids on the Block's success that inspired Nigel Martin-Smith into deciding he wanted to start a boy band (their first #1 hit in the UK was achieved in November 1989).

Gary's autobiography suggests that he didn't meet Nigel until after his nineteenth birthday (he turned 19 on 20th January 1990). Gary makes reference to Madonna's Vogue playing at the club where the auditions took place, a song which wasn't released until March 1990 and became a #1 hit in April. Gary states that directly after the group formed and signed a contract, that "Robbie [went back] to school to finish his O-Levels", which he would have taken in May/June 1990. So to me, this is pointing towards Take That coming together around March/April 1990.

Their 2005 official documentary begins "In 1990," ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoR-SPdMOyo

Robbie's Greatest Hits album from 2010 makes reference to the start of his career being in 1990: "In and Out of Consciousness: Greatest Hits 1990–2010".


Maybe I seem pedantic, but for me an anniversary is a fixed thing i.e. a specific number of years since something occurred. 30 years for them is 2020. Therefore they're somewhat premature to be celebrating in 2018/19! Oh well, it's happening, so whatever. :') I do think you're wrong about them forming in 1989 though.

Posted by: Jay ☆ 16th October 2018, 12:17 AM

It won't make the Top 100 either, at least not this week. It's #98 in the Monday midweeks, with 1,806 sales so far (1,082 downloads, 724 streaming units). To make it to #100 in Friday's chart they would need to sell at least 5,500 copies - but I estimate that they're unlikely to sell much more than 3,100 this week. (I predict a split of 1,400 downloads & 1,700 streaming units). A Top 40 position would require ~15,000 sales.


By the way, last week it achieved a sales-only chart position #59, based on just 1 day on sale. It sold approximately 835 downloads to achieve that position.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 16th October 2018, 02:48 AM

I'm totally disappointed with the song,they have for me, completely lost their direction and lost what many of their fans love from them. Usually i rush out and buy a new take that album asap on release day but this time I can't see myself buying it until it drops in price. As many of you know I was part of the take that forum for a long time and have always positively posted about their music but everything of this new release feels awful for me and I'm so disappointed by it.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 16th October 2018, 03:11 PM

I'm not a huge fan of the song, but I'm still excited for the album. It's just one song out of 27, you're never going to like them all!

Posted by: Jay ☆ 16th October 2018, 04:02 PM

I'm not keen on the new song either tbh, and based on Pray I'm a little worried that I won't end up liking the re-recordings! Although of course that's just one song, I'm hoping that I'll enjoy other new versions. I pre-ordered the signed £29.99 edition when they went up, so I certainly hope I like some of the songs given that expenditure lol.

Posted by: milly 16th October 2018, 06:37 PM

Gary has talked about TT forming in 1989 in several interviews and in My Take. There's no doubt about that.

Posted by: milly 16th October 2018, 06:41 PM

I, for one, am very happy with everything I've heard so far. For me, Wonderland was their worst era, by far, music wise.


Promotion continues to be their main issue. I don't understand why they decided to release OOUH without a video and big promo lined up for this week. They don't seem to be learning anything from past experiences.

Gary's release of his book was much better handled, in my opinion.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 16th October 2018, 09:41 PM

Agree totally Milly. They want success though no longer promote or sync campaigns like they did up to Progress era.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 16th October 2018, 09:59 PM

The promo on the last few releases has been really cut back and sales have suffered so im hoping they will do more this time round. With how the single is been handled i wont hold out much hope though.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 17th October 2018, 08:12 AM

I can see OOOH being used in the Christmas ad and that will at least help it along it this is the case.

Posted by: Jay ☆ 19th October 2018, 04:58 PM

'Out of Our Heads' climbs from #58 to #34 in the "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100", and is up from #59 to #35 in the "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Approximately 1,470 downloads have been sold this week.

This contradicts with so much info presented to us over the years from official sources (i.e. everything I wrote in my previous post).

More reasons in support of 1990: Howard Donald was said to have been 22 years old when he auditioned (he turned 22 on 28 April 1990), while Robbie was said to have been 16 when they formed (16th birthday = 13 February 1990). It's certainly never been said at any point in time that Robbie joined at the age of just 15.

So everything - bar what Gary has apparently recently said - points to 1990. So there is certainly some doubt. I suspect that Take That/the label is partaking in some revisionism of their own history in order to support a 30th anniversary celebration tour occurring in 2019.

Posted by: iamstrong 19th October 2018, 05:16 PM

They didn’t chart in the official top 100? I’m not that surprised, the response to the song on the forums I frequent has been pretty lukewarm.

Posted by: Jay ☆ 19th October 2018, 05:47 PM

Unfortunately not - I think it would have been quite far adrift from making it tbh. I'm estimating 1,700 streaming units this week (based on early midweek data), therefore approx 3,200 sales overall including downloads. The song at #100 this week sold 5,424! Note: As of July 2017, the singles chart Top 200 was scrapped, therefore missing the Top 100 = no official chart position.

'Out of Our Heads' will need greater prominence in Spotify playlists to have a realistic chance of cracking the singles chart. I'm not sure what the chances of that is really, given that streaming platforms tend to favour more recently successful / younger artists.

I've just noticed that the single has left the iTunes Top 100 (it's currently #107). If they do have some strong promotion lined up, then they shouldn't have any trouble with re-entering the iTunes chart. Honestly though, I think it would need to be revived to the extent of going Top 10 on iTunes and then at least remaining within the Top 20 all week, to have a chance of an official Top 100 position. Download sales are quite low.

I think it's safe to say that this era's chart success will be all about the albums chart. Looking at their competition, I'll be surprised if TT don't manage #1 (I probably shouldn't jinx it though, lol!). Little Mix, Mumford and Sons & Michael Buble are released a week earlier and while they should all achieve strong sales, I'd be surprised if their respective second week sales end up being stronger than Take That's first week. Take That are going up against Alfie Boe, Cliff Richard, Kanye West & Rita Ora in release week, but I think they should be able to outsell all of them?

Posted by: jay727 21st October 2018, 05:11 PM

It’s a shame that the single didn’t chart, but then when you consider they released it on a Thursday and did no promo or physical options, it wasn’t a surprise.

Robbie had a similar struggle with his first single from HES

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 21st October 2018, 05:46 PM

I hope it can make number 1, while im not a fan from what i heard so far i would like to see them do well and get another number 1.

Posted by: jay727 23rd October 2018, 09:14 PM

Robbie is to reunite with TT for the XF final

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/7566328/robbie-williams-take-that-gary-barlow-x-factor-final-2018/

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 23rd October 2018, 10:57 PM

Amazing! I wonder what they'll perform?

I think it will be the one they use for the M&S and.

Posted by: pippa 24th October 2018, 03:39 PM

It will be wonderful to see them perform together again and it could potentially be a new version of The Flood or they may just perform the original version which was epic when they last performed it on the X Factor.

Posted by: milly 25th October 2018, 04:43 PM

I'm annoyed that they are doing the XF final with Robbie - that will only benefit Robbie and nobody else. Why aren't they promoting and performing OOUH, since they've already released it as a single? They can perform with Robbie on the tour or on other gigs, but, for GH promotion purposes, they should be focusing on their task at hand. What's the point of releasing a new song if they're chasing other rabbits?!
I'm really pissed at them for being all over the place.

Posted by: milly 25th October 2018, 04:44 PM

Kath, I'm really sorry for your loss!

Posted by: pippa 25th October 2018, 06:58 PM

I believe by having Robbie on X Factor for example with them will bring further awareness to the album.
Maybe i am wrong but i cant see it doing any damage.
That said, it by large appears to rule out them performing the new single and them feels a very wasted opportunity.
They appear to be at a stage in their career where they don't really know their direction or what they want to achieve.

Posted by: jay727 27th October 2018, 09:42 AM

Looks like ITV are doing a Take That special towards the end of Nov/beginning of Dec

https://itvuk.etribez.com/ag/itvtakethat/takethat/welcome.html

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 27th October 2018, 10:48 AM

Nice, looks like we're getting two Take That specials then!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 28th October 2018, 10:56 PM

That's great,they need as much promo as they can get.

Posted by: pippa 30th October 2018, 01:59 PM

Take That - Out of Our Heads up to #87 on itunes.

Posted by: jay727 30th October 2018, 10:28 PM

Must have been played somewhere?

Posted by: nirvanamusic 31st October 2018, 08:07 PM

So in terms of UK top 10's (20 total) only Why Can't I Wake Up With You is left off the Greatest Hits.

I wonder if this is because it's had two versions in it's time and a third might be a step too far they felt.

The track list is perfect, though for me personally, I'd have took Cry out and put Love Love in instead or maybe Kidz.

I see Never Forget is a minute shorter. As epic as the song is, once the fan fare dies down it's a long old wait to that glorious chorus, as many have found out picking the song for karaoke. If they've shortened that part to make it a minute shorter I think it'll be amazing.

Posted by: pippa 31st October 2018, 09:16 PM

I am disappointed Love Love is left out as this along with The Flood are the stand out songs from the entire Progress era and it was also a bigger hit than many tracks that got selected.

Posted by: pippa 1st November 2018, 03:36 PM

Out of Our Heads up to number 34 on iTunes now

Posted by: Better Man 2nd November 2018, 07:47 PM

I love a new video clip!!

Posted by: jay727 2nd November 2018, 09:46 PM

I quite like the video!

https://youtu.be/Edffdw0sCm4

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 4th November 2018, 02:49 AM

Not a bad video but the song is awful.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 4th November 2018, 02:50 AM

Not a bad video but the song is awful.

Posted by: milly 4th November 2018, 10:09 AM

I loooove the song - not so much the lyrics, but the music - and the video is really goofy

Posted by: jay727 4th November 2018, 04:47 PM

Good news, TT are on graham norton the day the album is released! Now ideally we’ll get a performance on strictly on the Sat and the XF on the Sunday

http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/graham-norton-show/news/a869890/graham-norton-show-take-that-nicole-kidman/

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 4th November 2018, 06:02 PM

Apparently TT will be on The X Factor final, so I don't think they'll be on when the album is released.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 4th November 2018, 06:02 PM

The seem to have some great promo coming up which is good as it will help the album. As i said in a previous post im just not feeling this chapter at all and im finding it strange as im always super hyped anytime they release anything but every time i hear anything from odyssey i just feel so disappointed or im saying what the hell are ye at.
With all the different styles over the last couple of releases its really hard to see what direction they will take after this Greatest Hits but based on what im hearing i fear i may have bought my last Take That album when i bought Wonderland and even that was slightly disappointing.

Posted by: milly 4th November 2018, 08:59 PM

Yeah, I think this might be the last TT album for awhile. I doubt the record label will renew their contract for the 3rd time, hence why they pushed the boys into doing the GH album, despite them not really liking the idea.
I think II's future depends a lot on the sales of this new album.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 4th November 2018, 09:53 PM

I think this album will probably sell well for them as it's a q4 release with lots of promo to support it.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 4th November 2018, 11:39 PM

Why wouldn't they renew the contract? The albums still sell incredibly well compared to most.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 5th November 2018, 02:32 AM

Robbie according to the sun has confirmed he won't be part of the tour.

Posted by: pippa 5th November 2018, 09:17 PM

This isn't a huge surprise that Robbie isnt a part of it.
If he was, i had thought he would have at the least featured as a duet on the album.

Posted by: pippa 9th November 2018, 08:51 PM

A double cassette version of the album is apparently getting released.
It is possible they are going to really get behind this album and push it.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 11th November 2018, 10:28 PM

They are performing on strictly next weekend.

Posted by: elisabeth1974 12th November 2018, 04:43 AM

there is a lot of competition out with former boybands in the moment. Backstreet boys are very much in favour of many. Westlife. TTIII need to do a really good promo. The album will sell well, I think. But the European venues are hardly to make money with.Will be interesting what they will do after the tour

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 12th November 2018, 11:42 AM

I think they also need to listen to the fans regards material too.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 12th November 2018, 04:16 PM

I think we'll see another Gary solo album after Odyssey tbh.

Posted by: milly 12th November 2018, 06:27 PM

I don't think any feedback is necessary anymore at this point. This is most probably the last album they're putting out and I think the boys only care about their own personal satisfaction with their work right now, as it should be. The relevance of any criticism is lost, imo. I don't even care if I like the new versions or not - I'll probably like some, dislike others -, I'm just excited that we get something relatively new. I'm just excited to see how they envisioned the songs in this age. I was already bored of the originals, having heard them so many times, ANY change to them is welcome, from my perspective. They could even make heavy metal versions of the songs if they wanted to, as long as it brought something new to the song. We know they're performing the originals on tour, so this album is really just a small treat.

I also don't think we'll get very soon a Gary solo album - in the interview with Fearne, he said that, after the tour, he's taking a whole year off.
We should really enjoy these months with the boys, cause my gut tells me we won't be hearing from any of them for quite awhile
I was hopeful at least for some Vegas shows in the near future, but, seeing that Robbie, once again, ran to be the first to grab the opportunity (even though he knew very well that the boys were looking into that), I doubt it will happen anymore - people would just see it as "TT are copying Robbie", when, in reality, it's the other way round. But that's all I'm gonna say on the subject of Robbie and Vegas, cause it pisses me off that just thinking of it.

Posted by: jay727 12th November 2018, 10:05 PM

I agree somewhat with milly in that this album is a nice treat. We get 3 new songs, and reworks of classics (including some interesting duets). The originals will always remain the best, but this will hopefully add a new, fresh layer onto tracks that are 20+ years old.

I think we will see both a Gary and Mark album the year after next, although I doubt either will trouble the charts. Gary could make top 10 potentially. Although, perhaps he’ll re-release 12 months as he did with Open Road.

I’m just going to enjoy this album, promo and tour as much as I can. I hope there will be future material, I think there will be, but it could be 5 years away. Most likely with Robbie and Jason returning in some capacity.

Maybe a Vegas 3 month residency is on hold until Howard’s baby gets a bit older. Would probably make sense to do that after this tour.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 12th November 2018, 11:37 PM

Based on the existing out put I'd be happy too them leave it at that rather to continue making what I feel is very poor for them but I will enjoy it for what it is and I'd still love to see the album do well for them.

Gary's last solo album was brilliant and I think he could easily do another great solo album if he takes his time and I'd be happy to see a 12months ..... rerelease to bridge the gap.

Posted by: pippa 13th November 2018, 02:55 PM

I need to enjoy the music to continue investing in them and feel like Feel The Fever as i am not enjoying what they are currently offering.
Wonderland was disappointing but had some highlights.
That said, i will hold off making a full judgment until i hear all the new versions and songs as i have yet to hear them all.

Posted by: milly 13th November 2018, 07:13 PM

But that was exactly my point - invest in what from now on? It's our choice now whether we want to enjoy this period or not. I'm quite sure we'll hear from Gary in 2020 or 2021, but I seriously doubt we'll hear very soon new music from TT. That ended with Wonderland. If we were certain they'd continue releasing music, then I'd say feedback was useful, but, seeing that things are as they are, what's the point?
This album has nothing that could seriously offend fans, imo. If some fans hate ALL the new versions, no harm is done anyway, cause the boys are still performing the originals on tour. Worst case scenario, fans will be owning an album of song versions they won't be listening to, that's all Unless they went for the expensive box set, they're not really losing much, just adding something to the collection. But I really believe there'll be something on the album for everyone, even if it's just one new version that they'll like. Even if it were an album full of new songs, we'd still have 3-4 songs in there that we wouldn't like; it's even trickier with old hits reimagined.
Anyway, nothing can be worse than hearing the originals for the n-th time. I'm so tired and sick of them I don't even know if I like them anymore.
The new version of Pray was an welcome mouth of fresh air for me. If I had heard the original of Pray one more time, I'd have committed harakiri

Posted by: pippa 13th November 2018, 07:29 PM

From reading Garys book, the end of Take That is nowhere in sight.
He did mention they understand their days of having hits have passed.
I do agree with this in large but i think if they came up with strong enough material they could have a hit.
These Days showed they still have it, no one expected them to go number 1 with it and have sales of over 400,000.
When i say invest, i call buying an album by them investing, as would i call buying a ticket for their tour, there was a time i would just buy a Take That album straight off the cuff without thinking as i had no doubt i would be getting a quality album that i would enjoy and sadly i dont feel that way anymore.

