Everything posted by Better Man
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Robbie Williams - XXV
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatAll is fine. All could be better without Covid. Just remind you all XXV was planned even earlier. Now let's wait for a new album - if we don't count Xmas album it would be 8 years since THES in 2024. Too long to wait!
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RW-Live At Knebworth - Netflix
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatAs I understood, there is a very short version of the concert on Netflix :/
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Take That - This Life
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take That4 stars from Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertai...w-b2452253.html Take That review, This Life: Cosy collection of durable, hummable, very English songs Gary Barlow and co prove to be a safely uplifting choice this festive season Helen Brown Slogging through the housework to Take That’s ninth album, This Life, I notice a gentle uptick in my mood. Nothing dramatic. No grand romantic swooning over the laundry basket. Just a hummable, toe-tappable companionship as the band work through their very English gripes and consolations (rainy days, lost loves, muddled plans) to the jaunty shrug of Gary Barlow’s easy-hook, mustn’t grumble melodies. “No way tomorrow is golden,” they concede on single “This Life”, like a weary co-worker popping a cuppa on your desk, but “a new day can be anything you want”. It reminds me that whoever chose Take That to promote Marks & Spencer’s back in 2008 knew their stuff. The boy band once pelted with thongs on stage had, by then, matured nicely into a man band you’d trust to sell sensible knickers and cosy sweaters. Like any group of mates formed in the Nineties, including TV’s Friends, Take That have weathered storms and suffered attrition but, ultimately, they connect us to a more hopeful era. The band lost the rackety charisma of solo star Robbie Williams back in 1995 and the comic camaraderie of Jason Orange a decade later (now rumoured to be living an “off-grid” life in the Cotswolds). However, earlier this year, the remaining trio proved a safely uplifting choice to unite a divided nation at the king’s coronation concert, with Howard Donald and Mark Owen beaming fraternal warmth into Barlow’s solidly crafted songs. You only have to clock the perfect way he turns the tune of “Back for Good” (1995), on the line “in the twist of separation” to feel the smooth satisfaction of his very domestic craft in action. It’s like watching a potter flick a spout into the rim of a jug. Nothing too showy, but a practised touch that makes the whole thing work. This Life finds Barlow pouring out similarly comforting mugs of song. Songs you can safely dunk a digestive into. It opens rather mournfully with “Keep Your Head Up” – layers of vocals steaming up a window of synths while a piano motif repeats like raindrops trickling down glass. “Keep your mind strong, your wings wide,” runs the cautiously motivational message, “Let go, instead of holding on…” The trio then speed into steering-wheel-tapper “Windows”. Like the entirety of the Jonas Brothers’ latest album, the track dials into the family-friendly Seventies soft rock of bands like America with its casual electric guitars and falsetto yearnings. There’s a touch of Billy Joel and Joe Jackson to the descending piano chord stomp of “This Life”. Barlow knocks out affable, oatmeal anthemic choruses on songs like “March of the Hopeful” (“Don’t change a thing about my heart!”), “Brand New Sun” (“Hey hey hey!”), and the banjo-accented “We Got All Day” (“Alright! Slow down! We got all day-ay-ay!”). There’s a little Police-era Sting to the slightly spiky vocal and bass line of “Days I Hate Myself”, driven by an engagingly lonely keyboard line. Meanwhile, “Mind Full of Madness” is propelled by a twitchy pulse indebted to the Rocky III theme song “Eye of the Tiger” and lyrics which, heartbreakingly, appear to reference Barlow’s grief over his stillborn daughter, Poppy. You might catch a little of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” sway to “The Champion”, which feels like an answer to Robbie’s “Strong” (1999) on which – decades before Netflix documentaries existed – he deconstructed the “mess” of his celebrity: “And this is real ’cause I feel fake?”. Now Barlow and co are taking the point further, suggesting that strength lies in owning the vulnerability. Over slickly pattered bongos, they accept that being “a little bit yesterday, a little bit broken” can still leave a man “feeling like a king”. Reassuring. Those preparing to face family members with differing world views this festive season may find solace in “One More Word”, a track that builds from the tenderness of close connection (“I had to hold your hand in the waiting room”) to the acknowledgement of disagreements (“I drink your wine/ I take your point of view/ Take mine?… ’Cos I love you”). I was stupidly snobby about Take That in the Nineties. All of us indie kids were (even as we all bought identical M&S charcoal grandad knitwear). But like those cardigans, the band have proved their practical, likeable durability. I don’t think I’ll ever have my emotional world shaken or thrilled by anything they make, but I’m grateful for the security of their reliable wool-cotton mix and what – over the years – has come to feel like a nationwide friendship. Long live the III.
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Take That - This Life
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatWell done, lads! It's good when artists are ready to say more about their music. I'd like to get a copy of the magazine...