Posted by: milly 13th November 2018, 08:30 PM

I really hope you're right, Pippa, and that TT aren't over, but my gut tells me the opposite. I've never heard Gary say before he'd like a year off or that he doesn't know what's in store for TT in the future. He was always confident in the past when he was talking about future albums, even when the situation with Jason was uncertain. I feel there's a lot the boys aren't saying. But fingers crossed it's just my paranoia, although I've seen that this is the consensus amongst the fans.
I'd rather have new material to moan about and criticize than have no material at all

Posted by: pippa 13th November 2018, 10:15 PM

I would prefer them to call it a day rather than (in my opinion) release sub par music as i fear it will take away from their fantastic legacy.
They can always come back and do tours and release a full Greatest Hits at some point.

Posted by: jay727 13th November 2018, 10:18 PM

I think a lot will depend on the success of this album. If it sells poorly, then that could be the end, but if it sells well, then it could reinvigorate them and the label (similar to the ultimate collection). Good to see Out of Our Heads is still hovering in the top 75 on iTunes at least

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 14th November 2018, 01:10 AM

I think this album will sell ok for them and possibly match the sales if there or thereabouts.

Posted by: elisabeth1974 14th November 2018, 04:37 AM

There is a lot of promo ahead, I think the album will sell well in the UK and Ireland, maybe Netherlands and Italy too. I think that they will add small venues around the world to the tour and then make a break for solo material before they will come back. TT is nit over

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 14th November 2018, 01:52 PM

I don't think TT are over yet either,we will get one more full studio album at the very least and various best of releases down the line

Posted by: pippa 14th November 2018, 08:56 PM

I believe the same, i also believe we wont hear the words we have split up either from them.
The Take That part of their work will always be left open as i think they know it is their fall back.
It is likely we will get solo albums from both Gary and Mark before we hear of another Take That album and i would greatly welcome Howard making an attempt at a solo album but it wont happen.
Mark has always delivered music very different from Take That that i have enjoyed but not to the same level i had previously enjoyed the work from Take That and solo material from Gary.
I am very interested in a new studio solo album from Gary as i would like to see what style of music he would try.
That said, i wouldn't be surprised if the next release from Gary is a best of with some new tracks added and possibly one or two solo versions of Take That songs added as bonus tracks.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 15th November 2018, 02:12 AM

I'd like to see both Gary and mark release greatest hits as with the format getting less and less relevant due to streaming they should do it sooner rather than later. Both should add some new songs too and both should get some success although Gary would likely do much better.Gary could add lie to me aswell which I think he would as he knows many of his fans love the song. I still think we will get another Take That album in about 3 years time.

Posted by: pippa 15th November 2018, 03:24 PM

Ideally this would happen, i would greatly welcome a Greatest Hits set by both of them as they have enough material do deliver a strong set.

Posted by: jay727 15th November 2018, 08:36 PM

I think 3 years too, but I don’t see them returning as a 3. I think they’ll wait and say to Jason, this is our last studio album - come back for it and then that’s it

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 16th November 2018, 01:57 AM

If it was the end I think we would have a greatest hits now with regular versions.

Posted by: pippa 16th November 2018, 04:19 PM

I would have hugely welcomed a regular Greatest Hits now instead of the Odyssey Greatest Hits.
I had been very excited for getting an album of hits from the era since their reformation.

Posted by: milly 17th November 2018, 10:13 AM

But why would you guys want a compilation of songs we already have? That sounds extremely boring to me. I'd probably have bought it, had they put out a regular GH album, in order to support them, but I probably would have never even opened the cd.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 18th November 2018, 07:59 PM

The strictly performance sold out of my head for me,up to that performance the song didn't click with me.

Posted by: milly 18th November 2018, 08:19 PM

I still don't know how Gary's vocals sounded so good with all that movement. I can barely speak while doing exercise, let alone sing.
I was afraid that, after the Bambi awards performance, this might not be so good, but OOUH sounded even better live than in the official video.

Posted by: jay727 18th November 2018, 09:29 PM

Yeah, I really enjoyed that performance! Definitely helped sell the song to me, and it’s up to #21 on iTunes now too

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 18th November 2018, 09:38 PM

Alot saying they were mining. I hope it can make the top 100 this week

Posted by: jay727 18th November 2018, 11:21 PM

Definitely didn’t sound like they were miming, having listened to OOOH quite a few times now. That’s probably the usual social media crowd who like to cause something from nothing.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 19th November 2018, 03:41 AM

Number 18 now on iTunes.

Posted by: milly 19th November 2018, 07:15 AM

Definitely not miming. It's such an obvious difference between the video and official audio and the live vocals. Gary's voice had nothing of the effects in the studio version and it was pretty obvious Mark was singing live too. I think we all know by now that they can sound really good live even while moving, after all the tours and gigs they've done. I guess some people have nothing better to do than find wrongs even where there are nones.

Posted by: jay727 19th November 2018, 06:21 PM

Big interview in Music Week!

http://www.musicweek.com/interviews/read/it-just-felt-right-team-take-that-talk-odyssey-collection/074497

It just felt right. Take That’s team talk Odyssey Collection

Take That’s Odyssey is anything but your bog standard Greatest Hits album. Instead, it’s an ambitious attempt to reinvent the format, via a non-stop mix of rebooted career highlights, seamlessly mixed by Stuart Price and featuring interview snippets from throughout their career.

“That day seems to be over,” says the band’s Gary Barlow. “With everything being available now, the Greatest Hits is already online. And we have such a supportive audience they’ve got everything, in fact they’ve probably got it twice. So just sticking a Greatest Hits out felt really uninspiring.”

Instead, Polydor and the band got Stuart Price to reinvigorate the catalogue in a unique way.

“It just felt right creatively,” says David Joseph, chairman & CEO of Universal Music UK. “A new take on songs that could have a new meaning today. It was an idea that they then creatively enjoyed and that’s why it worked. We were also mindful that they’d been on a run of very successful studio albums and it just felt like the right moment to have a respectful look at the past. It’s a terrific record.”

Neil Rodford, CEO of Take That’s management company YM&U Group, credits Joseph and the band with the vision for what could become a new model for compilations if it becomes successful.

“It will be interesting to see the reaction that we get from the audience,” says Rodford. “But that was the vision: to try and augment the back catalogue without messing too much with the original songs. The quality of the songs is what will differentiate them from everybody else.”

With sales available with a gig ticket bundle, Polydor co-president Tom March says the album already has tens of thousands of pre-orders and predicts it will be one of the few records this year to debut with 100,000+ sales. He also believes it might help the band crack streaming, with most of their albums to date heavily physical.

“The campaign will be full of moments of nostalgia for their fans but will also give them something brand new to love,” says March. “We’re expecting to sell huge amounts of physical records, whilst also reinvigorating their catalogue on streaming services and have fantastic plans in place with all the partners.”

The only question that remains is, where can the band go after 30 years at the top?

“Their music is going to be part of people’s lives forever,” declares Joseph. “Take That occupy a special place in UK music history. As long as the songs keep coming, there are many chapters left in this story.”

Posted by: jay727 19th November 2018, 06:45 PM

And here’s the next part. Hope you enjoy the read!!

Greatest days: How Take That became a touring phenomenon


Notching up 29 sold-out stadium shows, 1.8 million ticket sales and well over £100m in box office receipts, Take That’s 2011 Progress run with Robbie Williams remains the biggest concert tour the UK has ever seen. But the group’s monstrous live business extends far beyond that zenith, even pre-dating their 2005 revival.

“They had the two biggest-selling tours of all-time in the UK,” says their promoter, SJM Concerts MD Simon Moran. “The ’09 Circus tour did over 1.15 million tickets in the UK and then the Progress tour did over 1.8m tickets. I think Ed Sheeran has since overtaken The Circus, so they’ve now got the No.1 and No.3 tours.”

The figures are simply awesome: 2006’s The Ultimate Tour netted $29.4m (£22.7m); 2007’s Beautiful World took in $40.4m (£31.1m) and 2009’s The Circus garnered $67.8m (£52.3m), prior to Progress’ colossal $185.2m (£142.7m), which saw it ranked second only to U2’s 360° in Pollstar’s list of 2011’s highest-grossing world tours.

Even as a trio, Take That Live (2015) and Wonderland Live (2017) continued to generate immense returns.

“The last two tours, in ’15 and ’17, both did half a million tickets in the UK and we’ve already sold 580,000 tickets for [2019],” notes Moran, speaking to Music Week. “It’s going to get over 600,000, which will be bigger than the last two. They are huge numbers.”

Hooking up with the band upon their rebirth in the mid-2000s, Moran’s faith in their live potential was unwavering. “They hit the zeitgeist with the fanbase when they first came around,” he reflects. “I saw them twice on two different tours and was amazed at how good the show was and how the songs resonated. They continued to resonate strongly when they went away – the songs stood the test of time.”

He continues: “I suspected, and I was right, that there would be a lot of demand to see them tour again. They then had a massive second impact with the new music, which was at least as good and arguably better and more popular than the first time around, certainly in the UK.”

The No.1 single Patience and subsequent hits Shine and Rule The World from 2006’s Beautiful World, the band’s first studio LP in 11 years, elevated their comeback from a short-lived nostalgia run to a revitalised, contemporary prospect with staying power.

“It gave it huge rocket fuel,” asserts Moran. “The first tour was about the older music and was a huge success, we ended up doing stadiums on that, but then the new music sold massively. Their touring business has just been immense in the last 12 years.”

Danny Betesh, MD of fellow Manchester-based promoter Kennedy Street Enterprises, staged all the band’s UK shows in their initial incarnation as well as acting as their international agent.

“I first promoted Take That in 1993 – a 21-date arena tour which sold out instantly,” remembers Betesh, who still works with the group to this day. “In 1995 we did 10 days to open Manchester Arena and 10 days at Earls Court before they decided to call it a day in February 1996.

“Happily, 10 years later they reformed. SJM took over, but Kennedy Street remained as co-promoter. Simon is a brilliant promoter with incredible judgement and consequently Take That went from strength to strength. The 2011 stadium tour broke all records in the UK with almost two million tickets sold – a record that will probably never be equalled.”

Long-time chief collaborator on their cutting-edge concert productions – a hallmark of all Take That shows – is creative director Kim Gavin, who also oversaw the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony. He explains: “We always dive into the album title and what the album is suggesting. Hence, Progress was the evolution of man and where we’re going. It was probably the most expensive show that we’ve ever done, but it was great to do. It’s always nice to have a budget similar to what we had for [London] 2012.”

Musical director Mike Stevens has been another mainstay since coming on board as a backing musician in the early ’90s. “We did a week of shows and by the end of it I was the MD,” he laughs.

Stevens admits to underestimating the group’s abilities at the start. “They were just a boyband,” he says. “There was nothing that led anyone to believe it was anything more than that.”

Gavin’s first impressions were more lasting. “They had a lot of qualities within the group,” he says. “They all had strengths in different places, which collectively was exciting.”

“The only thing I can remember is that they had Gary Barlow,” counters Stevens. “He was more of a musician than most boybands had and he could obviously write a song. They also had Robbie, of course, who was about 17 at the time. There was definitely something there with Rob, but you weren’t quite sure if it was genius or insanity to be honest.”

Stevens reflects on the circumstances surrounding Williams’ exit from the group in July 1995. “Robbie was all over the place during that period,” he concedes. “The band had a work ethic, whereas Rob was the opposite – he just did his own thing. You could see that he didn’t fit into them and they didn’t fit to him.

“He left rehearsals one day around lunchtime and never came back. We were all surprised, but by the same token probably not surprised, because he was obviously the odd one out.”

However, Stevens believes the writing was on the wall from that point onwards. “They made an attempt to keep going but you could tell that they weren’t comfortable with it and it didn’t feel right,” he remembers. “When [Williams] left, the whole dynamic changed; Gary was thinking about going solo and that was that.”

“They always wanted to stop at the top,” adds Gavin. “So it wasn’t a surprise to me when they went, ‘That’s it, we’re done.’ Everything was so fast and furious in those first five years and there was a slight sense of relief from everybody that the fast and furious was going to stop. It was really frantic and I think, at the time, everyone was numb. There wasn’t a lot of emotion about the band splitting up.”

Stevens, who toured with the group from 1993 until their 1996 split, continued to work with Barlow during his solo career before picking up where he left off with Take That a decade later.

“I remember getting a call from Gary and him saying, ‘We did a documentary and it was suggested we do some gigs off the back of it,’” says Stevens. “He didn’t think it would be much, but it took off in an absolutely incredible way. From eight or 10 shows it turned into something like 35, and at the end of it we were doing Milton Keynes Bowl. It was a complete and absolute surprise to everybody – not least them.”

Indeed, in his 2012 MITs Award acceptance speech, Barlow poked fun at an unnamed promoter who turned down the chance to work with the band, minus Robbie Williams. Solo Agency boss John Giddings later owned up to being the man in question, telling the International Festival Forum: “The lawyer for Take That phoned me up and said, ‘They’re reforming, do you want to represent them?’ I said, ‘Is Robbie in the band?’ He said, ‘No,’ and I said, ‘No thanks,’ put the phone down and every girl in the office said, ‘You w*n**r!’”

“I think John Giddings was one of quite a few people who passed on it,” chuckles Stevens. “But Simon Moran was the guy who went for it and got the benefits. The major difference second time around was that they reinvented themselves – they made completely different music.”

The revival succeeded in not only bringing back die-hard devotees, but in hooking fans of all ages. “It’s multi-generational,” affirms Moran of the band’s audience. “It is majority female, but there are a lot of males and couples.”

After the record-breaking success of the 2009 Circus Live stadium tour, things came full circle when Williams rejoined the group in 2010.

“Progress was the natural place to go after that,” says Stevens. “It was about reconciliation and the enormity of it was hard to comprehend.

“It’s funny – it felt a bit weird as a four when Robbie left, but when it was the four of them the second time around it felt right. When Robbie came back it didn’t feel quite like Take That because, for me, Take That was the four of them. But it turned out great and it felt natural in the end.”

“It was closure on when he first split,” offers Gavin. “Robbie added that dynamic that we hadn’t seen for a long time.”

With Williams returning to his solo career post-Progress, the Take That universe was rocked by the departure of founder member Jason Orange, leaving Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald to continue as a trio. “Jason was a massive loss to the band,” laments Stevens. “I don’t know if any of them knew if it would work, but they found a way and it feels like a three now, like that’s what it should be.”

Switching to a three-piece has had additional benefits, points out Kim. “An odd number is always better from a staging and choreographic point of view,” he says. “Someone is always in the middle with three and someone is always in the middle with five, but obviously we all miss Jay. Jay was an interesting character and he was fun to be on the road with.”

Take That, whose booking agent is Coda’s Sol Parker, hold the record for the most headline concerts at both the new Wembley Stadium (12) and The O2 (29), where they will play a further eight shows as part of their 2019 Greatest Hits Tour. Commencing at Sheffield’s FlyDSA Arena in April, the UK and Ireland leg will also visit arenas in Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin and Birmingham, and stadiums in Milton Keynes, Southampton, Bristol, Norwich, Middlesbrough, Huddersfield, Liverpool and Cardiff.

“It is remarkable that, 30 years on, Take That remain among a handful of the very biggest attractions in the UK,” smiles Kennedy Street’s Betesh. “Their live show is brilliant, but above all they remain modest, down to earth and the nicest people you could wish to meet and work with.”

Stevens likens his role in the past three decades to being part of a Hollywood movie. “It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride for all of us, working on such fantastic live shows and also the fact that it’s a bit of a family thing because we’ve been doing it for so long.,” he says. “There had been previous reformations that hadn’t hit home quite like theirs did and I think the reason is because it was more of a reinvention than a reformation. This band was about reinventing themselves and that’s what made them unique”

After three decades in the game, the band’s place in British music history is long assured, but there is plenty of gas left in the tank yet.

“Their legacy is to always push music concerts to the limit,” says Gavin. “They have always broken new ground with their shows.”

“They’re such good people to work with, so appreciative and so great at their job,” sums up Moran. “They create an ongoing legacy and they’re continuing to enhance it. They are peerless in the UK.”

Posted by: pippa 19th November 2018, 07:31 PM

It was an energetic performance on Strictly Come Dancing and Gary, Mark and Howard really appeared to have enjoyed performing it.

Posted by: milly 19th November 2018, 07:47 PM

Please God, let it be true that their pre-orders are THAT good. 100.000 sales for the opening week would be amazing.

Posted by: jay727 19th November 2018, 08:28 PM

I certainly hope 100k is in target

Posted by: jay727 19th November 2018, 08:29 PM

Third and final interview; this time with the guys:

Bravo three zero: Take That on their three decades in pop

It’s 1989 and the young Howard Donald is worried. He should be happy, because his place in a hot new boyband has just been confirmed by the group’s manager, Nigel Martin-Smith. But, after a chat with his mother, Donald is suddenly having second thoughts.

“My Mum was so disappointed,” he laughs, nearly 30 years on from the successful audition that saw a grand total of six wannabes turn up. “She was angry with me for the fact that I had to leave my job, getting £130-a-week as a vehicle painter. She was losing out on her £25-a-week upkeep for the house, so she was disappointed. At the time, I was questioning it, thinking, ‘Maybe she’s right here, because I don’t really know where this is going to go’.”

Still, given that that boyband turned out to be Take That, it seemed to turn out OK, Music Week suggests.

“Yeah,” deadpans Donald. “I pay her £30 a week now so she’s quids in!”

It has been a long, strange trip between then and now, but Donald and his remaining bandmates – Gary Barlow and Mark Owen – seem to have made it through remarkably unscathed. Two former members – Robbie Williams and Jason Orange – have fallen by the wayside along the way (Williams twice, in fact) but remain members of the extended Take That family (Williams is likely to join them for one TV appearance during the campaign), and have been involved in compiling the new Greatest Hits album. Odyssey is released via Polydor on November 23 and is expected to be one of the blockbusters of the Q4 season.

The trio here today, sat joshing with each other in a Universal Music studio after a morning of trying on “silly clothes” for their forthcoming campaign of TV appearances (a BBC Special, Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor, no mucking about), are relaxed in each other’s company and clearly still enjoying every minute of being in Britain’s biggest “boy” band.

Your correspondent last encountered them in their Phase One heyday, at the Smash Hits Poll Winners’ Party, where their every move was soundtracked by a crescendo of teenage screams. Yet, having split in 1996 in the wake of Williams’ departure the previous year, they defied all logic by returning in 2005, without Williams, and somehow ending up bigger than ever.

David Joseph, chairman & CEO of Universal Music UK, was key to that comeback in his role as co-president of Polydor, having previously worked with the band when head of artist development at RCA.

“We’re here to back artists we believe in,” says Joseph. “Myself, Colin [Barlow, then Polydor co-president] and Lucian [Grainge, then Universal UK boss] backed them. Polydor believed in them. The only thing that may sound strange in hindsight was that we didn’t hear any music before the deal. The story was enough. We trusted them. It was instinctive and they delivered.”

And they’ve been delivering ever since. Take That’s figures before the split were impressive. Their sales since the comeback have been ridiculous. Beautiful World (2006) sold 2,879,729, according to the Official Charts Company. The Circus (2008) has moved 2,227,839. 2010’s Progress, when Williams briefly returned, became the fastest-selling album of the 21st century at the time and has sold 2,389,490. Orange then left the group, with the remaining trio scoring additional hits with 2014’s III (562,010) and last year’s Wonderland (220,946), while their live business remains off the charts, with over 30 arena/stadium dates lined up for 2019.

“If you look at their ticket sales in comparison with their peers, it’s unparalleled,” says Neil Rodford, CEO of Take That’s management company YM&U Group. “The audience is very engaged and, if you look at the span of people that are going, generations come in, whether it be mums and daughters, dads and daughters, or grandparents even. There aren’t many artists that have that span and what keeps people coming is the quality of the music.”

Odyssey showcases Take That’s iron grip on contemporary British pop songwriting over three decades, from the early pop pep of It Only Takes A Minute to the older-but-wiser balladry of Patience and beyond. And Joseph heralds “the songs, the chemistry between them and the extraordinary live shows” as the reasons for their enduring success.

“Then add the band as relatable people and their story with many twists and turns, ups and downs, fallouts and reunions – but ultimately one of togetherness,” he says. “And the way they’ve kept their fans so close as part of the journey. But it’s nothing without the music. The songs drive the story.”

“They’ve always had incredible songs, written by themselves,” concurs Polydor co-president Tom March. “They have a phenomenal drive and work ethic, and an incredible connection to their fans. They went away at a time when their fans weren’t ready for them to go away and their return was just nothing short of spectacular, so everything their fans have done, they’ve done with a Take That song playing in the background.”

Odyssey sees the band revisit those songs – lead writer Barlow is published by Sony/ATV – with 30 years of hits mixed together with interludes and snippets of interviews by superstar producer Stuart Price. Every song has had a spring clean, some get a complete overhaul. Boyz II Men enhance Love Ain’t Here Anymore (“They basically gave us a lesson in how to sing,” chortles Donald) while Barry Gibb duets on the band’s original swansong, How Deep Is Your Love? (“We said, ‘Thanks for lending us this song, we’d like it to give it you back now’,” grins Owen).

Barlow also describes Odyssey as the end of a chapter in the band’s history, but there will be no need for tears this time around, as the band seem likely to continue for as long as their fans want them to.

In the meantime, though, it’s time for Barlow, Owen and Donald to sit down with Music Week and talk us through a career that has seen them end up with jelly on their nether regions, but rarely with egg on their faces…

When you first got together, did you think you’d still be here 30 years later?

Gary Barlow: “No. I don’t think you can think like that. It’s not fun looking that far forward either. There were points where it felt like we were getting nowhere. We were just fighting for a place in the industry. When we first started, doing the under-18s tours and club tours, pop wasn’t back but it was on its way back. They’d had three or four years of faceless dance acts and the pop magazines were crying out for a band with a face. There were four or five of us and we were the only ones who broke through.”

You did plenty of covers. But how important has writing your own songs been for your longevity?

GB: “Very, especially as audiences get older, that becomes more important. They want to be spoken to by you, not through someone who’s been flown in from Sweden. Luckily, we built that into our being the first time round so our fans were used to it and they just wanted more when we came back. Which was great, because we all started to write the second time around.”

Do you endorse the trend for multiple songwriters?

GB: “That’s a new way of working. But it doesn’t matter how you crack it, as long as you crack it.”

Nowadays, boybands are launched by major labels or huge TV shows. But joining Take That must have been quite a leap of faith for you all…

GB: “Nigel was very blasé in the way he sold us the idea, it was like we’d already made it. He talked about it in a way that suggested failure was not an option. He told us what was going to happen and f*** me, it happened. All of it! Even all the downsides he told us would come with it. He had this vision and it was absolutely spot on. That’s what made us all go, ‘I want to do this’ because he was telling us what it should be and how it should look.”

Howard Donald: “Although he did tell us that a couple of plays on Radio 1 would get us to No.1. We were all waiting in the van when the charts were on, thinking, ‘f***ing hell, we’ve made it here, we’re going to be No.1’. We got all the way to No.1 and it was someone else and we heard we’d gone in at No.96!”

But wasn’t it good that you didn’t make it overnight?

GB: “It was definitely a good thing as a writer. I was writing Barry Manilow songs at the time, I wasn’t writing pop music. Going in these nightclubs and listening to the music they were playing, my ear was starting to change and I realised, ‘I’m out of date, I’ve been playing working men’s clubs for too long’. Meanwhile, what people do on Twitter and Instagram now, we were doing with a wooden box on the side of the stage that said, ‘Put your flyer with your name and address in here’. We’d take the box back to Nigel’s office and his secretary would dial in all the numbers and we’d mailshot them when we were gigging.”

You actually worked harder than any guitar band…

GB: “We did. Three or four gigs a night; under-18s at 6pm, over-18s at 8pm, gay club about 11pm, schools through the day. If they’d have us on, we’d just turn up.”

HD: “We’d play schools in our leather gear and the kids would be like, ‘What the f*** is this?’”

Mark Owen: “I remember when we went to America and we were in Long Island to do gigs. We had our suitcase with our leather gear and we realised it was completely the wrong place to be doing this. So Howard would beatbox, Rob would rap and we’d breakdance and then go. We didn’t even play a track!”

GB: “The way we were trying to do performances led to the gigs being like a show rather than a concert. It wasn’t enough to just stand and sing, we had to wow the crowd.”

MO: “That was from looking at things like Madonna and Michael Jackson. In our heads that’s who we were competing against, in Hull!”

How did someone persuade you to smear each other with jelly for the Do What You Like video?

GB: “Well, it moved into that. It was meant to just be us performing the dance routine! But then, as the day went by, people just wanted to get crazy. And this is the thing with us, if someone does something, someone will try and upstage it. So all of a sudden you’re looking round and going, ‘Why has everyone got nothing on? Where the f***’s this food come from?’ That’s the trouble.”

HD: “I thought we were supposed to eat it. Nigel’s going, ‘No, you dickhead, you’re supposed to be putting it on each other!’”

GB: “You’ve got to remind yourselves of the time. Nigel had said to us, ‘Listen, it’s going to be great publicity when this video gets banned because it’s too naughty or raunchy or whatever’. But I don’t think anyone noticed…”

HD: “But I do believe that’s part of our DNA. It was part of our experience and growth and [finding out] what to do and what not to do. I don’t think I’d have it any other way, I wouldn’t change anything from the ’90s.”

You became massive on Everything Changes. What was it like being in the middle of all that hysteria?

GB: “It was mega! It was bloody brilliant! Did I like it? The quick answer is yes. For five people who’d been thrown together, we were very like-minded in our ambitiousness. We were very professional. We’d turn up in Japan and do 15 hours straight interviews and never complain. We had that work ethic. We wanted to make it. Even when I see Rob now, he’s always kept that, he still works hard. So the bigger we were getting, it wasn’t by accident, we were aiming for it, so it felt amazing.”

And then Back For Good and the Nobody Else album broke you out of the teen scene…

GB: “I felt like I’d been programming drum machines and listening to what the new beat was [for ages] and I wanted to write songs again, but now with a knowledge of how to modernise that old-fashioned kid. I remember physically getting the piano and putting it back in the studio. It was also the first time I’d really asserted myself. We’d always gone along with the label and they wanted to go with Sure first, but we just knew. Don’t lead up to it, just f***ing go with it. Nigel backed me up completely and then we got the BRITs performance. They didn’t want us on, but they heard the song and said, ‘We’re going to give you a slot’. And that was pretty much it…”

How frustrating was it to then break up just as you were making headway internationally?

MO: “To be honest, it was a good time. As a band, we’d probably gone as far as we could go anyway. It was a shame that we didn’t finish as a five but, even if Rob had stayed, we were probably not far away from realising that we’d reached our full potential. It didn’t end in the perfect way but it had to come to an end.”

GB: “I was knackered. I felt like we hadn’t stopped for a day over six years. I was just exhausted. It felt like a great time to press pause, definitely.”

Devastated fans had hotlines. But how did you feel?

MO: “I called that hotline many a time. I still do…”

HD: “It was definitely hard. You don’t think, ‘Perhaps we’ll reform in 2006’. That was the last thing on my mind, I was just thinking, ‘What am I going to do now? Being recognised so much, how am I going to go back to vehicle painting?’ It was really tough.”

Did you have any idea just how big the comeback would be?

GB: “No! It was a five-day gig. Five days of promotion for the TV documentary [ITV’s Take That: For The Record], that’s what we were coming back for. And we all said, ‘That’s alright. Five days will be fine’.

HD: “We’d never really said, ‘Listen mate, good luck with your life, I’m here if you need me’. We got off a plane, got in cars and drove home and avoided talking about it being the end. So, initially when we all came back, it was for us all to see how life had been and probably to say goodbye.”

MO: “We always say we came back for closure…”

GB: “…And we’re still looking for it!”

What do you put the astounding comeback success down to?

GB: “It’s been like our whole career: a number of moves have got us to where we’re at. But if you wanted one thing, it’s us, it’s the people. It’s not a clever marketing move. It’s how we came back and saw the opportunity and went for it as a team. Thank God we got a supportive team around us. Old friends – David Joseph, Colin [Barlow] who I got to know in the nine years off, we had a great team of people who just went, ‘We’re not going to tell you what to do but, when you decide, we’re here and we’re going to back you’. They were behind us.”

Even since then the business has completely changed. How do you stay on top of things like streaming?

GB: “I don’t know if we have. I don’t think we ever take notice of it to be honest. The whole thing about how people are ingesting music or whatever, I don’t even think about it. I don’t sit and write a song thinking about Spotify. What we do is the same, how we then get it out there, well, these guys [the label] know all the best ways, so then you take it into consideration. But when you’re playing you don’t even think about it. You just try and write a great song.”

So where do you go next?

MO: “It’s been a wondrous journey. But we’re not looking beyond [this] really at this stage.”

GB: “That’s not because there isn’t a beyond, there obviously is at some point.”

MO: “But it’s hard to see beyond a big tour so we’re trying to live more where we are. It would be really nice for the five of us to do something again in the future. Even though there are three of us in this room, there’s always five of us really.”

GB: “This is our escape, this is where we come and have a laugh and be stupid and feel like we’re 17 again. That friendship has been the thing. If we weren’t friends this would be hell. We’re family now.”

Posted by: pippa 19th November 2018, 09:38 PM

The indication is there this is not the end but we may have a long wait for new material.
I also like the point about the addressing in confidence that the album can obtain opening sales of 100,000 plus.
If this does happen it would be a great result for them.
It would be welcoming to see a progression in sales from the last 2 albums, realistically, double platinum isnt an out of this world ask and i would be happy if it happens.

Posted by: jay727 20th November 2018, 02:46 PM

The Odyssey version of How Deep is Your Love has just been released on iTunes and Spotify.

I LOVE it. What a great vocal!

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 20th November 2018, 04:32 PM

Argh can't listen to it right now, can't wait!

Posted by: milly 20th November 2018, 05:07 PM

Here it is: https://www.deezer.com/us/playlist/5125469704

Not particularly mad about Barry Gibb's voice - I know it's not to everyone's tastes, you either like it or hate it -, but Gary's deep register...... .....be still my heart
I think I'm one of the fortunate ones on this forum....I already have 3 songs on this album I like: Pray, OOUH - which is GREAT for dancing -, and now HDIYL. At least 2 more tracks to love and I won't regret spending my money on this album. My hope is for the new tracks and for the interludes.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 20th November 2018, 06:02 PM

Oh wow, it's beautiful!

Posted by: Better Man 20th November 2018, 07:55 PM

I'm a big fan of their original cover. I like it even more than Bee Gees one.

The new version is not for me.

Posted by: jay727 20th November 2018, 09:25 PM

Gary’s voice and the harmonies are fantastic - love this!!

Posted by: nirvanamusic 22nd November 2018, 02:29 PM

Strong initial debut in NZ/Oz.

ITunes Albums:

New Zealand: #7
Australia: #9

I hope it stays strong for the week over there as will have a ripple effect. Success creates success etc.

I like the new versions however am not sold on Out of Our Heads, I just don't like it. Though hope it charts tomorrow as to chart is something on the singles even if not high.

Posted by: darrens94 22nd November 2018, 02:45 PM

Had a listen to some of the newer songs like These Days and Patience and they are basically the same apart from a bit of talking at the start and at the end kind of pointless calling them new versions. I’m not a fan of the new song Spin but Everlasting is a bit of a tune.

Posted by: jay727 22nd November 2018, 06:58 PM

Here’s Everything Changes: https://youtu.be/BnwlubQbQf4

Posted by: jay727 22nd November 2018, 07:06 PM

And here’s Robbie singing along with the Odyssey version of Pray: https://youtu.be/FGt-vZmpKqM

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 22nd November 2018, 07:36 PM

Really don't like that version of everything changes at all.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 23rd November 2018, 04:58 AM

https://kworb.net/itunes/artist/takethat.html

Very early and a free fall will come later in week, however an amazing start for them!!

North/South America and Africa about to come onboard. The should really promo this worldwide this week.