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RW - 25 Years Of Hits Tour 2022/2023
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatWe everybody can be happy for Rob during this Tour. It's definetely went and goes very well! He sounds amazing (just compare it to Leeds, to 2013 and 2017 tours!) and still have an energy after over 1 year of the Tour. So such pauses between its legs were very clever. And yes, I've listened to You're The Voice from all OZ concerts - great performances :) Even his outfit is much better in OZ than for other shows )) And certanly Rob looks much better at the stadiums than arenas. Yes, he still got it.
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Lufthaus - Visions Vol. 1
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatTomorrow's People - a new song they have performed during Robbie's pre-show in Australia.
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RW - Netflix Documentary Series (2023)
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatThis article is very touchable. Still haven't watched the documentary. I'm a little bit afraid to watch it knowing Rob so long time... And knowing him as a good guy and great artist maybe I will not see anything new but I'm afraid to see some bad what happened with him in the past. Sometimes I think I know everything but every time we find new details of any periods and episodes of his life. Of course, I will watch.
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Stephen Duffy
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatWhat a great finding, Tess! THANK you very much.
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Port Vale FC
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatIt would be fantastic. Again, as a fan of Robbie, his music and football I'm over the Moon when he is mixing music and football at the same time. So, wish watch Port Vale vs Man Utd in EPL at one day!
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Robbie Williams - The Christmas Present
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatHere in Moscow we're having a lot of snow much earlier than usually in November and though we celebrate Christmas in January and New Year is bigger holiday for families it's already not far from winter festive mood. So yes, it's time! This album gets better and better every year. I still think Robbie doesn't use a great opportunity to promote this album. So many GREAT songs on it! Just heard Best Cristmas Ever and Rudolph... Come on, it's so easy to be on a radio during Xmas period. Very stylish and very classical at the same time. Yes, it's one of Robbie's best album and Xmas albums so far. Wish him and this album much more attention and rotations. Very underrated.
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Take That: UK Chart Runs
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatUpdate after this week #1 single Now And Then by The Beatles: Oasis (incl.band & solo efforts) Number 1 singles 8 Number 1 albums 17 Take That (incl.band & solo efforts) Number 1 singles - 22 Number 1 albums - 25 The Beatles (incl.band & solo efforts) Number 1 singles - 26 Number 1 albums - 27 ------ Interesting to say Oasis Masterplan reissue is finished as Number 2 last week. While The Beatles compilation Blue is Number 1 in Album Chart at the moment but Taylor should switch it already tomorrow. So, it means Take That has a good chance to add #1 to TT history while Rob himself will have a chance to catch The Beatles with his next solo album. I don't know when =)
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RW - Netflix Documentary Series (2023)
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatDon't know where to watch it so will wait for a pirate version somewhere : ))
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RW - Netflix Documentary Series (2023)
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatVery positive preview!!
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RW - Netflix Documentary Series (2023)
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatThanks Tess for posting!
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Robbie Williams: UK & Worldwide Chart Runs
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatWaiting for Taylor in this list in a week :) While hope for the new RW album around Better Man release. I'd do this
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RW - Netflix Documentary Series (2023)
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatTake the posters and go there, Laura, for sure! Wish Robbie be there too.
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Robbie: Daily News
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatEYN0IVy-v0o
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Our Listening Club
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatHeard this song on Ayda's IG. I wish to hear Rob's version for the new Wonka movie... A-DuOmA75lI
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Take That - Brand New Sun
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatKylie does one very smart thing - she records featurings with different artists, mostly actual ones. Even one duet with Dua Lipa costs more than the whole album. Her producers are more modern for nowadays + she does a lot of additional releases like videos, reissues, etc. She never been lazy. So well done for her.
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Take That - Brand New Sun
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatMore filler than single by my opinion.
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RW - 25 Years Of Hits Tour 2022/2023
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatI was happy to be at this concert with a lot of my Friends! After comeback I will do some review.
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Our Listening Club
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatOh! So perfect quality of the video. Thanksss Tess. I think it's time to refresh my concerts archive... Haven't update it during 5 last years..!
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Howard's Unreleased First Single (1997)
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatIt's a good song and sounded perfectly for that period. It sounds like Eros, Ricky, less George in 00s, so people could like the song then. I remember that in the beginning of 00s i was waited for Bowie's Boy album. And 15+ years since it has been released finally. So who knows... Maybe one day.
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Take That - This Life
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatA little bit sad there are no songs with Jay or Rob, even as featuring at some songs. So more likely Oasis will be back together earlier than these guys :)
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Take That - Windows
Better Man posted a post in a topic in Robbie Williams and Take That's Robbie Williams and Take ThatCool! Waiting for the video. I like the song now more than at the beginning. High Quality photo: https://static.standard.co.uk/2023/09/22/11...30508_760_R.jpg