Posted by: jay727 23rd November 2018, 07:09 AM

Wow! Very impressive!! Number 1 on iTunes now too.

Posted by: jay727 23rd November 2018, 08:27 AM

Really enjoying the album so far!! Very clever mixing in songs like up all night and interviews.

The two other new songs are very good too - both are better than Out of our Heads. Howard sounds the best he’s sounded in a long time on Spin.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 23rd November 2018, 08:30 AM

Video for Pray released! Can't wait to listen to the album tonight!

Posted by: jay727 23rd November 2018, 08:41 AM

Fab!! Great video!

Everlasting should have been released over OOOH

Posted by: elisabeth1974 23rd November 2018, 11:12 AM

amazing happy that either the TT as wellas the Rob success continues after so many years

Posted by: nirvanamusic 23rd November 2018, 02:04 PM

Countries album reached #1 on itunes at any point: Chile, Denmark, Ireland, Latvia, Egypt, UK, Israel, Bahrain.

Hopefully they'll release all other continent tour dates soon as this would self serve as promo also and help record.

I echo Everlasting, a really catchy song and the one stuck in my head.

Out Of Our Heads truly is the worst of the three in my opinion although it is by far the most unique and less obvious track for them to have gone with.

In terms of reworked versions I liked all of them.

I don't like the update of Back For Good, the beat is harsher and more obvious, less soft and dreamlike in my opinion. I know it was the only change made but that song was perfect in every way already.

Posted by: pippa 23rd November 2018, 03:36 PM

Rita Ora has now overtaken Take That on iTunes.
I do believe Take That will be a much stronger physical seller.

Posted by: elisabeth1974 23rd November 2018, 03:39 PM

they ,ight drop on itunes but with the pre orders the first week should be theirs

Posted by: milly 23rd November 2018, 03:53 PM

iTunes doesn't even count too much for albums.
But, with promo lined up, I think they'll be back at no 1 on iTunes too.

Posted by: pippa 23rd November 2018, 07:20 PM

I hope they are in with at least a chance of entering at Number 1.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 23rd November 2018, 07:25 PM

I'd be very surprised if they don't!

Posted by: jay727 23rd November 2018, 11:40 PM

Don’t forget they had tens of thousands of pre orders. I’m sure a few thousand vinyls and cassettes have also been sold.

Posted by: slowdown73 23rd November 2018, 11:45 PM

Well I’m quite disappointed with the new versions. They aren’t that different and in fact don’t sound as good as the originals and add nothing to the songs. They seem a bit pointless - I like the new songs though. I wish they had done a lot more with the Odyssey versions and don’t like the fact they have added live bits. Just seems daft!

Posted by: jay727 23rd November 2018, 11:50 PM

Seems it was always going to be a bit marmite. Some people want them left untouched, whilst others think they should have gone further. I think they’re nicely done; in particular the duets and the intro to Greatest Day, Babe and RTW.

Quite surprised that Out of Our Heads didn’t chart in the top 100 today. It’s been stable at #22 all week on iTunes...

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 24th November 2018, 02:09 AM

I'm not liking the new versions and for the first time ever since take that and party I havnt bought their album on 1st day of release. Usually I'm dying to get my hands on the album and i think I'm gonna hold off until it drops in price as il really only buying it to keep the collection complete. I'm so disappointed I'm not enjoying it as I've never experienced this with a take that release before. I am however listening to my own take that greatest hits as uts full of songs that I love by them.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 24th November 2018, 10:42 AM

Has anyone else's physical copy from the TT store not turned up yet?

Posted by: jay727 24th November 2018, 11:06 AM

No sign of mine yet.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 24th November 2018, 11:18 AM

Didn't they make a statement saying physicals would be coming out on 29th?

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 24th November 2018, 11:50 AM

Anyone have sales predictions for opening week sales. I'd love to see them manage 100,000 but am thinking closer to 70,000.

Posted by: slowdown73 24th November 2018, 12:07 PM

I'd say 70-80k.

Posted by: milly 24th November 2018, 12:59 PM

I think it's a well balanced album - some versions are barely different than the originals, while others have been beautifully remastered.
I even love the new songs sung by Howard and Mark - of course, I'd have preferred them in Gary's voice , as it is the sound of TT, but they are beautiful nonetheless.
The only versions I don't like are Could It Be Magic and Everything Changes - Robbie's teen voice is hard to take, for me. But, then again, I don't like the originals either, so no change there.

Despite my usual pessimism, I'm gonna go ahead and predict opening sales of 110-120k, if not bigger

However, I don't understand their promotion strategy. Why perform GD on the GN show? GD is a song for arenas and stadiums, for big concerts, not for a casual tv show. Why aren't they promoting the album with the new songs or any of the classics - RTW, BFG, Patience?

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 24th November 2018, 01:42 PM

I'd consider Greatest Day on of their classics tbh, it's easily one of their most popular songs.

Posted by: milly 24th November 2018, 02:09 PM

From the main forum:
Mint Royale has posted that Take That have sold more than Michael Buble’s entire first week sales on Friday.

Posted by: elisabeth1974 24th November 2018, 02:12 PM

I think that they will have 100 K sales in the first week because of the pre orders. I wonder how they will do further. Usually GH sell well with people's memories'impact. I wonder how the sales outside the UK will actually be. iTunes is no indication there

Posted by: ZaraRuinMyLife 24th November 2018, 02:22 PM

Damn, I thought Rita would have been a challenge for number one

Posted by: milly 24th November 2018, 02:23 PM

She's not even in top 50 on Amazon. I doubt she could be a serious contender for TT at this point.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 24th November 2018, 02:28 PM

If Rita gets #1, I will post a video of myself literally eating a hat.

Posted by: milly 24th November 2018, 02:57 PM

Posted by: jay727 24th November 2018, 07:16 PM

Rita Ora was never challenging TT. It was more about if TT could break 100k in their first week. Looks like they will.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 24th November 2018, 09:46 PM

That's a Brill result as that means they have of almost 70,000 already so 100,000 plus looks almost certain.

Posted by: pippa 25th November 2018, 01:35 PM

That is a wonderful result.
Sales will slow down, but it will have very impressive opening sales and will become their 9th Number 1 album.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 25th November 2018, 03:33 PM

9 number 1 albums is a great achievement and not a huge amount of people have managed it.

Posted by: jay727 25th November 2018, 04:24 PM

Just a shame Wonderland just missed out! Hopefully they’ll get another chance to make it 10

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 25th November 2018, 05:20 PM

Ya if only wonderland had held on thus would be 10. They will make the 10 eventually I think. I wonder will they release a live CD from the tour next year

Posted by: elisabeth1974 25th November 2018, 07:25 PM

ITunes is slowing down already, TT is definitely about physical sales.

Posted by: milly 25th November 2018, 07:54 PM

What do you mean? TT are still no 2 on iTunes, just like yesterday.
If anything, it's Rita's album that keeps dropping, which is surprising, considering most of her fans are kids.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 26th November 2018, 03:27 AM

They were always going to be far bigger on pyhisical than streaming and downloads,the x factor performance next will keep sales moving for week 2.

Posted by: jay727 26th November 2018, 08:35 AM

Doesn’t look like iTunes is slowing down to me...

Posted by: elisabeth1974 26th November 2018, 08:41 AM

yes they are number 2 in the UK, but look at the other countries.I always think that the entire picture is interesting: Imagine they will sell 120.000 in the UK this week and continue a great sale which I assume with 50,000 plus a week. At the end they might end with 400,000 plus. That is a lot. But if they do not sell well in other countries, too. this is still only impressive in one country like all albums since Progress. I have often asked myself why they do not have the success outside the UK after Progress anymore (and before asideof BW). are man bands not so well appreciated?
In the UK I see them having the Christmas number 1

Posted by: milly 26th November 2018, 12:57 PM

It's not that they're not successful in other countries too - look at how many fans travel to UK to see them.
Most fans, like myself and many others, don't download the album from our iTunes, we buy it from the TT official store, which means a lot of these sales go towards the UK chart.
Plus, considering the demographic of the TT fans, it's pretty hard to believe that they download from iTunes, especially in countries in Eastern Europe.

They will never be as big outside UK as they're in UK, at this point in their careers, we've established that. But I get that, in a very "subtle" way, Elisabeth, you're trying to point out that Robbie is more "successful" - we got it, don't worry.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 26th November 2018, 01:07 PM

Outta my head is up to 26 on iTunes now.Take that will always be bigger in the UK as they concentrated on that market but let's not forget they are very successful here in Ireland too.

Posted by: milly 26th November 2018, 01:51 PM

89.4 k sales so far
Heading for that 100 k mark I so should have put a bet on this

Posted by: pippa 26th November 2018, 04:23 PM

Phenomenal sales and will clearly move over 100,000 this week.

Posted by: jay727 26th November 2018, 05:36 PM

Fantastic sales and I must admit I’m not particularly surprised!

TT still have it!

Posted by: Better Man 26th November 2018, 05:50 PM

8th Number 1
https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/acts-with-the-most-number-1-albums-on-the-official-uk-chart__15643/

Well done, boys. TAKE THAT

Posted by: elisabeth1974 26th November 2018, 06:13 PM

8th or 9th Better Man?

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 26th November 2018, 07:08 PM

Depends if you count Progressed, it was an EP, but had enough tracks to be included in the Albums Chart.

Posted by: pippa 26th November 2018, 07:11 PM

Progressed i count in making it 9.

Posted by: Laura130262 27th November 2018, 12:20 AM

Well done to TT. Brilliant sales for them.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 27th November 2018, 01:15 AM

Even at 5k a day for the rest of the week will add another 20,000 including today.

Posted by: jay727 27th November 2018, 10:52 AM

With opening week sales like these, it’ll certainly convince the record label (if they needed convincing), that TT are still a force in the industry.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 27th November 2018, 12:55 PM

There is still a big market for take that and ivecsaid before if they can do a new studio with a killer ballad lead single they can still pull big opening numbers with albums.

Posted by: jay727 27th November 2018, 01:55 PM

Completely agree, and this was without the help of a big single. I still think they should have led with a Everlasting.

94k sales now!

Posted by: BadHabit 27th November 2018, 04:30 PM

The more I listened to it the more I think they missed out good opportunity by not releasing Everlasting. Its lyric fitting the greatest hit them better. It would connect more to casual fans.

Posted by: pippa 27th November 2018, 07:10 PM

The top 3 albums all sold close to 4000 since the previous update.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 27th November 2018, 07:56 PM

I hope the album goes top ten in many places and hopefully number one outside the UK.

Ireland and Denmark look possible.

Posted by: jay727 27th November 2018, 08:41 PM

Do we have any update on the European, and perhaps more global chartings (or potential) at the moment?

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 28th November 2018, 03:54 AM

I will know Ireland debut on Friday. Is the cassette sales counted into this week's sales does anyone know?

Posted by: jay727 28th November 2018, 08:31 AM

I’d be surprised if they weren’t, considering vinyl is added these days.

Here’s a new article from Music Week for you all to take a read through:


Take That have lit the blue touchpaper on Q4, with their “reimagined” Greatest Hits album Odyssey (Polydor) already the fastest-selling artist album of the year after just three days on sale.

Yesterday’s Midweek Chart Update from the Official Charts Company showed the superstar manband – Music Week cover stars last week – had moved 89,408 copies by the end of Sunday, with a clear bias to physical sales (84,745) over downloads (3,977) and streaming (686). That’s more sales than the previous fastest-seller of 2018, Arctic Monkeys' Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (Domino), which sold 86,359 in a full week.

Polydor co-president Tom March had already predicted the album will become the first 100,000+ seller of the year, and Odyssey is on pace to achieve that. So Music Week sat down with March – enjoying a stellar year, in partnership with co-president Ben Mortimer, which has seen the Universal label scoop the A&R Award at the Music Week Awards and top the market shares in Q3 – to talk Greatest Hits albums, streaming and what comes next for Gary Barlow and co…

Why was it important to not just put out a standard Greatest Hits album?

“The world has moved on, the standard hits album has moved on. For them, it was not just about looking back, they also want to look forward. Hopefully, this is the perfect blend of moving forward whilst one eye is on the past as well. Their fans are going to love them no matter what. So we need to excite their existing fanbase, give them something they haven’t had before, give them something new and hopefully great promo shows the great content the guys have created.”

Their sales are traditionally very physical heavy. Will this project help change that?

“We’ve got some fantastic plans in place with Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon. All of the partners are very keen to have the guys involved. Our hope is to start to move some of the audience onto those services. Trying to make the soundbed for the TV ad for Odyssey was an embarrasment of riches! It’s a phenomenal catalogue to have the option to play with.”

How do you make that catalogue work in the streaming age?

“When we were first discussing the best way to celebrate 30 years of the band's incredible career, what was immediately evident was that we all – band, label and management – wanted to be bold and brave and to innovate. A standard Greatest Hits album in the modern era felt tired. Taking inspiration from The Beatles’ Love album where some of the band's best songs were beautifully re-interpreted, Take That collaborated with Stuart Price to create a non-stop musical journey through their greatest hits, bringing the excitement and energy of their spectacular live shows to the album. Our aim is to be future-facing while embracing the band's incredible catalogue. The campaign will be full of moments of nostalgia for their fans but will also give them something brand new to love. We're expecting to sell huge amounts of physical records whilst also reinvigorating their catalogue on streaming services and have fantastic plans in place with all the partners.”

Where do Take That go next?

“Take That's three decade-spanning career is testament to a band that are capable of constantly evolving, re-inventing themselves and embracing the times, taking their existing audience with them while winning over new generations of fans. Whatever they do next, it will be big and bold and continue to assure their legacy as one of Britain's most-loved bands.”

Posted by: elisabeth1974 28th November 2018, 10:07 AM

Interesting article. THey will continue sell great as there is a lot of TV coverage ahead.
But you have to put things in perspective. NOt knowing a lot about the music business I assume that all the successful albums/songs this year aside of TT are heavy on downloads/streaming.

I would be interested how many albums are sold in the rest of Europe. They will always be a national treasure in the UK. Seeing them on breakfast TV in Germany this morning the commentor was full of memories. But I wonder if people buy the album

Posted by: jay727 28th November 2018, 11:48 AM

up to 97.6k now! 100k by end of today hopefully.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 28th November 2018, 11:57 AM

It will easily make 100,000 but will be no higher than 105,000.what did wonderland open with?

Posted by: jay727 28th November 2018, 03:09 PM

Wonderland went in at 112k I think I recall...again very impressive for a March release.

Long gone are the days of 400k opening for an album of any artist!

Posted by: pippa 28th November 2018, 03:55 PM

Odyssey will struggle to beat Wonderlands opening sales.
That said, it will outsells Wonderlands,2nd-5th week sales.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 28th November 2018, 04:04 PM

True iTunes isn't what it once was .. however wouldn't we want TT to be high on any list/format as opposed to non existent? It's an indicator still for audience though nowhere near the definitive now.

In terms of consistency on iTunes, UK, Ireland and Denmark have all had the album in the top 10 throughout week. If you add physical sales there is a chance for a high debut in those nations.

I remember the Wonderland peaks all tailing off by end of week, then being surprised by how high some of the first week chartings were in some countries. We'll have to see.

Posted by: pippa 28th November 2018, 07:48 PM

I cant find an option to purchase the cassette, i would buy this for its uniqueness to have in my collection.
I cant find much information on its release date and availability.

Odyssey will sell more in week 1 than Michael Buble and Little Mix managed in the first 2 weeks of their chart life.
It is a wonderful result for Take That, and this, is not to take away from Michael Buble and Little Mix who are also doing very well.

Posted by: jay727 28th November 2018, 08:28 PM

The cassette was only available for a week (I think about 2 weeks ago), I would have liked one too!

Posted by: Better Man 28th November 2018, 08:53 PM

Posted by: nirvanamusic 28th November 2018, 09:10 PM

Thank you for the picture! Looking at those cassettes are really nostalgic!

It makes sense for their 30th though as they are showing all the changed formats since they first released in 1991.

Better Man I see your flag is Russian, I know East 17 were far more popular in Russia but were TT a big act in Russia 90's and present? Thanks.

Posted by: Better Man 28th November 2018, 09:51 PM

I also think it was a good idea to release the cassettes for Odyssey.

nirvanamusic, I was a child around their first era so can't judge personally to be honest.
But a good friend of mine is a crazy TT fan since 90s.
She told me some interesting stories about this era and there were regular fan meetings in Moscow.
My favourite one (cos it's funny) was about the fact Take That fans met each other at the same place (Patriarshiye Ponds - where 'Master and Margarita' goes) where fans of Depeche Mode always met as well and, you know, they didn't like each other because of it )

Aslo she collected a lot of materials from magazines and recorded TV shows so it gives me understanding Take That had a rather good presence in Russia in 90s.
Now it's not due no any activity here but Take That groups in social world are still active.

p.s. just for knowing, Depeche Mode fans in Moscow still regularly meet each other every week on Friday since 90s... they are still the most favourite international band in our country. That's irony they're not in UK

Posted by: nirvanamusic 28th November 2018, 10:07 PM

Thanks so much Better Man! That's great. It's interesting to hear first hand from other countries as info is harder to come by from their first time around. TT and Depeche Mode back then is quite different crowds!

Posted by: jay727 28th November 2018, 11:14 PM

Absolutely! Thanks, Better Man!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 29th November 2018, 12:56 AM

Why release before it was actually released as those sales wouldn't be counted in. It looks great though.

Posted by: jay727 29th November 2018, 02:30 PM

We’ve passed the 100k mark!

Posted by: pippa 29th November 2018, 07:49 PM

Wonderful result.
With promotion to come, they could have some more big sales to come.

Posted by: jay727 29th November 2018, 10:25 PM

Platinum is definitely in sight I think, with 4 weeks left before Xmas and then the run up to the tour

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 30th November 2018, 01:40 AM

Platinum should be easily managed. Shame wonderland didn't make it and I dint think it ever will.

Posted by: jay727 30th November 2018, 08:34 AM

Yeah, it was a difficult time to generate sales - especially with no second single (did they even promo New Day?)

Posted by: Hadji 30th November 2018, 05:04 PM

Are the odyssey versions of the songs only on the digital version of the album or the physical version too?

Posted by: pippa 30th November 2018, 07:30 PM

Officially Number 1.
Sales- 105,721.

Posted by: jay727 30th November 2018, 08:03 PM

Fantastic result!!! Means I can change my signature to #10 for GB!!

Posted by: jay727 30th November 2018, 08:17 PM

From Music Week:

Take That rack up the eighth No.1 album of their career, and their first for exactly four years, as new compilation Odyssey debuts at No.1.

Not just any greatest hits collection, Odyssey features Take That favourites ‘re-imagined with new productions’, interview ‘interludes’ and a trio of new songs. Whatever the mixture, it adds up to a winning formula, as the set dashes to first week sales of 105,721 copies (including 1,765 from sales-equivalent streams and 891 cassettes), the highest for a No.1 artist album since Eminem’s Revival sold 131,622 copies debuting at the summit some 49 weeks ago. It is the highest sale achieved by an artist compilation album (albeit one with some new content) since The Very Best Of Neil Diamond sold 110,214 copies while climbing 8-5 at Christmas 2012.

Odyssey pushes Michael Buble’s new album, Love, down to No.2 on sales of 32,080 copies. Take That’s lead atop the chart, therefore, is 229.55% or 73,641 sales – the biggest gap between the top two on either metric since the chart for 16 October 2017, when Liam Gallagher’s first solo set, As You Were, sold 102,660 copies on its first week, a small matter of 731.25% (90,310) more than Giggs’ Wamp 2 Dem, which debuted at No.2, with 12,350 sales.

Posted by: pippa 30th November 2018, 08:17 PM

I still relate to this as a 9th Number 1 for Take That and 11th Number 1 album for Gary.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 30th November 2018, 08:47 PM

Official Chart Positions Updated when information becomes available.

Scotland#1.
UK#1.
Ireland#3.
Taiwan#9.
Germany#18.
Belgium (Flanders)#42.
Spain#54.
Australia#63.
Italy#80.
Netherlands#85.
Belgium (Wallonia)#102.

Taiwan has always been a big success for them since reunion. Albums reading like this (Top 20):

Never Forget: The Ultimate Collection: #9
Beautiful World: #1 (2 weeks).
The Circus: #16.
Progress: #6.
III: #6.
Wonderland: Didn't Chart.
Odyssey: #9.

Posted by: pippa 30th November 2018, 08:49 PM

3 Top 10 placings so far.

Posted by: jay727 30th November 2018, 09:17 PM

Scotland is part of the UK...didn’t realise it charts separately?

Great debuts so far!

Posted by: nirvanamusic 30th November 2018, 09:49 PM

The main Official Charts Company site shows the UK singles/albums though with a few extra clicks you can view the Scottish charts - since April 1994.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 30th November 2018, 09:59 PM

3 is good for Ireland

Great UK sales.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 30th November 2018, 10:09 PM

I'm pleased with German top 20 debut. Netherlands and Italy I'm disappointed in.

Italy especially as it's always been a nation easily in their top 5 outside the UK for success.

I think for the tour outside the UK, it would have been good for them to have seen which countries they are still top 40 in and gone to those nations and really toured them.

Posted by: Hadji 1st December 2018, 03:23 AM

Shame you can only view the compilation chart as far back as February 1994 instead of when it started in January 1989. 2003’s compilation chart on the website seems to be broken

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 1st December 2018, 11:39 AM

I gave in and bought the album and well let's just say uts not an album il have to worry about getting scratched but il give it a few more plays to see if it will connect with me at all.

Posted by: Hadji 1st December 2018, 12:00 PM

If they release a version of Odyssey with all the normal versions of the songs, I’ll be all over that

Posted by: jay727 1st December 2018, 01:31 PM

You can make that collection with a Spotify or apple playlist! Hence why they decided to change it up here and there.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 1st December 2018, 03:32 PM

Me too.

Posted by: elisabeth1974 1st December 2018, 07:41 PM

fantastic in the UK, great sales and I assume they will continue with the promotion ahead.
Still surprised about how bad the position aka sales are in any other country aside Ireland.
The copies sold even with a number 18 in Germany are about 5,000 (?). That is why the venues they booked are so small in general outside the UK.
it will be a great run in the UK though.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 2nd December 2018, 07:04 PM

In hoping it's the flood they perform tonight.

Posted by: jay727 2nd December 2018, 08:49 PM

Really enjoyed the performance tonight! TT 3 sung Shine, and then Robbie got up to join them with Everything Changes!

Lovely to see them all together again, and for Mark to sing lead for once at the XF

Posted by: milly 2nd December 2018, 09:34 PM

Such a wasted opportunity tonight What's wrong with them? They needed their strongest singer tonight. It was a disaster, imo. Very disappointed.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 2nd December 2018, 09:35 PM

Ya it was good but performing one if the ballads would I think have benefited sales better. Patience or rule the world followed by everything changes I think would have been better.

Posted by: milly 2nd December 2018, 09:40 PM

Both Mark and Robbie were awful. for once, I agree with twitter

Posted by: jay727 2nd December 2018, 10:21 PM

I would have loved Never Forget to finish, but it was nice to see them back. And also to silence those who think TT and Rob fell out again

Posted by: jay727 2nd December 2018, 10:21 PM

For those who haven’t seen the performance:

https://youtu.be/lpGbznZtWVs

Posted by: BadHabit 2nd December 2018, 10:34 PM

Thanks Jay727. Love the performance. It's fun, entertaining and visually stunning. I hope that's part of the tour (minus Robbie of course). Some reactions on twitter make it sound like a disaster when it's not.

I think Mark's singing is as good as any other times. So is Rob's and everyone knew that Rob's can be on and off depending on his mood.

The only thing I don't like is Rob's flirting with Ayda. It takes away from it's being TT song.

One more complain is that they should do at least 3 songs.

Posted by: slowdown73 2nd December 2018, 11:20 PM

Mark Owen really didn’t sound great. The moustache looked daft too!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 3rd December 2018, 01:00 AM

I thought mark sounded fine but everything changes was a bit all over the place performance wise but robbie up kissing ayda was a distraction. Overall it wasnt a bad performance but not their best but as I have said I'm not enjoying the odyssey era at all.

Posted by: milly 3rd December 2018, 09:57 AM

Come on guys, let's be honest. Both Mark's and Robbie's vocas were atrocious. For once, I was embarrassed to be a TT fan.

Posted by: jay727 3rd December 2018, 10:57 AM

I thought both sounded fine to be honest - but yes, would have like a Greatest Day at the start or something.

Hope we get a good bounce on sales now!

Posted by: nirvanamusic 3rd December 2018, 12:42 PM

It wasn't great both Mark and Robbie. I think in terms of the huge lack of success of this album outside the UK, is the fact nobody or very few have released Greatest Hits albums in at least past 8 years since 2010. Other audiences may have been aware but just listened to odd tracks and not the whole, or the originals.

If this album proves the reason why GH's aren't successful in current climate, at least they tried with it and did something different.

The album hasn't charted in Greece first week whereas all previous reunion albums, including Wonderland did. Let's see in the next few weeks though when Gary said 'I don't give a **** if the album is a hit or not to be honest' I think this is starting to show with only focus put on the UK.

It could be promo is done in other countries whilst they are touring next year in the nations.

Posted by: pippa 3rd December 2018, 03:01 PM

The performance was fine, nothing special.
It was far from their best and it is understandable why it is getting mixed reviews.

Posted by: jay727 3rd December 2018, 03:59 PM

I think I might have got caught up in the romance of it all! Friends of mine though liked it, and they’d usually not like it

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 3rd December 2018, 04:31 PM

I thought Mark sounded fine tbh - Shine is an absolute tune!

Posted by: pippa 3rd December 2018, 04:44 PM

Shine is a good song, but as others have mentioned i don't think they used the performance wisely.
Other songs in general impact their album sales better, songs such as Greatest Day, Patience, Rule The World and possibly A Million Love Songs.
The performance, wasn't bad, but it was of a much lower standard than what we often get.
The new versions of the songs are a complete mess and have lost the warmth they once had.

Posted by: BadHabit 3rd December 2018, 04:49 PM

Mark always sound like this. So you have to be embarrassed for a long time if that's your criteria.

He sung in tune and not better or worst then before. I happen to like his voice and his songs so I might be bias. I always like Gary voice the most but not all the songs are meant to be for him.

The two songs fit the theme of the show. It would look weird if they do Rule the world and then Everything changes.


I agree with a comment about the mustache though. It has to go!

Posted by: milly 3rd December 2018, 05:15 PM

They should have just gone with Cry or These Days...those songs could sell the album very well.

BadHabit - Mark has had better moments. He might not be my cup of tea, in terms of voice, but he definitely can sing better than he did last night.
As for Robbie - well, in his case, it might have just been the norm, who knows?!

Maybe I am in a weird mood lately, but, as someone who usually supports the boys even in bad times, last night, for me, at least, it was a very bad time. Maybe I just had big expectations because it was supposed to be their biggest performance this year, the one that would help sell the album all throughout Christmas. I still hope they continue to sell well and wish them the best, but now I have serious doubts about the longevity of this album.

Posted by: milly 3rd December 2018, 05:57 PM

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6452763/X-Factor-Robbie-Williams-joins-Dermot-OLeary-makes-awkward-Jason-Orange-remark.html#reader-comments

I know the comments on DM are usually dire, but, this time, they're quite on point, sadly.

Posted by: dylandog 3rd December 2018, 06:24 PM

I'm afraid I agree with Milly on this one. I thought they were dire. If you concentrate on their vocals rather than the visuals it's clear how bad the performance was. I haven't read the Mail comments; I don't have the heart for it.

I actually quite like Odyssey as an overall package and concept. However, last night their vocals certainly didn't live up to TT standards. I would have chosen a different song to Shine, although I like the new take on Everything Changes. On a completely superficial level (apologies to Mark fans in advance) I think he looks dreadful at the moment. He hasn't looked well for sometime - hope he is healthy and there's nothing wrong other than a 'mid life crisis' style wise!

Posted by: BadHabit 3rd December 2018, 06:48 PM

Then we will have to agree to disagree. I don't see how it sound any difference from say One Love concert. Maybe it's his look that's distracting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2mwGtQUOwM

Posted by: dylandog 3rd December 2018, 07:07 PM

I haven't seen their One Love concert - thanks I'll take a look. Unfortunately, I do struggle with Mark's voice, which is an acquired taste and not to everyone's liking. I will say one thing - there is great chemistry between the three and Rob; although as mentioned by others I didn't particularly like the Rob/Ayda bit. I found it rather distracting and unnecessary.

Posted by: pippa 3rd December 2018, 08:02 PM

Marks new image is not the best and for a very attractive man he didn't look attractive.
The album is Number 4 in the mid week chart on sales of 11,000 plus.
20,000, possibly 25,000 looks likely for this week.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 4th December 2018, 03:28 AM

11800 so far so easily 20000 more this week. It's strange that im not liking this era at all but I want them to do well at the same time.

Posted by: jay727 4th December 2018, 08:29 AM

The better they do the more likely they’ll come back again with new material in 3 or 4 years I guess. I’m just going to enjoy them now, as it’ll be a while before we see them promoting or heading out on tour again

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 4th December 2018, 01:34 PM

Ideally odyssey in cd1 was new versions and cd2 originals but I'm sticking with the originals and kinda think these new versions don't exist,if the tour was the original songs I'd be there in a shot but as its the new versions I'm skipping the tour.

Posted by: BadHabit 4th December 2018, 03:28 PM

I think they did say they would do the original version of Pray at the tour. Myself imagine it will start with a slow version and then lunch into a dancing one.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 4th December 2018, 09:28 PM

Official Chart Positions Updated when information becomes available.

Scotland#1.
UK#1.
Ireland#3.
Taiwan#9.
Germany#18.
Belgium (Flanders)#42.
Switzerland#45.
Spain#54.
Austria#55.
Australia#63.
Italy#80.
Netherlands#85.
Belgium (Wallonia)#102.
Japan#248.

Has failed to chart in Denmark, Finland, Croatia, France, Norway, South Korea, Czech Republic, Sweden or Greece opening week at present ... Only listing missed countries reunion albums have previously charted in.

Posted by: jay727 4th December 2018, 10:19 PM

Thanks nirvana!

The TT special on BBC will air on 28th Dec at 7pm

Posted by: elisabeth1974 5th December 2018, 04:48 AM

I am disappointed about NL and Italy

Posted by: jay727 5th December 2018, 08:40 AM

Surprised there’s nothing from Australia, Austria, Switzerland etc

Posted by: nirvanamusic 5th December 2018, 02:10 PM

Switzerland#45, Austria#55 and Australia#63. I'm disappointed in all of the positions that are non top 40. The fact the album hasn't charted AT ALL in all those nations where previous reunion albums did --even if lowly-- is quite something. If you took these positions as a basis for touring then the tour reads like this: UK, Ireland, Taiwan and Germany.

Debut week (normally highest) a loss of 10 previously charted nations is huge and can't be underestimated. Not even down at the bottom of the charts.

If they cared about the European tour then they should get promo going across Europe and Asia. They don't physically have to be there, though after opening week it's clear either people didn't know the album was out .. or people simply no longer care.

Take That being a UK exclusive act has been mentioned ever since they went down to a three.

Though this has only happened truthfully with this album, the fact they charted all across Europe previously --regardless position-- showed they had an audience. Now it's clear they don't and so the 'UK only' tag is now befitting.

Posted by: pippa 5th December 2018, 04:21 PM

They are scaling back and as mentioned they are largely a UK based act.
This has become more evident since Jason departed.
In the UK they have a large loyal fanbase and many of their fans just purchase their albums regardless.
The loyal fanabase across Europe is smaller and i feel this release has left many fans,( myself included) disappointed and they are not as keen to support it.

Posted by: pippa 7th December 2018, 06:47 PM

Drops to number 5 with higher sales than i expected of 28,533.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 8th December 2018, 03:01 AM

I'm happy with them sales too as they weren't to far off number 4. Here in Ireland the albums drops from number 3 to 17.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 9th December 2018, 11:45 PM

Sure was one song I thought they make better with a new version and its actually worse.

Posted by: pippa 10th December 2018, 05:56 PM

Number 6 in the midweek chart released today.
Steady chart run to date.

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 13th December 2018, 06:04 PM

It appears Everlasting is the next single, as it has been added to the Radio 2 A-list!

Posted by: jay727 13th December 2018, 06:10 PM

Fantastic, excellent choice is single. Amazes me how different the album sales climate is compared to 10 years ago. The number 1 would be selling well into the hundreds of thousands

Posted by: milly 13th December 2018, 07:23 PM

I really like Everlasting - the studio version. But, if they're gonna promote it and sing it live, I fear it's gonna have the opposite effect to the desired one. The GP really doesn't like Mark's voice and none of his latest performances has been well received. Hope he improves his live performances.

Posted by: dylandog 13th December 2018, 07:53 PM

I really like Everlasting. I think Gary should have been lead vocal on it with Mark leading on OOUH. In my view Everlasting requires a strong vocalist - and unfortunately I don't think Mark's voice is good enough live. I also think Everlasting should have been the first release off the album.

Posted by: milly 13th December 2018, 08:18 PM

Although, considering they've already gone on holiday, it's doubtful they're gonna promote this single.

Posted by: WhovilleOdyssey 13th December 2018, 08:29 PM

I think I'm the only one that loves Mark's voice.

Posted by: jay727 13th December 2018, 10:15 PM

It sounds a little like it could have been on Mark’s last studio album - at least, I thought that today when I listened to it.

Good to see TT back in the top 5 in today’s midweeks. 25k sold

Posted by: milly 14th December 2018, 04:29 AM

I'm just glad to see their sales are consistent. It will get awhile, but, hopefully, the album will get certified platinum soon enough.

Posted by: elisabeth1974 14th December 2018, 07:45 AM

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/dec/13/the-30-best-boyband-members-ranked
Jason, Gary, Robbie

Posted by: jay727 14th December 2018, 10:11 AM

What a load of rubbish.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 14th December 2018, 10:38 AM

Do you mean with regard to Gary's entry?

Posted by: milly 14th December 2018, 11:15 AM

It's the Guardian....it's ALWAYS rubbish. It's not even funny.

Posted by: elisabeth1974 14th December 2018, 01:32 PM

because? I think it is pretty interesting and well The Guardian is hardly a newspaper like the tabloids SUN and DM

Posted by: milly 14th December 2018, 05:01 PM

It's worse than The Sun or The Daily Fail because it pretends to be a "serious" paper, when, in fact, it's just a bunch of politically biased journalists spewing bile in all directions.
The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent and a few more had never had anything good to say about Gary, they've only mocked and trashed him.
I despise journalists in general, but especially those who work for these particular papers.

Posted by: milly 14th December 2018, 06:02 PM

Odyssey stayed at 5 this week!
Almost 30k this week. That means we're now at about 165k sold.

Posted by: dylandog 14th December 2018, 07:02 PM

All in all the album is holding up better than I expected. That doesn't take away from the fact that their sales have nose dived. They have a core fan base but in the past 4 years they've lost the 'casual' fan - partially because a lot of their material has been sub standard ( and that's coming from a fan)

Re Guardian piece. I've no problem with the first three placings. Rob has had a stellar solo career for a very long time and continues to sell out large venues around the world. As for the other placings I think we can take it with a 'pinch of salt.' The Guardian has always hated GB and that's clearly evident from this article.

Posted by: milly 14th December 2018, 07:15 PM

I believe that the pre-orders came from the hard core fans and the rest of the sales are just casual buyers.
Having said that, it's still sad that their fanbase has diminished this much.

On the other hand, considering we're all aging fans, the fanbase will keep diminishing as years pass by I know for certain that lots of their fans have already died I know...black humour, bad jokes

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 15th December 2018, 06:28 PM

While at the moment its sales are doing ok there is no denying there sales have nosedived.other albums by them in the past would have sold a million by now or close to it.

Posted by: milly 15th December 2018, 08:09 PM

Considering all the scandals they provoked or that the media got them involved in in the past few years, we should be grateful there's still a fanbase out there for them.

Posted by: dylandog 15th December 2018, 09:55 PM

I still think it's a combination of 1) Tax issue - they've been criticised for it significantly more than other celebs, and it's still brought up 4 years later! 2) Taking Rob back (albeit it temporarily) 3) Jay leaving not long after the tax issue came to light and 4) weak music. I know some people say that sales have collapsed across the board but it hasn't affected Adele or Ed Sheeran; so there's still a market for popular music.

To this day I'll never understand why they've deviated so far from the sound of BW and The Circus. I'll be honest - I've gone to the last three tours and not enjoyed them very much, whereas I've loved the GB tours. I haven't enjoyed the albums ( III or Wonderland) but I've loved Gary's musical stuff. There are some beautiful songs in Finding Neverland and some sweet tunes in Calendar Girls.

As a TT fan it's been a strange 4 years!!

Posted by: milly 15th December 2018, 10:40 PM

I have to defend III, cause it's still my favorite TT album I play the songs more than those on BW, which I didn't think would happen.

But I agree, Gary's solo output has been more to my taste, especially SISYL and Finding Neverland - beautiful, beautiful music.

TT started losing fans long before the tax scandal and Jay leaving. There were the scandals with Howard, then Mark's affairs - I think that alone alienated at least 1/4 of the fanbase, then Rob coming-going-acting ....well, like himself...during Progress, Jay leaving and, of course, the nail in the coffin, the tax scandal. I think the music could have been extremely good and many people would still not have touched it.

But, it is what it is. Let's be glad they're still able to get no ones and to sell a lot more than artists who're supposed to be at the peak of their career.

Posted by: dylandog 15th December 2018, 11:00 PM

I really couldn't get into III, although there are one or two great songs on the album. I don't think their fall in popularity links to Howard/Mark - I really think it was the GB/tax link, Rob coming and going and changing the focus of the music and the group dynamic, Jay and their musical direction.

Whilst I don't think the high sales were sustainable long term I never thought their sales would go into free fall. I'm quite surprised the press haven't cotton on to the drop in their popularity. That said they still have incredible tour sales - which I find rather strange. At the last two concerts I've attended there's been a noticeable change in atmosphere because a lot of the crowd weren't familiar with the new songs.

Posted by: elisabeth1974 16th December 2018, 08:21 AM

Take That have been a UK (almost) only act since especially after Progress. Boy or Manbands do not sell well in the rest of Europe. It is not down to them only. The music taste is different. Robbie maintained his solo fanbase in Europe different to the UK more than TT. He sells out stadiums still. Progress was the unification all time height.
Gary never sold well in Europe. And in the UK in the comments on FB, Newspapers etc (aside of the usual hate comments every public figure gets) you see that his political direction and the tax issue hurt his image.
Robbie coming and going makes some people happy, some unhappy as you also realize in the comments even in this thread. But what really took mojo away is Jason leaving. And the miss of huge ballads. However, as long as they sell tours, even if it is for the live moment rather than TT - it is good for them as it pays millions in their wallets. In 10 years there might be a full reunion and then the Progress effect will set in again

Posted by: milly 16th December 2018, 09:40 AM

At the concert I attended this year, the crowd went nuts for Gary - I don't know if this is the same for a TT concert or not. Guess I'll find out in May

This is the thing the annoys me the most. Although the whole band was linked to the tax scandal, in the end, only Gary took the heat for it. nobody is pissed at Mark or Howard, nobody mentions the several schemes Robbie is involved in and so on.

And one last thing. I know it's good to be diplomatic and don't look out for arguments and bury the head in the sand and pretend you're dumb and so on and so forth.....BUT....Elisabeth, your constant "subtle" comparisons between Robbie and TT/Gary are really really annoying...There, I can't be more direct than that. We get it, trust us, we get it: Robbie is God, he's selling out stadiums everywhere, people love him everywhere, he's the best thing since sliced bread, TT are an UK act, Gary's "political" views (whatever those may be, cause he's never ever did anything political) and tax scandal are the reason for TT's downfall....You've said it a million times already, aren't you getting tired of it?
I've really tried my best not to say anything bad about Robbie lately, although God knows it's hard, but it seems it's impossible to expect the same consideration from others.

Posted by: dylandog 16th December 2018, 01:13 PM

I do think you're right on many things Elizabeth. There's no denying Rob's popularity and I think no one on this forum has suggested otherwise. Jay leaving undoubtedly had an impact far greater than anyone anticipated. I think this is partly because with Rob back on board they seemed to go from a 5 piece to 3 piece out of nowhere and that makes a big change in dynamics. Also agree re the lack of the typical TT ballad post The Flood- meaning a loss of their signature sound etc.

Where I don't agree is the political aspect. I see Gary as quite neutral politically. He hasn't aligned himself with a political cause/party to my knowledge (aside from a throw away comment when he was on a school visit with David Cameron, if I recall correctly) I don't know his political affiliations, although he's probably conservative with a small c, but he's constantly lambasted and called out for his political stance and hypocrisy. There are many musicians with strong public political views; Gary certainly isn't one of them.

I see the TT lads as a decent bunch, all in all. Not perfect, but generally nice guys. Milly - I agree with you. Gary's reception at all the tours I've attended has been incredible and I've found his performances exceptionally. As for TT, I don't think their vocals have been strong on the last two tours aside from their Hyde Park show when they were brilliant.

Which show are you going to in May by the way?

Posted by: milly 16th December 2018, 02:49 PM

I've bought tickets for the O2 - 3 May, but I think I'll try to buy some more - for the 4th as well and maybe for Rome too
I have to make sure I take enough of my Gary dose before he goes in "semi-retirement"

Posted by: nirvanamusic 16th December 2018, 03:21 PM

I agree about the impact of Jason leaving. He may have been quiet on records but from what I could see he was --Robbie and Gary aside-- the next most popular member since they reformed.

Though even in the 90's he was majorly underrated on a musical level --vocals aside-- as he was second to Gary, supporting his songs playing guitar and contributing to the musical side of things in that way.

I think Jason represented 'the good guy' and humble aspects more naturally than the others and this gained him droves of fans. He is very intelligent, including emotionally intelligent which made him relatable with everyday members of the public. The other four are nice though in my opinion you could tell Jason was truly sincere.

Of course he is also the only member not involved in any tax issue and possibly took moral issue on this. I once read he still banks with his local co-op.

Possibly seeing the others as having lost touch and perspective and that the true commercial aspect of the band was done after Robbie returned, the natural conclusion. He stayed for Progress. He's not daft and has always carefully thought about things more thoroughly than the others, aside from perhaps Gary.

Posted by: elisabeth1974 16th December 2018, 05:44 PM

It is not my opinion about Gary's political opinion. I am Dutch and I can only judge it from the distance. But as I am a fan of Rob in particular and TT in general if they are at least 4 and best 5 I read a lot of British articles about them and the comments about the guys. Most are neutral to Mark and Howard these days, Robbie is polarizing since decades, Gary is appreciated as his voice is great. But as a person a lot of people dislike his tax issue more than with other people. This influences the opinion of the General Public, not of TT fans I guess. Once again I speak about the sales in the UK as in Europe no one knows or cares who is not a real fan.
Musicwise I think indeed that Jason is missed a lot, far more than Robbie. TT4 worked. I loved the Circus. But I miss the Rule the World, the Said it all the Flood style.
And Milly, there is no subtle dislike of someone. I like Robbie and Gary together these days. I am not a huge fan of Gary solo. But this is simply one taste of many we have here. I think though it is nice to have a good discussion aside the FB pages where you would not like to enter some TT sites with the hate of some against Rob, while the group made their piece.

Posted by: pippa 17th December 2018, 09:05 PM

Number 6 today in the latest midweeks.
In general sales are not by any means impressive for the time of year unless we see a great increase for the remainder of the week.
30,000 or near, is likely the best outcome for this week.

Posted by: jay727 17th December 2018, 09:24 PM

Pippa, you can now buy the cassette on the website for a limited time:

http://store.universalmusic.com/takethat/*/*/Odyssey-Limited-Cassette/5ZDS0000000

Posted by: jay727 17th December 2018, 09:26 PM

Looks like we’re looking at 200k before Xmas - ideally platinum leading up to the tour

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 18th December 2018, 12:45 AM

It will be a struggle for platinum unless it has 2 good strong weeks now.

Posted by: TomHo 19th December 2018, 03:07 AM

I am in love with, there are so many amazing version of their classic hits!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 20th December 2018, 01:52 AM

Never forget was great on the royal variety show but out of my head wasnt great.

Posted by: milly 20th December 2018, 07:54 PM

For me, it was the opposite

The audience didn't seem very "responsive" to either of the performances, but, at the end of OOOH, they seemed more pleased than at the end of NF - at least that's the impression I got.
But then again, the audience has been pretty much dead each time I watched Royal Varieties.

Posted by: pippa 20th December 2018, 09:23 PM

The audience is usually lifeless at the Royal Variety, and it seemed asleep for out of my head.

Posted by: milly 21st December 2018, 06:02 PM

Yaaay, Take That has managed to stay top 5 again!

Posted by: pippa 21st December 2018, 06:22 PM

Top 5 is a positive result 4 weeks after release.
Three and Wonderland were not in that position at this point.

Posted by: milly 21st December 2018, 09:05 PM

Good sales too. Almost 39 k. That means the album is over the 200k limit. Hopefully, we'll see it certified platinum soon. Maybe not next month necessarily, but at least till the tour starts.
It'd be nice for them to have another platinum album, since Wonderland didn't get there.

Posted by: dylandog 21st December 2018, 10:50 PM

Agree - decent sales and the album is holding up better than I thought it would. Hopefully the TV show scheduled for next week will mean that sales will stay strong for a little longer.

Hope you enjoy the gig at the 02 Milly. We've tickets for a stadium gig in June, but finances permitting I may also look for an arena date in April. I think I may enjoy this tour more than the previous three as the set list should be more to my liking, although I'm sad that I'll not get to hear songs such as WYBTFM live.

Posted by: jay727 21st December 2018, 11:16 PM

Fantastic result today! Hoping for strong sales over the weekend and Xmas Eve now!

On slightly separate news...looks like the world tour is off due to an illness in Gary’s family: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6521517/Gary-Barlow-CANCELS-plans-Thats-30th-anniversary-world-tour-family-illness.html

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 22nd December 2018, 12:44 AM

Just read this I hope it's not something awful bad.

Posted by: slowdown73 22nd December 2018, 02:51 PM

Might reach 250k by the end of the year! Slightly more than Wonderland did last year!

Posted by: milly 22nd December 2018, 03:45 PM

Pls don't get me started on WYBTFM I think I'll die without having heard that song live It's still my favorite TT song EVER. The only times it kinda annoys me is when my phone rings incessantly (it's my ringtone)

I wanted a stadium gig too, but I'm coming with my sister and she's a teacher and the school year ends in June here, so it was impossible for her to get away for any of the dates I'd have liked
The O2 was a compromise, cause it was the only place that still had some of the cheapest tickets available. We really wanted Manchester in UK, but there were only a few expensive tickets left.
I'm excited either way, cause it's my 1st TT concert I hope it's as good as Gary's was this year.

Posted by: milly 22nd December 2018, 03:52 PM

Gary has talked about it in his instalive My guess is it's either him or Dawn - although, if it really were Dawn, Gary wouldn't even be trying to pretend he's cheerful. It's definitely something serious, since Gary has said that, for the next couple of years, he'll be staying close to home and he won't be going too far away from home. Even next year, he'll be taking his family on tour with him. The guy needs to take it slow for awhile - after his fainting sprint 2 years ago and his Tramadol and back problems, it wouldn't surprise me if he kept another health issue well hidden, he's getting quite good at it.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 23rd December 2018, 08:41 PM

Its hard to know as with the way things are done. Its like things are just about ok for now but they may not be. Im just hoping all is ok and they really have been through enough the last couple of years.

Posted by: pippa 24th December 2018, 12:12 PM

I think the album will attract great sales over today and the last 2 days.

I hope you all have a very Happy Christmas.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 24th December 2018, 01:30 PM

With natural good sales this week and the show coming in TV I'm hoping for 2 decent weeks of sales before sales plummet in general.platinum is looking likely though but hopefully eventually close to 400,000.

Posted by: dylandog 24th December 2018, 01:36 PM

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and peaceful and healthy 2019.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 25th December 2018, 03:11 AM

Happy Christmas to all.

Posted by: jay727 25th December 2018, 09:35 AM

A very happy Christmas and new year to you and your families!

Posted by: milly 25th December 2018, 04:34 PM

Hope you are all having a wonderful, peaceful Christmas!

Posted by: pippa 27th December 2018, 12:57 PM

It is Top 5 in the midweeks and sales should be reasonably good.
I hope it can remain steady on the chart outside the Christmas period rather than falling extremely fast.

Posted by: milly 27th December 2018, 05:11 PM

I think it will end higher, as the week progresses. It's been rising constantly on Amazon and iTunes, which is quite surprising now that Christmas is almost over.
Hopefully the show on Friday will boost the sales for next week.
Come on, Platinum, come on!

Posted by: jay727 28th December 2018, 10:46 PM

Really enjoyed the documentary tonight, and it was lovely to see their mum’s included too, including Jason’s (who seemed like she’d love him to rejoin). Did anyone else see it yet? Struck me how much it felt like a Take That for the record Part II. Perhaps next time we’ll finally get all 5 looking back together for their 40th!

Posted by: Laura130262 29th December 2018, 12:44 AM

Not yet - tomorrow

Posted by: milly 29th December 2018, 08:08 AM

Saw it There were some tears involved here as well, but of boredom, unfortunately. Absolutely NOTHING new whatsoever and nothing of substance and, on many occasions, it felt like the Robbie and his backing singers documentary. The era starting with 2006 was almost brushed off, because, of course, Robbie wasn't there - most of the moments from this era were the ones with Robbie in it-, we had the neverending Jason eulogy, but nothing to actually celebrate the members that really carry Take That. And I realized another thing that pissed me off - in almost all the recent performances, Robbie had the silver jacket, to make sure he distinguished himself from the others - God forbid someone mistook him for just a member and he didn't take the center of the stage. I guess that, on a very superficial level, the documentary will do its job, it will sell the album, but I see it as nothing more than that - just a promo trick, without real substance.
I hope one day we get a documentary that brushes off Robbie's coming and going and the boys' constant "guilt" over it and the Jason "I'm happy to enjoy the money I've made off the back of TT, but without TT" and actually concentrates on what Mark, Gary and Howard have been doing. I know I sound bitter and I'm probably blowing things out of proportion a bit, but, seriously, is it too much to ask, as a fan, to have one episode that doesn't involve Robbie?
Gary's documentary with James was so much more fun and deep, at the same time. This looked just like a label-ordered film, with no other purpose than filling some pockets.
I was really disappointed.
And I didn't understand what was the whole thing of including their mums in this documentary if they gave them 2 minutes and didn't get anything of substance out of them? We got more time with the same old fans that appear everywhere and say nothing interesting. It would have been more interesting to just have 2 fans that actually had some stories to tell; the same for the mums - considering how crazy it got in the 90s, they'd have had a ton of stories to tell - they probably talked amongst themselves, but nobody was smart enough to include the stuff of interest in the documentary.

Sorry, just because I'm a fan, I'm not gonna praise everything they do, especially when it's so shallow.
Rant over

Posted by: elisabeth1974 29th December 2018, 09:36 AM

Milly, what about a TT documentary only about Gary? I think this will be appropriate. This boredrop Jason, this solo artist behaviour of Rob who just soldout 48 stadiums and some nice Las Vegas concerts, this backing singer Mark and backing dancer Howard. Iwould make it about Gary as Gary is TT.
No- I am not serious :-)

Posted by: dylandog 29th December 2018, 10:01 AM

I quite enjoyed the documentary. It was a watchable hour, nothing more, nothing less. The 2005 documentary was more open, raw and tense. I think they had to acknowledge Jay's departure and it was a nice gesture on their part. If they hadn't done something the snub would have been all over twitter.

The Jay issue is an interesting one. I miss him from the band, but it's difficult to clarify exactly what his role was as he didn't sing lead (aside from a couple of songs) and didn't have any significant involvement in the song writing side of things. What he did was give a visual balance to the band and contribute greatly to dance routines during live shows.

I guess he's still making a ton of money from the TT franchise - he'll get a cut from the Greatest Hits album and from The Band Musical without having to lift a finger. I've never quite got the cerebral label placed on Jay. Aside from a couple of academic courses over a 10 year period and a couple of TV/theatre roles he didn't do anything constructive during his years in the wilderness.

Re Rob - he had to be included, it would have been impossible to exclude him. What irks me somewhat is his minimal involvement in The Band Musical whilst picking up a chunk of the profits. I was shocked that the West End opening was the first time he's ever seen the show whilst Mark, Howard and Gary have travelled across the country publicising it.

TT, whether you like their music or not have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on UK pop music over the past 30 years - very few 'boy bands' have that legacy.

Posted by: milly 29th December 2018, 10:06 AM

Elisabeth, did you see me attack Howard or Mark anywhere in my post? Sorry I don't like your beloved Robbie, but I couldn't care less what he's doing on his own. He can be a global star, as far as I care, he can sell concerts on the Moon if he wants, he simply didn't belong in this documentary. He's always making money off the back of TT. He did nothing for Odyssey, he doesn't tour with the boys, he didn't know for a long time that he was performing with them on the XF, so....what was he doing there? It was a celebration of what the boys have done or it was supposed to be, instead I watched , for at least 1/4 of it , the boys regretting Robbie and Jason's departure or remembering how nice it was to have Robbie back, how he made The Band audience happy to be there, how he turned on the red carpet, how he sang The Flood and EC, how he loves his "4 BUSINESS brothers". Sorry for not falling into the brainwashed category. They pretend to be such good friends, but no one mentions publicly how Robbie wrote rude emails to Gary after one of his tv appearances during the SISYL promo and how he had a go at him simply because Gary answered a question - and that's just the top of the iceberg. Sorry I'm not buying into this "idylle", while we know that behind the scenes, things are not so rosy. Robbie has denied knowing anything about an XF performance with the boys, then he came out and he joked "I forgot, I'm ME". Funny how he let the press know he wasn't invited to be part of the Odyssey recording and tour - indirectly slamming the boys - and now he wants a mic to be available for him on tour. Funny how he grabbed that Las Vegas opportunity when he knew the boys were looking into it before him. Sorry, I'm not buying into this friendly Robbie, who loves the boys so much, but stabs them as soon as they turn their back. No, he's not a part of TT anymore, so he doesn't belong there, just because for 4 years, back in the 90s, he was the clown of the band.

And to answer your question very directly, cause I'm not beating around the bush and I don't like to be a hypocrite: Yes. I would very much like another solo Gary documentary, as long as it's done respectfully, like the last one.

Posted by: milly 29th December 2018, 10:23 AM

Dylandog, I agree with you, up to a point, that Jason had to be mentioned - and, if it were after me, he'd have belonged there more than Robbie -, but it irked me that they insisted so much on these topics - how wise he was, how smart he was, bla bla bla, lighting that thing for him and so on. It was just too much. It was too much emphasis on those who left and too little on those who remained. Has anyone actually heard anything positive being said about Gary, Mark and Howard? I haven't. There was not even a minimal praise for them - the only one Robbie praised was...surprise...the one who gave a blow to the group, just like himself. That's what's annoyed me so much.

To be frank, I understand certain fans liked Jason and miss him, I personally don't. I'm probably one of the few people who don't acknowledge that "intelligence" and "wisdom" the others are talking about - that's probably because I saw really intelligent, academic people in the person of my professors and I know how that truly looks. I guess Jason strived to be intelligent and he probably read a lot, but, imo, he had no real in depth view of anything. I'm not saying, by any means, he was a stupid person, just that he wasn't any more intelligent than the others. I agree with you, though, about his contribution to the band - even if it was only for the moral of the group, he was good for them. But he chose to leave, he wasn't kicked out, so I don't see why the boys have to always go out of their way to acknowledge him - if "fans" attack them for this, then they're idiots. The interviews the boys did in November clearly showed they are annoyed of always being asked about Jason and Robbie - that's why I find this documentary to be more of a "guided" one - they said exactly what people expected them to say, regardless of how they actually feel.

Sorry, I don't agree with you on that Robbie had to be included If anything, I strongly believe this was one time where his presence was not necessary. It was the boys' opportunity to show that they were able to make it even as 3, despite all odds, and to consolidate their image as a 3 person-band in people's memory. Instead, all they did was remind everyone that they're the group that Robbie and Jason left, the group that's not whole. It's not what I was expecting from this documentary.
But, what is done is done. At least the album will shift more copies this week - hopefully. If they don't sell at least 50k this week, then this documentary was a waste of everything.

Posted by: milly 29th December 2018, 11:27 AM

PS: from Robbie's autobiography:
"Rob has an idea, an idea he's gleefully excited about. He has realized that both he and GB are planning to release new solo albums towards the end of the year. He thinks they should release them on the same day and engineer a high-profile media battle, just as 50 Cent and Kanye West did a few years ago or, more combatively, like the notorious Oasis versus Blur face-off. Rob's view is that a stunt like this would be bound to raise the sales of both records. He obviously thinks it would be fun too.
He emails Gary, excited. Gary answers, much less so. Rob reads out part of his reply:<<I would do anything for that not to happen. It brings up too much of the past for me.I would love after 13 years just for a record to have its own story".
We all know how that turned out. Robbie couldn't give a cr** about Gary's wishes and went ahead and released his album just one week before,knowing that the media would pit them against each other, which is exactly what happened. Nice friend!!!!

"After seriously considering it, Rob had told Gary that he couldn't be involved in the next TT project. There were a number of reasons, one being that it didn't seem quite so enticing without all 5 of them"
So, what's changed? If the boys invited him to be a part of III and he refused, because it wasn't "enticing" - he probably didn't want to be a part of a sinking ship - why now, all of a sudden, he's doing appearances and documentaries with the boys, if not for the money? The ship isn't sinking anymore, so it's more "enticing", I guess.

"In March, Gaz was on Chatty Man with Alan Carr and I DIDN"T WATCH THE INTERVIEW, but the upshot of it was: he had left the door open for me still, saying "well, it's down to Rob whether he wants to". And then it was in the newspapers and I googled myself and, in 250 news stories was: "Robbie's been given an ultimatum". Gary said: "Well, we've got to May to know what we're doing.". So, I got the hump with that, because I thought: I know where this is heading. This is heading towards: Robbie Williams spoils reunion and he's a nasty bast*rd again. That's how it felt anyway. And I DON"T WANT TO LOOK LIKE THE BAD GUY. So, I was a bit angry about that".
Nice of him that he had all the time to google 250 articles about himself, but he didn't have 2 minutes to watch the yt video to see what Gary had actually said. Of course, he only cared about himself. I guess Gary wasn't entitled to be angry when Robbie ignored him and decided to release the same time as he did. Double standards and all that....The next bit is the best - Robbie in all his caring glory! Why answer a simple question, when he could throw the boys under the bus?

"That's what was in his mind when The Sun came to interview him in Vienna: "I'm stressed at the start of the tour (best excuse ever, Rob!!!), and she's asking: "So, where are you with the ultimatum?"and I went: "What f***** ultimatum? I told them in December I'm not doing it. It's Jason who's not doing it, not me."
Nobody knew about Jason's departure. Rob's management quickly had to let TT know what Rob had done. For a while, it was almost back to the black old days.
Gary sends an email back to Josie going: "Why does he want to do something like that?It's so destructive. Does he want the band to implode?". I woke up in Austria and I'd got an email from Howard and it was really short and it just said "look, I know it's probably good for you, but that wasn't good for us, didn't like what you did!". I thought: "WTF?". Then I sent an email back that was a bit terse and angry. And Gary sent an email. Then I wrote this needlessly long email, detailing other superfluous stuff: "Well, when you did this in deh deh deh....I said deh deh deh and you said deh deh and it's because of deh deh deh." I shouldn't have sent it. (That's always his excuse -"oh, I'm impulsive, I'm childish....this is my excuse for everything; I shit on other people and then I blame them and make excuses for my behaviour). You'd have thought I'd might have learnt by now. It was an emotional response. And the foundations of it weren't built on solid ground. It was just "I don't like the fact I've been given this ultimatum (Gary had never given him any ultimatum, the media had made that u, but I guess he's too dumb to distinguish). I said that I'm not f*****doing it - just say that I'm not f***** doing it! (so, now the boys are truly given an ultimatum and an order from king Robbie, who can't stand to be associated with them when they're going down). They were "This has to be engineered in the right way". In my head (not his brain, obviously!) it was just "Why don't you just say Jason's not doing it?"......
More emails followed , with more recriminations and no solutions. Rob credits Gary with being the one who eventually calmed the waters and persuaded everyone that these fractious exchanges were going nowhere and solving nothing. "He's the bigger and better person than me", Rob says. At one point, he adds: Gary also wrote: "I hope this doesn't stop us speaking for years (again)"

So, Elisabeth, this is why I don't believe Robbie deserves to be with the boys. He's sabotaged them every occasion he got and he only has his best interests at heart, damn the others!
And this is the arrogant Gary that controls everyone and everything, ladies and gentlemen!

Posted by: dylandog 29th December 2018, 12:46 PM

I still think that both Jay and Rob's contributions had to be acknowledged because it was a celebration of 30 years of TT, although I can understand your point regarding the three of them not being centre stage. I suppose their most popular periods were as a 5 and then a 4. I think Gary, Howard and Mark accept that their popularity has waned as a three.

I fully accept that for many TT isn't TT if there aren't the five of them. I became a fan in 2005 so for me the best of TT was as a four piece.

Sadly, I have to agree with you regarding Rob. I think he uses the lads when it suits him (although to an extent I'm sure they've used him) and only joined them off the back of the incredible Circus tour. If the above it true, and as the extracts are from Rob's autobiography, then it does appear that for Rob it's less of an emotional pull and more of a status/financial one.

For all the comments about Jay leaving and the supposed closeness between him and Rob, I'm convinced that Rob's return was the catalyst for Jay leaving. The body language in the documentary and on stage was not good. Jay stated in his leaving statement that he'd fallen out of love with music but I really think there was more to it than that. Rob's return wasn't a positive thing for the band in my view - for Rob yes, but the rest, no.

Posted by: milly 29th December 2018, 01:00 PM

Yeah, for me, at least, it's very obvious that what they're stating publicly and what they really feel are 2 different things.
I genuinely believe Gary when he says he regards Robbie as a friend, that's why it drives me nuts when I see all the cr** Robbie is pulling on him and the others.
At least Jason had the decency to never do anything like that to the boys - what's going on between them stays between them.

As I've said, I agree that both Jason and Robbie's contributions had to be acknowledged, that's indisputable. What I'm saying is that Robbie's presence in the documentary wasn't necessary, given all he's done to the boys. He could have left them have their moment. I truly, truly despised him when he referred to them as "my business brothers". He's clever when it comes to distorting reality without many people noticing it.
Maybe the III and Wonderland eras weren't as successful as the previous ones, but, given the context, it's no wonder. They were still successful and it was all down to Gary, Mark and Howard. 30 years of work and did anyone actually acknowledge these eras? Even Odyssey was brushed off. So, I have a problem with the program being called "We've come a long way" while we're only presented the beginning and some of the middle.

Oh, and funny how Robbie uploads his new single on yt precisely the day the documentary airs! How convenient!

Posted by: dylandog 29th December 2018, 01:30 PM

It has to be said very few bands have the history or complexity of TT!!! For a 'bland' boy band they've somehow managed to conjure up so much controversy:)

I agree with you in so far as the documentary could have focused a little more on the past four years and their work on the last two tours and the musical, but for whatever reason that didn't happen.

I'm putting it out there now - I don't think Howard likes Rob very much. I've obviously no actual proof but it's a feeling I've had for some time. I believe Gary admires Rob and is probably just a tad envious of his solo career, but genuinely views him as a friend. As for Mark Rob could drop him from a very high cliff and Mark would still think he's the most wonderful thing since sliced bread.

I actually feel for Howard. A few months ago he bumped into the 'elusive Jay' on Kensington High Street and they had a brief chat. Apparently that was the first time Jay had see Howard's two children. Howard has also posted some lovely heart felt posts about Jay - who has completely cut the boys out of his life. I genuinely think that Howard is upset by Jay's decision to not only walk away from the band, but also their friendship.

Posted by: milly 29th December 2018, 02:05 PM

That's exactly what I'm thinking, dylandog.
Howard and Jason seemed to be very good friends during the TT years and Mark, well, he seems to be friends with everyone. I'm not including Gary on this one, although, back in the 90s, they said themselves, it was Gary-Howard-Jay, on one side, and Mark-Robbie, on the other side.
I can understand - to a certain extent - Jason's decision to quit the music industry, but I don't get why he had to also quit his friendships. Howard was the one who said, during an interview, that Jason doesn't even reply to their emails anymore.

I strongly believe that, if that reunion last night had been secretly filmed in a therapist's office, we'd have seen a more honest reaction from the boys. No matter how much you care about someone - or precisely because you care so much about someone -, you're bound to feel angry and frustrated and upset when that someone dismisses you from their life. I swear, the most sincere reaction was during that interview in I don't know what country - all the boys' body language, when asked about Jason, got so tense and you could read on their faces that they were done with always accounting for Jason's decision, it was unmistakable. Yes, they had good times with Jason in the band, yes, they considered him their friend, but, at the same time, they're quite pissed at him - whether it's because he left the band or because he left them to deal with the aftermath and all the questions or because he excludes them from his personal life altogether, that, I don't know.

To be frank now, I wouldn't have minded Robbie's presence in the documentary if everyone in there had been honest. I get it, that, for business purposes, they have to be all sugary and lovey-dovey, but it's just too much, especially when it's fake. What Gary, Mark and Howard have is genuine, when you put Robbie and Jason in the mix, it all becomes forced.

Posted by: milly 29th December 2018, 02:12 PM

I actually gave it to you with the quote from Rob's autobiography. When Howard sent that email to Robbie and told him "I know it's good for you", it pretty much summed up what he believes about him in general - the truth comes out when you have these outbursts. Howard knows that Robbie is mainly after his own interests, but he's trying to give him the benefit of the doubt for the sake of the group.

I wonder if the boys know that Robbie launched his new single yesterday and, if they do, it'd be interesting to know if they felt used once again.

Posted by: dylandog 29th December 2018, 02:32 PM

Jay was always the one that struggled with the limelight so to some extent it wasn't a surprise that he was the one to jump ship. I also felt that he was, to put it bluntly, rather work shy.

I think they probably understand/accept his decision to leave the music industry, but I agree with you, they must be hurt and confused by his actions to cut them out of his life. I know if a friend I'd spent many years with did that to me I'd feel very hurt. It does make me wonder what an earth went on? Was Jay appalled by their involvement in the tax scheme or was it something else? Whilst I understand Jay has his own life and friendship groups to completely erase them from his life is drastic to say the least.

I remember being at Wembley for the Circus Tour. I think it was the last but one night. It was a truly magical experience, and one I'll never forget. The absolute joy on their faces, and the joy on Jay's face at the end of the show was something to behold. I would never have guessed that he was done with the band and only stayed on for the Progress tour so they could finish as a five. I recall reading that but can't remember where. To think that their appearance at the 2012 Olympics would be Jay's last performance with the band - if he only stayed along enough for the reunion tour then I do wonder why he didn't quit the band immediately following it?

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 29th December 2018, 03:02 PM

Ya I don't get why he has just vanished from their lives considering how long they know each other and there was no bug falling out.

Posted by: milly 29th December 2018, 03:10 PM

ROFL

I don't think it has anything to do with the their tax scheme. I doubt he even knew what the boys did with their share. Jason's finances are managed by his brother, the boys' by someone else. I don't see them sit down and talk: "oh, did your lawyer/accountant make you sign that paper regarding that investment?". I really trust Gary when he says he had no idea what he was signing - if he had any suspicion back then that it would be something that would backfire, he'd have pulled the money out immediately and payed the tax to the State, just like he did when he found out what it was all about.
BUT, in the eventuality that Gary and the others lie and they knew they were doing something morally questionable and Jason was aware of this and this is the reason he left the band, then shame on him! He isn't a saint, he's done his fair share of morally questionable things in life - at the end of the day, using fans for sex is way more wrong than making an investment that doesn't break any laws -, so he wasn't in any position to judge. Just like all the others, he did alcohol, he did drugs, he used people for his own pleasure.....he really had no foot to stand on when it came to this. He is enjoying, after all, a life of doing nothing off the back of others, limelight shy or not.
I sincerely hope that is not the reason he quit the band. If it were, his mum being in the documentary would look very weird.

Posted by: dylandog 29th December 2018, 03:52 PM

On the subject of the mother's. I don't know their respective ages by golly they all look so good. As Howard is 50ish, his mother must be around 70 years of age. Gary's mother hardly has any wrinkles ( I'd love to know her secret) and I think she is 70. The TT mums certainly have good genes!!!!

Re Jay - you're probably right about the tax thing, Milly, but it's all rather perplexing. The other thing about Jay is whilst he has this persona as the 'deep and intellectual one' of the band, on the few occasions he's been in the press he's often been photographed with much younger women placing him in that 'older man/ younger women cliché realm.

Reading between the lines it seems Howard has had a tough couple of years. I think the two boys have been a handful, not sleeping and generally he's found parenthood rather draining second time around. It appears that his wife Katie has also been unwell for some time and she has only recently started designing again. I think the past four years have been quite challenging for the lads in their family lives. It's obviously just come to light that Dawn became ill following the loss of Poppy - all in all it's remarkable that they have the energy to do as much as they do.

Posted by: milly 29th December 2018, 04:17 PM

Somehow, I think Gary'd switch places with Howard in a heartbeat I'm sure he's happy for Howard and Katie, but, at the same time, he must be somewhat jealous or hurting. I know I would be if I lost my baby and then every single friend of mine started popping babies.
It's really a messed up situation.

I feel for Howard and, at the same time, I find it really funny. It was high time men and not just women were tired because of newborns or toddlers
I was out last night with a close friend who has an almost 2 year old and another baby on her way - the poor thing hasn't had a good night sleep in ages. But it's hilarious to hear the extremes toddlers go to keep their parents up most of the night

Posted by: Laura130262 29th December 2018, 06:20 PM

I just watched. I really enjoyed it. I didn't learn anything new but enjoyed seeing all the old film and as always loved the demonstration of their friendship .

They've all overcome a lot in their lives and I love to see their "Happy Ending" and their love. Makes me smile every time.

Hopefully next time whenever that will be - Jay will be with them. I found the five sparklers quite poignant.

Posted by: jay727 30th December 2018, 11:52 AM

Up to 232,500 sales now. Still a way to go for platinum!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 30th December 2018, 07:15 PM

It's not bad for 6 weeks and it should sell over the next couple of months to get it platinum.

Posted by: BadHabit 31st December 2018, 12:58 AM

I don't understand the talk about Jay like he is a bad guy here when this is probably the main reason why he quit the band, to stop stangers being judgmental on him.

What's wrong with him dating young girls or older girls (Catherine Tate wasn't exactly young when they were dating)? He is single and should be allowed to date whoever he wants. And if he decided to quit because of the tax thing then I don't see any problem. People has different values in life that hold dear to their heart.

Anyway, all this was just you guys' speculations (not even truth) and you still manage to use it to talk down on him just because he is not your favorite.

Jason has never been a fan of technology since when he was in the band so I see no reasons for him to change after he left the band. Being of grid is so Jason that I don't know why everyone would be surprised.

I have a lot of old colleagues that I was close to when I was working with them but never bother to keep in touch. I still like them but they are not my priority at the moment. There are so many levels of friendship and Take That is definitely a unique one.

Posted by: milly 31st December 2018, 05:20 PM

Guess we all see friendship in a different way. If I were living off the money I made with a bunch of other people, I'd at least be respectful enough to reply to their emails.

But you are right, it's all speculation on our parts - what else would it be, since none of us are living with them?

And you are right, we all have different values.

Posted by: dylandog 31st December 2018, 06:34 PM

I'm sorry you see it that way BadHabit. I in no way meant to be dismissive of Jay or suggest that he is a 'bad guy.' If you read my post I do say I miss Jay and for me they were at their best as a four piece. However, it's not unfair of me to point out that he had few leads, which I think is a shame by the way,because he's my second favourite vocalist in the band, or that he had very little input re song writing.

The forum is for comments and opinions and unless we're looking at facts such as sales figures, then of course it's merely conjecture. My point was that I didn't fully understand the intellectual label given to Jason. Of course he can 'date' whom is wishes, regardless of their age, I don't think I suggested otherwise, but simply made an observations that he appears to have been photographed with much younger women on a number of occasions and therefore falls into that stereotype of older man/ younger woman. By the way for balance Howard is married to a much younger woman as well.

I think it is relevant to comment on the fact that he's broken off all contact with the band as I though they had a close bond, but seemingly that's not the case. And as fans it's not unusual to speculate as to the reasons why.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 1st January 2019, 04:07 AM

Odyssey up to number 3 in the midweeks

Posted by: milly 1st January 2019, 09:42 AM

I'm happy with the position in the midweeks, but I'm more interested in sales. Also, I doubt they're gonna be able to hold on that no 3 till Friday. They're already started slipping down.


In regards to Jason dating younger women - although I couldn't care less about his private life (as long as his private life doesn't affect TT's image/reputation/connections)-, I do believe it's morally wrong for a 40+ old man to be dating 20 year olds. No, a person doesn't have the right to date whomever they please. In some countries, it's legal for 80+ year olds to marry young girls, some are still kids - based on the mighty principle that "one can do whatever/whomever they please". Just because it's not illegal, it doesn't mean it's not wrong. Plus, it's just disturbing to see an almost 50 year old - or is he 50 already? - jumping from woman to woman - he's either interested in settling down, in which case he should be dating just one person -or he's not interested in a family life, in which case he shouldn't be dating at all. I could understand it to some extent when all the boys were teens or in their early 20s, but now it's just ridiculous. I know you all live in a "liberal" thinking country, but I have the feeling nowadays abnormalities are being perceived as normal, which is soooo wrong.
It's not right that any person on this forum be made to "retract" an opinion based on a system of values, just because others' fan bias.

Like dylandog said, nobody believes Jason is "a bad guy", but that doesn't mean he's a saint either- he's just showing signs of immature and questionable decisions.
Every single member of this band has been criticized for various choices they've made in their lives, why would be Jason exempt from the same treatment? He actually had it pretty easy going while he was in the band. For all his questionable public appearances, he never got the 10th amount of the slagging Gary did for simply existing.

Posted by: jay727 1st January 2019, 06:07 PM

Fantastic! Let’s hope it holds the top 5

Posted by: milly 1st January 2019, 08:51 PM

Hope we get lots of performances like these on this year's tour:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9kuUf2xR_w&feature=share

My all time favorite remains the Ultimate Tour one. The way Gary switches from chest voice to head voice and back is insane, in my non-expert opinion.

Posted by: dylandog 1st January 2019, 09:02 PM

Happy New Year everyone!!!

That tour brings back so many memories, Milly. I went with a large group of work friends, about 10 of us. First time I'd seen TT live and we all went for ' a bit of fun.' I was absolutely bowled over by the show/them. The Beatles Medley and the above performance has always stuck in my mind.

I've had a soft spot for the Ultimate Tour ever since. I never expected them to be so good live and it was a shock to see how fab the show was - good memories. Where has the time gone ??

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 2nd January 2019, 07:21 PM

Odyssey is number 3 on sales of over 12,000 which is around 2500 ahead of lady gaga at number 4.Odyssey should get around 15,000 sales this week which leaves just over 50, 000 to get to platinum.

Posted by: elisabeth1974 2nd January 2019, 07:57 PM

do we have worldwide sales?

Posted by: milly 2nd January 2019, 08:19 PM

I know this is a dead month sales-wise, but I was hoping the documentary would be sappy enough to attract more sales. I may have been overly optimistic, but I expected around 50k. Not even 20k is quite a let down. I wonder if it even justifies the cost of making the documentary.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 2nd January 2019, 08:25 PM

The days of them shifting big numbers outside release week are over. My hopes was for it to make platinum which I think it will which sadly I don't think wonderland will ever manage.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 2nd January 2019, 08:39 PM

UK End Of Year Albums:

Odyssey: #11 (18). Sadly just misses a top 10 placing.

Other albums (highest year placing only)

Top 10 album in bold

Take That & Party: #19 (93)
Everything Changes: #3 (93)
Nobody Else: #16 (95)
Greatest Hits: #8 (96)
Never Forget: The Ultimate Collection: #19 (05)
Beautiful World: #2 (06)
The Circus: #2 (08)
The Greatest Day - Take That Present The Circus Live: #27 (09)
Progress: #1 (10)
Progress Live: #65 (11)
III: #10 (14)
Wonderland: #13 (17)
Odyssey: #11 (18)

Two albums each decade ending with a top 10 placing for 90's, 00's and 10's.

Posted by: milly 2nd January 2019, 09:12 PM

I still don't think that placing is correct. It's based on sales up to last Thursday included and not even then it's definite that they were behind Eminem, 400 copies more or less. Since then, till Monday, they sold plenty to gain a place in top 10. In cases like this, when the year doesn't end on the same day as the chart week, sales should be taken into consideration on a day to day basis.
Besides, that's not an official placing, it's just a hierarchy made by someone on the main forum, based on sales up to last Thursday. Technically, TT should have ended the year top 10 (maybe even at 9).

Posted by: milly 2nd January 2019, 10:13 PM

Someone has uploaded the Wonderland tour "dvd": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi7FkCmNpik

Posted by: jay727 3rd January 2019, 01:47 AM

Fab, Thanks Milly! Still surprising this was never released officially...

Posted by: milly 3rd January 2019, 01:55 AM

Unfortunately, it's not the entire concert, it's mainly the classics.

Posted by: pippa 3rd January 2019, 04:17 PM

It is disappointing to see Odyssey miss the Top 10 by so little.

Posted by: pippa 4th January 2019, 06:21 PM

15,845 sales for this week.

Posted by: milly 4th January 2019, 11:02 PM

Is it safe to say that this is the kind of songs we are all expecting on a TT album?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpcIVNuwl-s

Posted by: TomHo 4th January 2019, 11:16 PM

I can't stop listening to this. I do love the original versions of the songs but there is just something special about these mixes. It is a great celebration of the band and their history.

Posted by: dylandog 5th January 2019, 12:48 AM

They've made some very, very strange song choices in the past four years. Does anyone know if this song is for a film score? It's a lovely, lovely song and this is also what I expect from TT.

Posted by: milly 5th January 2019, 01:03 AM

No, it's just a song Gary used for one of his Barlow Bootcamp instagram videos.
I'm dying to hear the full song, but who knows if we ever will?!
I wish the boys realized this is the kind of stuff we're loving.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 5th January 2019, 03:03 AM

I would love more of this style as it's what they do best.I agree that some of songs in the last 4 years are very poor in comparison to some of the Brill stuff they have done. I would love them to concentrate more on the next album whenever it comes and go back to what they do best as I think it's what most of us want from them. Wonderland had a very lost feeling to it and also very rushed and it doesnt have any huge standout moments. Three at the least gave us the excellent these days.

Posted by: milly 5th January 2019, 11:44 AM

Ironically, the best track - for me, at least - on Wonderland was a bonus track, Loving or Leaving. Oh, and It's All For You was a keeper too.

III had Freeze, Flaws,Amazing, Higher than Higher, These Days, the stunning Will You Be There For Me, Carry Me Home - I actually believe III is the album that's gonna age the best- again, imo.

But we have to be ready to admit one thing: many of the songs most of us love have a heavy GB imprint on them. That's not to say that they should go back to the 90s and let Gary do all the writing, but the boys should encourage Gary to be "more of himself", if that makes sense, on the TT albums. Gary has a different approach when writing for TT than when he writes for himself or a musical and, unfortunately, as we see with the track above, his "solo" output is better for fans' tastes. I'm almost sure the critics would slam him for doing ballads like this one, but it's what we like and want, so....

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 5th January 2019, 12:47 PM

Very good points and i agree Gary would get slated but if it was a hit who cares and more importantly a good quality song. I know the data off hits are over but I miss enjoying their music. I love so much of the back catalogue as it's what I listen to but I really think they have at least 1 more great studio album left in them.